I am relatively new to the Mini world, and will be running a MCS in GS this year.

I know that the majority of competitors are using 215/40R16 or 205/45R16s in GS, but I was curious if anyone has thought about running a Hoosier 225/40R17? I know that it is taller than both of the 16" tires, but it is about the same height as an OE tire.

Also, I have to admit, I am a little concerned about overheating the 16" tires. I occasionally run 2 drivers, and have had to cool down my tires with a water sprayer to keep them consistent.

I figured that a 17" combination might make things a little easier. Also, it allows the use of a 7" wide wheel, which is much easier to find in the aftermarket.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

There's been a lot of discussion about that new tire. (not on internet forums, but at the actual events)

Better grip (wider) verses Taller gearing (might be too tall).

I think you should be the guinea pig and let us know how it goes.

 

By all means give it a try. However, IMHO the larger diameter is going to be a severe disadvantage. The Mini is not known for its abundance of torque or low end power, it needs all the gearing advantages the 16" 205 will give you. While I have run out of gear a couple of times, I'm pretty sure a little taller gearing would not have made me faster.
"So what about the advantage the extra width a 225 gives you over the 205?" I hear you ask. The Mini is so camber challenged, you run on about the outer 1.5" of the tire most of the time. The extra width simply adds more inertia to the wheel assembly slowing your acceleration even more.

Graeme

 

Nope, there was no need to talk about the extra width thingy. I have run 225/50R15 V710s on my Cooper (on 7" wheels, as well), and I was pretty happy with that level of performance. I think that if the wheel was wide enough, the 225 does offer some performance benefit.

I do agree that the extra polar moment of inertia is a bad thing, but the 7" compared to 6.5" in stock HAS to help.

 

It may work very well on the new 07 Mini with a little camber(-1.0 or so) as well as the extra low end torque. I doubt that the 06 or older would benefit though since the wheels would also be a bit heavier. There is only one way to find out though. :-) Heck, I wonder if the 245/40/17 A6 will fit an 07 MCS? If so, that may end up being the tire to have for the 07+.

 

Yes, yes, I know. I think I will try it, to see what happens.

I was always a little nervous about using the 215/40s or the 205/45s, as I was concerned that they might overheat. Does anyone have a problem on hot days with a lack of consistency as the tires get hot?

 

Let us know how they work out. We typically try to keep the tires as cool as possible, whether they be A6's or V710's. On very hot days, we liberally spray the tires with ice water. The issue is mainly on the fronts on the outside edge since there is no camber on the 05-06's.

 

Only on the 05-06s?

I have been spraying my 710s with water on the other cars I have been using, but I was really worried about under-tiring the MCS.

Since I am just preparing the car, where would one ask for some used Koni DA rear shocks? Here or the Marketplace?

 

I would look for them on the SCCAForum.com site. There might be some that come available as people switch to the new R56 (if it proves to be the better car)

But honestly, finding a used set is going to be like finding a needle in a haystack. But you might get lucky.

I've also found out about used performance parts by talking to other drivers at large events. I do know of someone selling a set of Koni SA fronts and DA rears if you're interested, PM me and I'll forward you his email.

 

Well, 02-06, I was trying to exclude the 07's since they will likely have a small bit of camber(1.0 or so, I'm sure it still won't be enough). Good luck finding some DA's, I was foolish and sold my set of 4 on here for $1000 shipped if I remember, although, the fronts were single adjustable but only 8K or so miles if I remember.

Edit post, well, it looks like Mitchman has a lead, so, I was wrong, you might be able to get a set. :-)

 

Abe "thejunkman" is selling his gear including a set of DA rears check here

 

Keith is refering to the same "lead" I was. (see above post #11) I forgot that Abe had it advertised online.

 

Thank you for the lead. I will contact him, to see where he is with the stuff.

Yeah, I figured that people would be getting rid of them, as everyone would of course want to get out of their OLD cars. :-)

Thanks all, as he has what I am gonna need.

 

It looks like you could run a wheel down to a 42mm offset, as there are 17s available to be ordered that have an et48. Sound right?

The rear will be a tight fit, with the 225 being .9 wider than the 205/45. The 205/40R17 is only built in the R6, so you couldn't use that one the rear.

FWIW, Angie and John Rogers ran 225/40R16s on their car, needed massive negative camber to make that rear tuck in.

 

I have 235/40/17's in the rear of my STX Mini with no issues. I'd guess you'll be OK with the 225/40/17's, they are a good bit shorter than the Rogers 225/50/16's.

 

That's right, they ran a 225/50R16 that first year. Last year, Avon came out with the 225/40R16 and the 205/45R16 (which would be a good staggered set up)

I'd bet that a 225 Hoosier is > a 235 street tire any day. What was the section width? the Hoosier is something like 9.5"

 

Thats a good point, one other thing to note though, my 235 was on a 7.5" rim 42mm offset, so, it was already a 1/4" wider on the inside/outside compared to the 17x7 with 42mm offset in the rear. Even on the 7.5" rim, the 235 could potentially be wider on overall width if mounted on an 8"+ rim. If you stack up 4 unmounted neova's next to mounted neova's on 7.5" rims, the unmounted stack is a good couple inches taller. I'd guess that the Hoosiers on a 17x7 won't be any wider than the Neova's on a 17x7.5 even if they start out a bit wider than the Neova's.

On Yokohama's website, the overall width on a 235/40/17 Yoko Neova is listed as 9.6" and the tread width at 9.1", however, they measured this with an 8.5" rim. I guess its one of those things that will just have to be tested.

 

I have run a stock car with 225/50R15s, and been ok. With the 15X7 at 42P, they cleared.

I do have a question about the 205s only being available in the R6 compound, and why one could not stagger the tire. Is it a rules issue, or are you concerned that the rear tire will just have so little grip?

Oasis, the other point is that your STX car is likely to be a little stiffer than most GS cars.

 

i know that this is an autocross thread, but i recently tried the 225/40/17 R6's on my track setup. i only did one heat cylcling session at sebring, but i think that i will love this tire. torque (at least low and mid-range) isn't as important, but i was so much faster through the turns, that my rpm was in the sweet spot. i have an 06 with spax coilovers. i run a 5mm spacer up front w/ -2.5* camber and -1.5* in the back. i have TCE/Willwood 13" bbk and TCE rear rotors. it is tight everywhere, but it fits. i had very slight rubbing at the outside of the rears. i will raise the car about 1/8" before my next session and it will be fine. at least this will give you an idea about fitment.

 

I actually have 3 of these laying in the garage if anyone wants to try them out in the rear for real cheap. :-) $100 for all 3? I will check again, but, I think they are 50-60% tread depth.