What tires?

[ChassisPro]

I did a search and didn't find anything so I'll ask.

What tires are you guys running? I know Stielow is running Goodyear F1, and JamesOLC runs Michelin SS, the 48 camaro now runs Falcons.

I'm thinking about going with the Michelin Pilot Super Sports, but wanted some input from you guys on which tire you chose and why.

Thanks in advance,
Scott

[GrabberGT]

You might want to post a little about how you intend to use the tires and what sizes. Not all tires are available in the sizes you might need. For example, I'd love to get some Falcon Azenis but they do not come in a 295/35-18.

I like to autocross and cruise in my car so I needed something with lots of grip but also have good durability. Im also on a budget so cost per tire and replacement costs also had to be weighed in. I ended up with the BFG KDW for their reputation of meeting those requirements. Maybe after I learn to drive my car better to get the most of my tires, I'll step up to something stickier but until then, if its good enough for DSE, Finch, Ridetech (until recently)... its good enough for me.

[ChassisPro]

Originally Posted by GrabberGT

You might want to post a little about how you intend to use the tires and what sizes. Not all tires are available in the sizes you might need. For example, I'd love to get some Falcon Azenis but they do not come in a 295/35-18.

I like to autocross and cruise in my car so I needed something with lots of grip but also have good durability. Im also on a budget so cost per tire and replacement costs also had to be weighed in. I ended up with the BFG KDW for their reputation of meeting those requirements. Maybe after I learn to drive my car better to get the most of my tires, I'll step up to something stickier but until then, if its good enough for DSE, Finch, Ridetech (until recently)... its good enough for me.

I'd like to do basically the same. I plan to auto X and run some track days, along with driving it around from time to time. I have 18X8 front and 18X9.5 rears, so I was thinking about 265/35-18 front and 285/35-18 or 295/35-18 rear. I decided not to cut the car (for now anyway) since I already have the wheels. To be honest I don't plan to be super competitive with this car, just play and have fun. I have a 68 body that I plan to do a full out build on that should be competitive with the front runners once it's done. It'll be more of a race car with some street appeal.

[dontlifttoshift]

Both of those tire sizes are to wide for the rims that you have. Most tires like to run with the section width close to the rim width. 265 mm = 10.4" which would require about a 9" wheel as a 9" wheel will actually measure approximately 10" on the outside dimension.

In those sizes TireRack only lists 2 tires worth putting on a car and those are the KDW and the Continental Extreme Contact DW.

With the wheels sizes you listed I would look at a 235/275 combination in either 40/35 or 45/40 aspect ratios respectively. That really depends on the car but I would lean towards the taller tires.

So that leaves you with 235/45-18 and 275/40-18 for sizes, now you have to find out who makes them. Again, I like tire rack for this, as I can punch in sizes and see what comes back. In those sizes the only notable tire is the BFG Comp 2.....not bad. Tire rack does not carry the Falken or Nitto lines so you may want to check their websites for those sizes under the 615 (Falken)or NT05 (nitto)

[chetly]

Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs. 235/40(front) 275/35(rear) Fastest auto-x tire out there. Just look at auto-x series like SCCA, which is the national leader in auto-x and look at their street tire classes like STR, STU, STX.

[dontlifttoshift]

Yep, the star specs are great tires but they are on closeout almost eveywhere as they are being discontinued.....get em while you can.

Supposedly there is a new Z2 starspec coming but I don't know if it will be any better

Worth noting since you mentioned scca's st classes. The starspec is the only 200 tw tire that runs at that level. All the other "fast" tires like the RS3 and RE11 are in the 140 tw to 180 tw range

[ChassisPro]

Thanks for the input guys. I looked into the Direzza Z1 Star Specs, but like you said they are on close out and I can't find the sizes I need. After talking with some guys, I think I'm going to go with the Nitto NT05's to begin with. They seem to work well and are cheap.

Scott

[chetly]

The only place your gonna find the star specs is through tirerack being they have the sole rights to the tire. I can almost guarantee the the z2 will be a faster tire. There is a huge battle going on in scca and the tire manufactures are involved. I wouldnt be surprised if bridgestone and hankook changed their # on their tires to 200 being that number doesnt mean **** anyway. Supposedly bfg is developing a new tire to replace the kdw thats gonna be in the mix as well.

I would wait for tires to come out in the spring if at all possible but if you cant i would go with the falken rt615k...

[Sieg]

FWIW - I have the same size rims with 5.0 BS-F 5.25 BS-R with NT-05's with 245's and 275's and the rears are very tight clearance and under hard sustained cornering loads will touch the inner fenders, front's only touch on driveway approaches when turned 20% or less towards full lock.

[dontlifttoshift]

yeah, the scca stuff getting cool. With the RoadTire classes going to 180 that only leaves the star spec and the RE11 and I guess the extreme contactDW. It would be cool if the Star Spec Z2 had more PT sizes but I really don't see that happening. The new BFG looks great, its all rubber, check out Kyle tuckers car in the optima coverage and dig the tread pattern, but I don't think smaller sizes are going to be in the mix there.

I have never driven on NT05 hard but those who seem to like them. The guys in the know don't much care for them.

This thread is interesting, it started in '01 but gets current towards the end of page 2. http://corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484