Yaris VS MX5 showdown

[ivanstepul]

Originally Posted by Jason@SportsCar

Those are SCCA Solo classes - this match up you seek is played out every weekend around the cournty... A Yaris modded like your list, less the interior removal, would be in STF. Stockish Miatas are in CS and ES, both of which are quicker. The Miata has more power (even after your mods), less weight, RWD, and way better suspension. End game.

You accomplished nothing by going to a 17" other than aesthetics. Same width 15" wheel/combo will beat the 17" every time, the 15" carries less weight and offers a gearing advantage.

I am guaranteed to be faster if I run the 185/15/65 vs the 205/17/45 right?

[Jason@SportsCar]

Originally Posted by ivanstepul

so i will be faster if i run the 185/15/65 vs the 205/17/45?

No, I said same width, you also need to get the aspect ratio down. Some of the good street tires only come in a 195-50-15, but that is still going to be quicker than a 205-17. Your 17"s are more than an 1" taller than stock, that is a massive hit to acceleration, as well as the impact on handling due to increased height.

I know its not what you want to hear, but you have a losing battle on your hands.

[ilikerice]

Not all is lost... you may be a much better driver than he is...

you could run 2 runs in you own cars, 2 runs in each others cars, and then run your last runs in your own cars again.. then you could really see how much different they are and get a better determination of which car is faster...

[ivanstepul]

so I need new tires for the 15s. Which size is better 205/50 or 195/50

[CrankyOldMan]

A better question is, "what is your tire budget, and what class will you be in?"

A decent set of high performance summer tires will probably be about $400. For slicks, expect close to $1k. On 15x7's, I would go with 195/50R15. Brand and model are ultimately up to you, but the Dunlop DZ II Star Spec is a solid choice. The Toyo Proxes R1R is another good choice. If you want the smallest investment, I ran the DZ102s last summer as street tires and was pleased with them.

[Jcp123]

I'm rather partial to Michelin Pilot Super Sports, though not sure on the sizes here. And they are spendy...

[invader166]

Sorry, saw this video today and felt like I have to share it. lmao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO5XC3A99_o

[Jcp123]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5bT4hJ4B6M

Current tires are the wrong shape.

[ilikerice]

If class and price does not matter, get these
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....R5A7&tab=Sizes

if you want to stick with Street Touring FWD, keep the back seat in and get one of these sets
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....GFRS&tab=Sizes

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....1RV2&tab=Sizes

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....XLV2&tab=Sizes

[Ben_]

The car with better tires will win. A yaris with 195 50 15 r 200utg tires will beat a miata with all season tires. I've done it. The mods you have on the yaris will make it competitive vs a stock if you are comparing raw times and not pax times since you will be in stf with your mods and you aren't taking advantage of that classes legal mods. Get those r compounds and drive like the stig and you will win

As far as 205 vs 195 it is super important to match tire size to your rim width. Running 205 on a stock 5.5 wide rim is worse than 195 but on a 7 inch rim the 205 will shine. Car setup on the auto x can sometimes be confusing and work the opposite way logic would say. On stock width rims 185 or even 175 would be a better choice but those sizes aren't available in competitive models of tires

[Ben_]

I still beat miatas with similar tires because I've put in my time and became a better driver than others

[ilikerice]

http://www.buccaneerregion.com/ce-3-15.html

Yes, this is true what Ben says. Scroll down to about half way and look up the Raw times. I have become a much better driver from doing driver schools and attending as many events as I possibly can.

[justjesus]

Given similar driver ability, I got my money on the Miata.

Grip means nothing, if you can't get up to the speed where you need it. Those 17s, like others have said, are heavy.

I recently replaced my 16" Team Dynamics with my lightweight 15" RacingHarts... I had forgotten how much more fun the lighter combination is! Acceleration is much better. Another benefit: My avg MPG went up 5mpg. :)

[Ben_]

Tell us how things go! I would love to hear about your experience!

[ivanstepul]

yea so I looked up the scca solo schedule for illinois and they dont have any events planned til mid summer, so this sux.

[ilikerice]

Central Illinois Region has an event coming up May 23rd
http://cir-scca.org/cir-soloii.html

Milwaukee Region is also having one on May 24th.
http://www.scca-milwaukee.org/solo/2015/15sched.html

Not sure if you guys are willing to drive that far.

I see there is a PDX track day coming up on May 23rd also. Those are always fun
http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/...ry-club-636717