245/40/17 and 275/40/17?
07-05-2011, 04:33 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
245/40/17 and 275/40/17?
Just picked up a new to me 89 944 t track car.. it came with Hoosiers, 245/40/ 17 and 275/40/17 ...is this the typical track tire set up for this car? I usually run the Nitto nt-01 and was looking at 225/45/17 and 255/40/17 for replacements...
07-06-2011, 08:24 AM
#3
Drifting
Hey Anthony,
Congrats on the purchase. I think you'll like the balance of the car once you become familiar with it. Just remember, lifting in turns is acceptable w/ a 951. ;-)
Depending on the balance of the car and power, the 245/275 is a common setup. I ran this for years.
In my opinion, though, the 275 rear (especially in a Hoosier) is too much tire for a stock car and hampers acceleration due to the larger diameter. When hot, you'd be hard pressed to break the rear end loose under full throttle on the track. I always had to crank my rear sway to almost full stiff to balance the car.
You can also consider a square setup, like a 255 all around. I think the car is under-tired in front so you'll want to get all the rubber you can in front while still maintaining balance.
Congrats on the purchase. I think you'll like the balance of the car once you become familiar with it. Just remember, lifting in turns is acceptable w/ a 951. ;-)
Depending on the balance of the car and power, the 245/275 is a common setup. I ran this for years.
In my opinion, though, the 275 rear (especially in a Hoosier) is too much tire for a stock car and hampers acceleration due to the larger diameter. When hot, you'd be hard pressed to break the rear end loose under full throttle on the track. I always had to crank my rear sway to almost full stiff to balance the car.
You can also consider a square setup, like a 255 all around. I think the car is under-tired in front so you'll want to get all the rubber you can in front while still maintaining balance.
07-06-2011, 08:47 AM
#4
Three Wheelin'
At the front end of the Great Lakes NASA GTS field you will find 951's and S2's running a square 285/18/30. The tires wear much better and give you more opportunity roate them. While your existing set up is good, expect the fronts to wear out much faster than the rears due to push especially at the end of a long race. I have my rear sway bar on full soft and the fronts nearly full stiff. Motons are adjused to track conditions and weather, they provide a lot of adjustment with just 6 settings. I can also break the rears free on exit w/ 260 rear wheel horsepower.
07-06-2011, 09:51 AM
#5
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I was kind of surprised that the previous owner used a front tire that was an inch shorter than the rear...245/40 and 275/40 rear.. so basically is the 245/40 275/40 ok, common or the 245/45 275/40 common?
(Car came with 17 Fikse wheels so I plan on running 17's for the time being,.. car also has Bilstine Escort coilovers)
(Car came with 17 Fikse wheels so I plan on running 17's for the time being,.. car also has Bilstine Escort coilovers)
07-06-2011, 10:37 AM
#6
Rennlist Member
Unless the car has a short R/P (S2 3.875), I do not like the tall 275/17 rear tires on these cars, 1" larger OD increases the final drive ratio by nearly 4%. As w/ many others, I jumped to the 18s to run 285/30s which have similar OD to the stock 225/50 or 245/45 16s.
I have also looked at running 245/40s all around on my 17s. The overall difference in contact patch width between a stack of (4) 245/40/17s and (2) 245/40 & (2) 275/40/17s is only about 1" TOTAL. The benefit of reduced diameter and lower cost more than makes up for that little bit of extra width.
I have also looked at running 245/40s all around on my 17s. The overall difference in contact patch width between a stack of (4) 245/40/17s and (2) 245/40 & (2) 275/40/17s is only about 1" TOTAL. The benefit of reduced diameter and lower cost more than makes up for that little bit of extra width.
