I've got a stock suspension, plus a comptech adjustable front sway bar. I will usually run r-compound tires for autocross, but may want the option of running S-03's (when the event is far away-- I don't have a tire trailer). I already have the front tires in 205, and want to match them with a rear set. If I were running a stock front sway bar, I'd definitely get 245's for the rear. But, with the comptech bar, won't I get too much understeer like that? Would I be better off with 225's in the rear?

Thanks!

MODS: I posted this question in wheels and tires and got almost zero responses.
I think this forum has the largest audience with experience with the comptech bar.

 

Ugh. That sucks for you that you already have the fronts in 205. What a useless size. With the front bar, you'll never really get any action out of those front tires. If you are shopping for rear tires, you may consider what I'm considering since I too am about to replace my rears. For the price of two S-03's you could buy four new tires like the Kumho MX's in 225 for all four corners or Hankook Ventus RS-2's with a 225 front and a 245 rear... Keep in mind I haven't driven these but they should be faster than any set up you could run with 205's in the front. They will probably last longer too.

But... If you care about being competitive when you travel you really should just buy a trailer and hitch. I'd hate to travel and just get my ass beat because I was on street tires... but that's me.

Bottom line: no matter what size you get for the rear (except for 205s) you'll get too much understeer with that front bar even on the softest setting.

By the way, 225's on all four corners works well if you use two bolts in your comptech bar. One in the stiffest position and one in the next to softest position seems to work the best for me.

 

I agree. Has to wait for the next budget cycle, though.

....


So, do you think I'd be faster with
205 f / 245 r / stock fsb
than with
205 f / 225 r / comptech fsb?

 

I'd wager that you'd be faster with the stock bar and 245's but maybe not enough difference for it to matter cause you'll lose anyway if the region has anyone halfway good in it.

Like I said, why don't you get four new tires that are better suited for your front swaybar? The options I listed are almost as cheap as two new S-03s.

Wouldn't it be a massive pain in the arse to swap out your front swaybar continually?

 

I ran my Pirelli P-Zero Nero all-season tires recently just for fun. They're 205f/225r and I do have the Comptech bar on full stiff. I could make the car over- or understeer with ease, depending on how I drove. It was very controllable although 2.5 seconds slower than someone on Hoosiers.

 

Yeah, if you drove hard and fast the car would understeer.