{NB} Track rims + tyres

Discussions relating to MX5 Tyre choice, Wheels, Brakes Suspension components and other items to keep you going around corners, stuck to the ground or stopping on a dime.

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Timmo
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{NB} Track rims + tyres

Post by Timmo » Wed Jul 31, 2013 11:36 am

Rather than shagging my road tyres everytime I do a track day, I thought I'd get a second set of rims and some sport tyres.

I haven't gone and talked to the tyre shop yet as I thought I'd ask here first to try and narrow down the options.

Currently I have the standard NB RS wheels (15" x 6". +40) - Im thinking about getting some 16" rims (unless the 15s fit over the larger 2001 Sport brakes?), possibly a set of the 2001+ 16" rims repainted.

Does anyone have an idea about relative costs for track tyres (road legal semi slicks) between 15" and 16" rims?
Ex: 1991 BRG NA6, 1998 White RS, 1997 Wine Merlot M Edition

chris
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Post by chris » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:16 pm

Hey man,

You SHOULD be able to fit 15"s over the brakes, if so I would look for a set of mini lights, or something. RPF1s if you have the $$$

Tyre wise, I don't think you can go to far wrong with R888s :)
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1 X Audi A6
3 X Mazda MX5 (1989, 1990, 1991)

SkilletKid
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Post by SkilletKid » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:19 pm

chris wrote:Hey man,

You SHOULD be able to fit 15"s over the brakes, if so I would look for a set of mini lights, or something. 15x9 6ULs if you have the $$$

Tyre wise, I don't think you can go to far wrong with R888s :)
Fixed that
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chris
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Post by chris » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:23 pm

but.. RPF1s are sexy......

And 15 x 9?

If he's running stock power 7 inch would be PLENTY
1 X Primera
2 X Silvia
1 X BMW E30
1 X Audi A6
3 X Mazda MX5 (1989, 1990, 1991)

SkilletKid
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Post by SkilletKid » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:29 pm

chris wrote:but.. RPF1s are sexy......

And 15 x 9?

If he's running stock power 7 inch would be PLENTY
I thought RPF1s were sexy too but have grown to really like the 6ULs :P.

15x9 was probably a bit excessive but hey; "Because racecar"?

Plus the 15x9 (also the 15x8s) 6ULs are sure to fit any brake kit out there for the MX5.
"Yes, you got that, 16 years of [MX5] ownership and you too can become the Obi-wan Kenobi of not giving a s**t." - Moti

BRM
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Post by BRM » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:55 pm

Nothing at all wrong with R888s.
Best tyre for you money within the semi slick range.

You should be able to get some 205/50/15s relatively cheap,
because all the BMW E30 class cars run them.

16" instantly come a lot dearer we've found out..
But that was 3-4 years ago..

Ian
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Post by Ian » Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:27 pm

If you want pertinent advice, you need to spell out what you intend to do with your car...ie occasional track days with the mods you have to date??

Cheers
93 1.8,intake/ex mods,Megasqirt PNP,torsen ,konis,GC coilovers,Nitto-01,cage,sparco seat,Schroth harness.

BRM
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Post by BRM » Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:38 pm

Ian wrote:If you want pertinent advice, you need to spell out what you intend to do with your car...ie occasional track days with the mods you have to date??

Cheers
He said in the first post, he wants to do track days.

Snapfrozen
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Post by Snapfrozen » Wed Jul 31, 2013 9:18 pm

Don't be afraid to look at Achilles 123's. I love them and would highly rate them. Cheaper than R888's for an entry tyre. R888s also generally only come in a hard compound which might be hard to warm up on a light MX5.

Ian
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Post by Ian » Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:46 am

BRM wrote:
Ian wrote:If you want pertinent advice, you need to spell out what you intend to do with your car...ie occasional track days with the mods you have to date??

Cheers
He said in the first post, he wants to do track days.
Yes, I read his post...but then he talked of sport brakes, which is why I suggested we need to know more about plans for his car.
This might help prevent posts from the uninformed suggesting 9 inch wide wheels...and even that R888s 'might not even warm up'!!!
93 1.8,intake/ex mods,Megasqirt PNP,torsen ,konis,GC coilovers,Nitto-01,cage,sparco seat,Schroth harness.

Timmo
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Post by Timmo » Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:10 am

Ian wrote:If you want pertinent advice, you need to spell out what you intend to do with your car...ie occasional track days with the mods you have to date??

Cheers
Then plan is occasional track days in an otherwise daily driver with the rims and tyres as a starting point for further mods- The clearance for the larger NB 2001+ brakes isn't needed right at this point obviously but I want to try and avoid getting rims which won't have space for the larger calipers/discs. I want rims that are slightly wider to handle a bit of extra power in the future (i.e. a possible supercharger)

So, in my mind that would mean a 16" by 6.5 or 7". However, what rim I get will be influenced by the cost of tyres as some sizes are difficult to obtain.
Ex: 1991 BRG NA6, 1998 White RS, 1997 Wine Merlot M Edition

Ian
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Post by Ian » Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:37 pm

Thanks for the additional information...
In my opinion
1. You definitely don't need bigger brakes....upgraded pads and fluid will more than suffice.
2. In which case stick with 15 wheels.
3. As budget is important to you(as it is to most of us), I would suggest another set of NB 15x6 fitted with 195/50 race tyres (R888s WILL warm up),but second hand race tyres of any make will be a good start, which is what I did when I first began competing.
4. Remember, bigger wheels and tyres don't change the size of the footprint, just the shape of the footprint.

Good luck

Ian
93 1.8,intake/ex mods,Megasqirt PNP,torsen ,konis,GC coilovers,Nitto-01,cage,sparco seat,Schroth harness.

CordedBowl
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Post by CordedBowl » Fri Aug 02, 2013 6:48 am

Don't get 16's, the tyre prices are donk.

Any 'decent' aftermarket 15" wheels will fit over those brakes.

Timmo
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Post by Timmo » Fri Aug 02, 2013 7:24 am

ok good to know guys, thanks :)
Ex: 1991 BRG NA6, 1998 White RS, 1997 Wine Merlot M Edition

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