Smaller Wheels Noticeable??

[TigerNSX]

Hello,

I have driven the same track both with my aftermarket 17/18 setup (Volk) with Kumho MX and 91-93 OEM 15/16 with OEM Yokos (both tires have similar tread left).

Since I am only a beginner, I could not tell the benefit of running 15/16. In fact, I only noticed decrease in traction (For my aftermarket setup, I have 215/40 in the front, and 275/35 in the rear).

So what would be the benefit (other than having lower weights) of using 15/16 at the track(at this point, I cannot even feel the added bonus of lower weights)?? This setup seems to be a bit too narrow.

Thanks for any comments.

 

[docjohn]

Some folks don't like to subject nice aftermarket wheels to the abuse of track driving(brake dust,damage from wheels off).The stockers might be best for fitting track tires when you are ready for that upgrade.The old stockers are cheaper to replace if damaged.At your place on the learning curve,I don't think you will be losing out on performance,on track, over your larger set.

 

[ncdogdoc]

Please do not take this the wrong way, but if you thought the Kuhmos had better traction, then I do not think there will be any difference with your present skill level.

The stock Yokos should be very different feeling (better) even on the street. They are just a much better tire, especially at speed. Maybe the slightly larger contact patch on the rears or the increased understeer from the tires on the front have given you a false sense of security. Which set did you run first?

I bought a set of extra wheels with Michelin MXX (not sure of the exact name, but very, very popular before they were superceded by the present day model. They felt great on the street, with a quicker turn in than the SO3's I had been running. But within five minutes on the track, they were plowing like a truffle sniffing hog.

I would also think you would notice braking differences with the 15/16 setup, from both unsprung weight and moment of inertia (or lever arm) effects. JMHO.

 

[TigerNSX]

Thanks for the suggestion to both experts.

As I have mentioned, I am only a novice, and there are a lot of things about my car that I cannot differencitate at this point.

I guess that I was just wondering whether the benfit of having 275 in the rear as opposed to 225 (that is about difference of 50 in width per side) would cancel out the added unsprung weight for braking and accelerating.

Nevertheless, I hope to learn more about these things as I become more comfortable with my car.

Which set did you run first?

I ran Kumho MX first, and then OEM Yokos. I know that I must be wrong, but for some reason, I thought that Kumho MX was not bad at all. It felt as sticky as S03s that I have on my other car.

 

[nsxtasy]

General rules of thumb:

- Wider is not always better

- Performance and handling differences between one make/model of tire and another are going to be much greater than between one size of tire and another

Advantages of the smaller wheels for track tires in addition to those mentioned above:

- Most track tires are available in the original 15"/16" stock sizes (the OEM tires are NOT track tires)

- You can fit a set of stock size tires inside the car while you drive to the track on your street tires

 

[TigerNSX]

General rules of thumb:

- Wider is not always better

I absolutely did not know this. Thank you!!

 

[TigerNSX]

I take back everything that I said in my first post.

I have familiarized myself with the 15/16 with OEM Yokos setup, and this setup is simply awesome.

Thank you.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

ncdogdoc, no offence to you, but did you drive the Kumho MX before?? They are not the same as the ohter Kumho Tires, and last track session, my instructor was commenting my tires had more grip than the one my cousin used (who had the S0-3) we both have stock suspension, same tire width, only that he's using 17/18 and I'm 17/17 and minor difference on the offset...

I just feel hard to beleive that the Stock Yokohama would still exceeding the performance of today's "maximum performance tires"

Next wednesday, me and my cousin will hit the track again with stock 15/16, one set shod with Kumho MX, the other set with the stock Yoko.... I'll let everyone know about the impression....

 

[nsxtasy]

I just feel hard to beleive that the Stock Yokohama would still exceeding the performance of today's "maximum performance tires"

They do - at least, in terms of handling "feel" and precision. Remember, today's general-application tires were developed for a variety of vehicles, and were designed for various weights and tire pressures and vehicle configurations, etc. The OEM NSX tires were designed specifically for the NSX, and for specific corners of the NSX. This allowed the designers to know exactly which corner the tire would be used on, and how much weight it would support, and what tire inflation, etc.

Next wednesday, me and my cousin will hit the track again with stock 15/16, one set shod with Kumho MX, the other set with the stock Yoko.... I'll let everyone know about the impression....

When you do your test, I strongly recommend making it a "blind" test, so that when you get into the car, you don't know which set you are driving - and you document your impressions before you discover which tires you were using. For example, you can work with your cousin so that one of you does or does not swap the tires, and then drapes something over the wheels/tires (the ones on the car as well as the ones on the ground) so that the other person can get in the car without being sure which set of tires are being tested. That way, your obvious preconceptions won't be a factor in your judgments. Also, make sure your tire pressures are set, preferably at the start of the day when the tires haven't been warmed up, so that there are no differences due to different tire pressures. Have fun, and let us know how it turns out!

 

[DangerMoney]

Hello,

I have driven the same track both with my aftermarket 17/18 setup (Volk) with Kumho MX and 91-93 OEM 15/16 with OEM Yokos (both tires have similar tread left).

Since I am only a beginner, I could not tell the benefit of running 15/16. In fact, I only noticed decrease in traction (For my aftermarket setup, I have 215/40 in the front, and 275/35 in the rear).

So what would be the benefit (other than having lower weights) of using 15/16 at the track(at this point, I cannot even feel the added bonus of lower weights)?? This setup seems to be a bit too narrow.

Thanks for any comments.

When your skills have developed sufficiently put Yoko A032's on your OEM 15/16 wheels. You'll feel a big increase in grip. They're relatively inexpensive for track tires too.