Best Rim And Tyre Width For Circuit Gt-r

[justinfox]

Guys I am running Nismo LM-GT4's in 18x9+22 and Dunlop Direzza 02G semi-slicks 235/40/18.

I've got 15mm bolt on spacers and with rolled guards I think I could even use a 20mm spacer. This leads me to think that although my Nismo LMGT4's are designed for R32 GT-R's it's a fairly conservative set-up.

I've done a fair bit of research (HyperRev FTW!) and a fair few Japanese tuning companies run 18x10.5+18 with a 265 semi on an R32 GT-R (stock guards and a lot of camber!) but most run 18x9.5+12 (which is more like an R34 GT-R offset) with 255 or so tyre width.

I think my tyres are a little on the thin side but it's the only size I could get in this tyre apart from the 265/35R18 which I think would be too wide for a 9inch rim.

Any suggestions? More width the better/faster? I'd be keen to hear back from people who actually race their cars. Thanks in advance.

[JAGR33]

You could also go for the Bridgestone RE55S which come in 245/40/18 if you need to go wider on your current rims.

I've heard on numerous occasions 18x10.5 is too wide for a 32GTR, but I guess if you roll the guards and run shit loads of neg camber it may be possible.

[justinfox]

I think I'm meant to be running 35 profile not 40? I'll look into that some more.

[Beer Baron]

I think 18X9 is fine. you can easily run a 235,45 or 55 on that rim. I think 245 is a good size. 35 or 40 doesn't really matter. it's only a 5% difference in profile and a 255/35 will be pretty similar in sidewall height to a 235/40 (just 5mm difference).

I don't think going to an 18X10.5 or even an 18X9.5 +12 will give you that much more advantage (if any) there is a small track increase which is desirable, but as far as rubber goes I think 255 is about as big as you'd want, and they are fine on your current 9 inch rim.

[Snowman]

Justin - my opinion is that matching the right tyre width to the rim size is more important than the actual rim size itself.

Most of the quick GT-R's down here are running 18 x 10.5's with Bridgestone RE55's in 265/35/18's.

In the past I've been running 265's on my 9.5's and I think they are too wide for the rims. Last year I know Scotsman from here dropped 1s on his lap time at Sandown by simply going from 265's on a 9" rim (R34 GTR rims) to 245's and consequently set the fastest time I know of for a GT-R with stock turbo's / engine around that track.

Having said that I'm pretty sure giant runs 265's on his R34 rims. But the general consesus down here is that stretching a tyre will be faster than sticking a fatter tyre on the same rim. I'm certainly going to be running the 245's on my 9.5's from now on rather than the 265's.

[justinfox]

Snowman. That's useful info. I really want to try 18 x 10.5's with 265/35/18's. I know people have managed to get these on an R32 GT-R. My guards are rolled to the max (rolled not pumped) so I am pretty sure I might be able to do it with the right camber and height dialed in.

[Snowman]

A guy down here just fitted some Rays Gram Lights in 18 x 10.5's to his R32 and they fitted no problems.

[Beer Baron]

snowman, what offset and tyre width if you know it? and standard of modified guards?

[Snowman]

They were either +10 or +12 and had 265 RE55's on them.

I think +3.5 neg front camber and +1.5 rear. No guards rolled.

They look good too.

[Beer Baron]

thanks snowy. it looks like the 17X9.5 +12 I want to run with 245 or 255 will be a goer then!

[justinfox]

I was at IS Motor Racing today and there was a fresh set of TE37's there. 18x9.5+12 for an R32 GT-R whee! Looks like rolled guards + a little camber will definitely easily accommodate 17/18 x 9.5 +12 (R34 GT-R sizes) no worries. It's what most R32 GT-R's in HyperRev run but cool to see a few peeps do it locally too.

I'm seriously looking into 18x10.5 +18 (CE28's come in this size and CE28's are lighter than TE37's albeit harder to clean lol) so I can run 265 wide Direzza O2G's. FWOAR!!!

[JAGR33]

I'm seriously looking into 18x10.5 +18 (CE28's come in this size and CE28's are lighter than TE37's albeit harder to clean lol) so I can run 265 wide Direzza O2G's. FWOAR!!!

That's exactly what I am running, bronze in colour aswell..

Although I'm running 285/30/18 RE55S, as there are no 265's in the country...

What are the Dunlop's worth in 265's???

Here in Melb they want around $600 a tyre!!

[t01-100]

I used to run my tarmac rally set up on the track - 17x8 (V-Spec II BBS) with 235/40/17. These were fine for road events, but too small on the track. Most of the local GT-Rs in the Tassie circuit series run either 17x9 (standard or Volks) with 255/40/17 or 18x10 (Nismo or Simmons) with 265/35/18.

I use RE55s, but 02Gs offer similar performance also, but a touch more wear (testing has shown). The Kumho Ecsta V70A is proving itself a very good performer in road events on GT-Rs and worth considering for the track and around Dunlop prices.

Edited February 19, 2007 by t01-100

[justinfox]

285 wide semis? Damn that's pretty nuts.

I'm unsure of what the 02G's are worth in 265 but they were about $400 each for me (dealer discount connections at the time) in 235. $600 a tyre sounds like a hell of a lot!

RE55S is definitely the next tyre I am looking at if I can't get the 02G's. Not sure about the Yoko AO48R's. I have a mate that cuts great deals on Toyo R888's but I doubt they would be up there with the other tyres mentioned above.

[t01-100]

The A048R, much the like the A032R is great tyre in the pits... wouldn't bother using it on the track though!

Of the bunch the RE55 is the best value, in my local market anyway.

[phunky_monkey]

They're the best value in Melbourne too, can be had a fair bit cheaper than a lot of the others, and SAU Vic members get a discount.

The R888's seem to have a decent rap. Snowy was going to try them from memory, or did try them?? I heard that they come up to temp very quickly, but also go off a little quicker than the RE55s.

[djr81]

285 wide semis? Damn that's pretty nuts.

I'm unsure of what the 02G's are worth in 265 but they were about $400 each for me (dealer discount connections at the time) in 235. $600 a tyre sounds like a hell of a lot!

RE55S is definitely the next tyre I am looking at if I can't get the 02G's. Not sure about the Yoko AO48R's. I have a mate that cuts great deals on Toyo R888's but I doubt they would be up there with the other tyres mentioned above.

The Toyo (Both the 888 & the RA1) are infact very good tyres. Most people over my way (ie WA) use RE55's in the larger sizes but the Toyo is quite common in smaller sizes. A mate of mine who should know swears by them.

Edited February 19, 2007 by djr81

[justinfox]

Good news. I've done it. 18x10.5's are on order, best thing is that they are in stock in Japan so it looks like they will be here in 2 weeks!

I had the R888's on the MX-5. That saw daily driving duties, attempted drifting on circuit (lol) and a hell of a lot of circuit time. They did over 5000km's on road too, amazing stuff but then again the MX-5 is a light car.

I might even try them (r888's) as they will be a lot cheaper than the 02G's/RE55S. I'll look into it all once my wheels get here (drooool).

[phunky_monkey]

What type of rims did you order? CE28's??

[blk180]

Hope you order the new RE30s rims yes yes