Kumho Ecsta V730 - opinions? Mostly on heat resistence?
 

Hey guys, running Falken 660s and pretty happy. Thinking of switching to Ecsta for two reasons

1) cost. Way cheaper
2) gearing. They're about 2.75% taller. Not really a big deal in terms of performance advantage, but it solves a gearing no-man-land issue I'm on two turns. I'm just barely at the point where it's worth shifting (.2 faster). Between that, being slightly slower due to fighting taller gearing and and bumping up the rev limit 200rpm which seems pretty safe, I think it would make things a lot less chaotic to just stay in that gear and lap times would stay the same.

Since it's just a track day and not competition, I'm really just wanting them to:

1) have good resistance to overheating/getting greasy
2) be progressive
3) last long
(in that order)

Ultimate grip/lap times isn't a big deal. I'm getting a bunch of coaching and practice in and likely going to race spec boxter or similar next year.

Biggest concern is that they don't look like they'd do well at all if they were flipped. I have only done one track day in the past 3 years in rain (I have a membership so I'm a pretty fair weather driver) but it looks like ANY amount of rain is a no-go.

Also considering just running a ProxyRR since they're buy 3 get one 1 free right now with a group I'm part of. But the Kumhos are still way cheaper.

If you want something that is tolerant to heat and won't completely fall apart - look at Maxxis RC1v2s.

They're essentially 660 pace, but won't fall apart and consistent across a session. They're nothing special, but if you're trailering the car or whatever, they'll work better beyond whatever street tire can provide you based on your category

I believe @jflogerzi is running them.

I know one guy who tried them and liked them for lapping.

Unfortunately they don't have a 245/40/17. They look like ProxyRR competitor.

Ended up buying a bunch of the V730 since they're on sale for $140/each. Loaded up with 2 sets + 1 spare for rotations.

Are you talking about 215/45R17 from Tire Rack with the $44 per tire credit? Did you happen to get them and know what date code they are shipping?

245/40/17 - I have 8" wheels. $65 credit.
5 were in stock. I got those. More are coming in July I think. 7/20?

NBD to me. I have one set + those 5 that will get me there and then some. Might even be able to squeeze a day out of the tires on the car now.


edit: 6/24, not 7/20. So obviously, 9 tires + my current tires should last me till friday, haha.

I'd recommend getting away from an 8" wheel on a 245 tire. Street tires don't like being stuffed like that

I’ve run V730s for a few events now. I’ve enjoyed them quite a bit. Very easy tire to drive quickly, seems to have a slightly softer sidewall than an RT660. Very progressive and forgiving compared to RT660 though, easy to save slides. Doesn’t have that same initial bite or sharpness I recall RT660s having, but worth the tradeoff IMO. Takes a lap or two to come up to temp, I seem to have my best laps on these 3-6 laps in. Be alert on the out lap as they will be slippery.

In terms of heat resistance, they have been pretty solid. Lot of people have been calling them the new RS4. I haven’t gotten them super overheated yet. I go out usually at 28psi cold, has worked well.

They run narrow for their size, I have 255s on a 9.5” wheel and it is a bit stretched. They are the same width as most 245 200TW tires.

In terms of wear, most people I know seem to get about 6-7 days out of them. I am on track for about the same. They do like camber - 3.6F/2.6R doesn’t seem to be enough with my setup, 4/3 would be probably perfect.

Reading this a lot. Wondering if I should cancel and get 255s for my 8" wheel. I currently run 245s. The extra 1% of gearing would help too.

Stick with the 245s you ordered. 245 on a 8” wheel is already slightly pinched. A 225/45/17 would be better if you were to re-order.

Falken says 8-9.5" rim range for 245. But if the V730 255s are really 245s, it would make sense to get them in 255.

That’s…not how this works.

But you do you. 255s will be a performance decrease


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How did your times compare? Were you faster in the RT660 or the V730?

I’m looking for tires for time trials. Can’t decide which to get.

245s or 255s might fit, but they don’t do well. Street tires do better when stretch than pinched. So you’re likely better off with 225s on an 8” wheel.