Tire size and pics

[Justinmk4]

Good eve lots happening I'm running the 18 wheels I'm looking for some pic and size options to run as I need to make it a roller. Thanks. I appreciate all pics and sizes!

[edwardb]

Good eve lots happening I'm running the 18 wheels I'm looking for some pic and size options to run as I need to make it a roller. Thanks. I appreciate all pics and sizes!

These wheels are pretty new from Factory Five, and you won't find too many running them yet. So not sure how many responses you'll get. I've got the 18's on my Anniversary build, and will be buying tires in the next month or two. So obviously I don't have any pictures. These are the tires I'm considering through, FWIW:

Toyo Proxes R888: 255/35ZR18 & 315/30ZR18. These are the tires Factory Five has on their prototype Anniversary Roadster. Note though they are 100 treadwear rated, so basically a street legal racing tire.

BFGoodrich Rival S: 245/40ZR18 or 275/35ZR18 & 315/30ZR18. 200 treadwear rated. Probably my first choice at this moment.

Falken Azenis RT615K: 245/40R18 or 255/40R18 & 315/30R18. Also 200 treadwear rated.

I don't have specific tire sizes, but other considerations would be Nitto NT-01, but again 100 treadwear rated which I'm trying to avoid. Also Michelin and Pirelli have these sizes, but the the prices are much higher.

Hope that helps. Let us know what you decide.

[Justinmk4]

Thank u!

[jloehlein]

Just keep in mind there are no standards for the treadwear and traction numbers - the manufacturers can use them as they please. They can be a reasonable guide, but not more than that. I believe the Nitto NT-01s and Toyo R888s are actually the same rubber compound. Depending on how much you drive, they can be a good choice. I run NT-01s on my track day car (currently a Civic), which sees 1-3 track days a year, some autocrosses and ~1500 street miles. They last me a few years a set, which is about as long as you want a tire to last (they lose grip with age, too). That said, they are HORRIBLE in the rain and cannot be exposed to freezing temperatures. They should be faster and may even last longer than the Rivals or Azenis if you're using the car for track days.

[Justinmk4]

Good eve lots happening I'm running the 18 wheels I'm looking for some pic and size options to run as I need to make it a roller. Thanks. I appreciate all pics and sizes!
Can some of u guys post some pics of the 17" wheels and sizes so I could see the entire side of the car both front and rear tires with the body to help me out with the look. Thank u all

[edwardb]

Just keep in mind there are no standards for the treadwear and traction numbers - the manufacturers can use them as they please. They can be a reasonable guide, but not more than that. I believe the Nitto NT-01s and Toyo R888s are actually the same rubber compound. Depending on how much you drive, they can be a good choice. I run NT-01s on my track day car (currently a Civic), which sees 1-3 track days a year, some autocrosses and ~1500 street miles. They last me a few years a set, which is about as long as you want a tire to last (they lose grip with age, too). That said, they are HORRIBLE in the rain and cannot be exposed to freezing temperatures. They should be faster and may even last longer than the Rivals or Azenis if you're using the car for track days.

Interesting first post. Your statement about treadwear and traction numbers (UTQG) is a little misleading though. UTQG = Uniform Tire Quality Grading and does have standards. The manufacturers don't make up the standards. The system was developed by the Department of Transportation. In theory it should be a way to compare one brand and type with another. That's the intent. What is true though is the manufacturers do their own testing and publish the numbers. Also true they are not the whole story and actual use determines the real world traction, treadwear and temperature capabilities. But they are still useful for at least rough comparison.

You do make a good point though. The OP didn't state the intended use for the tires. Agree completely that makes a big difference. My driving will be strictly street cruising. No planned track use. Plus here in Michigan even during the warm time of the year we still often have cool mornings and evenings. Plus I've been known to get caught in the rain. So finding the proper balance of performance but also having reasonable temperature and wet street properties are important to me. That's why I'm leaning away from the race compounds and toward a more high performance street tire.

[Greg Hoy]

http://www.factoryfiveparts.com/18-halibrand-style-replica-wheels/

The above link has our new wheel option video. In the video are photos of the cars with the wheels and recommended tires. Hope that helps.

Greg Hoy
Factory Five

[edwardb]

Can some of u guys post some pics of the 17" wheels and sizes so I could see the entire side of the car both front and rear tires with the body to help me out with the look. Thank u all

Take a look at the pics in this link of the 20th Anniversary edition Roadster. Probably the most pics of the 18 inch wheels you'll find. http://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/day-19-of-20-20th-anniversary-mk4-roadster-revealed/

There are tons of builds with 17 inch wheels, plus Factory Five's own galleries have lots of pics. Here's one: http://www.factoryfive.com/galleries/mk4-roadster/factory-five-summit-racing-mk4-roadster/

This is my completed Mk4 with 17 inch wheels:

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Completed/IMG_2994_zps50da104f.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Completed/IMG_2994_zps50da104f.jpg.html)

[Jeff Kleiner]

edwardb,
For your intended street usage I think you'll be happiest with the Rivals or Falkens. The Rivals are one of the top autocross tires currently and I know a bunch of guys who run them on the street as well as in competition (including a buddy with a Backdraft who couldn't be happier after switching to them after running Nitto 555s for a couple of seasons). They guys who I know that run them say that they aren't awful in the wet however as you well know we have to be very cautious with our cars in the rain with ANY tire. I don't know the Falkens so can't comment other than to say that it looks like a good tread pattern.

For your intended use you're right to steer away from the "R" compound NT-01 and 888. I run the NT-01s and love them for my purposes which are more hard core than most. I'll get 4-5,000 out of a set. I'd expect similar out of the 888 but by most reports they are not as high performing as the other R-comps (when they mandated it as the spec Challenge Series tire a few years ago the competitors hated them and protested so loudly that they reverted back to the previously required Toyo RA1).

Cheers,
Jeff

[GoDadGo]

Take a look at the pics in this link of the 20th Anniversary edition Roadster. Probably the most pics of the 18 inch wheels you'll find. http://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/day-19-of-20-20th-anniversary-mk4-roadster-revealed/

There are tons of builds with 17 inch wheels, plus Factory Five's own galleries have lots of pics. Here's one: http://www.factoryfive.com/galleries/mk4-roadster/factory-five-summit-racing-mk4-roadster/

This is my completed Mk4 with 17 inch wheels:

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Completed/IMG_2994_zps50da104f.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Completed/IMG_2994_zps50da104f.jpg.html)

Great Looking Car & I Love The Color! Also, I've got two questions for you if you don't mind: #1 Did you lower the roll bar and if so how much? 2. Are you running 275/40's or 315/35's on the rear?

[edwardb]

Great Looking Car & I Love The Color! Also, I've got two questions for you if you don't mind: #1 Did you lower the roll bar and if so how much? 2. Are you running 275/40's or 315/35's on the rear?

Thanks! I love the color too. It's really striking. Ford Red Candy 2. Just might be another one in my future that same color. :) #1: That's a Breeze roll bar. So yes, it's slightly lower, thicker (1-3/4 in dia vs. 1-1/2), and has the slight backward rake. It's a good look. A little bit of work because they need to be welded and finished. This is a plain steel one I had chromed. He also has them in stainless. They do look good. #2: Those rear tires are Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR 315/35ZR17's. You didn't ask, but fronts are 255/40ZR17's.

[GoDadGo]

I've also got the NITTO 555's, but I'm a size down on both ends. 245/45/17's up front with 285/40/17's out back. Front wheels are 17 X 9's while the rears are 17 X 10's. I hope to be go-Karting within the next 45-60 days. Also, I did lower my two hoops (Black Powder Coat) about 1.5" and they looked pretty good when I test fit the body last week. Anyway, thanks for the information.

[Norm B]

Don't know if this helps but, you did ask for pictures with 17 inch wheels on the car. I am running 17 x 9 inch wheels on all four. The tires are 245/45r 17 on the front 275/40r 17 on the rear. The rear end is fox width with a one inch adapter/spacer on each side. I am running Cooper all season tires because of where I live. It gets cold quickly in the evening and sudden rain showers are common.

HTH
Norm

[ghowe]

I too have the 18" wheels and had I known that there is a limited supply of tires for this size wheel (meaning very costly) I might have made another decision. However, if we dropped down to the 17" wheels the larger brake rotors would not have fit. I am looking at Pirelli P Zero Rosso's from Tire Rack. The front tires are $172 but the rears are $302.

[ghowe]

Just an update. Tire rack is now back ordered on the rear Pirelli's, could be as much as 90 days.

[ghowe]

Have you checked with FFR to see if the front tires (BF Goodrich and Falken) you are thinking about will actually fit and not rub?

[carlewms]

Can some of u guys post some pics of the 17" wheels and sizes so I could see the entire side of the car both front and rear tires with the body to help me out with the look. Thank u all

Here are some with the 17 in tires ... Note: The body is NOT in the final position yet.

Front PS Quarter

https://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a6db28b3127cceec46bad1bbdf00000030O09AaOGbRo2bA9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00006064438420160509103959489.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

DS Side View

https://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a6db28b3127cceec47fece1a9e00000030O09AaOGbRo2bA9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00006064438420160509103955719.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

PS Side View

https://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a6da03b3127cceebb96c46da0b00000030O09AaOGbRo2bA9 vPhg/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00006064438420160422151438022.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

The tires are Nitto NT555s.

HTH