Definition:

Tramlining is the tendency of a vehicle's wheels to follow the contours in the surface upon which it runs. The term comes from the tendency of a car's wheels to follow the normally recessed rails of street trams, without driver input in the same way that the train does. The same effect is sometimes called Nibbling.

When going from stock 215/45-245/40 to 255/40-255/40 setups, does tramlining increase? What is your experience? Is it worse with extreme performance tires like the RE71R, Z2SS, and R-S3?

Thanks,

David

 

Happens all the time. Really have to have a good grip on the wheel also. I run Re-11A 255-40-17. Get worst as the tires start to wear down pass 50%. Having the caster set high increases the effect too. Learn to deal with it over time.

 

Its been a lot of years since I drove a stock s2k, but seem to recall this always being an issue to some degree in this car. It has become rather moot point for me if it has got any worse.

 

I would say it depends a lot on the tires. My HTR ZIIs (255 square) are really, really terrible in this regard. I'm considering buying new tires even though these still have 75% left because it's so bad.

 

I'm running a 225/45/17 and 255/40/17 and with my extreme performance tires "tramlining" as you are describing is definitely happening more, much more, than say in the SUV with non performance all season tires. Not sure how much or if it would be worse if I went with a 255 square setup. And that is after a fresh alignment.

That being said, I notice at least a little more tramlining with my extreme performance tires than my winter setup which is "Ultra High Performance" Michelin Pilot Sports A/S+ Tires.
Perhaps even a little more than I did with my 225/50/16 square setup of Hankook RS-3's, but probably not too much.
You really should have at least one hand on the wheel at all times when driving the S2000.

And this is more of a complete guess so please take it with a grain of salt, but I am guessing the RS-3's and RE-11's would "tramline" as you say a little less than the ZII SS. The ZII Star Specs really do seem to get affected by all the little contours and what not in the road from my limited experience of driving with them so far. These contours can also contribute to the road noise from them, whereas the Hankooks were more smooth and quiet in comparison.

And I have never run the three tires in the same size (never ran the RE-11's myself, and R-S3's I ran in 225 square rear AP1 size), so this is almost more of an educated guess coming from me.

So anyways, since tramlining can be an issue with a staggered setup, I don't see why it couldn't be an issue with a square setup as well. Not sure if going to a square setup would make the tramlining become lesser or worse. Perhaps going to a square setup would actually help reduce the tramlining ever so slightly? Doubt it would make too much of a difference though, I think the alignment would have more to do with it. When I had the stock alignment I think I experienced the least tramlining. The more "aggressive" the alignment, camber, etc., the more likely I'd expect tramlining to occur? Someone please correct me if I'm clearly wrong as much of my post is based upon educated (or uneducated?) guesses.

 

I've run 255 front and 275 rear and the tramlining is significant. Having to hang onto the wheel and "fighting" the car becomes a bit tedious. I have gone to smaller tires.

 

Which tires?

 

The cars short wheel base, and heavy caster design is conducive to this. Tire type, camber, toe and air pressure are all things that will influence the amount you experience. A smaller steering wheel will also add to this. Tire width to a lesser degree. You’re not ever going to alleviate this entirely, so if you’re looking for a cruiser you can relax, take your hands off the wheel, eat a sandwich and text your buddies in, this isnt the right car. If you don’t give a f@#k and want to run some meats on this car because you want as much grip as you can possibly get out of the chassis, then do it! When you change your mindset/expectations, you allow for a particular amount of streetable compromises for perfomance.

 

I'm swinging back and forth between a street setup (which would mean just getting a set of MIchelin PSS in stock sizes) or doing an STR-oriented build with the knowledge it will be used primarily on the street (which means wheels (Enkei PF01 or TRM C3), more aggressive RE71Rs in 255/40 square, front (and maybe rear) bar (probably Karcepts), and probably coilovers (Penske or Ohlins, Hypercoil springs)). This started because the RE-11A tires I were going to buy are no longer available. Obviously there is a big dollar difference in these setups. However, the STR-oriented on seems like it would be a step up and modernization of the handling while maintaining most of the cars everyday practicality and personality.

In conversation I was toldby a person at a major tire retailer that S2ks with big fronts and some of the more aggressive tires had significant tramlining. I've never noticed it in my current stock setup (bought new in January 2004 replacing one delivered new in September 1999).

What I'm trying to determine here is if the statements are generally considered correct and if it is mitigated by tire sizes/aspect ratio (215/45 vs 255/40 front) or tire models (PSS vs RE71R/V2SS/RS3).

 

Depending on tires and alignment, yes. I'm running a 255 square ZII set, and the car tramlines pretty bad, but my track alignment is a contributing factor. It's not bad enough to make me not want to drive the car, but it's definitely a noticeable increase over stock.