New track tires and wheels

Last week I bought a set of 17x9 5Zigen FN01RCs and 255/40-17 Toyo RA-1s for track days this coming year. I was a little concerned that I might have to roll the rear fenders to make them fit since the wheels are an inch wider than stock and the offset dropped form +50mm to +35mm, but I mounted them up yesterday afternoon and so far, so good!

I'll be the first to admit that black would look better on a silver or white car, but my color choices were limited at this price, and silver is boring. :wink:

http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/41...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/39...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/40...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/38...600x600Q85.jpg

FWIW, the car is already about 1/2" lower than stock, and these tires are 1" smaller in overall diameter than the OEM 225/45-18s. So I've lowered the CG by an inch, widened the outside track at both ends by a whopping 2.5 inches, and added about an inch and a half of contact patch width at each corner. Can't wait to try it out at the track! :burnrubr:

I like black wheels on any car, they look sweet!

Very nice!! :burnrubr:

It does look really good! :clap:

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Originally Posted by altiain

I'll be the first to admit that black would look better on a silver or white car, but my color choices were limited at this price, and silver is boring. :wink:

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You should have gone with gold!.. All the cool Kids are going with gold.

















They do look good though!

Very nice. :clap:

I like the black on black. Nice :clap:

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Originally Posted by Nexus Flux

I like the black on black. Nice :clap:

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Black on Bass Boat™, actually...

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Originally Posted by altiain

FWIW, the car is already about 1/2" lower than stock, and these tires are 1" smaller in overall diameter than the OEM 225/45-18s. So I've lowered the CG by an inch, widened the outside track at both ends by a whopping 2.5 inches, and added about an inch and a half of contact patch width at each corner. Can't wait to try it out at the track!

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Wow! Looks good, too.

RX-8s look great lowered with some big wide wheels and fat tires. Glad to hear they fit with no issues. I had a decent amount of clearance even with the 275's on my 9.5" wheels when I tried them so you can always cram more tire if you want.

Good choice. Looks really nice.

Looks great, can't wait to see how it handles

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Originally Posted by Ted the Red

You should have gone with gold!.. All the cool Kids are going with gold.

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So true Michael... the COOL kids!

Looks good Altiain! When I drove Cosmos's RX-8 with 255 RA-1s at MW I was really impressed with the grip. I think you'll be very happy with the new setup.

Great choice with the FN01RC's. I've always liked those.......I like so many wheels, though. :D

Car looks super baller! Black wheels bring out the evil in cars. :D

We might have to do some of the same track events this year.

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Originally Posted by Miatamoto

So true Michael... the COOL kids!

Looks good Altiain! When I drove Cosmos's RX-8 with 255 RA-1s at MW I was really impressed with the grip. I think you'll be very happy with the new setup.

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Yeah I think you'll be smoking fast on the combo. Bring it out to MW a few times as well, the surface doesn't do anything to the RA1's. Just remember the tires don't matter if you run it out of gas, right Moto ;)

Thanks for all the compliments! I think it will look even better in the sunlight (where you can see the metal flake in the bass boat paint :wink:) with the numbers on.

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Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

Yeah I think you'll be smoking fast on the combo. Bring it out to MW a few times as well, the surface doesn't do anything to the RA1's.

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Don't worry, I plan to make at least a few of the S2k events, as well as some PCA time trials this season.

Looks great and fast.