skirmish41 wrote:You bring up a good point as well. However, now i'm thinking: even though 235/40 will have better handling/grip, is 215/40 or 215/45 considered an inferior setup, or does this setup simply sacrifice grip for less weight? or does the 215 width have any advantage at all when it comes to performance?MX-5 Cup wrote:Zulu1 wrote:One last question?
the stock wheel/tire combo is approx. 37.2lbs
the enki RS+M 17/8 48mm and Falken RT-615 235/40/17 will be approx. 40lbs
The R1R's and RT-615's are about the same weight..
thats approx. 3 extra lbs per corner??
will the extra width provide better performance even with the extra unsprung weight?
It's a good question my friend! I'm gone start to say, your gone a lose some power on one hand but gains good time at the track on the other hand... All the dyno I make with my MX-5 prove to be right! Stock set-up is arround (37.5lbs) with the Bridge RE050A and give me 140.6whp... I try my Kosei K1 TS 17x7 (13.5lbs) with the 215/40/17 GS-D3 (19lbs) who give me 32.5lbs total combo set-up = 150.1whp so I gains 9.5whp for the 5lbs combo I lose! I can probably say now every 1lbs = +- 1.9whp on a MX-5 NC... Ultra-light weight wheel/tire combo = More power and fast start!
The other hands is grippy and bigger tire's are heavy... So you lose power but you gains grip on the road race track! The best grip for the weight are... Continental ContiSportContact 3, Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 and some size on the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3! Those 3 brands are the best of both world... Daily/Race driving, but they cost a fortune!
so many factors to consider when picking a setup! i'll go 215 for 17x7.5 wheels and 235 for 17x8 wheels. the question is what will be performance differences in handling?
I think, you have probably a goal's... Maybe it's at the racing track with a hot and light racing compound tire like the g-force R1 or you prefer a fast daily friendly use with a good ultra-light street tires like the ContiSportContact 3 or the PS2? Or maybe both, street/race set-up with an awesome but heavy street tires like the RE-01R or the Z1 Star Spec?
Betwen a 215/45/17 and 235/40/17 you have only 1 inch of rubber's with arround the same overall tire diameter... No big deal here! The first factor here is the tire quality not the bigger is better... Well, if you have the same tire quality on the right size wheel it's another thinking, the grip gone a be better with the extra 1" tires/rims, but you're sacrifice a little bit of power because the tires/rims weight is higher!
If you start your set-up with the best ultra-light wheel's on the market today! Enkei RP-F1, RS-M and Kosei K1 TS, these wheels are a awesome start because you have the best light weight rims available, if money is no object and don't forget the Forged Team Dynamics Lug Nuts... It's another pounds you're gone a save also!
Just tell me your need and budget, we can figure togheter the best set-up for you...