Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

Rear diff bushings made a world of different in my IX and X. Don't forget the driveshaft carrier bushings (DSMs and Evos share the same part): http://www.torquesolution.com/Torque.../ts-ev-dsb.htm

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

Already have those installed in the car (came with them).

Shooting to spend my 4 day weekend over the 4th fishing up my front suspension install as well as remove my rear subframe and get that off to my welder to in stall the hatcher and split motorsports bushings

I'm saving now for RP1 with RE71's... - my biggest dilemma is what size and offset.

John fruend and most road racers say 18x10.5 +15. But that requires mods to do so.

My brother is pushing for just stopping at 255... which could be for a few reasons. We'd be able to share tires (he's sponsored so I could get his tear offs)

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

Just curious, why have you decided on the re71r?

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

I haven't purchased them yet. As I'm saving for new rims. (Cars down anyways as I have to install suspension parts and wait for rest to arrive, etc)

They are the recommendation of my brother, the car will still see occasional street use...Weather here is just to nice to drive the minivan all the time.

Or I'd go with A7's or similar

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

Looks like tirerack has them rated with excellent dry traction. Assuming you don't want an R-comp if you're going to drive to work and such?

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

I don't ever or at least try not to drive my car in the rain. (Been caught a couple of times where it said like 10% chance but ended up raining) with the AB hood(which he said was ready what 3 weeks ogo, and still no shipping info) I doubt I'll drive it if it ever calls for rain.
But I'd drive it the 16miles to and from the track I'd imagine..
There's really no telling how things are going to turn out.
I never thought I'd be this far along so fast. And have done a lot more to it then I ever planned on doing. He se why my mod list in post #3 went from like 6 items to what 40 something

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

If it's only a weekend warrior/track car, have you considered a street-track compromise tire? Maybe not an issue if you're getting used freebies from your brother, but the new Toyo R888R looks to be pretty good and available in the 255/35/18 size you'd need (and definitely stickier than the RE71R but with probably half the tread life). I agree with your brother don't go bigger than 255 on a dual purpose car. Rolling fenders, tires sticking out, harder to turn, etc. Don't make it a full out race car with tires as wide as a barn.

Rain is not that big of a deal if you are smart about it. I've been in really heavy downpours in my NT01 which are virtually slicks, and I just stayed under 40mph and made it home fine. Not ideal of course for a daily driver, but you said no plans to drive in rain, so emergency only and you'll be fine.

Or go with the R7 if you can change wheels at the track haha. A7 would probably heat up way too quick with a heavy DSM, unless you were doing only a couple laps at a time.

Sounds like it's coming together nicely, much progress made. I wish I had as much time to work on mine, it just sits there collecting dust most of the time.

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

Decisions, decision.

So rpf1's... 18x10.5 +15... there is a brand new never installed set local to me for sale. At basically buy 3 get the 4th free pricing.

Listed as his back up set that he never mounted.

The only thing I don't see is the enkie stickers on the front lip. Which most photos show they have it bUT quite a few also don't have it.
He did send me a picture of the back side with the enkie stamped (or cast, what ever they do) into it.

Chances of these being fake? Anyone?

Will have the car flared if I get these. And probably later on a AB wide body if the car holds up to the road racing abuse.

If not leaning towards the 17x9 +35 with a 255 tire.
But question is will a 17" clear my outlander brakes? And/or if I find the outlander jusy aren't cutting it and need to go larger will this 17" rim really reduce my options?

Or should I get the 18x9+35?

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

Unlikely they're fake, but bring a scale and weigh them. Fakes will be a lot heavier than the Enkei advertised weight.

Please don't do fender flares or widebody.

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

Lol.... flares would be paint matched at least.

I just can't see running 10.5 with no flares. If I did that then I guess they could be my track only set. And then keep the rims I have for my DD use. And see what options on tires I have for them.

18x8 no clue on offest.

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

I do like these setups

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

Quoted for truth.

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

Please no... just get some normal tires that fit, paint the entire car one normal color and drive it. lol

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

10.5" wide wheels? Geebus. I will admit I'm looking at similar widths but that's because I'm rear wheel drive and need the widest stickiest tire I can get in back. But for awd, geebus I'd think a 9" wide wheel with some decent tires (like r888's or NT01's) would be all you need, ever.

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

I agree, 10.5 is too wide. You can fit some decently wide tires on 9" wide wheels.

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

Road racing - I guess there could be such a thing as to wide.

But hell Andrew and john both stepped up to 12" wide tires.

The talon above is just 1 picture of several SCCA dsms running 10 to 10.5 tires.

Here's another running 17x10 with 275's.... and a reference for how it would look with out fender flares, which I don't care for personally

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

But I'll also give you 17x9+35 doesn't look to bad also with a 255.

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

1 more 17x9 +35 for good measure

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

That to me looks good, and in the end would be less work.

Re: 1997 GSX - DD, RR, and 11's.
 

In other news.. currently having issues with carbonetics.

Not sure if it's a ploy to bid time for buidling my order (as most people say it takes forever...I'm 2.5 months past promise date already heading into 3rd month)

But latest message he sent was that my hood and diffuser are packaged and waiting to be shipped justo need the shipping cost sent...
So I respond with this...message saying I already paid you the final payment when you said they were done... Haven't heard back yet after I sent a screen shot of our coversation and my paypal account info..

Total cost was $970

He asked for:
$300 deposit to start project
$670 when it was ready to ship