Teh Cone Dodgin' STX Wagon

[Pzary3233]

Wow, AWESOME!!!!!

I'm glad someone's Motorsports weekend went well....

See my build thread for the details...

[Big Sky WRX]

congrats on the finish!

curious- what'd they charge for the hub/bearing install? just did one side?

[wrx wagone]

curious- what'd they charge for the hub/bearing install? just did one side?

One side, new hub needed, $550.

[Pzary3233]

Could be worse, glad they actually had the hub!!!

[Big Sky WRX]

One side, new hub needed, $550.

ouch!!!

[wrx wagone]

Could be worse, glad they actually had the hub!!!

and where able to install all the parts that afternoon.

[wrx wagone]

So, I will be getting a new set of comp tires very soon. Like if not by the end of the week than early next week. I will be going with a set of the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs. I that name isn't long enough, I don't know what is. Sometimes I think that the longer the name of a tire is, the faster it will go.

I do feel that I have a bit of a dilemma and that is should I continue to use a 235/40/17, or should I make the jump to the maximum allowable tire per class rules and go with a 245/40/17.

Tire Size Debate
Pros: I will have more rubber on the pavement.

Cons: I will have a bit taller tire which will have a negative impact on gearing and acceleration. I also am a bit concerned that I can actually fit a 245 under the rear fenders of my wagon legally.

I have been giving this question some careful thought for quite sometime and still haven't come to a conclusion and to make matters worse this last weekend at the DC ProSolo, Greg McCance (last year's ProSolo Champion) was running on 245/40/17 Star Specs. He seemed to be doing just fine on his, beating me by 1.4 sec for the weekend and also getting 1.8 sec. 60ft. times as compared to my 2.0 sec. times. Acceleration does not seem to be a problem there.

So racin' guys, what to do?

Hmmmm... I can't wait.

[Sasquatch]

235. Stars are wide. Really wide. I know - trust me.

[wrx wagone]

235. Stars are wide. Really wide. I know - trust me.

I figured you say as much, but the 245's are wider.

[Big Sky WRX]

I was in such a quandary over those two choices I started a thread over on nasioc last year on the subject. Most input (this was from some very good competitors) said the better gearing outweighed the additional rubber.

Clearly a good competitor has successfully gone the other way (the 245/40 is still slightly shorter than oe- so there is still some gearing advantages)- tough choice, very tough choice.

[Pzary3233]

Humm... my gut reaction says more tire... Is the gearing difference REALLY that much more noticeable?

[Big Sky WRX]

I can't say between 245/40 and 235/40, but between oe height (25") 225/50/16 and 235/40/17 yes- noticeable

the other thing that enters into the picture as well is the fitment of the tire to the rim a 235/40 on a 8" rim is almost perfect IMO- very "squared", a 245/40 while certainly not flopping around the rim is a probably a little less than optimal- sidewall stiffness is effected by the relation of rim width to tire width

not an easy decision

here's the thread, worth perusing

235/40/17 vs 245/40/17 STX - NASIOC

[Pzary3233]

Ahh yes, that thread! I remember it!

I was thinking 245/40s until I read that thread, now it's back to 235/40s!

[McCanixx]

JR

It was great to meet you and great competing with you. And thanks for the kind words.

The 245/235 battle comes down to what you want. I do not think you'll be disappointed with the 245's or that you'd notice the slight increase in height.

As I said I can spin either set out of a corner.

Mike makes a good point about fitment on an 8" but I really don't see drastic negative effects as far as sloppy turn-in or roll.

I want as much rubber as legaly allowed on my car. The 245 Dunlops are certainly wide.

Good luck with the wagon development, I'll be watching...........closely.

Cheers
Greg

[wrx wagone]

It was great to meet you and great competing with you. And thanks for the kind words.

I had a great time meeting you as well. I always enjoy good competition to help make me faster. It's a shame I'm not going to the Toledo Pro and you're not going to the FL Pro.

The 245/235 battle comes down to what you want. I do not think you'll be disappointed with the 245's or that you'd notice the slight increase in height.

As I said I can spin either set out of a corner.

Mike makes a good point about fitment on an 8" but I really don't see drastic negative effects as far as sloppy turn-in or roll.

I want as much rubber as legaly allowed on my car. The 245 Dunlops are certainly wide.

These are the exact points that I'm currently pondering. I may need to go with the 235 simply due to fitment issues on the rear fenders. I may not be able to legally get a 245 on my car. If I do go with the 235, I will only lose about a 1/4" in tread width which really isn't much.

Good luck with the wagon development, I'll be watching...........closely.

Thanks, If you have any tips to add, please feel free.