More "I'm about to buy as set of ?" tire re-hash...

[jimrankin]

Got an autocross ride in RNR's S2K with Nitto's all around, 17" X 235 front & 275 rear, same as I plan to run for size. They seemed to grip pretty well but hard to tell due to parking lot surface and it was still fairly cool. RNR said they seemed to work well for him at the little time he got then on track at Laguna but he didn't have anything to compare them too.

Anyone with a 7 clone have a choice that has worked well for them on track surfaces but still DOT legal? Going to make due with a single set for both street and track, at least for this year. I was hoping that the TD wheels I ordered last year would get here in time to see if I liked them "in the flesh" so I could make a decision on a second set for track only. No luck with getting a re-order set for this years track dates as I'm still weeks out on receiving the first set. Hindsite being 20/20 I should have just changed the hubs and gone to something available locally.

Any 7 drivers opinions are welcome since these are pretty much a specialty vehicle and the usual tire "test" results don't always apply.

I plan on more track use than autocross and am not concerned with how long the tires will last, more about grip and them not getting heat cycled easily. Thanks in advance for any input.

[Boxologist]

A6s and V710s are still DOT legal but aren't run on the street. For tyres that wear better than those its the R888/NT01 and A048. Then its to the full street tyre w. 140+ wear ratings.

[rnr]

As another data point I was easily pulling 1.2G at Laguna on the NT01 without getting anywhere near the limits of the tire. I'd expect that once I get the setup right and start pushing there should be a lot more to come especially in places like T6 and T9.

[yellowss7]

Box, you have a PM. Tom

 

(sorry for the hijack)

[powderbrake]

I can only relate to the Falken Azenis which I have had. They are good street tires, but with a 200 rating, I'm pretty sure there are others that are stickier.

I do know that I was limited on the track by my tires.

[jimrankin]

Thanks Powderbrake,

I ran 615's on my MINI 16" track wheels and they were pretty good tires for the money. Don't think they would work on track with something as lite as a 7 though. I didn't see a wear rating on the Nitto tires but for a 7 I would figure a 100 would be about right as a street/track. Get some grip while still cool and about the same wear as a 200 on a "real" car. Always going to be a trade off when you need something to do more than one specific thing.

[turboeric]

First the caveat - this is all experience on a turbo Miata, so much heavier than a 7. That said, I have a fair bit of experience with suspension tuning and high performance tires at autocross and on track. From your description of your intended use, I think Boxologist is right, the Toyo R888, Nitto NT01, Yoko A048 would be on the money. Toyo has reintroduced the RA1, which many prefer over the R888. My current track tires are NT01, and I find they're relatively civilized, very grippy (a subjective order of magnitude better than any street tire) and fairly long wearing (as track tires go).

 

Among real street tires, the current favourites are the Hankook RS3, the Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec (not the Z101), the Bridgestone RE11 and the Kumho XS. The Azenis 615 are no longer a front ranked tire and are probably too stiff for a 7. I'm just coming off of a set of Kumho XS and I was very impressed with them. Easy to approach the limits, forgiving, very grippy and don't overheat as easily as the Falkens.

 

Nice list of toys Jim. I used to have an XK150S OTS when I was young and foolish - beautiful thing.

Edited April 16, 2010 by turboeric

[jimrankin]

Bet you wish you still had that XK150S! So few "S" 150's came into the states. Ran into an S head way-way back and should have snapped it up but was playing with the Camaro at the time and let it get away. Have stored the Jag for yearsnow. Picked it up in '72 and did a lot of work on it then. My problem now is more toys than time and a wife who claims she's a "garage widow". LOL

[rnr]

A fuller explanation around my decision to go with NT01s on Rotas

 

http://www.rahulnair.net/blog/2010/04/16/setting-up-a-seven-wheels-and-tires/

[jimrankin]

We had talked about most of what you put on your blog but still picked up a few new bits of information. I've pretty much set on the Nitto's and wish I had changed hubs instead of staying with the 5X100's. Have to be out of CA for a couple of weeks and won't get back in time to buy tires (if the wheels actually get here from England) and set up the car for the first GGLC track day at Thunderhill but will be looking at things past mid-May. I'll have to follow your blog so maybe we can provide a "7's" show at something upcoming. Been doing a few more mods to the car and finally have things down to a really short list. Happy Motoring!!

[jimrankin]

Went with Rahul's set up (Nitto NT01's) as they have seemed to work out for him on his S2K and have a lot of good comments on blogs for other "lightweight" cars.

Now, if only my WAY overdue Team Dynamics wheels would only show up I'd be such a happy camper!

I'll post my impressions once everything is here. I'm running all pretty much brand new Dunlap Z1 Star Spec's at 16" X 205 right now and the car feels pretty decent cornering (without using a lot of right foot) but gets sideways real fast with a little too much throttle. I'm hoping that the new rubber will help with that problem since I do just love to be able to push out of corners.

[jimrankin]

After months of waiting I finally received my 17" Team Dynamics wheels Monday, they look beautiful, just didn't fit. It had been a real issue when ordering about what hub centers to use because of the Wilwood front hubs that TD didn't seem to know much about. Ended up with the rear 9" wheels being ordered standard 46 Subaru and the 8" fronts being 73's. There seemed to be some confusion on TD's part so my last email just said make them both 73 if it was easier. Anyway, they came machined "backwards" with 46 front and 73 rear. I found a machine shop that is going to correct the problem so it's just a matter of dropping off the wheels and the front hub I pulled off last night and waiting another week till it's my parts turn on the mill.

On the bright side, my Nittos got delivered yesterday so I don't have any issue with tires anymore.

Have to re-rout the rear break lines and the emergency brake cable a bit to clear the 9" rear rims so I do have something to do while I wait on the machine shop.

I did get a 300 mile ride up into the Sierras on Sunday (including driving through three rain showers that Yahoo weather said wouldn't be there) so I'm fixed for a little while. Can't wait to see how it feels on those big Nitto's though!

[jimrankin]

Finally, after what has seemed like years but was only half of one, I have my Team Dynamics wheels in hand and remachined to fit, the Nittos are mounted and everything is on the car. Had to do a little fender brace mod in the front, move the emergency brake cable and the brake lines in the back and while I was at it fab some new mounting tabs for the hard lines.

After having the 16" X 205's on the car for so long the 17" X 235's front and 275's in the back just look massive!!

Re-installing the fuel cell this weekend with some better mounting and then I'm "done for now". Just booked a couple of dates in the Thunder Hill schedule so it's going to be time for some non-wrenching fun.

[Boxologist]

u'll enjoy being able to flat foot the right pedal again.

[rnr]

Congrats. I hope you can make it down to some of the GGLC autocrosses this summer. Now that we have the same tire setup I'd love to see if you are having the same wheel slip issues that have been hitting me.