Autocross Oriented Sonic Review

[mja]

I tried to find a lightweight 17 inch wheel, but there might be better luck in finding a 16 inch lightweight wheel...

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Here are some lightweight wheel setups, may not be the stickiest, but lightest combos I found:

15" stock steelies, 15x6 (16.8 lbs),
195/65 r15 Goodyear assurance all-seasons (18 lbs)
or 205/55 r15 Goodyear assurance fuel max (18 lbs)
- 34.8 lbs/wheel
(15" alum - 35.2 lbs/wheel)

17" Cruze eco wheel, 17x7 (17.8 lbs),
215/55 r17 Goodyear assurance all-seasons
or goodyear assurance fuel max TPC spec, both (19 lbs)
- 36.8 lbs/wheel


The stock 16" wheels are 19.2 lbs, so didn't post those combos. There may be other 18-19lb tires but couldn't find any. Wider than 215 seem to be a few lbs heavier. Avg tire weights are around 20-24 lbs.

Some honda guys are running 10-12 lb 15" wheels, that'd be cool if someone made em in the correct bolt pattern, but they'd be custom = $

 

[jledford]

Here are some lightweight wheel setups, may not be the stickiest, but lightest combos I found:

15" stock steelies, 15x6 (16.8 lbs),
195/65 r15 Goodyear assurance all-seasons (18 lbs)
or 205/55 r15 Goodyear assurance fuel max (18 lbs)
- 34.8 lbs/wheel
(15" alum - 35.2 lbs/wheel)

17" Cruze eco wheel, 17x7 (17.8 lbs),
215/55 r17 Goodyear assurance all-seasons
or goodyear assurance fuel max TPC spec, both (19 lbs)
- 36.8 lbs/wheel

17x7 Cruze wheels bump you up a class if you're looking at running HS. You have to stick to the stock 6.5" wheel width no matter what diameter you go with if staying in HS.

Also it's good that those Goodyears are light but you won't be very competitive with them. Bridgestone RE71R are the only tires to go after right now, they're sticky enough to make up for whatever the weight difference might be between them and other tires.

 

[mja]

17x7 Cruze wheels bump you up a class if you're looking at running HS. You have to stick to the stock 6.5" wheel width no matter what diameter you go with if staying in HS.

Also it's good that those Goodyears are light but you won't be very competitive with them. Bridgestone RE71R are the only tires to go after right now, they're sticky enough to make up for whatever the weight difference might be between them and other tires.

Good call,
The RE71R's are 20lbs (195/50 r15) and 21 lbs (205/55/ r15), not bad with the stock steelies.

 

[sonic007]

What spoiler is that? Doesnt look too shabby


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[Shaguardriver]

My race 17's are 44lbs with tires, but I will not get the 17's for racing again.

I would look Into a 15 or a 16 inch wheel

I would love to get your suggestions on wheel and tire combo.opcorn:

I did my first Autocross in the Sonic this weekend and it needs a better tire for sure. To get the tire roll under control I had to go to 47 psi.

I think going to a 15 or 16 and lowering the profire will help my gearing a bit also.

FYI:
Stock wheel and tire for the LTZ 205 50r17 (14 Sedan 1.4 turbo, mt6)

 

[$ub$onic]

I would love to get your suggestions on wheel and tire combo.opcorn:



I did my first Autocross in the Sonic this weekend and it needs a better tire for sure. To get the tire roll under control I had to go to 47 psi.



I think going to a 15 or 16 and lowering the profire will help my gearing a bit also.



FYI:

Stock wheel and tire for the LTZ 205 50r17 (14 Sedan 1.4 turbo, mt6)

Ya that's way to much tire roll.

I'm switching up my tires to a 205 50 15 A7 Hoosier

With a 50 aspect vs oem 65, it will give me a small tire diameter and give it better gearing

But for a street use autox tire I would go with a RE-71R in probably a 16

 

[JakeThaSnake919]

Just as an FYI, I ran my Sonic RS with stock tires yesterday at Autocross and you DO NOT want to run back to back laps without letting the tires cool. The course was pretty tight and nearly all left turns. During the fun runs, after finishing my first run, I jumped right back in line to go again without cooling them off and my front right tire has some pretty good size chunks missing (chunks missing are not down to the belt). My front tires also have a more textured look to them now rather than the smooth look they had before. This was my first time out and I wish I had done more research about this beforehand because I think I ruined a tire.

Other than the tires, the brakes are probably the second biggest upgrade needed. I was experiencing a lack of braking power towards the end of each run.

The only upgrades I have are ZZP Intake and M32 Short Shifter and I didn't bother swapping them back to stock because with the turbo, I am already in the STS class though I am racing Novice this year.

I am not sure about which tires I should get, I don't really want to drop a grand on smaller wheels and tires just for autocross, but I'm not sure what is decent on my 17" wheels. I'm not really looking to be competitive right now, I just want to have fun and get better, but at the same time, I'm not sure my front right tire will do another event without a blowout.

 

[carsNskis]

I'm not sure what is decent on my 17" wheels. I'm not really looking to be competitive right now, I just want to have fun and get better, but at the same time, I'm not sure my front right tire will do another event without a blowout.

I ran Sumitomo HTR ZIII on my 17's, didn't get any track or autocross time but they held up really well in aggressive mountain driving (4 hour trips through the Colorado Mtns constantly)

They were cheap, hold up well and, did I mention cheap? Might be an option to step up over the stock Hankook