... I realize I'm taking the foolish approach by deciding to campaign my "new" 2001 Z28 in FS. Especially because the 2014 FS National Champion not only lives and competes in my region, but he is a friend of ours. Oh, and his new 1LE is spectacular!

However, the car I bought has the DA Konis and Strano front bar already. I'm having a hard time deciding on tires for the OEM 16x8 wheels. I know the new allowance will permit a 17x8. Should I be looking down that road? Then I have also heard through the grapevine that someone (Casey something?) ran the SS 17x9 wheels on a non-SS car that didn't have the full SS update/backdate package and he wasn't protested.

Which wheel/tire route do those of you in the know suggest for an F Street Category effort?

So you know the (probable lack of) seriousness of my effort: I can't make Nationals due to the fact I'm a full-time teacher and part-time Principal in NJ, and the big event has taken place on my first week of school all but one of the 17 years I have been an educator. I run one, maybe two National events a year (Tours or Pros). Otherwise, I am blessed with fantastic local competition that would rival national events in other parts of the country.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

I say just run whatever class you like and HAVE FUN ! ... maybe a mildly modified ESP car fits better in your region ???

~DaVe

17x9 was the ss/ws6 wheel, so at least get those, should be easy to find. Go esp. 275/40r17 has options, bridgestones are pretty cheap now, or try a Michelin or Goodyear gs1. I forget, if esp allows R tires get some kumho or Hoosier and have fun.

Welcome, and THANK YOU for not going with one of the 'rally twins' (Evo/STI/WRX), like most everyone else in F/Stock, or E/Street Prepared, who is not running a 1LE 5th gen, or Coyote Stang variant.

About the only sticky tires left for the 16x8s are the 255/50-16, 100 treadwear, 'semi-R' compound, Toyo CMC spec deals (the RA-1s/R888s), the 100 treadwear, Nitto NT-01 in a narrow for it's size, 245/50-16, or one of the various 'real' R compound 255/50-16s (Kumho/BFG/???).

The choices are much more numerous IF you can go to the 17x9 SS size, or larger.

What size were the hardened/heat cycled out, XSes which came on the car, the now defunct 265/45-16s???

Thanks! Looking forward to the challenge!

Actually, yes, the XS's were the defunct 265/45/16. At 6.5 years old, I should have realized that sooner. Unfortunately, the SCCA Street (Stock) Category mandates 200TW tires. Thus, I will look for a set of SS 17x9 and then get a set of proper competitive street tires. I don't want to do E$P with the car, and I have a good friend who is building a proper CP car, so...

I've got a set of SS ten spoke 17x9 wheels if you are interested. No rash, would look great with a fresh coat of paint. Located in CT but could use an excuse to visit some friends in NJ.

You have MANY more options (there actually are NONE left in our 16" wheel sizes) for at/near 200 tread wear rubber in the 17" sizes (XSes/NT-05s/etc.), so that is a good thing.

There aren't any good tires in 17x9.5 anymore; NT-05 and rt615k are slow compared to the modern offerings of the RS3, ZII Star Spec, Rivals, etc. The best thing you could do is just use the Street rule of +/- 6mm offset, up or down 1" in wheel diameter; get 18x9.5s and you could get any modern tire.

Sadly the 4th gens just don't have what it takes to win FS any more. I'll be running my E46 M3 at Nationals this year while I finish the ESP setup. The M3 has an extremely flat torque curve and it puts down power much better than a Camaro ever could, and transitions so much better. Slow corners and some push are really it's only issues.

Unless I am mistaken on something, you would have to be on 17x8's to be legal for F Street. The SS Camaros got a 9" wheel but you would have to have the SS package car to run that wheel.

I believe the new street class rules allow a +/- 1" width change without an update/backdate requirement. You can also replace either front or rear sway bar now, just not both without a street-class update/backdate.

What exactly does the 4th Gen SS package entail? I though it was just the 17x9 wheels, hood & intake, and spoiler. Any other performance or trim items I'm missing?

I realize the wheels alone don't make the car FS legal.

Remember, update/backdate in stock class has to also include the trim parts, so if the dash has a special emblem on it, you have to add that, too.

I think springs were different.

+/- 1" diameter, not width.

Its the little things like this that really bug me about the SCCA. The nit-picking drove me away and I will only autocross with local clubs now.

I think the SS/WS6 cars also had a larger front sway bar, the springs were the same as the base V8 cars unless you had the eibach package from SLP. Its been a while since I looked it up, so I could be completely wrong. I have 2 sets of SS wheels and an OEM spoiler if you think about making the conversion.

I'm guessing it's little nitpicking crap rules even in the full blown road racing classes that drives many into the open, waiting, arms of NASA as well.