MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Track Day Technical => Topic started by: fuscobal on July 03, 2011, 01:33:50 pm

Title: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on July 03, 2011, 01:33:50 pm
I am now running 225/45/17 on standard 7.5'' GTI rims wich was a much better setup for track than my first 235/35/19 Goodyear F1 Asymmetric street tires. However, in about 2 weeks I'll be installing 6POT 362x32mm AP Racing brakes wich will require 18'' wheels. As I'm gonna buy these anyway, I was thinking of going 8.5'' (instead of 8'') wich will allow me to run 235 and 245 tires as recommended by Toyo, Kumho...for semislicks.

The data to take into account for this choice will be :

1) 370HP/475NM
2) 1450-1500Kg including driver & gas
3) TT arms in front wich throw the wheels about 7-8mm out of the wheel arch with 235/35/19 on 8.5'' rims
4) 245 tires may cause rub on the rear

Tire sizes/recommendations from different manufacturers :


Tire size > Overall diameter > Overall width > Tread witdh > Optimum rim width > Rim width limits > Sidewall height (given by tyre calculators) > Difference in diameter from stock tire (recommended <3%)

Kumho V70a

225/45/17 > 628 > 224 > 207 > 7.5'' > 7'' - 8.5'' > 101.09mm > 0% (stock size)
225/40/18 > 631 > 229 > 212 > 8''    > 7.5'' - 9'' > 89.92mm   > 0.44%
245/35/18 > 624 > 251 > 234 > 8.5'' > 8'' - 9''    > 85.60 mm  > 0.89%

Toyo R888

225/45/17 > 635 > 231 > ? > 7.5'' > 7'' - 8.5'' > 101.09mm > 0% (stock size)
225/40/18 > 637 > 224 > ? > 8''    > 7.5'' - 9'' > 89.92mm   > 0.44%
235/40/18 > 648 > 244 > ? > 8.5'' > 8'' - 9.5'' > 93.98mm   > 1.70%
245/40/18 > 653 > 249 > ? > 8.5'' > 8'' - 9.5'' > 97.79mm   > 2.88%

Yokohama A048

225/45/17 > 632 > 226 > 223 > 7.5'' > 7'' - 8.5'' > 101.09mm> 0% (stock size)
225/40/18 > 635 > 231 > 216 > 8''    > 7.5'' - 9'' > 89.92mm  > 0.44%
235/40/18 > 645 > 244 > 226 > 8.5'' > 8'' - 9.5'' > 93.98mm  > 1.70%


Dunlop Direzza 03g is too expensive and I can find no sizes on the internet. As you can see, for 235 &245 tires, the optimum rim would be 8.5'' and the minimum 8''. As I said on point 3), my 235 tires on 8.5'' rims stick out of the wheel arch about 8mm due to the TT arms so running 235&245 tires with 8.5'' rim will require new wings (Kerscher wings are about 20-25mm wider so they give plenty of clearance for these tires). As the price of the 8'' vs 8.5'' rims will be the same (TD 1.2 pro race) and the 225 vs 235/245 tire will also be similar, the only added cost will be the Kerscher wings at 650 Euros + painting (another 200 Euros). The final question is if the added grip of 235/245 tires over 225 deserve the extra money for the new wings. Aslo, I would like to have enough sidewall to properly help the suspension over bumps (245/35/18 seem to lack sidewall here) but not too much to avoid flex (245/40/18 has the biggest sidewall but still smaller than 225/45/17)

PS : As you can see, for the same size, there are great variations in overall width and tread width between various manufacturers !

Hopefully you'll have the patience to follow this topic and will also help you guys in the future choosing tires/rims for our mk5 chassis !
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: tony_danza on July 03, 2011, 05:18:58 pm
225 track tyres are wider than 225 road tyres. Odd I know, but they are more like 240mm due to them being more square and having re-inforced shoulders.

I ran 235/40/18 on 8" ET48 rims. They rubbed on the arches under compression, but didn't poke out and didn't touch anything on lock. It was worth the rubbing for the grip. I thought these were ideal and it wasn't necessary to go any bigger.

Too much grip = less fun. You need a bit of slip.
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on July 03, 2011, 10:46:38 pm
Thanks for your input Tony. Please also vote in the poll. I was also thinking about 235/40/18 on 8x18'' TD 1.2 . It's weird you get poke as I don get it with 235/35/19 street tires on 8.5'' rims. My 225/45/17 V70a have 224 overall width and 207 tread width (as said in the table above) so they are not wider than street tires) !
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: the bruce on July 09, 2011, 03:53:09 pm
Did you still make any decision?
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on July 09, 2011, 05:50:48 pm
235/40/18 on 8x18'' TD 1.2 . This is the best I can think of that will increase traction/corner grip while avoiding fender/damper rub !
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: the bruce on July 09, 2011, 11:17:17 pm
 :happy2:

ET?
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on July 10, 2011, 11:50:27 am
45 !
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on July 30, 2011, 10:43:47 am
Rims are here > TD 1.2 Pro Race in 8x18'', ET45 > the rim has 9.4Kg

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg718.imageshack.us%2Fimg718%2F5798%2Ftd121.jpg&hash=e943a9dc02ecd8f2dcdf8a12a14128bca6811f0f) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/718/td121.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

As the tires will be 235/40/18, I am now in the search for a good semislick. Kumho rule out as they don't do the V70A on that size, so I have several options :

1) Dunlop Direzza
2) Toyo R888
3) Yokohama A048
4) Michelin Pilot cup
5) Pirelli Trofeo
6) Nitto NT01
7) Others that don't come to mind now

What would be your recommendation knowing the car will have 1500Kg including driver (maybe some semis are better than others by just being lighter or having a stiffer sidewall). I do not really care about performance on wet or noise but do care about price and wear !
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: the bruce on July 30, 2011, 06:19:10 pm
Direzza 03G and Yoko 048 are pretty stiff.

Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on July 31, 2011, 06:08:23 am
For the moment, I only have prices for Toyo and Michelin and these will both be around 1000 Euros (normally the Michelins should be more expensive than Toyos but can get them for the same price). From what I know, Direzzas are probably the most expensive at about 1500-1800Euros/set so I wander how much better can they be to deserve such a high price. Don't have any price for the Yokohamas yet but heard many guys saying the rubber looses grip with each track day so their performance is inconsistent. Also, some say Toyo have a soft sidewall and don''t know if they are ok for my heavy car (also what compound would be best for me, hard or medium, knowing they should work well at 10-30deg celsius ?)
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: the bruce on July 31, 2011, 01:49:56 pm
http://www.goodtires.de/Sommerreifen/S2354018YMI228158/MICHELIN-PILOT-SPORT-CUP-MFS-235-40-R18-91Y.html

Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on July 31, 2011, 07:32:02 pm
Thanks, about the same price I will get them ! Now, the main choice stands between R888, Cup and Direzza with Direzza being the most expensive by far and the other 2 about the same !
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: Chalkie on August 05, 2011, 10:16:19 am
I run 18 x 8.5 with a 255/35/18 R888 or 255/35/18 Yokohama AD08, the wheels rub very slighy but only when I got a passenger in the back and I giving it beans...
arches have been rolled slighty...
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: Chalkie on August 05, 2011, 10:23:56 am
I do not really care about performance on wet or noise but do care about price and wear !


I've found that Yokohama AD08's last almost 3 times as long as r888's and once youve got heat into the yoko's they are almost as  good as the 888's
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on August 05, 2011, 03:58:11 pm
Chalkie, what suspension have you got ? Any pics with the fenders/wheels ?
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: Chalkie on August 17, 2011, 10:18:20 pm
Chalkie, what suspension have you got ? Any pics with the fenders/wheels ?

AST RACE DAMPERS
KW CAMBER ADJUSTABLE TOP MOUNTS


Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on August 20, 2011, 10:59:27 am
Made some comparison calculations between the 2 wheels I have for track :

1) OEM Denvers 7.5x17'' ; ET51 ; Kumho V70a on 225/45/17 (224 effective width)
2) TD 1.2 PRO Race 8x18'' ; ET45 ; Toyo R888 on 235/40/18 (244 effective width)

OEM > 7.5'' = 191mm
Tire = 224mm
Tire goes out of the rim on each side (224-191)/2 = 16.5mm
ET51 means :
1) the distance from the rim mounting point to the outer tire extremity would be 224/2 - 51 = 61mm
2) the distance from the rim mounting point to the inner tire extremity would be 224/2 + 51 = 163mm

Aftermarket > 8'' = 203mm
Tire = 244mm
Tire goes out of the rim on each side (244-203)/2 = 20.5mm
ET45 means :
1) the distance from the rim mounting point to the outer tire extremity would be 244/2 - 45 = 77mm
2) the distance from the rim mounting point to the inner tire extremity would be 244/2 + 45 = 167mm

By comparison :

1) The aftermarket tire will stick out 77-61 = 16mm more than OEM (this is bad for those that have clearance issues)
2) The aftermarket tire will be closer to the strut by 167-163 = 4mm (this is also bad for those who have strut clearance issues)

Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: rex on August 20, 2011, 01:44:32 pm
Looks like you might need some Kerscher or Seibon fenders!
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on August 20, 2011, 06:21:41 pm
Only way to know it is when I'll install the new wheels at the end of september...hopefully not !
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: Chalkie on August 20, 2011, 10:59:25 pm
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fzz304%2Ffinfast%2Fgolfbrands1.jpg&hash=9419f74c3d83f3716d68155384f9e5164fe3022e)

here is the car running load on 255 35 18 toyo 888's she's currently on 255 35 18 Yokos AD08's both give no problems with rubbing either loaded or on full lock...
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on August 21, 2011, 08:06:09 am
Can't understand how is that possible with OEM fenders. What do you mean by rolled slightly ? (5mm, 1cm ?). Chalkie, please also specify what ET have you got to those 8.5 x 18 rims ?

PS : Maybe those AST's are much stiffer than our B16s !
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: danishmkvgti on August 21, 2011, 08:26:09 am
Can't understand how is that possible with OEM fenders. What do you mean by rolled slightly ? (5mm, 1cm ?). Chalkie, please also specify what ET have you got to those 8.5 x 18 rims ?

PS : Maybe those AST's are much stiffer than our B16s !

Linear springs maybe?  :smiley:
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: Chalkie on August 21, 2011, 09:21:54 am
et50 8.5x18

they use a special machine to roll the arches ask your local bodyshop...
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: rex on August 21, 2011, 09:28:02 am
And guys, I also think the circuit is important.
I have no rubbing at Hungaroring with a 2cm lower suspension and ET40 rims. But I have rubbing at Nordschleife with 2cm higher suspension and ET50 rims.
So my guess is that there is rubbing on that Golf on Nordschleife. It just depends where you are going.
I will search for a setup that is ok for all tracks because rubbing is annoying and also dangerous.
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: Chalkie on August 21, 2011, 09:56:54 am
no rubbing at Nordschliefe either
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: rex on August 21, 2011, 10:02:41 am
Well guys, it just makes no sense to me...
We have the TT arms that take the wheel out by another 1cm, but still it makes no sense.

*Edit laurent had something similar to the TT arms, 8x18 ET 45 OZ wheels and had rubbing on the Nordschleife. I just don't understand why we have so different results...
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on August 21, 2011, 01:28:24 pm
rex, It's also weird the 255 tire doesn't touch the damper on the inside. For me, with 235 the tire sits about 10mm away from the Bilstein damper and I have ET46. 255 should touch it with ET50 !!!
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: rex on August 21, 2011, 01:56:27 pm
 :grin:. Nice... So, this is clearly out of my league. O have no idea what to believe!
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: the bruce on August 21, 2011, 02:54:50 pm
+1

many of the boys in the US run 245 or even 255

Are the US model fenders so different or don't they care about rubbing?  :confused:
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: Chalkie on August 21, 2011, 11:51:14 pm
oh yeah i have the tt arms too...
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: rex on August 22, 2011, 12:59:31 pm
 :grin: Right.... This only ads to the confusion  :mad:.
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: fuscobal on October 27, 2011, 06:15:56 pm
Just to let you guys know :

The final choice was 235/40/18 R888. These tires are actually about 240-245mm wich will definately require wider fenders. My 235/35/19 GY asymmetric street tires only have about 225mm (245 on the rims lip) and they still rub on wide bumps + corners !
Title: Re: Rim/tire size choice for track
Post by: Tamiyoman on November 03, 2011, 12:00:32 am
Did a double take when reading this post, figured I had somehow landed on a USA site with all the talk of "Rims" "tIres" and "Fenders"  :happy2: