I found a good set of used V710's in 225-45-17 size.

Would this be a good choice for a DS autox car on 17x7 rims?

My only concern is height - 25" is a bit tall, where I think a more ideal size is 24" from a gearing standpoint.

Thoughts?

 

I'd stay at the 24" diameter for the reason you mention. No need to increase the need for more power to get moving.

btw, I have a nice used set of Enkei racing, lightweight, 17" x 7" wheels for sale in the Marketplace. In case you're wanting some.

Enjoy autox'ing.

 

If you're not doing national or regional competitions, they'll be fine. If you want to eek out everything you can, then yeah, you'd be better off with a lower profile because of the better gearing. If they're a good deal though, and local - I'd probably go for them.

 

Assuming you have a stock 17x7 wheel and stock suspension you will be fine with 225/45-17 Kumho V710. Fits rims 7-8.5" wide, $232 each when new. Since they are used it's likely that tread wear makes them a little less tall.

 

oh true - probably they came shaved too, so that would make them less than .5" taller than stock which is probably not a major deal.

 

Rubber wears fast on the track.

If the used tires were for autocross they were likely not shaved.

For those tires most likely there were heat cycled on a roller before use then lightly scrubbed in before competition or first use.

If they look fairly smooth and even in color then great.

If they have a very pebbly surface or there are multiple color shades on the tread areas they are worn out.

 

New V710s come at 4/32" tread depth, so probably weren't shaved.

 

Ah - got it. Well, from the looks they are down about half tread then which is where they start working well. Supposedly only 6 20min HPDE sessions on them

 

Wow - turns out it was harder to find a suitable light 17x7 wheel with 42mm+ offset than I thought. So that makes these tires a lot less interesting.

I can get a 225-50-16 new R compound BFG-R1-S or Hankook 214's plus some 14-15lb wheels for the same overall cost and save 3lbs plus 0.5" shorter sidewall which should work better.

 

Tire Rack carries several 17X7" light-weight wheels with ET 43 or 42. See, for example, Enkei Racing RPF1 (14.6#; $216) and Kosel K1 TS (15#; $196).

 

We got some RPF1s for our track wheels, they seem quite reasonable.

 

Right - I can either get $800 wheels and the used $500 tires with 17's, or I can get $500 14# 16" wheels and new $800 tires. Overall the 16's will be lighter and have the same footprint, plus then I have new tires. So that seems like the way to go.