Hi all. John Ross here. I may have some insight (or not) on the whole wheel/tire issue.

In 1999 I was the Eastern Region champion in the Michelin Challenge Series (Vipers only) in the Supermodified class driving a 1996 coupe with a stock engine that was under warranty. I was in Supermod because I had changed my entire tire/wheel/brake system and this kicked me up several classes.

It was John Purner in Daytona that convinced me long ago that "brakes stop the wheels, tires stop the car." His wheel/tire packages deserve much of the credit for my wins.

RE: snow tires. I live in St. Louis, where we don't usually get much snow, but once in a while we get a lot. My daily driver was a '95 Impala SS, and one year I barely got home after 2" of snow. So I ordered steelies with Blizzak WS-25 tires from Tire Rack.

Well.

Put them on during the next snowfall and couldn't believe the results. 5" of snow and I had MUCH more control than ANY of the 4WD vehicles with M&S tires I had ever owned (four, in total.) My only thought was "Put these on a WRX and become a bank heist getaway driver during snowstorms. Only way they'd catch me is with a helicopter."

I do not yet own a GC SRT8, but I intend to order a stripper '07 in the next month or so. My cousin owns a Cayenne Turbo (not turbo S) and he lent it to me for 2 weeks while he was in Hawaii. I put 2500 miles on it and was mightily impressed, but the vehicle is 1000 lbs. heavier than the SRT8, and has far too much "Gee Whiz" Kraut engineering for my taste. Seats that move around when you shut the car off, and don't return to where you want them when you get in next time, suspension than changes ride heights, a 600 page owner's manual(!) etc.

Anyway, I intend to sic John Purner on the snow tire issue. He's grumbled about not having a vehicle to test wheels on (he's in FL) but I'm sure once he gets the bit in his teeth, he'll have something figured out.

I'd also like to come up with a track package, to embarrass the sports car guys on track days. Question: Will the GC SRT8 tolerate more than one hot lap without liquids puking out of every orifice? (Radiator, PS pump, diff, etc.?) Anyone know what the engineers at DC did for One Lap, other than lighten the vehicle?

I like your site--hope to learn a lot here.

JR

Hi all. John Ross here. Question: Will the GC SRT8 tolerate more than one hot lap without liquids puking out of every orifice? (Radiator, PS pump, diff, etc.?) Anyone know what the engineers at DC did for One Lap, other than lighten the vehicle?

I like your site--hope to learn a lot here.

JR
There is at least one member of this forum who had his GCSRT on the road course at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah and was quite impressed with its handling. Do a thread search for "road racing" for the details.

I'd also like to come up with a track package, to embarrass the sports car guys on track days. Question: Will the GC SRT8 tolerate more than one hot lap without liquids puking out of every orifice? (Radiator, PS pump, diff, etc.?) Anyone know what the engineers at DC did for One Lap, other than lighten the vehicle?

I like your site--hope to learn a lot here.

JR

Welcome,

Some of the SRT engineers took a mildly modified Jeep to One Lap of America last year and did quite well.

http://onelapofamerica.com/history/2006/results/showResults.shtml?y=2006&res=EV02

Do a search on google, and I'm sure you can come up with links and some videos. In one of the vids, the driver talks about the mods. If I can remember correctly it was drop the weight 400 lbs (replace all the glass with lexan, custom tailgate, no rear seat, no carpet, etc..). CAI, custom exhaust, and different rims/tires.

Good luck on your search, let us know what you come up with!

Welcome aboard!

Okay, been talking to John Purner and doing some research. TSW has an 8.5 x 20 with 35mm offset in their "Discontinued" category. It's undrilled and cheap. I've researched all the other wheel posts and Trainer seemed to say that SOME 20" wheels with 35mm offsets won't clear the front brakes. True? Will this wheel fit on the rear?

The wheel is the "Carlton" and it's near the bottom of the page

http://tsw.com/productline_classic.php

I'd like to use 265/50-20 Blizzaks all around. Never found a better winter tire than the Blizzak.

My silver '07 should be here in Feb.

JR

I'd like to use 265/50-20 Blizzaks all around. Never found a better winter tire than the Blizzak.
Same here, my wife has them on her BMW 330CI and she loves them.
I took my SRT8 out on the snow and ice last night. While I'd feel somewhat ok if I was caught in a storm off guard. I would get blizzak's if I drove it everyday. Was a little scary with the stock tires.

I've got a good buddy with TSW and would highly recommend their products. They are a less expensive type wheel, but made very well. Just be sure you have someone experienced (preferably TSW themselves) drill them.

John would drill them. He makes literally tons of Motorola Cup wheels, as well as lots of other stuff.

The question is, will this 20" wheel fit both ends of the GC SRT8?

JR