fasteddie84

iTrader: (1)

Hi all

I have almost got my car back on the road and just considering the wheels and brakes.

First off, the car is a UK Spec Hawkeye STI running between 350bhp and 375bhp. When I bought the car, it came with a set of PPF7 wheels (18") as well as the standard 17" wheels so just deciding which wheels to use.

To make my decision harder, I need some new brakes so should I upgrade the discs and pads with Performance Friction 2 piece floating discs and either Z rated or 01 racing pads. Or, a friend of mine is a selling a set of AP 6 pots, discs and pads off his rally car that I can have for slightly more than the PF upgrade.

What would be the better setup, the 17" wheels or the 18" wheels? If the 17"'s are better, then I guess the PF upgrade would be best but if the 18"'s are better, then I guess the AP's would be best.

Thanks

fasteddie84

iTrader: (1)

Anyone?

The Pink Ninja

iTrader: (23)

18's for show and 17's for go!!

LongJonnyGspot

iTrader: (12)

As above. I use 18's on the road and have 17's for track days. I drive a classic and find suitable track day tyres more readily available and better priced for the 17's. Never used my 18's on track so can't advise what is best but my line of thought is that the 17's being lighter are better suited to track. Choosing the right tyres is most important.
As for brakes, why only go with AP's if running 18's. Is it because the kit has the larger 355mm discs? I personally went with 330mm kit so I could run 17's if needed. Definitely good idea to go with PF pads. What compound and whether to go with the 2 piece discs depends how hard your going to drive and brake, how many laps you stay out for each time?

fasteddie84

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys.

I had thought that 17's would be better on the track but not entirely sure why. I haven't looked into the weight of the differnet alloys but not sure if it is much.

I agree that the tires are cheaper and easier to get. Was thinking of using the 17's with 245/40/17 tires on. Was thinking of getting good road tires as if it's wet on the track, then I would be better off with these?

My friend has offered me the 355 disc and calipers so would be cheaper getting those than looking at buying some 330's.

I haven't done track days before but looking at doing Castle Combe, Silverstone and Le Mans this year. Do they require heavy braking? I may get the Z rated compound to start and then see how I get on.

LongJonnyGspot

iTrader: (12)

If you go with the AP's then you'll have to use your 18's. If your only using road tyres then z rated pads will be fine as your tyres will let you know it's time to back off before your brakes fade. I did Silverstone on Pirelli road tyres in the dry and they were scary after 2 laps! Now I use Yoko AD08's, they are expensive but can take alot more and offer more grip, they are classed as extreme summer road tyres and have 7mm tread when new. Depends on your budget but if it were me I'd definitely not do a track day on standard road tyres, it spoilt my experience as I was finding myself having to back off and being overtaken by Fiesta's, not good lol

fasteddie84

iTrader: (1)

From reading that, I will probably buy some decent track tyres, and from researching it all, go for the AD08’s in 245/40/17. I assume that they will fit? I have read that some American’s go as far as 275 of the standard wheels!

If I went for those tyres and also went for PF 2 piece discs with z rated pads front and rear, would that be on par if I went for the PPF7’s with similar tires and the AP 6 pots with Ferrodo DS2500 pads and possibly PF pads on the rear? I have coilovers, strut braces, ALK.

VitruvianJ

I also recommend AD08, have them on my RX-8 and very good on track. Not so good in winter and when the roads are really cold or wet but just take that into consideration and should be fine.

LongJonnyGspot

iTrader: (12)

Do you have a baffled sump fitted? If your putting really wide tyres on and with coilovers etc you'll be cornering pretty fast so it might be a good idea! Not sure what tyre sizes suit the standard newage wheels but 245 sounds a little too wide to me.
I personally don't rate DS2500 pads, I had them on front and rear and have since changed my fronts to Pagid RS29 and PF at the rear as Pagid don't do that pad shape.

fasteddie84

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, got the baffled sump fitted when the engine was rebuilt.

Looking at my options, I can go for the following:

225/45/17 - Stock tire size on UK STI
235/45/17 - Stock tire size on JDM STI
245/40/17 - Possible upgrade

If I go for the 245/40/17 then the speedo will be 2.8% faster, the tires will stick out 10mm from the arch, they will stick 10mm closer to the suspension and will be about 18mm taller.

If I go for the 235/45/17 then the speedo will be 1.5% faster, the tires will stick out 5mm from the arch, they will stick 5mm closer to the suspension and will be about 10mm taller.

I have AST coilovers so I reckon that the 245's will fit but that are around £100 more than the 235's so might go for them. What's the gain from running 235's over 245's? Not that much.