Quote:
Originally Posted by bucket
What do you mean it doesn't really matter? You're already installing parts and talking about going racing 
I'm just wondering how much potential is locked away by the stock tires since nobody has published a test with any of the usual autox street choices. I can't really go out and drive one myself like that, so I can only infer the experience from the numbers. |
Haha, sorry, I meant it wasn't of much importance to me at this point of my ownership.
And the "doesn't matter" response was for your comment "bringing slingshot to a gunfight" (assuming competition was cars of higher power and meaty tires, over that of the FRS)
However, I did just get a set of 225/40-18 Falken Azenis RT615K on my SSR, so I'll post something soon as soon as I get some venue where I can do some driving at the limits. This seems to be June 23rd for me so stay tuned.
So far in street trim conditions, the added grip afforded by these semi-race tires are ample soft, and although the FRS does lack power in relation to the competition (if you can call it that at this point), the behavior seems to be just as solid.
Usually, when such track-spec tires are used on compliant street based suspension and unibody/subframe, things start to get a bit flexy, and tossable characters diminish a bit, giving way to sheer grip and tenacity as well as added rolls, dives, and flexing sending the wheels more out of alignment.
However, I am very glad to say the unibody is extremely rigid (therefore also not snapping welds or making noises), and the sub-frame and dynamic alignment seems just as accurate because of this.
I can almost tell that the designers had such use, completely within the design parameters, and if any higher rigidity was required, it would mostly be done at easily replaceable components like suspension arms, bushings, and rods, rather than requiring much caging, stitch welds or angular reinforcements at the base unibody, the latter being much more expensive and extensive.
I don't have any numbers as of yet, but it looks very promising. The car feels more snappy, as expected with higher grip tires but just as accurate and predictable...so it is going in the right direction.
I do also add though, that I do NOT recommend RT615K for daily use. Not because it is in any way uncomfortable or is an issue with usability, but I say this becasue these and equivalent "race compound, street legal" tires are designed for just that...racing. And because of this the compound is not only EXTREMELY fast wearing, but also as with any such type of tires, must be used sporadically, as soft compound race tires harden over each heat cycle (daily drive of warm-cold cycle), and eventually they will lose the designed grip and consistency.
They also soften greatly, and add to drag and rolling resistance so it will affect fuel economy as well. Soft tires also tend to pick up junk on the road more, and that means more chances of having flat tires with some sharp objects picked up along the commute.
In fact, the main reason this class of tires have street legal rating is due to most USA track events, and SCCA amateur racing requires them to be DOT approved for normal use, to keep safety parameters assured. They are not intended though, for street use aside from getting to your Sunday race venue on the day of... And most people who are serious would rather haul then in the trunk than ride to the event on it to keep them fresh and prevent heat cycling excessively.
Keep in mind also, that more grip the tire has and more it is catered to performance, the more snappy, tenacious, and quickly things happen.
And while this trait makes for a faster lap time for many seasoned drivers, it does make it more difficult for novices to "feel" for the car.
This makes it harder to train the mind and body for feeling the contact patch, and timing themselves on weight transfers, and general shifts in dynamics and momentum.
Generally it makes the car harder LEARN to drive WELL.
Everything happens faster, and with more speed, and with violent forces, so the driver has to be that much more sensitized, quicker, much more accurate at the controls, and basically able to deal with a less forgiving car.
This is why Chief Tada chose the OEM tires with Michelin Premacy all season, because he wanted EVERYONE who jumped into this car, to be training on these tires, to become proficient drivers rather than one that boasts HP rating or skid-pad figures without having a slightest clue on how to achieve those numbers as a driver. The OEM stock tires are stiff in sidewall to provide great feedback, but with mild grip. This, a side-attribute of Eco Prius spec tires to the intent of making them with less rolling resistance.
For street use, Falken does have other excellent choices such as current FK452 and upcoming FK453 which does balance performance and daily use much better (and equivalent tires of other brands of this type).
High Voltage by Club4AG by
Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr