Azenis 245-17's don't fit - LotusTalk

AIRacer · 04-08-2005, 09:36 AM

FYI. I picked up a set of Azenis RT-215's to trash during my upcoming 3 days of Evolution schools.

I went with 215s front / 245s rear. The 215s look like they clear fine, but the 245s are wider than the Kumho V710s. I pulled the rear spring & ran the suspension up to bump stop compression <1". The Azenis hit hard on the forward section of the inner wheel well (same place as the V710s, but much worse) & at the rear outer fender where the side marker light protrudes. Wheel spacers would be disastrous.

I have a set of the new RT-615 compound in a 225 width on the way for the rear. Hopefully the new compound won't overheat as much, but they are nearly as expensive as other options.

ConeFusion · 04-08-2005, 10:30 AM

That's surprising. Azenis run wide for street tires, but I was under the impression that V710's would be considerably wider.

It sounds like you have another option on the way already. Did you consider the Hankook R-S2's? They come in good sizes, and are relatively cheap. Should be on a comparable level to the Azenis. I just got a set for my WRX, didn't get them mounted yet.

TripleBlack_NJ · 04-08-2005, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConeFusion

That's surprising. Azenis run wide for street tires, but I was under the impression that V710's would be considerably wider.

It's not the width that is the problem, it's the combination of width and height. The frame gets more narrow towards the passenger compartment. 245/45 Azenis are almost an inch taller than the AO48s and over an inch taller than the 245/40 Hoosiers. The shorter the tire, the wider you can go.

ConeFusion · 04-08-2005, 11:22 AM

I was referring to the same size (245/45-17) V710's, which both Randy/Robert and Darrin have fit successfully. They did get some rubbing with the V710. I'm surprised that the Azenis would cause bigger issues than the same size V710.

AIRacer · 04-08-2005, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConeFusion

That's surprising. Azenis run wide for street tires, but I was under the impression that V710's would be considerably wider.

It sounds like you have another option on the way already. Did you consider the Hankook R-S2's? They come in good sizes, and are relatively cheap. Should be on a comparable level to the Azenis. I just got a set for my WRX, didn't get them mounted yet.

Ha! If you walked into my shop's storage building (that has been commandeered as a race garage) you would now find at least 20 sets of new or slightly used of tires between the MR2, shifter karts, Elise, etc... I now have a set of V710s, AS304s, A048s & now the Azenis for the Elise & have ran it twice so far. What's another set? I'll have to start a tire store!

Thanks for the suggestion though. I'm curious how they will perform.

z06fun · 04-08-2005, 02:15 PM

Thanks for posting your findings. I wouldn't have guessed they would be worse than 710's in the same size, glad you told us.

MyElise · 04-08-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleBlack_NJ

It's not the width that is the problem, it's the combination of width and height. The frame gets more narrow towards the passenger compartment. 245/45 Azenis are almost an inch taller than the AO48s and over an inch taller than the 245/40 Hoosiers. The shorter the tire, the wider you can go.

That's why these things need 15/16's to run bigger rubber.

adamant · 04-09-2005, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyElise

That's why these things need 15/16's to run bigger rubber.

But 15"F and 15" rear wheels don't fit do they? I thought the brakes were changed and there is not enough room for the smaller wheels any more. I'd be interested to fit out if I am wrong

Evl · 04-09-2005, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamant

But 15"F and 15" rear wheels don't fit do they? I thought the brakes were changed and there is not enough room for the smaller wheels any more. I'd be interested to fit out if I am wrong

Yes, they will fit, as of serial number 1440ish. You might need a significant spacer to get the offset right, depending on which wheels you use. If you are interested in some 15" SSRs and V710s with some custom made spacers, let me know. I was planning on running in ASP, but will probably stick to SS this year.

TripleBlack_NJ · 04-09-2005, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evl

Yes, they will fit, as of serial number 1440ish. You might need a significant spacer to get the offset right, depending on which wheels you use. If you are interested in some 15" SSRs and V710s with some custom made spacers, let me know. I was planning on running in ASP, but will probably stick to SS this year.

What is the significance of 1440? Did they upgrade the brakes?

adamant · 04-09-2005, 12:11 PM

Yeah, mine is much earlier than that (mid 300's

), I didn't know they changed any of the brake hardware.

TripleBlack_NJ · 04-09-2005, 04:11 PM

I'm in the 300s too. So what's different now?

Evl · 04-09-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripleBlack_NJ

What is the significance of 1440? Did they upgrade the brakes?

Not that anyone told me, but adamant seemed to think so. I'm just pointing out that if there was a change before 144X, it doesn't preclude a 15" SSR.

Evl · 04-09-2005, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamant

But 15"F and 15" rear wheels don't fit do they? I thought the brakes were changed and there is not enough room for the smaller wheels any more. I'd be interested to fit out if I am wrong

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamant

Yeah, mine is much earlier than that (mid 300's ), I didn't know they changed any of the brake hardware.

Gee, don't get confused by your own rumor!

adamant · 04-10-2005, 09:07 AM

My fingers can't keep pace with my brain. I can't figure out what I was trying to say there..

So to correct -- I do not know of any change in the brakes. I thought that we could not install 15" front and 16" rear wheels on the federalized Elise. If someone knows otherwise please post.

Stan · 04-11-2005, 04:59 AM

>>> I went with 215s front / 245s rear. The 215s look like they clear fine, but the 245s are wider than the Kumho V710s. I pulled the rear spring & ran the suspension up to bump stop compression <1". The Azenis hit hard on the forward section of the inner wheel well (same place as the V710s, but much worse) & at the rear outer fender where the side marker light protrudes. Wheel spacers would be disastrous.<<<

It might not be that the 245/45 Azenis are wider than the 710s leading to more rubbing....DOT-R race rubber tends to run smaller in diameter than other tires. Both diameter and width affect rubbing...

04-08-2005, 09:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
AIRacer Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 33	Azenis 245-17's don't fit FYI. I picked up a set of Azenis RT-215's to trash during my upcoming 3 days of Evolution schools. I went with 215s front / 245s rear. The 215s look like they clear fine, but the 245s are wider than the Kumho V710s. I pulled the rear spring & ran the suspension up to bump stop compression <1". The Azenis hit hard on the forward section of the inner wheel well (same place as the V710s, but much worse) & at the rear outer fender where the side marker light protrudes. Wheel spacers would be disastrous. I have a set of the new RT-615 compound in a 225 width on the way for the rear. Hopefully the new compound won't overheat as much, but they are nearly as expensive as other options. __________________ Finally here: Ardent Red, LSS, Hardtop, Touring Pkg

04-08-2005, 10:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
ConeFusion Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,579	That's surprising. Azenis run wide for street tires, but I was under the impression that V710's would be considerably wider. It sounds like you have another option on the way already. Did you consider the Hankook R-S2's? They come in good sizes, and are relatively cheap. Should be on a comparable level to the Azenis. I just got a set for my WRX, didn't get them mounted yet. __________________ Reto 2005 Lotus Elise (yellow, sport pack), #94 SS 2005 Nissan Xterra (LSV)

04-08-2005, 11:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
ConeFusion Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,579	I was referring to the same size (245/45-17) V710's, which both Randy/Robert and Darrin have fit successfully. They did get some rubbing with the V710. I'm surprised that the Azenis would cause bigger issues than the same size V710. __________________ Reto 2005 Lotus Elise (yellow, sport pack), #94 SS 2005 Nissan Xterra (LSV)

04-09-2005, 12:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
adamant Time to DRIVE Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 1,313 Images: 2	Yeah, mine is much earlier than that (mid 300's ), I didn't know they changed any of the brake hardware. __________________ 2006 Exige Chrome Orange

04-09-2005, 04:11 PM	#12 (permalink)
TripleBlack_NJ Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 291	I'm in the 300s too. So what's different now? __________________ Starlight Black, Sport Pack, Since Oct. 04

04-08-2005, 02:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
z06fun Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NY Posts: 403	Thanks for posting your findings. I wouldn't have guessed they would be worse than 710's in the same size, glad you told us.

04-10-2005, 09:07 AM	#15 (permalink)
adamant Time to DRIVE Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 1,313 Images: 2	My fingers can't keep pace with my brain. I can't figure out what I was trying to say there.. So to correct -- I do not know of any change in the brakes. I thought that we could not install 15" front and 16" rear wheels on the federalized Elise. If someone knows otherwise please post. __________________ 2006 Exige Chrome Orange

04-11-2005, 04:59 AM	#16 (permalink)
Stan - Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,927	>>> I went with 215s front / 245s rear. The 215s look like they clear fine, but the 245s are wider than the Kumho V710s. I pulled the rear spring & ran the suspension up to bump stop compression <1". The Azenis hit hard on the forward section of the inner wheel well (same place as the V710s, but much worse) & at the rear outer fender where the side marker light protrudes. Wheel spacers would be disastrous.<<< It might not be that the 245/45 Azenis are wider than the 710s leading to more rubbing....DOT-R race rubber tends to run smaller in diameter than other tires. Both diameter and width affect rubbing...

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