17x8 or 17x9 for Autocross

[FrankRizzo]

Hey bro, because I did this before you let me give you some tips.
You should really try to get 18's if at all possible. Even if you get some crappy ones for the track use only (which is a good idea anyways). I had cobra R's (they rub in front without spacers) and Bridgestone HP's in 275/55/17's and upgraded to Michelin pilot LTX's in 255/55/18's on Saleen rims and the combo of the lowered unsprung weight and the far superior tires shaved about 3 seconds.
Don't get the steering limiters! If you ever run at the really tight events, you will need every inch of opposite lock.
The problem you will run into is becasue of the live axle, you'll hop around a lot. If you don't have posi, the inside rear wheel lifts and spins on tight corners....if you do have posi, there is not enough power to break the ass-end loose and you get pushed into plowing thru the corner.
The seats blow. It's almost impossible - no matter how tight you cinch the seatbelts - you tend to slide out of the seat.
Practice the 1-2 column shifing - it's all in the wrist.
Track time is not much better. It takes a lot to get a 3 ton explorer to drift....and it aint pretty.
The best part is all the attention....X's are not real popular at auto X events/road racing. I used to blast thru Mulholland Hwy. by the rock store and would get numerous thumbs up.

 

[james t]

Originally posted by FrankRizzo
Don't get the steering limiters! If you ever run at the really tight events, you will need every inch of opposite lock.

steer with the throttle. let the back tires turn you.

 

[FrankRizzo]

Originally posted by james t
steer with the throttle. let the back tires turn you.

Need 250 more HP's for that.......

 

[5.0Dad]

FrankRizzo, what are your thoughts on running V8 AWD?

 

[FrankRizzo]

I dunno.......
As Jimmie eludes to above, you kind of want to steer witht the throttle, but it's almost impossible to do with the Explorer at low speeds - not nearly enough horsepower.
Depending on how it divides the torque - AWD might be the trick..... I had an AWD car once, and even with fully independent suspension, it was hard to get used to.
I Suppose it's worth a try, probably an advantage on the X

 

[james t]

i dunno. i think AWD would be better to a point, but ive never driven an AWD explorer. im assuming it would have a very pronounced understeer on a real track. just a guess. and Rizzo is right, the "steering with the throttle" thing was just a joke considering you are in a 4300+lb suv with maybe 240hp.

 

[boominXplorer]

I would also say to get 18's. My ex is lowered a little more than 2 inches. There was a HUGE differance from my stock 15x7 w/ 235/75r15 to my new 18x9 w/ 255/55r18's. I have about 5.854 inches of backspacing on my wheels and i only rub on the top of the fenderwell only when I hit a nice size bump. Main reason for my rubbings is probibly shavign a little of the bumpstop. I so not have any rub at full lock what so ever. I'll get some pics up in a few days of where I rub and inside shots of full lock.

 

[racebronco2]

i have an awd 5.0 with rear bar and a blower and i took it to an autocross event and i thought that the awd wood be good, the awd only activates when the speed between the front axle and rear axle is not near equal, so i tried to get the back to slide ... the only thing happened is that it plowed like a pig .... could not give it enough gas without it possibly going off course ...it may be a little different if i had performance tires

 

[TerryY]

This is not a good discussion for me! Now I may have to expand the list of toys for the '98 5.0 we just bought.

I thought I was going to get off cheap!! Boy what a dummy I am!! Cheap--right.

I am going to do the whole EE kit. Seems rather inexpensive after BMW handling part$.

So then come 18" wheels and wide tires (not on the original list!) And at least another 100HP for throttle steering? (Not on the list either)

60 aspect sidewalls still sound awful tall though.

No doubt the wife will slow me down on this because it is HERS not mine!! But I never know.

She let me do quite a bit to my car. (Picture on request)

It will be ready to Autocross and track this summer.

 

[james t]

FYI- a 255/55/18 is the same overall height as stock. so is 285/50/18. also, 255/60/17 or 275/55/17 is also a stock height tire.

 

[5.0Dad]

TerryY, Do they have open track for trucks at PIR or is there something else in your area?

I agree, this site is financial disaster for those of us who are easily influenced.

I've found some info on the AWD that said it sends 65% to the rear and the rest forward. I got the impression from the article that the ratio is constant.

 

[TerryY]

I'll be running my car on BMWCCA track days. We (BMWCCA) have an open invite for Alfa and Porche club days too.

Here is PIRs schedule for 2004

http://www.portlandraceway.com/schedule.asp#February

I doubt that I can run the Explorer on the club days but you never know. My goal with the car this year is seeing at least 160 at the end of the front straight. Add an autocross or two and a few trips down the drag strip to round it off and my summer will be complete!

 

[John_Rock]

Originally posted by 5.0Dad
I've found some info on the AWD that said it sends 65% to the rear and the rest forward. I got the impression from the article that the ratio is constant.

All I know about the percentage is from what I've read here. But, it's true the ratio has to be static. The AWD tranferscase has no electronics, so there's no inputs telling it about wheel slippage.

Autocross looks like it might be fun. A couple of guys I know from FTW just did one this last weekend in their small F-150's.