15" or 16" for track??

1. Reechard Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Cirencester Posts: 2286 2x Mazda Mx5s, Volvo s80, Citroen DS4

   #1 1st June 2010, 15:38

   This is one for all the track guys.
   
   I currently have some pro race 1.2s which are 16", on the vts. Looking at upgrading the tyres for going to Llandow in July.
   
   Always been told and have found 15s to be better at handling. My mate thinks due to the lightweight pro races that them being 16s shouldnt be a problem.
   
   So should I get some 15s or buy decent tyres and stick to the 16s?
2. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

   #2 1st June 2010, 15:42

   Id go with whatever wheels allow you to run the tyres (grip vs price)
   
   195/40/16 is pretty much the same rolling radius (a tad smaller iirc) as a 195/45/15.
   
   You'll probably have to run slightly higher profile tyres than the above sizes (45 16" or 50 15" profiles)
3. Reechard Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Cirencester Posts: 2286 2x Mazda Mx5s, Volvo s80, Citroen DS4

   #3 1st June 2010, 15:51

   Raunchz the 16s have 195/45/r16's on at the moment but they arent good for track.
   
   Just wondering if there is any benefit from running smaller wheels over just getting new tyres on my 16s?
4. Sparco_Tom Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2007 Aylesbury, Bucks Posts: 12836 Yeaaahh Fiesta

   #4 1st June 2010, 15:52

   run lightweight 14's and run some good tyres (prices and choice is better on 14's)
5. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

   #5 1st June 2010, 15:59

   If you've got 16's the might just be worth sticking with them, although I can imagine track tyres are more expensive than for 15's
   
   I'd say the difference in having 15's vs's 16's with the sane rolling radius is negligible - I wouldn't worry about it.
   
   Just worry about the cost of track tyres for each
6. Reechard Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Cirencester Posts: 2286 2x Mazda Mx5s, Volvo s80, Citroen DS4

   #6 1st June 2010, 16:07

   Thanks. Will just get some decent tyres for the 16s for now then.
   
   Tom the 14"s wouldnt work with 266mm brakes, which is what im looking to upgrade to, as far as I know.
7. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

   #7 1st June 2010, 16:08

   14's would work with 266mm but not with 283mm's
   
   yeh, tyres on 16's and enjoy
8. Sparco_Tom Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2007 Aylesbury, Bucks Posts: 12836 Yeaaahh Fiesta

   #8 1st June 2010, 16:10

   266mm is all you want 14's would be best. The choice of tyres is soo much better over 15's and 16's.
   
   266mm are underated and 283mm are overrated
9. Reechard Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Cirencester Posts: 2286 2x Mazda Mx5s, Volvo s80, Citroen DS4

   #9 1st June 2010, 16:26

   So it would be better to run 14's with 266mm brakes and some decent tyres?
   
   Just thinking about weight and grip. Obviously 14's and 15's would be lighter but would the 16's not have better grip due to the large contact area?
   
   Or is it hardly noticable between the 3?
10. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

    #10 1st June 2010, 16:28

    Just stick with what you've got.
    
    With some 266mm brakes it'll be fine. The only reason I'd go to 15's is if the price of track tyres in a suitable size was stupidly high
11. Reechard Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Cirencester Posts: 2286 2x Mazda Mx5s, Volvo s80, Citroen DS4

    #11 1st June 2010, 16:32

    Was looking into r888s for the future £145 per tyre. can get ku31's for £43 when they come back in stock.
12. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

    #12 1st June 2010, 16:50

    So basically £600 for r888s on 16's or £400 on 15's - I know which ones I'd buy!!
    
    I'd go over to 15's at that price tbh mate
    
    how good are the ku31's? They sound a nice price tbh
13. Reechard Established Member Joined: Oct 2009 Cirencester Posts: 2286 2x Mazda Mx5s, Volvo s80, Citroen DS4

    #13 1st June 2010, 16:53

    I know a lot of people running ku31's, good grip for track and road, still alright in the wet too.
    
    Supposedly better than toyo t1r's.
    Will get tyres test them at Llandow and then see if I want to drop to 15s then.
14. raunchz Saxperience Addict Joined: Jul 2005 Solihull / Bournemouth Posts: 14233 2015 Lapiz Blue Golf R

    #14 1st June 2010, 16:55

    That's a lot if money to have stuck in tyres, especially at llandow?!
    
    Ku31's sound good, I wouldn't spend £600 on r888s personally, buy the TD 2's and buy some r888s for them and still have £50 in your pocket
15. user_39613 Established Member Joined: Dec 2009 Essex Posts: 1006

    #15 1st June 2010, 18:13

    All decent trackday cars use 14's
16. Furioman Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2004 Denny United Kingdom (Scotland) Posts: 666 Ford focus 2.0 Saxo VTS

    #16 1st June 2010, 18:51

    you can get t1rs in 205/45/15 if you get a set of 15" 7j wide like superleggeras