tire advice

[smbstyle]

I'd give DTD a call; they're always cheaper than Tire Rack for the RS3s

[rainmonkey]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Errr brain fart. You're correct!

I'm not saying twice as good; I'm saying twice the difference (which in reality is miniscule in terms of feel, but huge in terms of lap time if you're chasing times)

E.g., if the NT01/RC1/R888 is 1 second faster than the RS3 on a 2 minute course, then the RS3 will be about 2 seconds faster on the same course. This may vary according to the course of course... pun intended.

Mike, I thought you use primarily RS3's?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by rainmonkey

Mike, I thought you use primarily RS3's?

That would be correct

[rainmonkey]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

That would be correct

then (and this may very well be a really stupid question) why don't you use nt01 if they're better?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by rainmonkey

then (and this may very well be a really stupid question) why don't you use nt01 if they're better?

We want to stay in the "street tire" category for the most part. While the NT01 is DOT legal, it's a "R-compound", recommended for competition use only.

We'll be using both street and r-comp tires next year

[ultra]

They consider 100 UTQG tires like NT01s and R888s to be 'street tires category' where I am, but I'm thinking I'll just go with RS3s to avoid the hassle of R comps, even if it costs me a little (but not too much) time.

Just need to see how much I lose by on my PS2s in the next TA round to confirm this theory.

Reason - R888s and NT01s are frikking NOISY on the road!

[ZDan]

Does anyone have relative performance data on the Nitto NT05 vs. the usual "streetable track tire" suspects?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Does anyone have relative performance data on the Nitto NT05 vs. the usual "streetable track tire" suspects?

NT01 or NT05?

The NT05 is not competitive...

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by ultra

They consider 100 UTQG tires like NT01s and R888s to be 'street tires category' where I am, but I'm thinking I'll just go with RS3s to avoid the hassle of R comps, even if it costs me a little (but not too much) time.

Just need to see how much I lose by on my PS2s in the next TA round to confirm this theory.

Reason - R888s and NT01s are frikking NOISY on the road!

You should see how noisy Hankook TD is on the road :p

The Maxxis RC1 is very comfortable and quiet on the road...

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

NT01 or NT05?
The NT05 is not competitive...

Ah, and this corroborates: http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index...=224&tab=tires
ZII > RS-3 > Rival > RT615k > PSS > RE-11 >> NT05 around Tire Rack's test course.

I'm trying to decide what to run on the FD next year for tires I can drive on the street to track events. The Z1 StarSpecs (255/265) on it now are a disappointment. What works well on a stock S2000 doesn't necessarily work on a more stiffly sprung FD with 535hp or so!

Will probably go with NT01s in 255/40-17, 275/40-17. Should be quicker and more up to heat at the track than all the "street" tires, and all my sources say they give good grip to the end of their lives. Only concern is torrential downpours in transit to/from track...

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Ah, and this corroborates: http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index...=224&tab=tires
ZII > RS-3 > Rival > RT615k > PSS > RE-11 >> NT05 around Tire Rack's test course.

I'm trying to decide what to run on the FD next year for tires I can drive on the street to track events. The Z1 StarSpecs (255/265) on it now are a disappointment. What works well on a stock S2000 doesn't necessarily work on a more stiffly sprung FD with 535hp or so!

Will probably go with NT01s in 255/40-17, 275/40-17. Should be quicker and more up to heat at the track than all the "street" tires, and all my sources say they give good grip to the end of their lives. Only concern is torrential downpours in transit to/from track...

They do heat cycle out like any other tire, but will have more grip through most of their life, unless you severely overheat the tire (same as any other tire). If you stop driving as soon as it starts to overheat, then the dropoff won't be bad at all.

The NT01 runs wide like the Z1SS and RS3. The NT05 runs narrow; I'd speculate the 275 NT05 is about as wide as a 255 Z1SS.

You'll like the NT01. It gives great feedback, and takes heat well. It wont do too well until it warms up when it's cold.

The Maxxis RC1 is the opposite. It is a "real" 255, and a 275 isn't offered yet. It loves cold weather, but doesn't like being overheated at all, and doesn't like hot weather as much.

Between 255 sizes, 80F seems to see the break-even point for which tires does better in what weather.


The RT615K is Z1SS compound from my understanding