Ok we are doing a v6 swap MR2 for the challenge, and plan on staying in the Gastropods class, so 250 or higher tread wear only. The rims we have are 17x7 so that means we have to run a 40 series tire to fit in the front. I have looked into other rims but have not found anything challenge budget friendly so we may just go with these.
RIght now I am considering these
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=ADVAN+Fleva+V701&partnum=14WR7V701XL&i1_Qty=2&autoMake=Toyota&autoModel=MR2&autoYear=1991&autoModClar=&vehicleSearch=true
215/40/17 front and 225/45/17 rear. The 235/45/17 tires says 8" rim recommended, could we still use this? Wider tire but will there be a performance disadvantage since the rim is too narrow?
Any other ideas? the 40 series from tire reduces the available choices.
Are you able to run different size, or is 17s required?
Both my MR2 run R888, but that won't meet your UTQG requirements. I have switched my 95 Turbo to the new AdvanA052 and have been very happy with them. The A048 and the A008 I have run previously on other cars on the fleet, have been fantastic.
In reply to mr2s2000elise :
17's are what I have so not a requirement, it is just what I have. Looks like the tire you are running are all less than the 250 UTQG requirements for gastro pods, but I do appreciate the input.
My experience with street tires has been that tire width makes almost no difference (within reason, a 205 vs a 315 will render this comment untrue) and that wheel width is where you'll make up most of your time.
With 17x7's being your fixed constant I'd say the next most important thing to look at is compound, I have no personal input on the Advan since I haven't run it, but Tirerack can usually be counted on to be reliable and they rank it an entire category below the other Gastropod darlings. Which in my mind means there are faster options.
You suggested running
215/40/17 which is 23.7" diameter and 225/45/17 which is 25" diameter
The Conti ECS comes in 205/45/17 24.3" diameter and the 225/45/17 or alternatively for the rear the 215/45/17 which is 24.7" tall
The Firestone Indy tire comes in 205/40/17 which is 23.5" diameter and 225/45/17
The Continental looks like you might give up .5" of tread width up front, while the Firestone gives up only .2"
The slightly narrower tires should gain a bit more feel as well while maybe giving up a bit of grip. Being a better compound though, they may give up nothing and only be gains. YMMV.
That obviously also ignores budget too (excluded from the challenge budget but still affects the actual wallet)
Fladiver64 said:
In reply to mr2s2000elise :
17's are what I have so not a requirement, it is just what I have. Looks like the tire you are running are all less than the 250 UTQG requirements for gastro pods, but I do appreciate the input.
Yeah I realized none of suggestions will meet your minimum UTQG
even our minivan ran 200 UTQG last 8 years
good luck - let us know what you decide:)
In reply to klodkrawler05 :
The Conti ECS is just too tall, I need every mm I can get for clearance at the shock tower. The 23.5: dimension gives me .5" of clearance so 24.3 will not fit :(. I looked at the Firestone Indy tire and missed that they had a 40 series in 17" so thanks for that information. I think you are right the difference between 215 and 205 is going to me very minimal. The firestones are easier on the wallet as well.
Ok decided to pull the trigger on the Firestone Indy 500, 205/40/17 front and 225/45/17 rear. $472.06 out the door, mounted, balanced and valve stems, plus a $100 Visa gift card rebate. Makes net cost $372.06. I know this does not count on challenge budget but does make it nicer on the personal budget.
May not be the fastest tire but I am sure that it will be good enough for our purpose.
excellent! I think that was a pretty good choice for gastropod! Despite not affecting the challenge budget it's always nice when a deal helps the personal budget!
