I'm going to get a set of tires to run STR with in a few neighboring regions so that I don't have to transport my R-Comps, or wear them quicker than I have to. I'm having trouble finding much info on the preferred tire in a 16" size.

This is an 01 AP1 with nothing done but a saner FSB.

I've heard alot good about the Starspec's, but they only come in a 225, the AP1 can fit atleast 245 all around from what I understand... and nobody I have found makes anything decent in a 245 16"

 

Buy 17's and make your life a lot easier.

In fact - there is a set of AP2 Wheels with Dunlops for sale above...

 

already have the 16" wheels. and like I said, this is just for neighboring regions... so I don't want a huge investment

 

You're pretty much stuck with 225s on the 16" wheels.

I'm running 225 Dunlops on the stock wheels with a car otherwise as it was in Stock. The car is pretty fun.

 

Since you are playing locally with this setup, I suggest going with the RS3's as I was very impressed with these tires on an MX5 at a test and tune... at their prices and guesstimates of longevity, it is hard to go wrong with them.

If someone made 245's in 16's I would have had to try those tires on AP1 rear at all 4 corners to see if the weight savings would trump the 255's in 17's... But, I bet it would have still been better to go with the 17's, as traction seems to be the bigger limitation over power.

Just my random thoughts.

-Dave

 

What is the sidewall size on the 245?

Feedback from sidewall sizing as well accounts for something, which is another reason to go to 17 with its 40 sidewall. You generally have a better feel for what the car is doing on 17's as opposed to OEM 16's.

 

For 245's we need 245/45's... with these super duper summer tires, I'm not thinking we really need to go the 245/45 route to get us the same width as our OE S02's... so these 225's are likely to be good to go. Still sux in comparison to the 255's LOL.

From what I recall from a Sportscar Mag. article, they did some side by side comparisons on if going with a larger wheel to shorten the height of the tire would improve their times. It came back that it didn't really help that much, if at all. In fact, IIRC they were saying they were more consistent with the smaller wheel/taller sidewall. Another weird thing they came back with is that shaving the tires didn't help either. Very interesting article...

-Dave

 

Last time I looked around for tires - there wasn't anything in 245/16 that was better than the star spec in 225.