Tracking Base Wheels... Tire Choices

GSS138 · 03-13-2014, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osbornsm

Inexpensive Summer tires in my desired size:
- Sumitomo HTR Z III = $600
- BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 = $660
- Dunlop Direzza DZ102 = $750
- Hankook Ventus V12 = $800

Any thoughts on the above?

IF you are only looking for street tires, these will be fine. But I agree with Chuck, these are not appropriate for anything more than say maybe your first couple of track days. You will ruin them quickly. Even a Bridgestone re760 would be better than these. I run them for street and have been out on track with them once. They are surprisingly good on the track. But I would not want to keep pushing them.

Chuck33079 · 03-13-2014, 11:10 AM

And the other thought is- maybe you do want street tires over r-comps. I'm going to be running very sticky street tires over r-comps just because my skill level would be better served by something that lets go progressively vs a r-comp sticking right up to the limit and then throwing me off the track backwards.

osbornsm · 03-13-2014, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

And the other thought is- maybe you do want street tires over r-comps. I'm going to be running very sticky street tires over r-comps just because my skill level would be better served by something that lets go progressively vs a r-comp sticking right up to the limit and then throwing me off the track backwards.

Actually i have decided NOT to use R-comp tires. They wore our the wheel bearings on my last car WAY too often.

I want a summer tire that will not be a piece of crap for HPDE.

NickTurnon · 03-13-2014, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

No issues here, but I have 255/285 so more contact patch.

You fit those on base 18"s? I just got 245/275 because I thought that was the MAX for daily driving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by osbornsm

Actually i have decided NOT to use R-comp tires. They wore our the wheel bearings on my last car WAY too often.

I want a summer tire that will not be a piece of crap for HPDE.

Have you looked at the FALKEN 452 or 453 series? They have a couple others that are very reasonably priced. I tracked them, ran them hard, and they lasted 30k thru 117 AZ heat driving 90% HWY. Gripped much more then the new Conti's I just bought. Might be a decent option for you. I dont know much about tires, but I think the rear 275's I got were only $156 or $176 at discount tire so you cant beat that.

Chuck33079 · 03-13-2014, 11:25 AM

I had a set of 452s on another car. Never tracked with them, but they gripped great. Again, the Star Specs were always the go-to for the track and AutoX guys I knew. Those or Falken Azenis.

osbornsm · 03-13-2014, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

The Star Specs were always the go-to for the track and AutoX guys I knew. Those or Falken Azenis.

They don't make Azeni's in the correct sidewall height for our cars. So no luck there.

So of the four listed above, we're really thinking Dunlop's ehh?

Chuck33079 · 03-13-2014, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osbornsm

They don't make Azeni's in the correct sidewall height for our cars. So no luck there.

So of the four listed above, we're really thinking Dunlop's ehh?

Didn't know that. I do know they run wide, but I don't know if the sidewall measurement is off too. I haven't heard much bad about the Dunlops.

speedfreek · 03-13-2014, 12:33 PM

BFG Rivals

stuy486 · 03-13-2014, 11:50 PM

Hankook RS-3

They handle heat well, and are a great street tire

I've only autocrossed them on my Z, but they've never chunked.

I've done many many track days in a stock RX-8 on them and never had any issues.

BFG Rivals would probably also work well.

wstar · 03-14-2014, 12:38 AM

The RS3 is an awesome "street" tire (really, it should honestly be classed with R-comps in terms of performance) - feels amazing, grips well. However, it's a little more pricey than the initial option list posted. Tire rack in his sizes puts them at about $1K for all 4, before tax/shipping.

osbornsm · 03-14-2014, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstar

The RS3 is an awesome "street" tire (really, it should honestly be classed with R-comps in terms of performance) - feels amazing, grips well. However, it's a little more pricey than the initial option list posted. Tire rack in his sizes puts them at about $1K for all 4, before tax/shipping.

Well hell... might as well get RE-11's at that point. The Sumitomo are $600 SHIPPED. So for me who only does HPDE for entertainment, not times... i think they'll do just nicely.

I hope.

Chuck33079 · 03-14-2014, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osbornsm

Well hell... might as well get RE-11's at that point. The Sumitomo are $600 SHIPPED. So for me who only does HPDE for entertainment, not times... i think they'll do just nicely.

I hope.

Well, you'll just have to see how long they last to make a useful comparison. If you fry them in half the time as a more expensive comparable set, you haven't really saved any money.

osbornsm · 03-14-2014, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Well, you'll just have to see how long they last to make a useful comparison. If you fry them in half the time as a more expensive comparable set, you haven't really saved any money.

Totally agreed!! I only got 2-3 days out of RE-01 in my R32, but that understeered so much, it just scrubbed the tires away.

The 370, on the other hand, handles properly... so they "should" last quite a bit longer without being understeered to death.

Only time will tell if this is a good tire decision. We'll see how many HPDE days i get out of them.

Chuck33079 · 03-14-2014, 09:23 AM

Yep, unfortunately, since there are so many variables and most of it boils down to how you drive, you kinda have to just pony up the cash and find out by trial and error.

cossie1600 · 03-14-2014, 03:11 PM

We will see a post why all my tires are feathered or have blisters

03-13-2014, 11:10 AM	#32 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	And the other thought is- maybe you do want street tires over r-comps. I'm going to be running very sticky street tires over r-comps just because my skill level would be better served by something that lets go progressively vs a r-comp sticking right up to the limit and then throwing me off the track backwards. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

03-13-2014, 11:25 AM	#35 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	I had a set of 452s on another car. Never tracked with them, but they gripped great. Again, the Star Specs were always the go-to for the track and AutoX guys I knew. Those or Falken Azenis. NickTurnon likes this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

03-13-2014, 12:33 PM	#38 (permalink)
speedfreek A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Huntsville,AL Posts: 1,724 Drives: '12 370Z PW 6sp Rep Power: 18	BFG Rivals __________________ Tomei\|Berk\|Takeda\|ZSpeed\|Fortune Auto\|Swift\|Eibach\|SPL\|Carbotech\|Motul\|Powertrix\|Stillen\|Aerojacket\|Z1\|Forgestar\|Enkei\|Project Kics\|Nismo Ti\|Llumar speedfreek's journal

03-14-2014, 12:38 AM	#40 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3594	The RS3 is an awesome "street" tire (really, it should honestly be classed with R-comps in terms of performance) - feels amazing, grips well. However, it's a little more pricey than the initial option list posted. Tire rack in his sizes puts them at about $1K for all 4, before tax/shipping. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

03-14-2014, 09:23 AM	#44 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	Yep, unfortunately, since there are so many variables and most of it boils down to how you drive, you kinda have to just pony up the cash and find out by trial and error. wstar likes this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

03-13-2014, 11:50 PM	#39 (permalink)
stuy486 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 81 Drives: '12 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 12	Hankook RS-3 They handle heat well, and are a great street tire I've only autocrossed them on my Z, but they've never chunked. I've done many many track days in a stock RX-8 on them and never had any issues. BFG Rivals would probably also work well.

03-14-2014, 03:11 PM	#45 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	We will see a post why all my tires are feathered or have blisters

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