The STX thread!
09-14-2009, 04:34 PM
#326
And yes, I suspect you are correct about there being a lot of headroom in the RX-8 under the STX ruleset. That's why I enjoy STX vs. BS. However, if the RX-8 were in DSP, I'd probably make the jump next year. R comps are fun.
09-14-2009, 04:34 PM
#327
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From the stickers my guess:
Moton shocks
Racing Beat Header
Borla Catback
Dunlop Starspecs 265/18
No hints about rollbars unless they are also Racing Beat, but you probably went adjustable.
Moton shocks
Racing Beat Header
Borla Catback
Dunlop Starspecs 265/18
No hints about rollbars unless they are also Racing Beat, but you probably went adjustable.
09-14-2009, 06:37 PM
#332
Most of the E36 BMW guys don't favor the 18s because of what is required to fit them. I understand that they must run at a higher ride height, and run excessive rear camber to keep them from rubbing in the rear.
Open your eyes people. 
09-15-2009, 10:21 AM
#339
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Though some have found creative ways to fit the 265's on E36's, they're also taller than the 255's. Darryl tested the 245's against the 255's and multiple trophy-winning drivers found the 245's faster on his 325, for whatever that's worth. I'd think the less torque you have, and the lighter your car is, the more the gearing advantage of the shorter tires helps.
I have a set of 255 dunlops I've been meaning to test against my 265's all season, just haven't got around to it. I feel like I need all the front grip I can get, and I have lots of torque, so I doubt the 255's will be faster, but maybe I should check.
Nice job Jason and George, nice to meet you both last week. Wish I'd had my E46 there to add that extra level of diversity to our class, but I couldn't pass up a better-sorted ride. (couldn't drive it, either!)
I have a set of 255 dunlops I've been meaning to test against my 265's all season, just haven't got around to it. I feel like I need all the front grip I can get, and I have lots of torque, so I doubt the 255's will be faster, but maybe I should check.
Nice job Jason and George, nice to meet you both last week. Wish I'd had my E46 there to add that extra level of diversity to our class, but I couldn't pass up a better-sorted ride. (couldn't drive it, either!)
09-15-2009, 11:03 AM
#340
Row faster, I hear banjos
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^ What class did you end up running Matt? In my response from Bryce, he basically echoed your sentiments on the 255 vs 265, however, he went with the 255 RE-11's.
After Nats I was 90% certain I'd go with an 18x9/265 set-up. However, after Bryce's pm and some other data people have shared with me, I'm leaning towards a 17x9/255 set-up. However, I'll probably wait until March/April before ordering tires just to be sure no 265/40/17's become available...
After Nats I was 90% certain I'd go with an 18x9/265 set-up. However, after Bryce's pm and some other data people have shared with me, I'm leaning towards a 17x9/255 set-up. However, I'll probably wait until March/April before ordering tires just to be sure no 265/40/17's become available...
Last edited by chiketkd; 09-16-2009 at 08:34 AM.
09-15-2009, 11:40 AM
#341
Though some have found creative ways to fit the 265's on E36's, they're also taller than the 255's. Darryl tested the 245's against the 255's and multiple trophy-winning drivers found the 245's faster on his 325, for whatever that's worth. I'd think the less torque you have, and the lighter your car is, the more the gearing advantage of the shorter tires helps.
I have a set of 255 dunlops I've been meaning to test against my 265's all season, just haven't got around to it. I feel like I need all the front grip I can get, and I have lots of torque, so I doubt the 255's will be faster, but maybe I should check.
I have a set of 255 dunlops I've been meaning to test against my 265's all season, just haven't got around to it. I feel like I need all the front grip I can get, and I have lots of torque, so I doubt the 255's will be faster, but maybe I should check.
Tire Size Sidewall Diameter Circumference Rev/Mile Difference
225/45-18 4.0 in. 25.97 in. 81.59 in. 777 0.0%
255/40-17 4.0 in. 25.03 in. 78.64 in. 806 -3.6%
265/35-18 3.7 in. 25.30 in. 79.49 in. 797 -2.6%
As far as weight, they both weigh 28lbs before shaving. (we took 2.5lbs off the 265 shaving it to 3/32nds) so the only variable here is wheel weight.
In the past (Apr 08 SC) we tested plus size tires on our old STS2 Miata, we compared 205-50-15 VS 205-45-16. The 16 was .8% taller, and no wider than the 15". Both tires pulled the same lateral Gs. The 16" was 2mph faster in slaloms and transitions, but lost time on corner entry and exit to the 15". In the end both tires posted nearly identical lap times.
Armed with that information, and knowing that going with an 18" got me 10mm more width on each corner, it was an easy choice for me.
Only a few short years ago every STX WRX was on the 235/17 for the gearing advantage, now all the fast guys are sporting the "taller" 245.
09-15-2009, 01:09 PM
#342
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The biggest single reason I have 17s instead of 18s is the price difference in the tires. 255-17 RE-11s are more than $200 less a set than 265-18s. Tire Rack says the tread width is 9.4" for the 255-17 and 9.6" for the 265-18. That's only about 5mm.
For some, that 5mm is worth $200, and that's cool. For me it isn't.
For some, that 5mm is worth $200, and that's cool. For me it isn't.
09-15-2009, 02:47 PM
#344
i think it's WAYYY to early in the development of STX RX-8s to know which is better, and that answer might change depending on course surface/design. on a high-speed, sweeper-intensive course, the 265s might be better. on a course w/ a lot of slow corners and acceleration sections, the 255s might be preferable.
09-16-2009, 07:57 AM
#346
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Maybe your gearing is already optimal and you really do have enough power, but the testing on the BMW that has the lowest weight, lowest power, and best gearing showed the 245's to be faster. We all know the story with ST/STS and their 195's. Maybe STX all have enough power that it doesn't matter, maybe we don't, the only way to know is to test.
I know I noticed an acceleration difference going from my 245 winter tires to the 265 bridgestones. Not sure how much that matters on course.
In my heart I think 265 up front, 255 or 245 rear is probably the ticket in my car, but the one time I tried it at back to back events, 8 runs wasn't enough to get the thing anywhere near controllable. (dialing out oversteer) 275/245 worked in DS, but with the tires so pinched on the wheels, the real difference was probably not that much.
to chiketkd - I was in STX, in Darryl's green 325. You probably didn't notice me down there in the results below the MX-6. :P
09-16-2009, 08:32 AM
#347
Row faster, I hear banjos
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Thanks Matt! Glad you made it out and got to experience the new site. It's definitely acres upon acres of concrete!!! 
Interesting info there. I would think a 245 ST tire would be too small for an RX-8, so most will only consider the 255 vs 265. I'm just glad I don't have to make a decision for several more months...
Interesting info there. I would think a 245 ST tire would be too small for an RX-8, so most will only consider the 255 vs 265. I'm just glad I don't have to make a decision for several more months...
09-16-2009, 12:50 PM
#348
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Hey George, if I stop by Packwood on Sunday do I stand a better chance of competing in Oregon region's STX than NWR's? 
I FINALLY beat someone I consider to be one of the fast people while most of them were at Nationals: http://bscc.net/content/view/132/10/ I ran a 54.4 but kept hitting a stupid cone (3rd gate in
) which would've put me ahead of Michelle, for once! And of course, Eric was stoked to be missing the Browns, the mod cars, and Jodie and took FTD.
I FINALLY beat someone I consider to be one of the fast people while most of them were at Nationals: http://bscc.net/content/view/132/10/ I ran a 54.4 but kept hitting a stupid cone (3rd gate in
) which would've put me ahead of Michelle, for once! And of course, Eric was stoked to be missing the Browns, the mod cars, and Jodie and took FTD.
09-16-2009, 12:52 PM
#349
Yep, and I think you RX-8s might do well to test the 245, which is (.6"?) shorter than the 255. Like I said, I think the less the car weighs, and the less power it has, the more likely a smaller tire is to help.
Maybe your gearing is already optimal and you really do have enough power, but the testing on the BMW that has the lowest weight, lowest power, and best gearing showed the 245's to be faster. We all know the story with ST/STS and their 195's. Maybe STX all have enough power that it doesn't matter, maybe we don't, the only way to know is to test.
I know I noticed an acceleration difference going from my 245 winter tires to the 265 bridgestones. Not sure how much that matters on course.
In my heart I think 265 up front, 255 or 245 rear is probably the ticket in my car, but the one time I tried it at back to back events, 8 runs wasn't enough to get the thing anywhere near controllable. (dialing out oversteer) 275/245 worked in DS, but with the tires so pinched on the wheels, the real difference was probably not that much.
to chiketkd - I was in STX, in Darryl's green 325. You probably didn't notice me down there in the results below the MX-6. :P
Maybe your gearing is already optimal and you really do have enough power, but the testing on the BMW that has the lowest weight, lowest power, and best gearing showed the 245's to be faster. We all know the story with ST/STS and their 195's. Maybe STX all have enough power that it doesn't matter, maybe we don't, the only way to know is to test.
I know I noticed an acceleration difference going from my 245 winter tires to the 265 bridgestones. Not sure how much that matters on course.
In my heart I think 265 up front, 255 or 245 rear is probably the ticket in my car, but the one time I tried it at back to back events, 8 runs wasn't enough to get the thing anywhere near controllable. (dialing out oversteer) 275/245 worked in DS, but with the tires so pinched on the wheels, the real difference was probably not that much.
to chiketkd - I was in STX, in Darryl's green 325. You probably didn't notice me down there in the results below the MX-6. :P
09-16-2009, 03:02 PM
#350
Hey George, if I stop by Packwood on Sunday do I stand a better chance of competing in Oregon region's STX than NWR's?
I FINALLY beat someone I consider to be one of the fast people while most of them were at Nationals: http://bscc.net/content/view/132/10/ I ran a 54.4 but kept hitting a stupid cone (3rd gate in) which would've put me ahead of Michelle, for once! And of course, Eric was stoked to be missing the Browns, the mod cars, and Jodie and took FTD.
I FINALLY beat someone I consider to be one of the fast people while most of them were at Nationals: http://bscc.net/content/view/132/10/ I ran a 54.4 but kept hitting a stupid cone (3rd gate in
) which would've put me ahead of Michelle, for once! And of course, Eric was stoked to be missing the Browns, the mod cars, and Jodie and took FTD.As a general rule, the OR region STX class isn't as tough as the NWR NS4, but there are still some quick drivers there. So don't take anything for granted.
I won't make the next OR event in Packwood, but I think Karl will be there. However, I suspect he will enter PAX.
Have fun, I wish I could make it!