Replacing tires with light autocross use - Honda Prelude Forum

Sabs · 06-24-2004, 08:44 PM

It seems my alignment was done improperly and my set of 215/40R17 Kumho's are shot after about 15k miles. I autocross about 5 times per year, and drive my car roughly 18k per year (summer only).

I would like to continue autocrossing, because it's a damn good time. However, I need to shell out the money for tires and so now is the time for me to make a decision. I am lowered on H&R Sports and KYB AGX. I have always autocrossed on the Kumhos so I don't know how other tires compare (I.E. if any all-seasons are still fun to drive on). First things first, I need another alignment done. I want to autocross a few times per year but just for fun - not very competitive. Please let me know what you'd do in my case.

1) Replace the tires with Kumho 712's again
2) Replace with another 215/40R17 tire
3) Sell 17" wheels to friend, buy All-Season tires for stock SH wheels
4) Sell 17" wheels to friend, buy summer-only tires for stock SH wheels
5) Sell Prelude, mod '92 Sentra SE-R

h22 bb6 · 06-24-2004, 09:47 PM

Why not put good tires on your SH rims? They may be better off for auto-xing. Put a good set of wet/dry tires on the 17's.

PilotSH · 06-24-2004, 10:11 PM

yeah, sell the 17s, get some Azenis 215/45-R16s and call it a day. BEST bang for the buck by far. If you really wanna keep the 17s, please please don't get the 712s. Compared to Azenis/S-03/Kumho MX tires, the 712s feel like hockey pucks. Spend a lil more and get the MXs. You won't be dissappointed. I guarantee. As for your alignment, ask them to do Zero toe front, and Zero toe rear. It will make your tires last longer, as well as make the car rotate better.

Mugenlude · 06-25-2004, 08:11 AM

I run Kumho 711's on the street and am happy with their performance for street driving. Again, I'm not an aggressive driver on the street, I do my racing on the weekends so I can't see spending the money on expensive performance tires that are going to wear fast and I'm not going to use to their potenial. Oh yeah, the 711's were only $68 each for 215/45/17's ---> this leaves you money left over to get some Azenis for your SH wheels.

Do you have a seperate car (SE-R maybe) that you drive in the winter?

Sabs · 06-26-2004, 01:23 PM

Thanks for the advice.

I drive the SE-R in the winter, and the Prelude for 6 months a year.

I think I may go with the Kumho 711's for my 17" wheels. I've been impressed by Azenis from other cars I've rode in, but with the number of miles I put on I'd go through a set each year if I drove on them daily. Hopefully in future I'll be able to get a set of Azenis for the stockers as I know I could cut a few seconds off in autocross and have more fun doing it.

Jacques · 06-27-2004, 10:25 AM

Brain, if nothing else, since you need to replace the Kumhos you got, and since you drive the SE-R in the wintertime, get the MXs for the 17s for now. I have the MXs for my 17s for everyday driving (non-autocrossing, since I have 16s and Azenis for that purpose) and I love them. If you like your 17s for aesthetics and don't want to sell it, and your budget is a concern (ie: can't buy two sets of tires...one for the 17s, one for the stockies), that's the best alternative I can think of.

Mugenlude · 06-28-2004, 10:27 AM

^^^ I agree... If you are going to autocross the 17's, then you don't want the 711's ---> I suggest them for street use only. However, I think the MX's are going to wear at a similar rate as the Falkens...

Sabs · 06-28-2004, 08:45 PM

I'm going to hold off on ordering tires until I get the alignment sorted out. I took it in to the local Goodyear service center and asked them to redo the alignment to specs as the tires were wearing abnormally. They were able to set the front toe to 0 degrees, but broke off one of the adjusting bolts in the rear.

As for the camber, they said they could not adjust it within specs, most likely because of the ride height. I'm on H&R Sports/KYB AGX so it should only be lowered around 1.5". I don't see why a camber kit would be necessary, but that's what they seemed to be recommending. It's my understanding that with a moderate drop such as I have the camber can be adjusted within specs or very close to it provided the suspension in not damaged. I may end up taking the car elsewhere as I want to be certain my tires are wearing properly before purchasing a new set.

Mugenlude · 06-29-2004, 11:59 AM

There isn't factory adjustment of the camber. No place is going to be able to adjust it. What is the camber at now?

Sabs · 06-29-2004, 06:04 PM

Sorry that I've spread this out between two threads. My alignment info is in the post in the Wheels and Tires section.