Need some new race rubber for my car.
'95 M3, stock suspension with the exception of SA koni's, running
-2 camber up front.

Car is a dual driver, between my co-driver and me we usually do 16 runs an event.

I'm attracted to the V700's because of the proper tire size, but have heard alot of bad things about them, god, etc.

I've run victo's before and like them, but would prefer to run the proper size for the car and not 225-45's all the way round.

Suggestions?

Hoosiers are out due to price and durability...

Check a lot of threads below regarding the subject.

Why don't you try 245/45 VR's? They should fit up front with -2.0° camber. That way you get even more grip and get to keep the tire you always liked.

245-45's are a little big for my front wheels. I'm running ltw wheels, so I have 7.5" fronts and 8.5" rears...

Originally posted by DocWyte
245-45's are a little big for my front wheels. I'm running ltw wheels, so I have 7.5" fronts and 8.5" rears...

Probably the right decision - even with the right wheels I needed 10mm spacers in front and rolled fender lips in back in order to fit 245/45 VRs on my '99 (with Eibach Prokit).

May I suggest 225/45 Michelin Pilot Sport Cups? A bit more expensive than the Kumhos but IME they kick the Kumhos' ass in longevity, consistency, and grip.

- Bill

PSC are an awesome tire, but I was under the impression they needed more heat to really work well. Might not get that with an autocross unless you do several runs back to back, and even then, your first few runs will just be getting the tires up to temp. It's really hard to throw away AutoX runs getting your tires gripping when you get so few.

The 245/45 Victos work fine on my car (stock suspension). No rubbing. They are a bit tall, slightly goofy looking, but they work.

I would avoid the ECSTAs unless you're planning on running lots of negative camber and getting them shaved.

John

Well I guess your only option then is to just jump up to the 255 victo's like me :D

I would think the 245/45 would be a little tall. I thought people were having some success with the 235/40 ecstas and GOD? I have not tried these tires so I can not comment on them.

I have to say that I have had great success with my 255 victos, even at National events against the hoo hoos. I have also gotten great wear out of them and I am going to flip them on the rim fairly soon to extend the life (they were un-shaven).

I can't fit 255's up front on 7.5" wheels. I was running 255's on the rear, but I want to run the same size all the way around to help out with understeer in tight turns.

I don't see what's wrong with 225/45-17 Victos? They'll still have a larger contact patch out back due to the wider rim width(about 0.4" if you believe the rule of thumb that 0.5" rim width = 0.2" tread width), and they'll fit just fine out there.

I would say to at least stick with the same size tires on all four corners. I agree, I think a 7.5" wheel is a little small for a 255 :)

would 255's bee too big for an 8" wheel?

Originally posted by Def
PSC are an awesome tire, but I was under the impression they needed more heat to really work well...
You're right, I've heard that too - didn't catch that you were talking A/X as opposed to road courses.

I think 8" wheel would be to small for a 255. I am sure you can get them to fit but it would not be ideal. 8.5-9.0 would be much better, I run 9's.

Glenn (GTI Cup) is running 255's on 8" IIRC. Glenn?

You're not supposed to mount a 255 on anything smaller than an 8.5" wide rim. Can you do it? Sure, but they work much, much better on an 8.5 or 9" wide rim.

I have the same proble as you do: 225/45F and 255/40R on 7.5" and 8.5" rims respectively. The fronts are gone, plus I had understeer. So as the folks suggested here 245/45 would work up front w/o any side effects. I confirmed with Kumho people and they acknowledged that 245/45 will work just fine on a 7.5 rim.:dunno

BTW, I've read somewhere that 255 VR's contact patch roughly equals to 275 of a street tire. :eek:

Originally posted by DocWyte
You're not supposed to mount a 255 on anything smaller than an 8.5" wide rim. Can you do it? Sure, but they work much, much better on an 8.5 or 9" wide rim.

And most tire companies do not recommend 235/40's on 7.5" rims:stickoutt

yep, 255's are nice and meaty...

Hot damn...oh and man, I just rolled my fenders (for free :D) and I have 8" rear wheels. Shall I go with 255's? The tires I have on right now are /45's should I stick with /45's? or /40's? Whats the difference? Sidewall?

The /45 or /40 is the sidewall height of the tire expressed as a percentage of the section width. So if you have a 255/40 tire the sidewall is 40% of 255 mm, which is roughly 100mm.

John V

Originally posted by vjlax18
Glenn (GTI Cup) is running 255's on 8" IIRC. Glenn?

That's right...255s on 8" wheels.

You're not supposed to mount a 255 on anything smaller than an 8.5" wide rim. Can you do it? Sure, but they work much, much better on an 8.5 or 9" wide rim.

I'm sure I'll get more tire on the road with 8.5" or 9" wheels, but the results of using 255s on 8" wheels have been pretty satisfactory. I'd rather run 9" wheels though...will hopefully upgrade soon.

I'd use the 255/40/17 Victos if they fit under your fenders, even on 17x7.5 inch wheels. They work pretty well and have good wear. We use 48 psi front and 38 psi rear. My co-drivers have won multiple SCCA NTs and ProSolos with them.

Jerry: Those seem to be very high tire pressures for the Victoracers. My logic has always been to run just enough pressure to keep the tires from rolling over on the sidewalls...no more than necessary.

Anywhere from 36f/32r to 34f/30r is what I've been using. Even on a 3100 lb. car, these pressures are sufficient. May I ask what car you used the 48f/38r pressures on?

We drive a 330ci in D Stock. We are pretty limited in the amount of camber we can get. We started by finding out what the Bimmerhaus guys use with their Hoosiers, then worked up to find where the front edge wear is not excessive. We then worked on rear pressures to try to get the rear to rotate (which were impacted more with the shocks). I can't say what will work well on other cars, but this works for us and our Victoracers.

Is anyone using the 255/40R17 Kuhmo Victoracers on 17x8.5s with good results in auto-x? I'm trying to decide on either staying with the 235 Ecstas or trying the 255 Victos on my 17x8.5s next season. :az:

chuck, i'm thinking about doing the same next year on my 17x8's.

Originally posted by BrazeauRacing
Is anyone using the 255/40R17 Kuhmo Victoracers on 17x8.5s with good results in auto-x? I'm trying to decide on either staying with the 235 Ecstas or trying the 255 Victos on my 17x8.5s next season. :az:

I am using 255/40 Kumho victoracers on 17x9" wheels with very good results. I run both the SCCA LA and SD region events in SM. The 8.5" wheel should still work OK, but I wouldn't go with 8" and the 255 combo.

Chris

Originally posted by cpt97M3
I am using 255/40 Kumho victoracers on 17x9" wheels with very good results. I run both the SCCA LA and SD region events in SM. The 8.5" wheel should still work OK, but I wouldn't go with 8" and the 255 combo.
Yeah, i was thinking the 8.5's would be borderline on using 255's, but that 8's would be too skinny.

I used to run the 255 Victoracers on 17x9.5's on my last auto-x car ('90 Mustang) and that combo was great for grip! :)

I think i may try the 255's on the 8.5's next season.