DD/AX wheels/rubber - Honda Prelude Forum

Redin5th · 10-02-2008, 07:48 PM

Background: I have just started autrocrossing this year and I really enjoy it. The season is over for now though and for next season I was looking at a getting new wheels and rubber as the rubber I have now is almost gone. I have an auto X drivers training this weekend and I figure after that my current toyo proxes 4s will be pretty much pooched. I might be able to get through the winter, I guesse it just depends on how hard I am on them on Saturday and in the next couple months. "Winters" here are really mild, we are lucky if we get even an inch of snow and it never stays for long. So I was looking at getting a summer performance tire. At some time in the future I plan of getting some Koni yellows and some GC springs. I have been having a hell of a time trying to find a rim that I liked the look of, that will fit on my car. At first I wanted some Motegie Track Lights, but they are only 7in wide. 7.5 is about as wide as you can go reasonably. I then considered some Enkie 17by7.5 +48offset, but tire rack now has less then 3, and they are on close out. I also looked at some OZ but they all seem to come in 8in width, and too small of an offset to make work on a lude.

Question:
So I have now put it down to two different rims.
I like the SSR Type C RS, 17*7.5, but $513 a rim is a little over what I would like to pay, but yes from what I understand SSR makes good wheels.
With a little more looking I found a TR Motor Sport MT1 rim, that is 17*8 with a +50 offset. It happens to be cheaper at $260 a rim but I have never heard anything about them before. I understand there is an issue with an 8in tire, but I though I read that a bigger off set, in this case a +50, helps off set this problem.

If anyone could shed some light as to what would work for these tires, that would be great.

I was looking into getting some 225/45/17 rubbers for the rims as well and was wondering what the general concesus is for what good tires are for. I have heard really good things about the Dunlop Direzza DZ101s for their grip/wear/cost value. I was considering Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1s though too and was hoping some one would have an opinion on them or if someone could point me into another direction all together.

petern101 · 10-02-2008, 09:02 PM

If you want to be serious about auto-x, get 15x10 rotas (there was a custom run off of slipstreams for preludes) and Hoosier A6's.

If you just want some decent tires and nice rims, then there are plenty of threads on here that will help you make a decision. Personally, there is not good "middle ground". You are compromising way too much. If you are just lightly auto-xing, then something that makes more of a difference than all those mods is seat time.

98Lude-R · 10-18-2008, 11:38 PM

you can get an 8 inch wheel on a prelude, as long as its at least a 48mm Offset and your not lowered more than 1.5" otherwise youre gonna have to mod the fenders and suspension. All depends on how much your willing to dish out. Whats more important to you? Cash or AutoX? Its very difficult to pick both.

JHall250 · 10-19-2008, 12:55 AM

The Enkei RPF1 is a pretty good racing wheel, it's not forged so it's not going to cost you an arm and a leg. In a 17x8 +45 this wheel is 15.6 lbs which, for a cast wheel, is darn impressive. It's also 240 bucks a wheel instead of 500+ so it won't break the bank...as much. As for the tires a 225/45R17 is a good DD tire but it will make the gearing longer and acceleration probably won't be as good, if you got a 17x8 it's worth it to get that 245/40R17 on there. It's the same height as the 215/45R17 but a good amount wider.

Edit: I meant wheel not tire...

rpwolf · 10-19-2008, 03:55 AM

x2 on seat time.
I think small and wide wheels will benefit you more. of course you dont want to wide because your acceleration will suffer slighty. I think 7.5" wheels are good for stock to mild setups.

one time I auto-crossed, i was keeping an eye out for a guy in an rsx type s with hoosier a6's and bolt ons. My stock prelude with hankook rs2's was beating his times. most of the people I have auto-x with have miatas/mazdaspeed and s2k's; most of them like the azenis for tires.

EX99 · 10-19-2008, 11:21 AM

I see you guys are recommending getting larger rims, does AX not give you points for that? I know in the group I run with for HSAX I get points for upping the diameter and the width, that's why I just run 16x7's. I think overall slipstreams are the best for the money, they are a decent amount lighter, available in many sizes/colors/offsets and they are very subtle. As for tires if you can afford the points (or you don't get points) go for a slick, for the money you are going to take more time off with those than damn near anything else. Of course I can't emphasize the importance of seat-time enough, that's the best thing you can do for yourself by far.