Yes another square setup question. 285s!

[Transfer]

Everyone and their mom is running 275/35/18 square but is anyone going for 285s? The reason I ask is that I just picked up my first dedicated track wheelset (18x10 et25 APEX) and I'm set on NT05s which typically run narrow. 285/35 is only $7 more per tire so I'm considering it.

Anyone else doing this? What are the experienced or theoretical advantages and disadvantages of that slight increase in width?

[LiM3y]

My mom runs 295/265. I run 275 sq.

[Porschefile]

There are. IIRC wwjd runs 285/285. I think most setups/most tires will rub if over 275 though in front. The 275's feel really good to me, I wouldn't bother with 285 and risk rubbing.

[Transfer]

I emailed Apex and they recommended against it, citing possible rubbing on the strut, needing spacers, then needing 3*+ camber. That's not worth it.

Originally Posted by Porschefile

The 275's feel really good to me, I wouldn't bother with 285 and risk rubbing.

Good to hear

[1MOREMOD]

Don't feel bad I'm doing 275 square on my e46 and need -3.5 to -4 to make them clear the fender and might need rolled as well.

[Transfer]

because RACE CAR

[okusa]

285 will definitely rub up front without some work.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Transfer

because RACE CAR

Sorta? What do you need to qualify for that designation?

[Richbot]

Within the realm of rational sane normal people who just want to track their cars, what's posted above is totally correct of course, but...

Vendors are necessarily conservative with their recommendations because they don't have the time or inclination to test every permutation and don't want people coming back to them expecting them to fix something that isn't their problem. There's room for a lot of tire up front with careful wheel sizing and attention to clearance at the strut, but the only way to find out is to buy stuff and adjust as needed. I managed to get it right the first time with 295/30 and 315/30 Hoosiers but I did a lot of measuring and mental gymnastics before ordering anything. Based on my test-fitting with the 315 on a 9.5" wheel, I personally think it's possible to get the 315/30 Hoosier on the front of the car without cutting any bodywork as long as you're careful with ride height and have enough spring and camber to keep from banging it against the fender every time you hit a bump. Would need some light fender lining modifications and would need to run a 10-10.5" wheel rather than the 11.5-12 the tire would really like, but still, possible. I think the perfect square setup for the E9x M3 is a 305/30-18 on 10.5" wheels (would have to fine tune fitment with spacers) but the only tire in that size is the Kumho V710

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

There are. IIRC wwjd runs 285/285. I think most setups/most tires will rub if over 275 though in front. The 275's feel really good to me, I wouldn't bother with 285 and risk rubbing.

Was running 295 square @ Buttonwillow (Hankook TD) a couple of weeks ago.

[Richbot]

What's the diameter on the 295/30 TD? Wondering if they just took the 285 mold and added some meat to the middle or did a whole new tire

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Richbot

What's the diameter on the 295/30 TD? Wondering if they just took the 285 mold and added some meat to the middle or did a whole new tire

Not much data on the VentusTD site, but did find some specs here: http://samotorsporttyres.com.au/hank...ventus-td-z221

295/30ZR18Y Hankook Ventus TD - 25.1"
285/30ZR18Y Hankook Ventus TD - 24.8"

Hope this helps. I've got a set I've been itching to use since Time Attack.

[thorny]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Was running 295 square @ Buttonwillow (Hankook TD) a couple of weeks ago.

Tom, any rubbing? What size and brand of wheel?

I am thinking of a dedicated square rim/tire too

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Don't feel bad I'm doing 275 square on my e46 and need -3.5 to -4 to make them clear the fender and might need rolled as well.

What are the widths and offsets of your wheels? I was able to run a 275/35-18 square setup on my old e46 M3 track prep'd car with no fender mods and reasonable front camber (street -2.75 deg; more aggressive track camber setting -3.7 deg).

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

What are the widths and offsets of your wheels? I was able to run a 275/35-18 square setup on my old e46 M3 track prep'd car with no fender mods and reasonable front camber (street -2.75 deg; more aggressive track camber setting -3.7 deg).

the problem is im using apex wheels in e9x size. 18x10 et 25. may fit with less negative but doubt it and thats where i would run it anyway for track car.

[bigjae1976]

What you'll find is that tire selection with 285s is very limited. So not a good idea unless you have a specific tire that comes in 285s. You have to go with either 275s or 295s.

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

What are the widths and offsets of your wheels? I was able to run a 275/35-18 square setup on my old e46 M3 track prep'd car with no fender mods and reasonable front camber (street -2.75 deg; more aggressive track camber setting -3.7 deg).

E46 talk...I'm running 18x10 et25s with 275s on my E46...it fits. Need -3.5 degrees of camber up front. Bang the front fenders flat with a rubber mallet although it will likely result in the paint cracking. You'll just need to roll the rears and cut off a body stud on the backside inside of the rear wheel wells.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...1&postcount=31

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

What you'll find is that tire selection with 285s is very limited. So not a good idea unless you have a specific tire that comes in 285s. You have to go with either 275s or 295s.



E46 talk...I'm running 18x10 et25s with 275s on my E46...it fits. Need -3.5 degrees of camber up front. Bang the front fenders flat with a rubber mallet although it will likely result in the paint cracking. You'll just need to roll the rears and cut off a body stud on the backside inside of the rear wheel wells.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...1&postcount=31

that is a non m3 e46 though correct. didnt think i would need to do anything in the rear and just get -3.5 or more front with same exact tire and wheel set up and should be fine.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

that is a non m3 e46 though correct. didnt think i would need to do anything in the rear and just get -3.5 or more front with same exact tire and wheel set up and should be fine.

Nope...check out the thread...its an E46M3. Unless you run lots of camber in the rear but that's not really optimal to get the car to rotate. Better to run a little less camber in the rear than the front and roll the fender to get the tires to clear.

Some cheat and just add more camber to get tires and wheels to fit. Works for the street...not really as well on the track.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Nope...check out the thread...its an E46M3. Unless you run lots of camber in the rear but that's not really optimal to get the car to rotate. Better to run a little less camber in the rear than the front and roll the fender to get the tires to clear.

Some cheat and just add more camber to get tires and wheels to fit. Works for the street...not really as well on the track.

dont plan on a ton at the rear. think there is proabably a little more asthetic way of rolling than a hammer! there is a tool that hooks to the hub or even wedging a baseball bat between the tire and fender?

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

dont plan on a ton at the rear. think there is proabably a little more asthetic way of rolling than a hammer! there is a tool that hooks to the hub or even wedging a baseball bat between the tire and fender?

The rear is easier with a roller tool. Just use something flat wrapped in a rag on the outside to prevent the lip from getting dented out and bang on the lip with a rubber mallet. Not a hammer. Be sure to make some relief cuts as shown in my E46F thread to prevent the edge of fender from curling in.

[w00tw00t]

You will be plenty fast on 275 nt01s .

I am getting marks used bfg r1 though and it will be 265 front and 285 rear

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

that is a non m3 e46 though correct. didnt think i would need to do anything in the rear and just get -3.5 or more front with same exact tire and wheel set up and should be fine.

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Nope...check out the thread...its an E46M3. Unless you run lots of camber in the rear but that's not really optimal to get the car to rotate. Better to run a little less camber in the rear than the front and roll the fender to get the tires to clear.

Some cheat and just add more camber to get tires and wheels to fit. Works for the street...not really as well on the track.

I didn't have to modify the front or rear fenders to run a 275 R-comp nor did I have to run more than -2 deg rear camber (range was -1.75 to -2.0). I was using 9.5et25 R and 9.5et35 F wheels.