Tyres for Starions

[Will]

I'm looking for a new set of tyres this weekend - I've got a budget of up to $200 per tyre. Can I get a road legal semi-slick at that price? How long do a set of these last under normal road use?

What I want is a set of tyres that will work well at the odd practice day at the track, but can leave on the car and not wear out a set too quick. I drive 15 mins to work and back each day so not a lot of distance travelled. If they can last a year with that sort of use I'll be happy.

If road legal semi-slick is too impractical for road use, then what's the next best thing? Should I stick with 195/70R14 on the JA rims? or should I go to a 205/65R14? Any recommendations would be most welcome.

[Will]

I did a lot of ringing around and settlled on 215/65R14 Yokohama A509's. I pick 'em up next week. The Starion wheel size is a hard size to find a good performance tyre in.

Found out road legal semi-slick e.g. Yokahama A032R, is only available through limited retail outlets. In Sydney its Gordan Levin Motorsports. Not sure of the spelling.

[decoy]

aaah i think they're some peoples favourite on here.

[Will]

I was told that you can go as wide as 245 on a 6" rim if i really wanted to push the limits, but is there any benefits in going wider than 215 (ie. 225/60/14) ? or is 225 too wide. I feel that 215 is already quite generous.

[ProZac]

yeah, over 215 and i rekon your really pushing it, the sidewall would look a bit odd.

[Cookiemonster]

Found out road legal semi-slick e.g. Yokahama A032R, is only available through limited retail outlets. In Sydney its Gordan Levin Motorsports. Not sure of the spelling.

Yeah, Gordon Leven in Emu Plains, Penrith. You can order them from him and he can arrange to send the tyres to your local tyre outlet for fitting.

Gordon Leven Tyres,
Emu Plains NSW 2750
(02) 47354500

[StarionChef]

Don't get 215/65, get 205/60. the car will handle better and be much much quicker off the line

[Alspos]

and your speedo will be out (it will read fast)

[StarionChef]

true, makes it read 5k faster

[CussCuss]

its actually a %, yep smaller wheel diamater will effectively change your diff ratio and make for better acceleration go here -> http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html to work everything out

i would also recommend 205/60 215 is starting to get a bit floaty

[Will]

Floaty because of the sidewall flex?

I'm planning on moving to 14x7 Supra rims eventually which will be a better fit for the 215 tyres. This will free up the Starion rims for a set of 195/60R14 which will be reserved for the track. Also, the A509's don't seem to come in 205/60R14 and I'm not sure I want to do the whole ring around again.

I would prefer to go slightly undersize in diameter to reduce overall gearing, but I would like my speedo to read reasonably accurate too. I'll just have to do more mods to make more torque to overcome the fractionally higher gearing of the 215/65's . Thanks to all those that have given me the feedback on tyres.

[Barney]

Hi Will

I use a Toyo RA1 its a R spec tyre or what you call a semi slick, the size is 205/50/15. They give excellent grip in wet or dry but do wear very quickly. I would think for normal road use you would only get approx 5000 kms out of them. If you haven't driven on a R spec tyre you wont understand just how good they really are. :D

I have done approx 6 or 7 half day autokahanas and about 1000kms road kms on them and their almost rooted. I paid $200 each for them, but i was looked after. They should be about $240 each for 205/50/15.

The other option is a good quality road tyre. I am also in WRX owners club of WA, we do allot of motorsport events including, hillclimbs, sprints and autokahanas and the tyre most people are choosing these days is
GT Radials. Its sounds unusual as in the past they have liked the big name brands. But the GT Radials are performing every bit as good and they are allot cheaper.

I will shut up now :roll:

ASHLY