road course wheel size

[@ReaperZL1]

how many people here road course there zl1? looking at a 19" wheel setup but heard some people running 18" wheels. whats the pro's and con's to running each of these?

[SS Performance]

Pro lowers the car.

Con it mess up your speedometer which can mess with the tune.

[bkevind]

18" might be harder to fit over the front brakes, but I'm sure they're out there.

18" will have lighter wheel options (probably), but suitably sized tires will weight a bit more so it's likely a wash. Tires might be a little cheaper in 18"

19" seems to be the common choice, more options to choose from and tire options are pretty good in this size.

18" wheel with correct tire size will have more sidewall, which will have more flex
19" wheel with correct tire size will have less sidewall (than 18") which will have less flex and more responsive handling

Drag racing you want more tire flex in the rear, road course it depends on the tire.

Lowering the car isn't a given - it depends on the ratio of the tires you buy, yes smaller diameter than stock will lower the car a bit.

More pro/con relevant is that a smaller diameter tire will give a shorter final gear ratio, and vice versa if going to a larger diameter tire. It won't mess with your tune, but it will throw off your speedo and odo if your tune does not account for final drive ratio (which includes tire diameter)

[@ReaperZL1]

Originally Posted by bkevind

18" might be harder to fit over the front brakes, but I'm sure they're out there.

18" will have lighter wheel options (probably), but suitably sized tires will weight a bit more so it's likely a wash. Tires might be a little cheaper in 18"

19" seems to be the common choice, more options to choose from and tire options are pretty good in this size.

18" wheel with correct tire size will have more sidewall, which will have more flex
19" wheel with correct tire size will have less sidewall (than 18") which will have less flex and more responsive handling

Drag racing you want more tire flex in the rear, road course it depends on the tire.

Lowering the car isn't a given - it depends on the ratio of the tires you buy, yes smaller diameter than stock will lower the car a bit.

More pro/con relevant is that a smaller diameter tire will give a shorter final gear ratio, and vice versa if going to a larger diameter tire. It won't mess with your tune, but it will throw off your speedo and odo if your tune does not account for final drive ratio (which includes tire diameter)

thank you very much for the input. I think I will go with the 19s. do you have any suggestions on tires? this is going to be a set specifically for road courses only. they will never see street use.

[SS Performance]

I am very happy with Nitto NT01's

[@ReaperZL1]

Originally Posted by SS Performance

I am very happy with Nitto NT01's

ive been running toyo r888r on my 20s and absolutely love them, did a few track days with them but didn't know if there was a better option for a dedicated track setup

[bkevind]

Originally Posted by @ReaperZL1

ive been running toyo r888r on my 20s and absolutely love them, did a few track days with them but didn't know if there was a better option for a dedicated track setup

The spec tire on the ZL1 1LE is a good option, and cheaper than many others.
Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R
Nitto NT01R
Bridgestone RE71R
Michelin Cup2
Hoosiers!

For something that will last longer but still be decent
Hankook RS4
???

I'm going to try out the RE71R, but don't have a lot of confidence they will last. They are known to be a good fast tire while they last. I used to love the NT01R on other cars in the past but I keep hearing they are outdated.

I will probably buy the 3R next, if not the RS4 - it maybe a bit slower but right now I need to get a lot of seat time to knock the rust off after taking a long break, so ultimate lap time isn't that important.

[@ReaperZL1]

Originally Posted by bkevind

The spec tire on the ZL1 1LE is a good option, and cheaper than many others.
Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R
Nitto NT01R
Bridgestone RE71R
Michelin Cup2
Hoosiers!

For something that will last longer but still be decent
Hankook RS4
???

I'm going to try out the RE71R, but don't have a lot of confidence they will last. They are known to be a good fast tire while they last. I used to love the NT01R on other cars in the past but I keep hearing they are outdated.

I will probably buy the 3R next, if not the RS4 - it maybe a bit slower but right now I need to get a lot of seat time to knock the rust off after taking a long break, so ultimate lap time isn't that important.

appreciate the info, I thought about the new zl1/1le tires because if its breaking rocords it must be a pretty good tire. definitely let me know how they handle as you will probably get them on before I'm back in the states.

[Athletics101]

Do you know what size 19” tires you plan on running?

[@ReaperZL1]

Originally Posted by Athletics101

Do you know what size 19” tires you plan on running?

well I was kind of looking at a 305/30-19 front 325/30-19 rear combo because that's whats on the zl1/1le but I'm open to suggestions. I'm running a 285/35-20 front 315/30-20 rear combo right now and it handles great

[Athletics101]

Originally Posted by @ReaperZL1

well I was kind of looking at a 305/30-19 front 325/30-19 rear combo because that's whats on the zl1/1le but I'm open to suggestions. I'm running a 285/35-20 front 315/30-20 rear combo right now and it handles great

305/35/19 is a 27.4” tire and has a good options as far as tires go. The 325/30/19 is a 26.7 and that’s a bit small. As long as astectics are not a concern of yours than your good.