Good source for Hankook RS3s?

[SubiePig]

Originally Posted by itzmik3

but to my knowledge. in scca, r1r will be banned after this year due to the "tread rating". unless they decide to "reprint" their ratings

Yeah, next year it will be. Since they are usable for another year I was taking them into consideration.

[Sterz]

Originally Posted by SeanRTR

If you don't run them REALLY hard, you're probably okay...

Our track doesn't really have a long straight to help with tire cooling.

I still have the 3 that didn't chunk.

A tire you may want to consider is the Toyo R888

Similar to the NT01, but we never ran into chunking issues.... Probably half a second slower than the NT01 (NT01 is faster if shaved), but the tread design will work in the wet. R888 offers tremendous driver feedback as well, it's very audible in the car, and you always know when you're on the limit. These tires wear like Iron as well.....for what you lose in lap times compared to a NT01 or Toyo RA1 (same tire as NT01), you make up in longevity.

The FR-S ran the same lap times (Front sway, air filter exhaust, and stoptech pads only) on BFG Rivals as my Neon did on the NT01's, 1.22.0xx
Neon ran 1'22.5xx on R88's, and has run 1'20.5xx on R6's.

My most recent time going to streets I ran a 245/40/17 Toyo R888. I actually really really like them. I find them to be very similar to NT01's, although on just springs and 225/40/17 NT01's my best time at streets was a 1:34.293. With the same mods and the Toyo's in 245/40/17 next time I went I put down my first sub 1:30 time with a 1:29.908. This isn't a very accurate reading though because when I went the first time with NT01's it was my first time ever at the track. Since then I spent a weekend at Buttonwillow, then I put down the 1:29 with the Toyo's. So I had another weekend of seat time before that.

[smbstyle]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Street driving? Virtually none. The tires shouldn't even get warm street driving unless you're running a lot of toe.

NT01's degrade more slowly from heat cycles than a RS3, unless you completely cook em.

So I'm going to grab some NT01s for the stock wheels. How bad of an idea would it be to run 225 vs a 215?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by smbstyle

So I'm going to grab some NT01s for the stock wheels. How bad of an idea would it be to run 225 vs a 215?

NT01's tend to be on the wider side. Stick to 215 for stock rims, or even consider a 205.

[smbstyle]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

NT01's tend to be on the wider side. Stick to 215 for stock rims, or even consider a 205.

ok thanks, saves me a few bucks anyways!

[fldoc]

I'm also at the end of my MPSS 245/40/17's and am considering replacements soon. Like SMBSTYLE's tires, I chunked the front outside markedly and want something new. These tires are like around 23 lbs. each, and almost everything out there except the R888's are like 26-27 lbs. each. Hmmm.... Anybody try the "new" Bridgestone RE-11a's?

[smbstyle]

Originally Posted by fldoc

I'm also at the end of my MPSS 245/40/17's and am considering replacements soon. Like SMBSTYLE's tires, I chunked the front outside markedly and want something new. These tires are like around 23 lbs. each, and almost everything out there except the R888's are like 26-27 lbs. each. Hmmm.... Anybody try the "new" Bridgestone RE-11a's?

Ramon, they are supposed to be a great sticky tire that handles rain well.

I'm giving the NT-01s in stock sizing a try... should be a bit faster than the MPSS

[troek]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

NT01's tend to be on the wider side. Stick to 215 for stock rims, or even consider a 205.

so do you think squeezing a 225 instead of a 205 for a track like Fuji speedway would have negligle benefits? part of my brain just keeps telling me wider is better, lol. i run 16s so 215 dosnt exist.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by troek

so do you think squeezing a 225 instead of a 205 for a track like Fuji speedway would have negligle benefits? part of my brain just keeps telling me wider is better, lol. i run 16s so 215 dosnt exist.

Going too wide on a narrow rim will be slower. They'll break loose more gradually, but the overall grip will be lower.

Originally Posted by jprice130

Rumor has it that Hankook is phasing out the RS3 for a new tire soon. Of course Hankook nor any of the major distributors are openly saying that, but "folks in the know" seem to have reliable information that Hankook is working on something new.

If you're looking for an alternative with a symmetrical tread pattern, the Dunlop ZIIs would fit the bill. They are directional (meaning they're meant to be run on one side of the car), but they can be flipped on the rim and then run on the opposite side of the car.

FWIW, tirerack was showing both RS3's as closeouts (140 and 200 treadwear) and doesn't even list most sizes for them now.

I've got ZII's and they've been great for me. Predictable at the limit, and fine at highway speeds in the rain.

[troek]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Going too wide on a narrow rim will be slower. They'll break loose more gradually, but the overall grip will be lower.

point well taken. man i realy hate how 205s look from the back though lol.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by troek

so do you think squeezing a 225 instead of a 205 for a track like Fuji speedway would have negligle benefits? part of my brain just keeps telling me wider is better, lol. i run 16s so 215 dosnt exist.

Well, you're pinching the tire and making the tread part "rounder"

[troek]

Word, 205/55 it is. Damn these skinny rims.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by troek

point well taken. man i realy hate how 205s look from the back though lol.

My 205/50/17 snows are actually wider than the stock 215/45/17 HP Primacys, and my 225/45 ZII's are WAY wider. Not sure what tires come stock on the 16's, but if they're like the tires we get a 205 will still be an upgrade visually and performance wise.

[troek]

they come with some oem only yokohamas. i got 225 v12s on there now, they were on sale and id thought i try em, but a little to bulgy and side wall is mush. i cant wait to see what the rs3 replacement is