[subrew]

I had a chance this afternoon to fiddle with my Kumho race tires, both the Victoracer 700 and Ecsta 700 design, in 225/50-16 size. I took some measurements of the overall width of each tire, and measured the clearance between the tire and the strut. I also snapped a few pics for reference.

If you've been wondering if the new design will fit, visit here:

http://www.subrew.com/library/kumho_comparo/

Chris H.
www.subrew.com

 

[10th Warrior]

its pretty obvious from some of the pictures that your suspension is not stock, thus any claim about fitment you make is only applicable to your setup, not RS's in general.

 

[rosss]

He's running the KYB AGX. Stock springs. While not absolutely identical to stock, it's pretty damn close. It's also the most popular budget replacement strut for RSes in stock-class autox, so this is probably the most useful piece of info for that group of folks (and where it was targeted).

If somebody else has both the Victoracer and Ecsta and would like to do the same comparison with a completely stock RS, we'd love to hear about it. We can even add that info to the page for future reference.

Sean
www.subrew.com

 

[subrew]

10th Warrior:

This was simply an attempt to share some info with fellow subie racers. I didn't "claim" anything.

Perhaps, before you claim anything, you ought to check your facts, or perhaps read the rules about stock class autocross competition.

Thanks for being an ass, and discouraging people from posting useful information.

Chris H.
www.subrew.com

 

[rosss]

But Chris, how do you *really* feel?

Sean

 

[10th Warrior]

So...what does this all mean? It appears the new Ecsta design will have less rubbing issues in the back of a 2.5RS.

that, my friend, is a claim.

Perhaps, before you claim anything, you ought to check your facts, or perhaps read the rules about stock class autocross competition.

i have read the rulebook. also, you never mention anywhere on your site what modifications you have done to your suspension. if i could only see the text, it would sound like it was stock, but luckily there was a picture to tell me that your struts (at least) were not stock. since you also never mentioned what class you run in, i have no way of knowing what other modifications could be done to your suspension. however, i never said anything about your class. gee, it might be that how much a tire rubs on a strut has to do with what strut your using.

i have no problem with you posting information useful to people who race scoobies, but at least include relevant information, or, failing that, don't get pissy with people who point out that relevant information has been omitted.

let us know how they actually fit during competion when you get the others and don't take things so personally.

 

[subrew]

I didn't, and won't ever take comments like that personally. And I'm not looking to start an arguement, I'm all for playing nice. I'm new to this board, and your somewhat gruff attitude can come across poorly to new peeps like me

I think we should agree to diasagree on what I "claimed." Me saying:

"So...what does this all mean? It appears the new Ecsta design will have less rubbing issues in the back of a 2.5RS."

shouldn't be translated into:

"I'm the expert, and according to me, these damn tires will fit, always, no matter what!"

It was intended to help show (and was understood by several who have e-mailed me) that the new design is narrower, and had more clearance than the old design. Plain and simple. Again, just sharing my experience.

By the way, our site has a section dedicated for the info you said was "never mentioned anywhere", called "race team." Things like who we are, the setup of our cars, and low and behold, it even mentions the class I race in (GS) and the type of struts I run (AGX)!

If you have time, and are interested, we also have an exstensive photo library covering our efforts over the past couple years. Lots of good photos of Subies in action.

Perhaps next time, I'll take your advice, and be sure to include that information anytime I post something about setup. Good suggestion.

I saw your response in the other forum about your spinning problems. The one thing I have picked up recently is that rear toe-out does help the car drive off corners better, but does make the car loose for transitions. At the El Toro Pro Solo a few weeks ago (which was both fast and transition oriented) I had to tighten up the car to keep it pointed straight.

Also, I tend to increase my rear pressures a couple pounds on the first run, as the car is always loose on cold tires. We have plenty of "cold" events here in Oregon, including several last year in the 35-36 degree range.

Hope this helps,

Chris H.
www.subrew.com

 

[Wizard of O.Z.]

Thanks for the info.

I was going to buy the 205/45's, I wish they had 215/45 instead. So how much of an advantage getting the 225/45 over the 205/45.

You are likely right about the width of the tire. I went to the Kuhmo site and compared the spec width of Estra V700 and the old type, it does say it's slightly less wide and about a pound ad half less.

 

[adhowe70]

For what its worth...

I trust Chris's measurements completely. I did not buy the 225/50's because I'm not sure it fits on my car (KYB's and stock springs) I didn't buy because of what I know about construction tolerances.

Anyone who thinks that all GC8 2.5RS's are EXACTLY the same, across model years, is kidding themselves. That said, Chris's statements are 100% accurate. They fit his car with that set of struts. How much is 0.035"? That's 1/32nd of an inch. If the spring perch is off by any more than that, it will rub. So, if you buy them and they don't fit on your car... its not because Chris's information is bad.

If you've run the Victoracer's successfully, the new Ecsta's should be an easier fit. That's all he's saying.

The 225/50's will be better on any course that lives in the 42-52mph range. The gearing difference hurt me last weekend. The 205/45's will run out of 2nd gear about 2 or 3 mph sooner than the 225/50's. I made 5 shifts (1-2-3-2-3-2) on my 205/45's and Chris only made 3 (1-2-3-2) with his 225/50's. End result? Chris beat me by 0.8 seconds. He would have beaten me anyway, but I had to really work hard with all the shifting. Had the course been about 2mph faster, I probably would have been very close to Chris, because he would have needed to shift another time. Had it been 2mph slower, I would have gotten away without needing to shift the extra times, and been closer to Chris.

The wider tire probably helps overall grip a little bit, but the real difference is in the gearing, IMO.

Andrew H.