"Low Profile Tires"

Hey guys, I'm going to be autoXing the Nova and for this I'm definately gonna need some low pros, I don't know much about tires in the first place but least of all Low pro's. I'm gonna assume the only thing different about these tires is the short sidewall height? Can you get these for 15 or 16 inch rims? What would the size look like, would it just be shorter like 255/30/R15 as opposed to a 255/60/R15? I guess just the addition of these would lower the car a bit. Opinions if low pros on 15's or 16's would look silly or too small on a Nova? Basically I'm just gonna get a set for autoX and then run the dunlop qualifiers (255/60/15) on the back for drag and normal street driving, maybe with some skinnies up front. Just need info, opinions, and input:D and could anybody suggest a good brand thats not to pricy?

-Ryan

My take. You have way more to choose from Rim and tire wise in a 17 inch. The low profile plus the larger rim wont look to small. I like my 18 inch rims because with the lower profile they still fill the wheel opening nicely. But again 17s have a wider selection of tires right now. Bridgestone fuzion tires are a good low price tire look in your summit catalog and they have a low price tire also. Riken is the name brand.

I wouldn't go low pro if you are going to be auto-xing! The sidewall doesn't have enough give to to it and when the tire lets go it's going to *SNAP* let go! Go with a taller sidewall and the sideslide will be more controlled!

John

Low Pro is also a very generic word. I have 245 40 fronts and 255 45 rear and have plenty of side wall. When you start getting into the 35 series and smaller you have rubber bands A 16 with a 55 serise sidewall maybe a thought

Old pic but you can see how well the 18s fill the wheel well and I have plenty of side wall

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/2113000-2113999/2113867_27_full.jpg

I don't auto x but I did look at alot of the tuner forums. The autoxers liked the Falken Azenis. I put them on my car and they handle well and seem to hook real well 245/45/17 rear 225/45/17 front. They don't have a long life expectancy (20000 miles)

Been years since I was at an auto cross but I do remember tires built for just that. Why not go to a couple and then see what's on the faster cars. When I worked for Hoozier Tire we sold some stickies with very small side walls. If you run DOT's add air.:rolleyes:

From an autocrossing prospective, there are diminishing returns on handling beyond a 16 inch tire. There are huge improvements going from 15 to 16 inch. In a 25 to 26 inch tire, 17 inch rims are about optimal for handling balance. If you are going to a 27 inch tire, consider an 18 inch rim

Next to consider is sidewall construction and tread compound. There are tires dedicated to autocrossing, but they are pricey and don't last but a few hundred miles. They are a must for the professional to be competative, but a hobbiest can get by nicely with a good set of sticky summer tires. I've even run all-seasons. They actually do quite well on cold early morning runs when the dew is still on the track.

As far as 15 inch rims on an autocross track, they are limited to 23 to 23.5 inch tires used by Miatas, MR2s and the like. I wouldn't try them on a 3000+ pound Nova.

Well, I don't mind the pro touring type Novas I would never do the full pro touring treatment on mine, in other words thats why I dont want to go over a 16 inch rim. I'm not going to be trying to beat a lotus with this, not really hardcore autocross, but I would like it to be half decent in the cornering department and an enjoyable experience at autocross is garenteed to be had. If I got these low pros I would ONLY use them for autocross and the occasional cruise, for normal all the time driving and drag I'm gonna run my 255/60/15 (or 16) dunlops. I'm just looking for a reasonably inexpensive but decent auto X tire. Ya I figured 15's with a low sidewall would probably be terrible on my car. Thanks for the input guys! I'll keep looking, a friend recomended toyo proxie 4's? Just to put that out there and see if you guys have had experience with em.

-Ryan

Suspension geometry improves as you reduce the diameter of your tires until a point at which your car hits pavement at the worst portion of the track. Once you have reached that point increase the diameter one size.

You'll find that tire size selection in a 16 inch rim is much more limited than the 17 inch rim. FYI

Low Pro is also a very generic word. I have 245 40 fronts and 255 45 rear and have plenty of side wall. When you start getting into the 35 series and smaller you have rubber bands A 16 with a 55 serise sidewall maybe a thought

Old pic but you can see how well the 18s fill the wheel well and I have plenty of side wall

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/1/web/2113000-2113999/2113867_27_full.jpg

Hey Pro,

Love those wheels and tires man!! Could you tell me what backspacing you're using? I want to do the same thing with Foose Nitrous II's on my '69 Nova. Yeah yeah, I know, double check on my own car because the rear end can be way off... :) I just want to get a general idea, especially up front. Are you running lowered springs at all?

first off if your auto-xing the car, your going to need to figure out what type of braking system to run, this can make an impact on your rim selection...i upgraded to c5 rotors and calipers and had to go to an 18" rim...

you can run a 225/235/245 in a 40/45 series in the front depending on your suspension setup

most run a 255/275 40 in the rear..but can take some work or good back spacing..

im running 275 in the rear on a 18x9" budnik shotgun with 5.75" bsp..

good luck

I'm going with the stock front disc rear drum setup. There all brand new though, but stock size rotors and such. Probably not something you want to take to autox, more of a backyard hotrod type dealy on a slim to none budget, i've spent enough on the motor already. But I enjoyed autox immensly when my auto teacher took me for a ride in his 88 lotus esprit, and his 83 vette. I'm not gonna be breakin' any records here, i'll probably get trounced by the stock pink 70 something mini cooper that frequents the track. But it will be fun to throw it around a few bends.

-Ryan

Sorry to bum the thread but can you roll seventeens with lopros without mini tubbing or tubbing:confused:

Hey Pro,

Love those wheels and tires man!! Could you tell me what backspacing you're using? I want to do the same thing with Foose Nitrous II's on my '69 Nova. Yeah yeah, I know, double check on my own car because the rear end can be way off... :) I just want to get a general idea, especially up front. Are you running lowered springs at all?

Thanks
18x8 with 5 inch backspace. All 4 corners. IM running Hotchkis springs front and back also...

Sorry to bum the thread but can you roll seventeens with lopros without mini tubbing or tubbing:confused:

NO mini tubs on mine read above

Thanks
18x8 with 5 inch backspace. All 4 corners. IM running Hotchkis springs front and back also...

NO mini tubs on mine read above

Nice! Are you reading my mind?!?! I'm planning on going with the Hotchkis full kit... wadda they call it... the TVS (Total Vehicle System). Any comments? Like it? I had Hotchkis on my El Camino and it worked really nice. Sold the Elky to buy an engagement ring though. :( That was a bad@ss ride. :chev:

So um yeah, I'm going with 18s, no mini-tub, Hotchkis... I don't mean to copy your ride, but I guess great minds think alike. :D:yes:

Crud, I forgot to ask the most important fitment question. Are you running the stock front wheelwells? I've found a lot of guys take them off, but I just can't do that where I live, it rains almost 24/7/365. I may need to go with 225s in the front to clear the wheelwells...

with that type of bsp and hieght you can run a 245 on the front

Crud, I forgot to ask the most important fitment question. Are you running the stock front wheelwells? I've found a lot of guys take them off, but I just can't do that where I live, it rains almost 24/7/365. I may need to go with 225s in the front to clear the wheelwells...

Never tryed with wheelwells so no answer there.

Im running 245/45 on the front and 255/45 rear