[Cligedy]

Got to test fit the new wheel/ tire combo on. Wasn't sure if the Rivals would fit without rubbing. I was mostly worried they wouldn't clear the fender lining in the rear, but they fit with about 3/8" of clearance on the inside rear corner of the tire.

The fronts do rub though. They have good enough clearance for typical driving, but they rub when close to full lock. When turning left full lock, backing off by about 1/4 - 1/2" of rotation gives enough to stop the rubbing. When turning full right lock, backing off about 1 - 1 1/4“ eliminates the rubbing.

There are few times in autocrossing or daily driving where you would turn the wheel this much, about one and a half full turns from center, but it does happen.

FYI, these were on 16x7 wheels with a 42mm offset. Hope this is helpful to some of you.

 

[wash]

Any comments on the turn in, ride and grip?

 

[McRib 1s Back]

Got to test fit the new wheel/ tire combo on. Wasn't sure if the Rivals would fit without rubbing. I was mostly worried they wouldn't clear the fender lining in the rear, but they fit with about 3/8" of clearance on the inside rear corner of the tire.

The fronts do rub though. They have good enough clearance for typical driving, but they rub when close to full lock. When turning left full lock, backing off by about 1/4 - 1/2" of rotation gives enough to stop the rubbing. When turning full right lock, backing off about 1 - 1 1/4“ eliminates the rubbing.

There are few times in autocrossing or daily driving where you would turn the wheel this much, about one and a half full turns from center, but it does happen.

FYI, these were on 16x7 wheels with a 42mm offset. Hope this is helpful to some of you.

Thanks for sharing that. I just did some testing on my setup last night and discovered a "corner case" where I have a slight bit of rubbing. I'll update the Dunlop Direzza II post...

 

[Cligedy]

Haven't turned a wheel in anger with the new setup yet, just around an empty parking lot and to check clearance. I'm going to start a new thread in the autocross section to talk about how they drive.
Are you seeing rubbing with the Dunlops?

 

[McRib 1s Back]

Haven't turned a wheel in anger with the new setup yet, just around an empty parking lot and to check clearance. I'm going to start a new thread in the autocross section to talk about how they drive.
Are you seeing rubbing with the Dunlops?

kinda...I just posted on that thread about a condition where it happened once.

 

[Cligedy]

Sorry, meant to include in original post:

With the 205/50 being a bigger tire, the top speed in second gear is 60.4 per my GPS, so an extra couple MPH, which was my goal.

 

[McRib 1s Back]

Sorry, meant to include in original post:

With the 205/50 being a bigger tire, the top speed in second gear is 60.4 per my GPS, so an extra couple MPH, which was my goal.

...and more importantly, no shift to third -- saving precious tenths in the critical 0-60 timed runs!

 

[AdrianBrewster]

if the 225/50r16 rubbed a little bit, is it safe to assume a 215/50r16 would fit just fine? and would a 16x7 wheels suffice? I want to get a high performance four season tire and leave my stock wheels and tires for summer only

 

[McRib 1s Back]

if the 225/50r16 rubbed a little bit, is it safe to assume a 215/50r16 would fit just fine? and would a 16x7 wheels suffice? I want to get a high performance four season tire and leave my stock wheels and tires for summer only

That sounds safe, but it really depends on your wheel offset and backspace choices. See my wheel/tire thread for my specifics.

Speaking of which, I'm running 225/45/16. They absolutely do NOT rub in any way for regular driving. I really dig this setup for weekend canyons and soon, and I'll post how they fare at Streets of Willow, soon.

 

[Slowclimb]

Anyone running spacers...will that help with the rubbing? Ran them on the front of the mini to improve turn in and minimize understeer...but still trying to figure out what works for the fiesta. Considering going to the 225/50/17 Dunlop on 16's...the widest wheel I can in STF. does anyone know the widest 17 available from Ford for the car? 7 inch?

 

[Cligedy]

...the widest wheel I can in STF.

FYI, the FiST is not legal for STF, it would be classed in STX I believe.

In theory, I added 20mm of width, then the wheels moved the offset 5.5mm, so that's an extra 4.5mm on the inside an an extra 15.5mm on the outside.

I say in theory, because a 225 from one company may not be the same as from another. This is a picture of the Dunlop Z2 225/45R16 next to a BFG Rival 225/50R16. Both are mounted on identical 7" wheels. The Rival is noticeably wider.

 

[Slowclimb]

Hmmm, I am having a bad day with my posts...meant RTF...Road Tire Front.

That is a great shot - I am leaning toward the dunlop - I ran them on my miata and cooper. So for RTF I think I can run a 16 X 7 (stock plus or minus 1 inch - meaning I can run a 16 with the width of the widest 17 that ford sells on the car), plus I can can add some offset. Have not found the wheel I want to go with yet. Would love to go with a RPF1 or something like that, just not sure if they are an option.

 

[Cligedy]

Hmmm, I am having a bad day with my posts...meant RTF...Road Tire Front.

That is a great shot - I am leaning toward the dunlop - I ran them on my miata and cooper. So for RTF I think I can run a 16 X 7 (stock plus or minus 1 inch - meaning I can run a 16 with the width of the widest 17 that ford sells on the car), plus I can can add some offset. Have not found the wheel I want to go with yet. Would love to go with a RPF1 or something like that, just not sure if they are an option.

I think that RTF has been phased out now that the Stock classes have been transitioned to Street (non-R comp tires). I can't find confirmation of that though. The FiST is classed in G-Street though.

7" is the widest wheel offered on the FiST. A popular choice of wheel so far has been the Sparco Assetto Gara offered by the tire rack. 16x7, 42mm offset, Street class legal, inexpensive and reasonably light. There are some OZ wheels that are lighter and more expensive. The BS 4x108 bolt pattern on this car is a really limiting factor.

 

[Slowclimb]

You are right about the class, just using last years lingo ha ha...reminds me I have to get some GS magnets to go with my numbers...I know that the bolt pattern is a killer for us to find wheels. Will take a look at the wheels, honestly from what I have read wheel weight is not a make or breaker - especially at the level I drive.

 

[Cligedy]

Tire rack has some of the Sparcos on closeout pricing, so they are a great deal.

I was surprised that on the Sparco wheels, the Z2s and the Rivals weigh the exact same as the OEM setup. These are some heavy tires.

 

[Slowclimb]

Just saw that...that is a good deal.
Surprised that they weigh that much.

 

[Smokin]

FYI, the FiST is not legal for STF, it would be classed in STX I believe.

In theory, I added 20mm of width, then the wheels moved the offset 5.5mm, so that's an extra 4.5mm on the inside an an extra 15.5mm on the outside.

I say in theory, because a 225 from one company may not be the same as from another. This is a picture of the Dunlop Z2 225/45R16 next to a BFG Rival 225/50R16. Both are mounted on identical 7" wheels. The Rival is noticeably wider.

Both brands are mounted on wheels? The BFGs don't look like it. Unmounted tires are always wider appearing than the same size mounted.

 

[McRib 1s Back]

Both brands are mounted on wheels? The BFGs don't look like it. Unmounted tires are always wider appearing than the same size mounted.

Good eye.

The comment about the size difference between manufacturers still stands -- I'd be curious to see a mounted photo comparison. I've found that the width can vary wildly between supposedly same-sized tires!

Edit: I just re-read the post. There is a claim to be mounted, but I agree that it doesn't look mounted. The people want another photo!

 

[Slowclimb]

BFGs are chunky

 

[Cligedy]

Those are mounted. I don't have any pics showing the wheels, just tires. Will you take my word for it?
Seriously though, I can get pictures.