DE tires size issue

[mmasse]

I was looking into buying a set of tire for my DE events. After reading A LOT of post here on the BBS it was clear to me that the best options were the Toyo RA1s.

Now the issue I have its that they don't seem to come in the size I want them and I wonder how much I can deviate from my current size.

I am currently running:

Front: 235/40/18
Rear: 295/30/18

The RA1 come on either 225/40/18 or 245/40/18. The 245s would be ok for me since I was looking into more rubber in the front anyways, and are pretty close in diameter to my original size (2.5% difference in diameter)

Now the rear is a different story since the closest RA1s are 305/35/18 which are 0.5 in larger than my current tire or 5.5% larger diameter (which is more than the recommended 3%)

Is this really an issue or should I go ahead and get this sizes?

[Bill Verburg]

Depends on what you are willing to put up w/

I looked at the RA1 too, they don't come in my sizes either. I went w/ MPSC and have no regrets. 10000 lemmings can still be wrong(not saying that the RA1 is a poor choice mind you) but there are other choices that are good too.

Lots of good reviews for Nittos and Goodrich R tires too.

Or even consider some of the newest extreme street tire category tires, The Dunlop star Specs I bought are better than race rubber from 10 yrs ago, BS RE11s are supposed to be even better.

one last thing, generally taller tires are the kiss of death for performance, there may be exceptions but they will be special cases.

[mmasse]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

one last thing, generally taller tires are the kiss of death for performance, there may be exceptions but they will be special cases.

Bill, can I ask you what this means.?

thanks

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by mmasse

Bill, can I ask you what this means.?

thanks

A taller tire saps acceleration, the trade of is that unless aero limited a given rpm will have a higher speed.

here's a comparison of available push in #s for 2 tires I was considering at one time, the difference in heights is ~ .6" w/ the 265/35 being shorter. The #s are the speed in mph @hp peak. The higher the curve the better acceleration

[mmasse]

Thanks Bill, very clear now.

[911st]

Check out the Nitto Tires NT01. They cost less than Toyo, seem to be close to an equal, and support some different sizes. I am told it is the same company and technology as Toyo.

I think some run 315/275/17's on turbo body cars.

Nitto Tire - High Performance Tires for Car and Truck Enthusiasts