>You also might want to find someone who has the 225s mounted on a
>16x6.5 rim and see how much the tread bends near the sidewall. I've
>seen some wacky guys run 225 Hoosiers on a 6" wide wheel and the tread
>tends to turn to sidewall an inch or two in from the actual sidewall
>(e.g. your contact patch may be actually smaller since the rim is too
>narrow for the tire). Granted a lot of this may be able to be
>manipulated with pressures, camber, and such.
Seen a few WRXs with the 225s : while "squished" a bit, the tread is
livable. It only starts climbing the sidewall a tiny bit. I do NOT think
you'll get 20 mm extra tread on the ground (225 - 205 = 20) with the 225s,
but should at least get SOME more.
>Also consider the handling characteristics of the car and maybe put
>wider tires on the end that you want more traction. Some of the type-R
>guys shoehorn 225s on the front of the car and 205s in the back, both
>on 6" wide wheels. If your car pushes (it seems like the WRX does in
>stock trim) maybe you should do the same.
Only issue is that with AWD, you really need to stick with the same tire
diameter all around. And I don't think there are any other tires in R
compound with the same diameter (225/50R16 is same diameter as the stock
205/55R16, but alas there are no R tires in 205/55R16).
It's a little strange for me....the car seems to initially push, then
transitions to oversteer as you go a little further....but then the way to
SAVE it is to hit the gas! This AWD thing is gonna take a bit of getting
used to :^).
>I'd check what type of speed you can achieve in 2nd gear with the stock
>size before dropping to a smaller tire.
62 MPH, whereas the 205/45s would allow 57 MPH. So yes, it could become
a factor on some tighter courses. With a wide-open course, I'd probably
be in 3rd regardless.
Strange thing is, the 1-2 and 2-3 shift MPHs are EXACTLY the same on the
stock WRX as on my (not even close to stock :^) ) Impala SS! Namely, 38-39
MPH for 1-2 and 62 MPH for 2-3.
And as they are right now, both cars are pretty dang close in straight line
acceleration (0-60, both right around the 6.0sec range).....the SS pulls
harder off the line due to the torque, but the WRX hits harder as the boost
comes in.
Six One Way, Half Dozen the Other I guess :^)
>Check to make sure the 225mm tires clear ok, especially in the rears as
>the RS models had problems with certain brands of 225mm race tires
>rubbing on fender linings. Again, yours may have more clearance.
They clear, other WRX owners are already running them. Those tall stock
springs (that I have to keep for DS class) aren't hurting here. Doubt
you'd get 245s in there though.
>As for which Kumho, I've heard conflicting reports about which is >better,
and also some rumors that the ECSTA compound is not yet
>finalized and may in fact be very similar to the Victoracers. I'd get
>the new ones though, they are supposedly a bit lighter.
I'm leaning to the Ecsta V700s, more as an experiment than anything else.
Price is the same (well, $1 different), and Tire Rack shows both available
and in stock, so should not be an issue there.
>If you ever find yourself with a lot of money, a rich co-driver, or a
>need for more grip, the unquestionable hot setup on that car would be
>the new 215/40/16 Hoosier. You'll get much better gearing and Andy says
>they are the same width as a 225.
Maybe for Tour Event or something, but I'd go broke trying to run those on a
3 times/month basis :^).
Thanks for the tips y'all, looks like I'm gonna try a set of the Ecsta V700s
in 225/50R16!
Ed Runnion Santa Clara CA
mailto:Ed_Runnion@RegionOfDoom.com
96 Chevy Impala SS, ESP #984
02 Subaru WRX SportWagon, DS
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