The Hoosier 225 front and 245 rear combo with a bigger sway bar seems to be the hot set-up in autocrossing. Owners tell me they had to go with the bigger bar once they went with the R compound tires to keep the back end in check. I'm just curious if anyone ever tired smaller R compound tires with the stock sway bar? Say a 205 front and 225 or 245 rear set up?

 

The problem is getting the smaller size for the front. Hoosier has a 215/40-16 that's very short but is only 0.3" narrower than the 225/50-16. The Kumho Ecsta V700s come in a 205/45-16 and 225/50-16 but the 205 is 1" narrower than the Victoracer 225 that's normally on the front. If you're trying to get around the stock bar, try the Victoracers in 225f/265r or the Ecstas in 205f/225r since they'll both give you at least an inch of difference front to rear...

 

I don't do much autocrossing, but my first one of the year is coming up in a week or so, I do a lot of highspeed driving schools though. I did not want to go with the 225 front and I did not want to go with anything bigger than 245 on the rear, so I went with the Toyo RA-1s, they too are an R-compound and they came in the 205/55-16 and 245/45-16. I run a stock suspension for many reasons. Although this may not be the hottest setup for autox, it is a blast out on the track. You might want to consider the Toyos. Do a search here for Vilven and give them a call, they are the best place to buy them.

 

From what everyone says, the Toyo RA-1s are crappy autocross tires, since they heat up slowly. I autocrossed all last year with a stock suspension ('02) on Kumho Victoracers (225 Front / 245 Rear). I definitely had a good bit of oversteer, but it was still fast. I liked it for autocrossing, but I would be nervous on a track.

 

Legal Bill,

Although I haven't done any tight auto-x, the 225/245 combination worked out great for me without the front bar. Oversteer was never wild and it was dialed down when I decreased rear toe and increased negative camber. Try it. You can always get the front bar installed later (mine's been sitting in my garage for over 6 months).
Good luck.