Its not always about running the widest tread you can find. Dont even think you can use those to there full ability. A car with less HP, less weight and less tread but had proper suspension and proper alignment specs would out handle a sho any day of the week. Im sorry but the sho wasnt designed to be a race car, plain and simple.
You think I don't understand this? I get my ass handed to me on the Auto-X course by 1800 pound civics all the time. But guess what's in the top 20 (Out of 100 cars, easy), Beating out vettes, porches, BMW's and other high end cars? My car. On the road course, those 1800 pounds civics would be waxed, as they don't have the power to keep up and now those porches, BMW's and Vettes do. It's a double edged sword.
As far as suspension setup, I've been through it all and what I have is the best you can get for a SHO at the current time. It's actually pretty good. Alignment? Yea, I've played with that too. My car has had 7 different alignments in the last 1.5 years, getting it right where I want it to be. You want to talk less weight? Yes, How about nearly 1,000 pounds being pulled out of my car. I assure you it's one of the lightest SHO's in the country. No, my car was not designed to be a race car, but it is now and it does VERY WELL. I have 15 Trophies in my spare bedroom to prove it. And believe me, The car did most of the work as I'm not that great of a driver. How you can argue with results like that?
And what about the Multimatic SHO's, That one DOMINATED IMSA endurance races in the early 90's? What about the Ninja Turtle SHO's that also did quite well in IMSA? Have you heard of either of them?
You say the SHO was not designed to be a race car...well, what street car was designed to be one? Can you tell me? And to be honest with you, a SHO makes a better TRACK car then a Better HELLAFLUSH/CRUISER/OMNI whatever ANYDAY of the week. Lets look at your car for instance.....
You wan't the I/S/O out of it, but your only willing to run sleeves/with stock strut ensuring you car has probably one of the WORST rides out there. Not looking so promising. You wan't to put 17x10's on it, Yet since no one makes a 5x108 17x10, you have to get a bolt pattern adapter (JUNK!!!!) and run a different bolt pattern wheel. The Adapters are going to make the offset even lower, on a 17x10 that's already going to have a low offset just to fit. Still not looking so good. You say you'll combat this with Camber, Your going to have to run probably 3.5* Just to even make it tuck...but at that point I'm betting the top of the wheel/tire is going to run in to the strut. And this is just for the front.
Gen 1's have a pretty low tolerance for higher offsett wheels that are wide in the rear, even with rolled fenders. It's going to rub. I assure you. Looks like a 240 might have been a better option here.
You seem to already have it figured out on what you want to do, but will you spend the money, Or just come on here and start talking to us like we don't know what we are talking about? My guess is just talk. I'm not trying to hate on you, but your saying things that you don't have a clue about. I actually hope you prove me wrong and get your car how you want. Many folks, no matter how much they don't like your car and that ridiculous exhaust (INCLUDING ME), are willing to help. But don't come running your mouth about subjects that you clearly have not looked in to (I.E. - Track SHO's), because many of us have been there, done that and have already proven what you said to be 100% wrong with
REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE.
-Sam