I'm looking into tires right now for this years autocross. Would I be better off getting 225/245 Potenza RE-11 or going with a better tire in the stock 205/225 (for example the Potenza RE-11A)?

 

As much meat as you can stick on them !!!!!

But, this is why the new "street" class was made,. 16" tire selection stinks.
You can put 225/50s on all 4 corners on the stock wheels but you will have an ever harder time controlling the rear end until you get a front sway bar.
I say stick to stock tire sizes, just get a better tire BECAUSE nobody makes a beefier size that is considered a "extreme performance summer" tire.

 

What tire would you recommend in the stock size?

 

Im a big Hankook rs3 fan and I will be getting those for my new wheels. They dont last long but the version 1 RS3 gripped like a mofo, I am just hoping this new revised version works just as well.
You cant go wrong with any of the Extreme Summer tires. The RE11 will make the best "all around" tire and last longer than the Dunlop or Hankook.
Either way you will be blown away with anything compared to whats on there now

 

So do you think I would be better off with the wider RE11s? I'm torn right now on which way to go

 

i'd do the 205/225 combo of either re11A or Dunlop zii

 

We're running the Goodyear Rivals in 225/50/16 front and rear, but I bought the car with a big front bar already installed. We've done 4 events on the Rivals and I can say they're more tolerant of my mistakes than the ZI's that were on it..., ;-)

 

I thought about going with a square setup but I don't yet have a front bar and I think the oversteer would be outrageous

 

I just picked up a 2002, only done two events so far, both in rain. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread, and report any significant results (packwood tour/pro, etc).

I'm running 205/50/16 and 225/45/16 Z2's. I chose the because they're short, and I wanted a good cold+wet tire.

Camber maxed all around (1.8F, 2.7R), .25" total toe in rear, zero front. Car is 100% stock so far, although I have an Eibach front bar in the mail.

My first event was a regional prosolo. In the rain, I pax'd 5th, behind 3 STU cars and an STF mini, and won the challenge. The car was pretty loose but controllable. IE fast but easy to overdo inputs. I havnt done a dry event yet, but I definitely wan more front bar to gain some confidence in the wet.

Btw, I was ~ 0.5s (pax) behind Geoff Clark and Doug Mikko in the wet, so the AP1 seems plenty capable so far. I probably won't have any real BS competition until NT and the Pro.

 

You may want to hold off on the Eibach front bar. It is only marginly stiffer than our stock bar