The Rim sizes:
17 X 9.5 - Front - Tire Size - P275/40ZR-17
18 X 10.5 - Rear - Tire Size - P295/35ZR-18
It's time when i need new tires, i really do.. i want R-Compound tires for street and so DOT approved and want them to stick at the track - not auto-x but road racing - high speeds cornering.
I uderstand the best way to go is set of wheels for track and another for street - but that's not an option at this point, so i need to find a good compromise.
I am thinking about these tires, but then again i have no single experience with any of these that's why i ask for help:
Kumhos V710
NT-555RII Extreme R
Pilot® Sport Cup
Toyo Proxes RA-1
I'm not looking to change front tire size, but looking forward to have 305 on the back!
None of the tires I have driven on are ones I would recommend for any serious street driving. Of your list above, I have only used the V710s, and while they are DOT legal, they are essentially slicks, as are the Hoosier R3S04 and Goodyear GS-CS. Not sure about the others.
These tires are all very soft (take a look at the UTQG ratins on them, all 20-40), and have about zero ability to channel water. You will wear them out extremely quickly on the street and if you hit a puddle, stand by...
And what would you do if you picked up a nail with these very stickly tires? While I would patch and use a street tire, I doubt I'd use it on the track...
For a dual use street/track tire I would look at something a little harder with some tread pattern, but sizing is a problem. Pilot Sport Cups may be a decent compromise, but don't have the front size. Yokohama A032 and A048 don't come in the right sizes. Pzero Corsa doesn't have the right sized front.
Haven't tried the Nitto or the Toyo. The Toyo RA-1 may work. It has an 8/32 tread depth with some tread pattern, comes in the right sizes (275/40-17 front, 305/35-18 rear) but at a 40 UTQG they aren't going to last long...
The Nitto 555RII may be a better compromise as it has all the benefits of the RA1 (slightly less tread depth though) in the same sizes but with a 100 UTQG.
Nitto R2 and Toyo RA1 both good enough for the street from what I have seen. As mentioned the RA1 has more thread depth and will last longer on the street. 275/40/17 and 305/35/18 are available in Nitto or Toyo brands.
FYI The Pilot Cups seam to last awhile on the track and street, a friend is running them with good success. They cost quite a bit more, but the wear quality appears to be relative to the price. Also drives to and from the track and has 4 De's on them and they still have good life left. I had similar experiences with the RA1's on my Mustangs and my daughters SVT Contour, never run them on a Z though.
i can get Nittos online no problem, but when i tried to find if anyone carries Toyos - had no luck... called a few local places and they said its like a special order and they have to get pricing quote directly from Toyo.
Not sure where you are, but Frisby performance tire (yahoo it you'll find) is where I got mine. They're north of Chicago, but methinks they will ship...
Quote:
Originally Posted by atoyf
good,
i can get Nittos online no problem, but when i tried to find if anyone carries Toyos - had no luck... called a few local places and they said its like a special order and they have to get pricing quote directly from Toyo.
I just ordered Toyo Ra1's from Frisby Tire. Check out the link above. Easy to work with and they spent the time to figure out the most economical way to ship to me! I got them out of Las Vegas.
A better compromise might be a set of BFG KD's shaved to 4/32". Seat of pants they feel like R-compound tires and lap times are only about a second or so slower on a road course.
All tires will be dicey in the rain once they get to 1/32" of tread except for most of the R-compounds which are half slicks to begin with.
Your mileage may vary.
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My Z06 is a hybrid: It burns gasoline AND rubber
You can check my old post: If you are going to drive them on the street go with the Michelin Sport Cups. For the past two seasons I have be compeating in solo ll on a national level and have driven to and from all event, including Nationals. (They are not the best tire for Auto-X) but have logged from 5k to over 8k of road travel and over 300 laps. that's on one set of tires. and this years set still has about 2/32s left. The Sport Cups use the same carcase as the Sport Pilot so they are not as sensitive to road damage as other DOT R tires. Be careful on cool days (temp below 50) until they have some heat in them, their track operation temp is best at 160 to 170. Sizes 255/45/17 front 315/30/18 rear with not problems with TC or ABS. This tire was meet to be used as a drive to and from track (DEs) events.
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2001 Torch Red, SCCA Solo ll Specs.
02 Audi Allroads 2.7TT RS4spec. 03 Range Rover
86 K100RS Carmra Moto. 05 R1200GS been to Alaska
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