Preferable wheel widths for drifting

Post by **AZ89two4Tsx** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:39 pm

Hey guys, I'm probably going to start to get into drifting and maybe some grip driving once I get the sil40 done. What I was wondering is what wheel/tire size and combonation should I go with? My SSR's already have Azenis's on them but I really don't want to track them because tires are going to be super expensive.

What I was thinking of for a track set was either some stock s13 se wheels, sportmaxes, or some used wheels. Either way what I wanted to know is how wide I should go for a beginner like me. I was thinking 16" by around 8"? Would it be easier to learn to drift on narrower wheels? To start off I'm probably going to stay N/A and KA-T in a few months.

Go easy on me, I'm always learning new things round here. Thanks guys.

Post by **Kalypso** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:57 pm

- steelies are strong / cheap / lightweight track wheels.especially if you don't need anything pretty.

- as for tires I cant say, there is a used tire shop in my neighborhood. if you only need tires for a track day, pick up 4 for about 150$ with 65 - 75% tread. and just go at it.

- Widths I dont know either, some say wider is better but 8" is fine. 10" is ideal. some are big advocates of stretching tires for drifting... so that the sidewalls are rigid and wont flex. But its not necessary when your starting out.

Hope that helps.

Post by **TerminalVelocity** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:36 pm

For drift, with a stock KA, I'm using 205/55-16 on NA z32s for the rear. I'd stay somewhere in the range of a 195 - 225 tire width (6.5 - 8 in. rim width).

For grip an 8 in. rim width with some sticky 225s or 235 will be fine.

Post by **Kalypso** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:04 pm

^ are you stretching those tires?

Post by **AZ89two4Tsx** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 10:43 am

How much would a decent set of steelies weigh/cost? Would I have to get them custom made to have a decent offset?

Btw, I'm staying 4 lug or else I probably would pick up a set of Z wheels.

Post by **SR24DET** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:30 am

For starting i would use stock wheels or steelies. I bought 2 steelies at the junkyard for $20. I also go there and get tires. I have the junkyard sponcer me. I pay $10 or less for tires that look like new. Sometimes they give em to me for free. After a while you can go wider. The biggest mistake i ever made was going to an event with 17" heavy wheels running 245 with. I could drift, but it was a huge difference from stock rims running 195. Start small. Once you get more experience and power, then get bigger wheels.

Post by **TerminalVelocity** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:27 am

Kalypso123 wrote:^ are you stretching those tires?

Slightly, they actually sit very close to straight up.

AZ89two4Tsx wrote:How much would a decent set of steelies weigh/cost? Would I have to get them custom made to have a decent offset?

No need for custom offsets or anything. Like someone else said just get some from the junkyard for cheap. Having flush wheels isn't important when you're learning to drift.

Are you planning on using the same set of wheels for drift and grip?

Post by **Kalypso** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:13 am

thats a great fit.

if they were stretched at an angle I would ask how you did it.

...something I want to learn

Post by **AZ89two4Tsx** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 2:15 pm

TerminalVelocity wrote:Are you planning on using the same set of wheels for drift and grip?

Most likely. I kinda want something that fits decent. Doesn't have to be absolutely perfect but I would spend a couple extra dollars to get steelies that are like 16x8 +15 or something. I already have a junk set that were on the sil40 before I put the SSR's on but I wanted to see my options. They look to be about x7 but I haven't measured.

Oh and one more thing, how many do I need? I was thinking 4 or 6?

Post by **BrianHarte** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 5:35 pm

I started off with 17x9s all around.

Fronts were anywhere between 205/40-17 , 215/40-17, 215/45-17Rears were anywhere between 215/45-17, 225/45-17.

I really loved the Falken ST115s when those were super popular.I use Federal 595ss now.I just got a pair of Dunlop Direzza Z1 for fronts.

When I was beginning I would get used 215/45-17s. That's what I learned on.

I've had a few pairs of Yokohama ES100. They SUCK. Do NOT get them.

I've used Dunlop FM901. they are pretty nice.

I'd say that anything like one of those tires I listed will be great.

Post by **Kalypso** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:13 am

useful

Post by **Biggamehit** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 6:44 am

Azenis are not that expensive they are the best bang for the buck. I ran RT-615's for drifting and auto-x.

the info above is valid and all i have to add is..... drift with the best possible tire you can afford up front. if not you will understeer all over the place.

once you become better start adding grip to the rear as you still need traction to propel you forward while drifting.

Post by **AZ89two4Tsx** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:49 am

So would a set of se wheels be too thin in your guys' opinions? IIRC they are like 6.5" wide. Tires would be cheap though.

Or would I be better off saving for something wider?

Post by **TerminalVelocity** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:23 pm

Those will be fine. You'll easily be able to fit a 195 through 215 on them.

If you can get them for cheap, I say go for it. I actually just picked up a set of s14 se wheels to use as drift spares.

Also, see if you can get ahold of another set. It's good to have extras incase a tire decides to let go at an event.

Post by **BrianHarte** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:42 pm

You will probably hate my answer, but I'm being honest.

I would never drift on those.

I think it is far too ugly to even attempt to do.

I wouldn't use them as spares or "drive home" wheels

Post by **AZ89two4Tsx** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:25 pm

^ You don't like them purely because they are ugly to you, or because of the sizes?

Post by **Kalypso** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 4:26 pm

its the ugliness...

Post by **AZ89two4Tsx** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 5:57 pm

Since when did s13 se wheels become so ugly? I guess I must be an outcast.

Whatever though, I'll probably snatch up whatever comes up first. I still got the wheels that were on my car before the SSR's if I can't decide. But those ARE ugly.

Post by **BrianHarte** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:04 pm

I dont like them for the size AND they are ugly.

I just couldn;t bring myself to use such a wheel.

If you like them, more power to you.I'm just speaking on my own opinion. I hope I dont offend you. That isn't my goal here.

Post by **AZ89two4Tsx** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:10 pm

Don't worry I'm not offended at all. I'm glad I have my nice SSR's for daily and now (well soon) I'll be looking for a track set. I was just thinking about the se wheels for initial cost and tire expenses. Yeah I'd rather have a set of wider wheels (I kinda like the steelie look with a good offset) but it's my first car and I want to focus on other things as well. Worst comes to worst I'll use my hideous old wheels.

Post by **BrianHarte** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:17 pm

well, what are you working with now?

Post up those photos, dude!

Post by **AZ89two4Tsx** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:34 pm

WAY old picture (last april)

The car is gonna look a lot different soon. I got the brick headlights, gtr grill, cf hood, and it's going to get painted here very shortly (oem gray).

Here is a better shot of the wheels.

I was just going to give them away after I got my new ones. They have curb rash galore.

Post by **BrianHarte** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:43 pm

ohh..

yeah

I don't like them very much.

I'm sorry.

I feel mean.

Post by **Kalypso** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:49 pm

AZ89two4Tsx wrote:Since when did s13 se wheels become so ugly? I guess I must be an outcast.

If Work meisters and equip are in the 9 or 10 range. and a stock taxi cab hub... is in the 1's...

a stock s13 se wheels doesnt rank past a 3.

Post by **AZ89two4Tsx** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:53 pm

I told you they were ugly!

I was thinking of Diamond Racing steelies. Opinions?

Don't worry about the sil40. She'll look dandy in a few months.

Post by **BrianHarte** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:16 am

Racing Steelies?

no, no, no, no

Post by **AZ89two4Tsx** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:38 pm

So what do you suggest then for a budget minded person like myself and probably a few others?

Post by **nismofly** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:40 pm

Save more money?

I consider myself on a budget and I'm still going to be spending 550 on wheels shortly (hopefully).

Post by **Kalypso** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:43 pm

steelie's can look good, but you gotta do it right...

aside from steelies there are no cheap wheels... really

Post by **nismofly** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:47 pm

I consider $500-$1k cheap, anything under that better just be a real good deal on something that should be more. Like for example the R33 gt-r wheels I almost got off upgarage for $300, and am still kicking myself for not doing so.

Preferable wheel widths for drifting

Preferable wheel widths for drifting

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