What is the widest tire and smallest diameter wheel combination that can be use on a 02.5 ES. I think the gearing might be an advantage in Autox. Lot of the Miata are starting to go with 13” wheels.

 

Smaller Wheels are definately an advantage. However you have to consider what class you want to race in. Also always remember that WIDER IS BETTER!!!!!!

In Stock Class you have to keep stock sized wheels (which is 16x6 or 15x6). Then you can run a 225-45-15 or a 215-40-16 for tires. In stock class, I recommend running a larger tire up front (like a 225), and a smaller tire in the rear (like a 205).

In Street Touring, you can go up to a 7.5" wide tire, but the smallest "street tire" worth using is a 205-50-15 Falken Azenis or Kumho MX.

In F-Street Prepared, wheels are unlimited, and with the choice of race rubber you can get a 225-45-13 (usually on 13 x 8 wheel), or a 225-45-14. However, going to FSP is a whole new can of worms, where you would want to get springs, shocks, header, intake, ECU, Swaybars, Camber plates, just to name a few.

Later

 

Sorry, I guess I didn't really answer your question. I don't know what fits, the best thing to do is find one of those miata guys and see if they'll let you test fit a wheel or two (check front and back).
I think the 13" wheels should fit- I don't think the Protege has any bigger brakes than a Miata.
If not, I dont think the 14" tires are much smaller than a 15" tire.

 

Hi Jason. Was more bringing this up more for a discussion.

I think that a smaller diameter wheel might be more advantage even you has to sacrifice on how wide you can go. You are right that tire selection and class or major factor. You can change the wheel size in STS, but there not may or any good sticky street tire out there for 13” or 14”wheels. Would have to go with R compound, which would put you in FSP. STS and FPS are not that much different but will allow me to use an A/T cooler.

For now I am staying in HS, just bout a set of stock 16" for $50 each. Hope to find some take offs to play with.

 

Hey Jason, while you are here, what have you decided about your struts. Are you using your old ones are going with a coil-over.

 

Currently, I'm using my Bilsteins, paired up with some knockoff Ground Controll coilovers- 350# front, 400# rear. They actually work really well, I just can't get the front to lower as much as I'd like. Eventually, I'd like to sell my Bilstiens and get a set of Teins or JIC's. The adjustability would be nice.
Other notable must-have suspension items I've added are the 21.5mm adjustable AWR rear swaybar, and the Mazda Front strut tower bar (from the P5/MSP).

 

When you decide to sell your Bilstiens let me know. Hopeful I’ll have some money save by then. I need all the help I can get. Running with the Spokes, and average about 6 seconds of the top PAX. I do not know if you know about the Spoke, but we have a lot of great drivers that trophy at the National and couple of Evolution instructor.