Track Wheels / Tires

[magic robots]

So I need a set of wheels for the track ... I'm thinking 13" with A032R rubber at 175/60R13 ... is that right? I'd love to go 12" for lighter wheels, but I'm not sure they'll fit over the minitec Superbrakes.

Anybody have experience with this stuff? I'm essentially looking for the ultimate track setup.

Thanks in advance!

-Adam

[N. J.]

Look out for offset. The wheels I had pre-conversion didn't have enough outset to clear the gearbox at full lock with 175/50R13 Bridgestones. The Ultralites that Norman uses did the trick, but I eventually went to 175/60s to get more compliance to reduce "hunting"/bumpsteer with the Metro arms originally fitted. Now I have Mini Tec's custom arms and mild torque steer issues aside (it also has a Phantom grip LSD) all is well.

Ask Norman/B. J. for the spec on the Ultralites. Jimfai and Meno have been around the block on this one too.

N J

[magic robots]

Wow, so the big 175/60s will fit? I was told they'd be too big for the wheel wells by someone at 7ent.

[N. J.]

Wellll.......Falken175/60/R13 ZIEX ZE 512's to be exact. That said, the rear wheel wells have been opened up ("tubbed"). Obviously, with a F/G front and no liners, the fronts are not an issue.

As info, Norman has fitted 185's BUT clearance with the swingarms is awfully tight.

Mike Abramson saw the car @ MME when I gave him some parts to take back to his place in VA, but he may not have looked that closely.

N J

[Meno]

I'm still going around the block actually. I had 185/70/13's then went to the wonderful 175/50/13 (supplied and installed by 7 ent) tomorrow I'm trying some Kumho's that are 175/60/13's. The 48R's were freakin' dreamy! Love the feel of those! I had to install some very quick to respond shocks though to accomodate for lower ride height / scale of tire gap (not to mention exhaust adjustments). I shall see the new feel tomorrow...and my third exhaust system, too. Geeeeee, this is fun...in a sick sort of way anyhow.

My vote to date though: 175/50/13 Yokohama 0048R's.

[magic robots]

Yeah, I think I'm gonna go for the Yoko A048Rs. Seems like the cheapest place to get them is actually Minisport.com in the UK - even with shipping.

[pjku79]

Can I revive this post? I am looking for a new set of tires for autoxing. Right now I am running the crappy crap Sumitomo 175/50r13 and they are not fun at all. I like the A048Rs, but the price is a bit steep. Are there any other options? Has anyone checked out the continental sport contact (195/45r13) or (175/50r13), yoko a539 (175/50r13), dunlop SP2000 (175/50r13)? Any other suggestions would be great.

[N. J.]

I'm running the Conti's but I don't autoX. No issues so far, but they'll likely have to go when the AWD conversion is complete. With only the stock FD available in the CR-V tranny, I'd prefer a larger D to keep the revs down. Availability, period, is a bigger issue than which tire one prefers.

[pjku79]

Where did you get the Conti's? Are you looking to sell yours?

[N. J.]

Dave Sell at GBcarparts.com. $585 set of four, but currently out of stock. Fuldas in stock.
Oh, and check with Mike Guido at Minisportusa.com for what he can come up with.

N J

[pjku79]

www.minisportusa.com didn't seem to work. I checked with GB and they said the Contis are discontinued. Minispares said the same thing. I think we are running out of options for tires. Has anyone run these Fuldas yet? Are they any good or are they comparible to the sumitomos.

[pjku79]

Just found it. Its minisport-usa.com

[pjku79]

OK so they have a few options at minisport. Obviously the A048R is probably going to be the best track tire (unless someone knows different). What would be the best daily/track tire?

Yokohama A048R Tyre - 175/50 R13
Yokohama A539 Tyre - 175/50 R13
Continental SportContact Tyre - 175/50 R13
Dunlop SP Sport 2000 Tyre - 175/50 R13
Fulda Carat Assuro Tyre - 175/50 R13
EDIT: I also found a set of Continental SportContact Tyre - 195/45 R13 at talontire.com

On a side note, I am also looking into possbily getting a cheap set of steel wheels to use with hoosiers. I actually bought a used set of 20x7.5 hoosiers off ebay to try them out. The problem is I didn't check the specs before hand and they are actually 9.5" wide, so I might have a clearance issue. I am going to mount them on one of my superlite's today to see what it looks like. I think it might hit the front brake line attachment point (I have the original MTB kit). I think I can clear the rear.

[N. J.]

RE: I think we are running out of options for tires.
It would seem that way. I'm seriously considering going to 14" rims to open up more options. I have my fingers crossed that I'll be able to utilize them on the MTB3 and rear AWD suspension setups. Mini Tec hasn't tried that as yet (focused on the 215/50/13 Sumis), so We'll learn together.

[pjku79]

Well I mounted my hoosier on one rim last night and moved it around the car to see if it would have any issues. The rear looks great. The only issue in the front is the lower forward part of the sheet metal. I hope it is noticeable in the photos. The mount for the brake lines in the front were close, but didn't contact. The closest I could get it was .25".

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ctOvqqmVDpbkm4l3M_HoFQ?feat=directlink
Right front is up on my driveway at full lock and makes contact with the sheet metal. Looks like I could trim it and it would be find and still be covered by the flares.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bn6HjGGA5CrIsqSOoIZiUQ?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bkPBqA6eK0iCFVmztf6G9Q?feat=directlink
Close up of the contact.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/c1H1NqkYesdx6PUTID90iw?feat=directlink
Clears the shock and full lock

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eqkhVWm4k1BLuE9C7wYPDg?feat=directlink
Clears the brake line mount

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6tfdTGYHoJD79Tj5ktzoVw?feat=directlink
Rear wheel no clearance problems.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DgKrAr6ZcbNzERe2PqRdsQ?feat=directlink
Clears the spring and body in rear

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0DcM0XV-bKfU_0YjMTrjXA?feat=directlink
looks bad a$$

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_1tV0WZm-gXyYotCNLJfMQ?feat=directlink

[pjku79]

Well I can't figure out how to link from my picasa account. I have added the links.

For the record, these were Hoosier 20.0 x 7.5-13 C2500 in R25A compound and the rims are superlite 13x7 ET-7

Tread Width = 8"
Approx. Dia = 20.6"
Approx. Circle = 65"
Rec Rim = 6 - 9"
Measured Rim = 8"
Section Width = 9.4"

[pjku79]

I have posted something similar at http://www.16vminiclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=235946#post235946 if anyone is interested. I hoping to get a little more feedback that way.

[steve]

pjku79, I was looking back at some of the suspension threads and came across one of your pictures, (above post), that I couldn't figure out. It looks like you have your shock absorber mounted behind the upper arm, instead of in front,(stock position). Did you reverse the shock mounting bolts, in the upper arms, to do this?

[william75]

If anyone is interested in a set of Sumitomo 185/60 13's, with 90% treadwear left, let me know.....up for sale for local delivery or pick-up in the Pasadena/ Los Angeles Area...$200obo

William

[N. J.]

sumitomo 185/60 13's, with 90% treadwear left, let me know.....up for sale for local delivery or pick-up in the pasadena/ los angeles area...
William

aaarrrruuugghhhh!!!!!