Need help guesstimating track behavior

[pgonza2723]

So my last thread was about wheel spacers in anticipation of picking up the set of 18x11 Apex EC-7 ET52. So the feedback I'm looking for would be concerning the tires that came with the package. They are Falken Azenis fk510s 295/30-18s. Both the wheels and tires are pretty much brand new (picked up for sub $1k) and the seller didn't really want to separate the wheels/tires to sell individually. So at this point my thought is to just burn through these fk510's during some track days and when they are worn out I'll look to put on 295/40-18 RS-4s. My question is the 295/30 is a pretty short tire. I know I used to run calcs all the time when worry about Drag racing with the rear gearing, etc etc. With 2016 MT-82, what difference in behavior will I notice from the 285/35-20 PS4s I've been running? I assume I'll through gearing faster, but any other thoughts?

Thanks for any input!

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[AlbertD]

The tire is drastically shorter in diameter which as previously stated will change your gear selection behavior on track, also... that tire compound doesn't seem like it would do well on track so based on how much driving experience you have, you may end up roasting those tires quite quickly. If it were me, I would probably remove those tires and just go with the track tire you intend on using for the season that way you can get some consistent shift behavior and have a tire that will hold up to some track abuse. Then you could sell those tires off since they are practically brand new.

Consistency in a tire setup is quite important at least in becoming a better driver. So many dynamics will change going from a short street tire to a taller more track purposed tire.

 

[fatbillybob]

I race on 295 30 18 Hoosiers. There are only advantages to running the shorter tire. You lower the ride height and cg with no suspension geometry change. Stiffer sidewalls put the work back into the suspension. Better acceleration. These are all positive things on a road course

 

[pgonza2723]

Based on a quick Craigslist and FB marketplace search on that tire size it doesn't look like it's super common. So the aftermarket might be pretty soft on it. I guess I'll be a test pig and take them for a track day and report the experience. Billybob, it looks like I keep picking up steam on that slippery slope....

 

[fatbillybob]

It gets steeper then sucks you in. Your kid will go to engineering school and you will beg him or her to do FSAE so you can be their mentor and play with more cars.

 

[Ewheels]

It gets steeper then sucks you in. Your kid will go to engineering school and you will beg him or her to do FSAE so you can be their mentor and play with more cars.

FSAE and Baja were so much fun in college!

 

[Grintch]

I race on 295 30 18 Hoosiers. There are only advantages to running the shorter tire. You lower the ride height and cg with no suspension geometry change. Stiffer sidewalls put the work back into the suspension. Better acceleration. These are all positive things on a road course

A 2019 has much taller gearing than a 2016. Shorter tires/gearing is not an advantage on many tracks with a 2015-2017.

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