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240racer · 01-15-2003, 11:42 PM

I have said this before, but, in general I think that whenever a setup is softer or more forgiving or whatever you want to call it, then it has more grip. Of course when it is stiffer it moves less and has better response. However, as somebody mentioned, if the tire flexes too much then the tread is no longer on the ground. I think that it depends on the tire, a tire that has better (stickier) tread compound can afford to be stiffer, because it has as much grip, but then has better response too. Like bhp said, the dot race tires are stiffer, but have better grip, that's all in the compound. Same with F1 tires, they have literaly no flex and still amazing grip (don't tell anybody, but I met the guy that built the new bridgestone tire tester and he says they have gotten Coeff. as high as 1.5 out of F1 tires, most racing tires are around 1.2-1.3) With that said, I think the size tire you run has more to do with the tire itself, whether it needs flex to grip or not. I'm planning on sticking with my 15" steelies for now, and running SO-3's on them because they are "only" $103 each. 205/55-15 I hope it is a good combination of price, ride, and traction. Does anybody have any input on this?
Also, do you guys find benefits of running 17s on the track, like do you need them to clear brakes or do you like the feel of low profile tires or whatever?

01-15-2003, 11:42 PM	#10
240racer Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Minneapolis, MN Age: 42 Posts: 574 Trader Rating: (0)	I have said this before, but, in general I think that whenever a setup is softer or more forgiving or whatever you want to call it, then it has more grip. Of course when it is stiffer it moves less and has better response. However, as somebody mentioned, if the tire flexes too much then the tread is no longer on the ground. I think that it depends on the tire, a tire that has better (stickier) tread compound can afford to be stiffer, because it has as much grip, but then has better response too. Like bhp said, the dot race tires are stiffer, but have better grip, that's all in the compound. Same with F1 tires, they have literaly no flex and still amazing grip (don't tell anybody, but I met the guy that built the new bridgestone tire tester and he says they have gotten Coeff. as high as 1.5 out of F1 tires, most racing tires are around 1.2-1.3) With that said, I think the size tire you run has more to do with the tire itself, whether it needs flex to grip or not. I'm planning on sticking with my 15" steelies for now, and running SO-3's on them because they are "only" $103 each. 205/55-15 I hope it is a good combination of price, ride, and traction. Does anybody have any input on this? Also, do you guys find benefits of running 17s on the track, like do you need them to clear brakes or do you like the feel of low profile tires or whatever? __________________ Adam '89 coupe KA24DE+T 14.1 @ 104 MPH '88 Celica All-Trac turbo stock, but no more ecu codes!!