16x7 vs 15x6 Track only wheel/tire combo?

[deevergote]

I'm referring to using correct tire sizes. 205/50/15 will be well over an inch shorter in overall diameter. Perhaps it won't be a bad thing on a track car...

195/60/15 (proper size) will give you an overall diameter of 24.21"
205/50/15 will give you an overall diameter of 23.07"
205/50/16 will give you an overall diameter of 24.07"

If you want to run a too-small tire size, go for it. But it wouldn't be my choice. Also, a 205 width may be too wide for a 6" wheel. If your tire is too wide, handling will be very "squishy". You might be better off with a narrower tire.

[Dirtyrice]

205 on a 6" is too wide and will give you a squishy feel. Finding real nice 15x8" is pretty hard, however I would consider Rotas. Plenty of people run them and have been running them for quite some time . I'm a big supporter for authentic wheels, but I've seen so many tracked rotas for such a long time that I would personally give them a go at the track.

[deevergote]

For "knockoff" wheels, Rotas are some of the better ones out there. I would trust Rota over many others. For a budget racer, you can't go wrong. It'd be stupid to run expensive forged wheels on a car that's probably going to destroy them.

[Dirtyrice]

Yeah, I've heard from some people that they rather break a $100 wheel than to break a $1000 coilover. I've also found that they are JWTC certified.

[deevergote]

Yeah. They're pretty much as good as you can get for a knockoff. They're like OBX and Megan Racing.

To be quite honest, I'd put Rotas on my car, if they had a design I liked. If I was racing, I'd most certainly use Rotas over the "real deal". I might want to invest in the authentic wheels for show, but on the track... Rotas.

Rota is also one of the few companies that isn't all about oversized chrome bling that makes wheels specifically for my oddball CTS-V (6 lug wheels.)

[J-specCb4]

oh shit... kind of off topic but have the dunlop zIIs released?

[Sordz]

205 on a 6" is too wide and will give you a squishy feel. Finding real nice 15x8" is pretty hard, however I would consider Rotas. Plenty of people run them and have been running them for quite some time . I'm a big supporter for authentic wheels, but I've seen so many tracked rotas for such a long time that I would personally give them a go at the track.

Toyo lists 5.5"-7.5" rims are approved for there 205/50/15 proxes r888 so I think he should be fine. Although I agree being on the wider end would be better, but not necessary.

[Dirtyrice]

oh shit... kind of off topic but have the dunlop zIIs released?

They have been released to Tirerack.com.

I have a couple of friends that have been working on tire price comparison engine, Tiretab.com It makes buying tires simple while comparing prices, just thought I'll let you guys know.

[deevergote]

I'm looking forward to that site!
I'm going to need new tires on the Fit soon, and it'll be nice to compare! I usually just go with TireRack, since they have a distribution center very close (I get my tires in a day or two), and I get a break from the local tire shop for mounting and balancing due to being a TireRack customer.

And yeah, I've read that 205 can be run on a 5.5" width wheel... but I wouldn't do it myself. The tire will fit, and it will work... but I don't imagine the handling will be crisp and predictable. It'd be like playing football in flip flops. They fit your feet, and they're fine for regular walking, but try to push the limits by running in complex patterns, and you'll see that they're not sufficient.