Got a track related question? I'll try to answer.

[DerekM]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Don't fix what's not broken, and don't change things just to change things!

Why do you want to change your car, and/or, how do you want the behavior of the car to change?

And yes, SX2's last FOREVER. They are, by far, the best learning tire on the market.

Glad to hear your response. I guess my next move will be when the Sachs dampers wear out. What should I replace those with? I was considering Bilstein B8s. My goal with the car is to make it as fun a track toy as I can but have it drive well on the highway too. I plan on visiting several tracks per year that are 6 to 12 hour away. This car seems to do that well with a couple extra tires along for the ride.
Also I am considering a more track dedicated car for local tracks That is a little faster. VIR is an hour from my house and I will drive there more than anywhere else. What are good choices in the 15 to 20 range? I am looking at e46 m3, mustang gt, c5 corvette. I would like to have a well balanced car that won't kill me on wearables or kill me dead.
Thanks Derek

[Code Monkey]

Originally Posted by DerekM

I am looking at e46 m3, mustang gt, c5 corvette. I would like to have a well balanced car that won't kill me on wearables or kill me dead.

This may be a useful read.

[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by DerekM

Temps across the tire are even when coming off track. I have camber bolts but my instructors have said they would not put them on with even tire temps.

Im not Mike, or a driving instructor, Im just a guy who tracks a lot and likes to go fast. Anyways, seeing as you didnt get an answer to this, ideally you arent looking for even tire temps, you are looking for an even spread of temperatures with the inside hotter than the middle, which is then hotter than the outside. Say for exemple 180F inside, 170F middle and 160F outer when measuring with a probe pyro right after a hot session. So I would put those camber bolts in, since you will get more tire life AND faster times by doing so.

[redlined600]

Originally Posted by Takumi788

R7s are a ridiculous suggestion for someone that isn't competing.

Try RS4s. I know a lot of people that use those for club endurance racing because of their consistency and wear characteristics with great results.

Also Make sure you aren't surpassing 35 psi hot with those RE71Rs (assuming they are 255/40).

I have no interest in running Hoosiers, both monetarily or logistically.

I run in the 28-30 psi hot range.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Takumi788

R7s are a ridiculous suggestion for someone that isn't competing.

There's a real strong disdain for autox stuff from some track people.


The question is what's the best streetable track tire right now? It's been awhile since I've looked and I'm curious too, Hankook, Dunlop, Maxxis, Nitto, Michelin?

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

There's a real strong disdain for autox stuff from some track people.


The question is what's the best streetable track tire right now? It's been awhile since I've looked and I'm curious too, Hankook, Dunlop, Maxxis, Nitto, Michelin?

If you're aiming for a learning tire and participating in 86 Cup the SX2 is pretty solid. I also really enjoyed my ZII* when I had them. Help up well to being used for DD, autox, and HPDE. I'd imagine the RT615K+ wouldn't be bad either.

[redlined600]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

There's a real strong disdain for autox stuff from some track people.

I think he's referring to the Hoosier R7, which is a race tire.

[kch]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

There's a real strong disdain for autox stuff from some track people.


The question is what's the best streetable track tire right now? It's been awhile since I've looked and I'm curious too, Hankook, Dunlop, Maxxis, Nitto, Michelin?

I tried the new Dunlop Z3 this year. I didn't get enough track time to heat cycle them out, but they performed quite well. Consistent, good peak grip. Seemed to be happiest around 32psi hot on my setup. Would start to fall off after about 20 minutes, but it wasn't huge.

Would definitely get them again, but I'll probably try the RS4s next.

[Takumi788]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

There's a real strong disdain for autox stuff from some track people.

Like redlined6000 said, I was referring to Hoosier R7s.

I am a track guy but I love to autocross too.

[lutfy]

Originally Posted by Takumi788

R7s are a ridiculous suggestion for someone that isn't competing.

Try RS4s. I know a lot of people that use those for club endurance racing because of their consistency and wear characteristics with great results.

Also Make sure you aren't surpassing 35 psi hot with those RE71Rs (assuming they are 255/40).

Agreed! We have contingency hence I run those (they pay for themselves if you are a front runner). But even then, they are unpredictable after 15 HC. Still faster than almost any other R Comps but takes a while to get them up to temps and grip levels >15HC IMO.

Surprisingly no one talks about Toyo RRs or R888R. I used both of them last year and liked it a fair bit. Consistent, durable (to heat cycles) and worth running for a season.

Lutfy

PS: Anyone coming to Summit for 86 cup?

[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by lutfy

Agreed! We have contingency hence I run those (they pay for themselves if you are a front runner). But even then, they are unpredictable after 15 HC. Still faster than almost any other R Comps but takes a while to get them up to temps and grip levels >15HC IMO.

Surprisingly no one talks about Toyo RRs or R888R. I used both of them last year and liked it a fair bit. Consistent, durable (to heat cycles) and worth running for a season.

Lutfy

PS: Anyone coming to Summit for 86 cup?

Lutfy, if I may use this opportuny to ask you, how did you like the RRs compared to say the R7? They would put me on the same place class wise on my series, but obviously one is way cheaper than the other, specially considering higher heat cycle numbers. Would you say they are within 1s on 2min tracks or way offpace vs relatively new R7?

Oh btw, my new splitter completely solved my rear downforce problem, I even had to add quite a bit of angle back to balance it out. I dont know if you are allowed to do what I did, but if you are it will make your car faster for sure.

[lutfy]

Originally Posted by Icecreamtruk

Lutfy, if I may use this opportuny to ask you, how did you like the RRs compared to say the R7? They would put me on the same place class wise on my series, but obviously one is way cheaper than the other, specially considering higher heat cycle numbers. Would you say they are within 1s on 2min tracks or way offpace vs relatively new R7?

Oh btw, my new splitter completely solved my rear downforce problem, I even had to add quite a bit of angle back to balance it out. I dont know if you are allowed to do what I did, but if you are it will make your car faster for sure.

I tried running 235/40/17 with 5 HC back to back with 225/40/17 R7 in a TT session last Dec. I went from high 1:42 at Road ATL to low 1:40 instaneously (nothing but swapping the tires on same width wheels as I took both sets with me).

The R7 run wide, are lower hence better gearing. The RR fades a little after first few cycles (I ran them at Summit Point in Nov of last year sticker and they were still slower than used R7 but much easier to drive at the limit).

I will have to test things out on my end too. I ran the rear wing pretty low and realized that my front splitter may be a touch pointing up (vs angled down for downforce duh!) will be toodling at Summit Point soon.

Bottom line if everyone is on a similar tire and someone shows up with Hoosier's, R7 driver will take the crown Assuming similar level of competency/prep etc.

Lutfy

PS: BFG R1 are in the same league too BTW.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by redlined600

I think he's referring to the Hoosier R7, which is a race tire.

Originally Posted by Takumi788

Like redlined6000 said, I was referring to Hoosier R7s.

I am a track guy but I love to autocross too.

Sorry, the suggestion that the only alternative tire to the 71R is a Hoosier R7 rubbed me the wrong way.

Back on topic, I can't wait to hear what's out there these days, last I was paying attention the RS3 V2 was the best all-rounder for 200TW but with Hankook and Dunlop and Maxxis and Falken upping the ante and now that I care less about having a 200TW tire it'd be nice to know what the current ringer is.

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

If you're aiming for a learning tire and participating in 86 Cup the SX2 is pretty solid.

You don't have to go slow to learn
I've heard great things as well, I've got Firehawk Indy's as my current low grip tire, depending on where I spend car-time next year the next set might be closer to 200TW depending on price and performance.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by DerekM

Glad to hear your response. I guess my next move will be when the Sachs dampers wear out. What should I replace those with? I was considering Bilstein B8s. My goal with the car is to make it as fun a track toy as I can but have it drive well on the highway too. I plan on visiting several tracks per year that are 6 to 12 hour away. This car seems to do that well with a couple extra tires along for the ride.
Also I am considering a more track dedicated car for local tracks That is a little faster. VIR is an hour from my house and I will drive there more than anywhere else. What are good choices in the 15 to 20 range? I am looking at e46 m3, mustang gt, c5 corvette. I would like to have a well balanced car that won't kill me on wearables or kill me dead.
Thanks Derek

A lot of it comes down to not up front cost, but the upkeep and running cost of each of those cars. What are you willing to spend in that area?

Replacement OEM Sachs dampers can be found lightly used for very cheap!