Scott2000

Got some new wheels coming to me soon, and I was searching through the threads here and had a couple of questions I hoped that someone wiser than me could answer.

1. Are Falken Azenis still a good autocross tire? Lately, I haven't seen many people riding on these. I'm seeing a lot of Hankook RS-2's and Toyo T1-S' on cars. I remember having Azenis a few years back and loved them. So do the Azenis ST115's handle as well as the old Azenis? How about the Falken GR Beta FK-451's?

2. I looked through the stickied threads to find out what size tire I should look for. My wheel sizes are going ot be 16x7 +40 in the front and 16x8 +48 in the back. Now I saw in the thread that if using any tire that isn't the OEM S-02's, you should go with a 245 width tire. But in the Wheel fitment guide, it says if you are going with an 8" wide wheel in back, you should use 225 or 235 width tires. Maybe someone could clarify?

If this has already been discussed somewhere and I missed it, I do apologize.

Ubetit

The Azenis RT-615's are the newest Falken. I've heard nothing but great stuff about that tire. I have a few sets of 451's and they are okay. They don't have the grip of the So2 but they do run pretty well in wet conditions.

The 245 when going non-oem tire pertains to the stock Ap1 rim.

Scott2000

Thanks for the info.

I'm still a little confused about the 245 vs 225 thing. The stock AP1 rears are 16x7.5. I'm going to a 16x8. So, shouldn't I still be using a 245? Am I reading the Wheel Fitment Guide thread incorrectly when it suggests running a 225 or 235 on an 8" wide rear wheel?

The previous owner ran over some nails and got them in both the front and rear passenger-side tires, so he replaced all 4 with Kumho Ecsta Supras. They are 225/50/R16 in the back (and 205/55/R16 in front) and seem to sit pretty much just as wide as the S-02's I've seen. Heh. Somehow, it seems like I'm making this way more complicated than it should be..

Ubetit

The stock Ap1 rear 16x7.5 has an offset of +65. Your 16x8's are +48 in the rear. That's a big difference in offset. That's the reason the fitment guide suggests a smallish tire. Yours wheels are pushed farther towards the fender with that 16x8.

The Stock SO2 has a 9.2 inch section width with a 8.5 inch tread width
That Kuhmo is 9.2 inch section width with a 8 inch tread width.


That's why the 245 is usually a better fit when dealing with non-oem. The So2 is wide for a 225.

Scott2000

Oh ok. I think I get it now. Thanks a bunch for your help. I really do appreciate it a lot.

So I think it would be safe to go with 205/55/16's in the front and 235/50/16 in the back on Ground Controls with a .5"-.75" drop?

ToeKneeC

^

i wasn't aware the Azenis 615s are available in near stock OEM tire sizes... otherwise i'd be all over that isht..