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

[LOLS2K]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

What if you could do both? The problem is you will outgrow a lower end suspension at some point. I don't normally recommend them, but a closeout set of Tein Street Flex is an awesome deal, and includes camber plates. Add some SPL rear LCA (which you will not outgrow), and you'll be set for quite a while.

Remember, the 71R is stickier than slicks from just a few generations ago; you've already bought your lap time, to a degree, by using those tires.

Very good point about the ability of those tires. I gather that I should be faster on 71R? I went from 1:31.9 to 1:30.6 just by making some gear selection adjustments. I'm a novice and know for sure that the car had a 1:29 in it.

The biggest difficulty for me is that I really enjoy the ride quality form the factory springs and dampers. I even felt the harshness when going from stock tires to 71R, on my daily commute to work. Although I'm okay with it, I do wonder how much I am really willing to give up. I also wonder if a "budget" coilover can give me the best of both worlds? SPL Rear LCA are a must either way, so I guess we can eliminate them from the overall equation (as in I will be buying them anyway).

[LOLS2K]

I have lots of reading to do

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by LOLS2K

Very good point about the ability of those tires. I gather that I should be faster on 71R? I went from 1:31.9 to 1:30.6 just by making some gear selection adjustments. I'm a novice and know for sure that the car had a 1:29 in it.

The biggest difficulty for me is that I really enjoy the ride quality form the factory springs and dampers. I even felt the harshness when going from stock tires to 71R, on my daily commute to work. Although I'm okay with it, I do wonder how much I am really willing to give up. I also wonder if a "budget" coilover can give me the best of both worlds? SPL Rear LCA are a must either way, so I guess we can eliminate them from the overall equation (as in I will be buying them anyway).

You'll get a small performance gain from the dampers and higher spring rates, but you'll get a larger gain (and reduced tire wear) from having the proper amount of camber.

Ultimately, you WILL outgrow the damper if you decide you want to keep driving.

the 71R is LOUD on the street.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Pat

I feel like I'm missing something. What's the big deal about driving nine laps on 71Rs?

They overheat and start degrading very, very quickly. In my experience, if I drive more than 1 lap, I will be on tires with less grip that second lap.

Overheating the tire badly damages the compound.

Even with 255/40/17, which is a size I rarely use on the BRZ, I am able to get the tire to start overheating in just one hot lap. The tires just have THAT much friction/grip.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by LOLS2K

I have lots of reading to do

If you have very specific questions, I will have very specific answers for you. I might be able to save you some time. I get annoyed by guys who ask "What is the best coilover" with no other details, not guys who have actually gone to the track, state their mods, and have very pointed needs.

Ask away; that's what this thread is for!

[LOLS2K]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

You'll get a small performance gain from the dampers and higher spring rates, but you'll get a larger gain (and reduced tire wear) from having the proper amount of camber.

Ultimately, you WILL outgrow the damper if you decide you want to keep driving.

the 71R is LOUD on the street.

Thanks for all the help Mike. With the amount of time I spend on the street vs track, the latter gain is very appealing, at no expense of performance. Win-Win.
Yes, 71R are definitely loud. It's the first thing that I noticed

NOTE: Pedal dance is a MUST!

[Pat]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

They overheat and start degrading very, very quickly. In my experience, if I drive more than 1 lap, I will be on tires with less grip that second lap.

Overheating the tire badly damages the compound.

Even with 255/40/17, which is a size I rarely use on the BRZ, I am able to get the tire to start overheating in just one hot lap. The tires just have THAT much friction/grip.

Whoa. I heard they were sticky, and possibly cheater tires, but I had no idea it was that bad. Certainly not the tire for me! Sounds like it would only be good as an autocross tire. Thanks.

[LOLS2K]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

If you have very specific questions, I will have very specific answers for you. I might be able to save you some time. I get annoyed by guys who ask "What is the best coilover" with no other details, not guys who have actually gone to the track, state their mods, and have very pointed needs.

Ask away; that's what this thread is for!

Love this thread for that very reason. Really no other way to know what you need unless you go out there and experience it for yourself. I know how much you love bench racers

BTW, What is the best coilover?

[LOLS2K]

Originally Posted by Pat

Whoa. I heard they were sticky, and possibly cheater tires, but I had no idea it was that bad. Certainly not the tire for me! Sounds like it would only be good as an autocross tire. Thanks.

I wouldn't count the 71R out. You will have different results based off your experience level. As you can see from my experience, I was able to pull off my fastest lap on my last lap (9 laps in). If Mike were driving, they's be cooked by then. I absolutely love the tire. It was very predictable at the limit and offered lots of feedback. They never greased up on me like Federal RSR did after a couple of laps.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by LOLS2K

Love this thread for that very reason. Really no other way to know what you need unless you go out there and experience it for yourself. I know how much you love bench racers

BTW, What is the best coilover?

Penske.

/endthread

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by LOLS2K

I wouldn't count the 71R out. You will have different results based off your experience level. As you can see from my experience, I was able to pull off my fastest lap on my last lap (9 laps in). If Mike were driving, they's be cooked by then. I absolutely love the tire. It was very predictable at the limit and offered lots of feedback. They never greased up on me like Federal RSR did after a couple of laps.

They absolutely take heat better than the 595RSR, but take a tiny bit more time to warm up.

Ironically, my personal best lap in my s2k at SoWS is on the 595 RSR. I absolutely hated the tire and sold them after that first day on them. I also used up nearly 40% of the tread in one day.

This was ~3 years ago, when I only had about 2 years of experience.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Pat

Whoa. I heard they were sticky, and possibly cheater tires, but I had no idea it was that bad. Certainly not the tire for me! Sounds like it would only be good as an autocross tire. Thanks.

It's an excellent autox tire (the leader by far for the 200TW guys), and its a great one-lap-wonder on track for those looking to break records or set personal bests.

However, for experienced drivers looking for extended lapping sessions, it's not a great tire due to its grip.

Remember, more grip = more friction = more heat, similar to your experience with the R1S.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by LOLS2K

Thanks for all the help Mike. With the amount of time I spend on the street vs track, the latter gain is very appealing, at no expense of performance. Win-Win.
Yes, 71R are definitely loud. It's the first thing that I noticed

NOTE: Pedal dance is a MUST!

People get upset when I say that if they didn't notice a difference with and without the pedal dance, then they're not anywhere near as fast as they think.

The truth hurts

Even intermediate drivers will notice.

[LOLS2K]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

People get upset when I say that if they didn't notice a difference with and without the pedal dance, then they're not anywhere near as fast as they think.

The truth hurts

Even intermediate drivers will notice.

You are absolutely right! It's not an insult but some people can't handle the truth. I can take constructive criticism, but sadly most people don't like to hear that they aren't as good as they think they are (especially when money is involved). I will now tell ANYONE and EVERYONE that they need to get their pedal dance on because I experienced it first hand. At least I acknowledge that I need it.