rishi65

Okay, so I'm new to the S2K world, coming from Mustangs, specifically a Terminator last going off. I realize this topic has been covered to death, and that I'll probably get flamed for asking this question again, but I've spent the last few hours reading, and have come up with a soup of contradictory answers.

I have a JDM S2K on the way from Japan (on the RoRo right now), it's all stock except for mystery coilovers as seen here:

The question is:

For track day use, stock fenders, on mystery coilovers (lowered insubstantially), what is the best tire/wheel (Tire size/offset/wheel diameter)?

I keep seeing 17", +63 with 255 x 4, but I don't want to run a huge front sway.

I have seen all sorts of information regarding slightly rolled fenders, pulled fenders, after market fenders, etc. I haven't been able to get a concrete answer. This is a track dedicated wheel/tire setup, and I have done lots of HPDE and track day work before.

slowd16

If you dont want to roll your fenders but want the most grip get a wheel thats 17x9 +63 with a 255 tire. It will rub the fender liner away but wont hit the fender.

rishi65

Man you guys are lightning fast on this forum, and full of great information. Thanks for the reply.

Two follow ups:

Any sense going with 16"'s to save on rubber costs?

Will the rub on the liner eventually burn through the liner?

Cheers!

Carbon Blue

from my experience Ive seen ruined fenders (not rolled) with a 17x9+63, hell ive seen bent fender lips with a 225 up front on a stock sized ap2 wheel. If you plan on tracking your car heavily id suggest rolling fenders flat with any wheel tire setup unless you are running the stock 215/245 or 205/225 setup assuming the car is lowered. Enjoy the s2 chassis, im sure it will be quite different than your termi.

rishi65

And this is what I was afraid of, variances in rim design and sectional width/contact patch changing the results people see... Not having a consistent answer when you're looking at a few $k is not a great feeling.

I really do not want to roll my fenders, and given that the S2K is a new platform for me, I don't need all the grip/oversteer in the world either. I'm content to do whatever I need to do to ensure I have no fender contact (not fender liner, but actual fender).

Also important to note, as per the photos above, this is an AP1

ndogg

You can't safely run a 255 tire on a 9" rim without a roll, I know from experience

Maybe a 17x9" 63 offset with a 235 tire would be ok?

dc2-2-ap1

There is a reason everyone who tracks runs a 255 up front. My first track event I ran a 225 up front and a 255 in the rear (17x8 +48 & 17x9 +55). The front pushed in pretty much every corner. I went to a 255 on all 4 corners for the next event (17x9+55 & 17x9.5+65 - I ran different sizes and offsets because my wheels have been discontinued for years, so I can only run what I already own). That was a huge improvement! Entry speed was much faster and the car went where I wanted when I wanted.

To answer your question about 16" wheels- short answer, no. Most 16" wheels with high enough offsets for this car are far too narrow for the rear. Most are too narrow for a front width staggerd setup. Tire selection is very minimal as well. There isn't a negligible difference in price between 16"-17" the big price jump is going from 17" to 18" tires.
If you are set on tracking a staggerd setup, I would recommend picking up a set of Enkei PF01 in 17x8+50 & 17x9+60 or 949 6UL in 17x8+48 & 17x9+55. That way, when you decide to switch to a 255 in the front, you will only have to pick up 2 17x9+60 (PF01) or 17x9+55 (6UL)

Yes, the tires will eventually run away parts of the fender liner. It is no big deal though.

starchland

I am running a 255 square re71r (keep in mind different tires in same width will have different real world numbers) with minimal rubbing in the front on the fender liners with roughly 2 finger gap. Rear I just have trimmed the bumper near the tab.

slowd16

I tracked and autoxed that set up on stock fenders for 4+ years. I recently rolled mine to allow 17x10's to fit. Otherwise I'd still be running stock fenders. Never once had an issue.

Carbon Blue

I tracked and autoxed that set up on stock fenders for 4+ years. I recently rolled mine to allow 17x10's to fit. Otherwise I'd still be running stock fenders. Never once had an issue.
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thats crazy! Ive seen the opposite, Ive got about 4+ years as well and any s2 that Ive seen on a 17x9 (TR C3 is the majority) with a 255 has some sort of rubbing on the inside or outside fender liners. While not all had damage I have seen bent lips with these setups as well. What kind of spring rates are you running? Im on KW CS and even then on ap1 sized wheels with 205/225 re71rs the fender cllps are rubbing slightly with -2.4 camber.