I run a 235/255 stagger on OEM wheels in a star spec. Why would you buy aftermarket wheels that cripple your performance?

 

Yeah, if you want to run 235s drop down to an 8" wheel and save weight.

 

I never really understood why people want to go with a square setup vs offset, The car comes offset for a reason i presume because Honda decided it was best for performance. I agree wider is better in most cases but having a massive wide tire in front could only make steering feel sloppy. Personally I've never felt using a staggered setup caused understeer in the front on the track. The rear is where I have traction issues with oversteer even with a 255/40/17. Maybe one of you long time old time track fiends can shed some light on why people go this route over a wider staggered setup?

2003 AP1 GPW
I'm running 225/45/17 front and 255/40/17 in the rear (Star Specs) on Volk CE 28s
Suspension is OEM Dampers with Swift Spec R springs. Will get KWv3s asap.

 

I'm not sure how other people feel about it, but I prefer it over a staggered setup (I used to run 225/255). It may be my alignment, but I dont feel like oversteer was ever issue for me even when running a square setup. Oversteer with my square setup feels progressive rather than "snappy" like my previous setup.

Honda may have gone stagger to enhance safety (for the majority of the owners) at the expense of raw performance - who knows.

 

I'm not an old timer, but I have been tracking my car with the S2K Challenge for about three years now. We run a non-staggered setup with 255/40R17 on all four corners because it's just plain faster. It brakes better, it turns in better, and it handles better. People say it increases your tendency to oversteer because you're increasing the tire in the front, but I haven't really noticed that. I ran 255/40R17 tires on OEM suspension (OEM dampers, OEM springs, OEM sway bars) for about 2 years and loved it.

Also, if you are having traction issues in the rear, why would you decrease the size of the rear tire to a 235? At least go with 235/40R17 in the front and 255/40R17 in the rear. Dunlops are nice tires, but for track use, I suggest you give the Hankook RS3's a try. You can order a set for about $550 from Discount Tire Direct.

 

Thanks for all the input.

I was told by some s2k guys that +45 offset was not that bad and alot track guys run the RPF1's with 17x9 +45. Is that right? Anyone running that set up here?

 

There are a lot of hard parking S2000 drivers that will give you advice. You have to consider the source. I don't remember seeing you ask the question here.

I don't think there are very many hard core track guys with +45 RPF1s.

Are you sure you didn't mis-hear them talking about the PF01 (higher offset)?

You have to make the distinction: Are you in it for show or go?

 

I run 17x9 +48 but with fender mods. A lot of people I know run 17x9 +45 at the track. If you run a higher offset with a lot of camber in front and are moderately low, you rub on the inside of the tire (I still do with a +48 and -2.7 camber up front).

 

I have that setup. my front fenders were flared and rears rolled w/ the bumper tab relocated. I needed at least -2.0->-2.2 degrees of camber up front to keep me from rubbing with hard cornering and around -2.5->-2.7 in the rear. Im currently running c-west fenders and I'm rubbing and destroying the fender lips with -2.4 deg up front.

 

thanks guys, I think I definitely got some bad advice, should've came here first.

Sounds like the widest I should go is 245/40/17 to keep from needing to flare/pull the front fenders or make a dumb compromise and go with 235/40/17...