Decided that I’d like to do my best to make it to more SCCA and road course events this season as I did almost nothing last year. With that in mind, the thought of rashing my Volks and running on street tires for these sort of events, did not put my mind in a happy place. There’s plenty of youtube videos of guys having awesome track days, but there’s also plenty with off course slides and hellish wall taps… and even rollovers (I don’t want to think about those).
I’ve been looking into options (wheels, tires, sizes of both, etc.) and think I cam up with a legitimate combination that will not be too over the top and within a reasonable budget. If things go as I plan, I’d be looking at around $ 2,000 for all new wheels and tires, which would not include things like mounting, balancing, lugs, hub rings, etc. Any input or opinions you might have are cool.
Looking at (4) 275/35/18’s which could be delivered for around $ 1,100.00. Keeping all four the same without staggering should make for a simpler setup.
Might be able to snag a set of these for $ 840.00 ish delivered. Would just need a set of hub rings. Most of the guys on my Z sites recommended these as a reasonably priced, reliable option as a track wheel. Not sure on the color just yet.
I had my eyes on a set up with virtually new wheels (SSR’s) and 60-70% left Nitto 01’s but the cost factor was just too much for a car that’s not dedicated to the track. He had run some laps on these with his Z and they’re nice but just shipping these from the west coast was a huge factor.
My issue is a little but tire and a little bit wheel. The wheels are something I’d like to not destroy, even though racing is what they are designed for. I’m starting to notice some sidewall issues with my current street tires and probably wouldn’t feel comfortable using them in a “track” oriented situation. I already run superblue and had pretty much figured on a set of non street pads. This setup would allow me to swap pads and mounted wheels and be ready to go to the track. Tires I’m not yet entirely decided on yet either. I have heard your opinion on the relationship of driver experience to tire.
Those rpf1’s are gonna run you more than 850 for a set of 4 brand new ones. If you wanna run a 275 tire you’ll need at least an 18x9.5 wheel. I have the same wheel and size in the SBC and they cost a decent amount more than that. Really light wheel though. I believe the 18 inch wheel is 18 lbs
check out the federal 595RSR . Reviewed better than the NT05 and other similar tires. onlinetires.com sells them. they are $100 per tire for 255/40/17. in comparison, dunlop ZII/star specs are about $185 per tire. i was going to buy them to try them but they run kind of wide. wide as in a 255 is more like a 265
In 265/30/18 the Federals run about $ 150.00 ea. I’d like to stay 265/275 on all four so I don’t have to stagger and avoid any rubbing issues in the front. So the tire on the right is a ________? It doesn’t look like the Fedral tread pattern.
---------- Post added at 04:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:48 PM ----------
---------- Post added at 12:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:47 PM ----------
[/COLOR]Also I am sad that I dont get more frequent car questions via e-mail :([/QUOTE]
Do you have a reliable source for muffler bearings? Racing grade of course.
Got your email. Thanks. As expected your knowledge in this area was brief, concise, and endlessly helpful. Adding you now to my mental database under “Automobile Expert”.
I am glad my prowess(thats a word I think) and acumen(also a word ive heard) on this subject matter have been of great assistance to you. Now I will let others help you in your quest to take turns at a fast rate. This is quite the opposite of my objectives when piloting an automobile. ha
Have you looked at the new dirreza z2? The direzza z1 is a very popular (non-competition) track tire–it wears like iron and has a ton of grip for a 200 treadwear tire, and wont heat cycle out like a r888. If you plan to drive this car on the street at all, I would definitely think about running these. These are somewhat decent in the rain. I have nt-01’s on my miata and I love them. They are a bit pricey but they seem to be the best comprise between life and grip IMHO. I got stuck in the rain in my miata with nt-01’s and it was downright dangerous. If its wet, I dont bother going on the track with them because its a joke–you’d be faster with all-seasons.
Everything I have read about r888’s is that they heat cycle out quickly. The r888 is a 5 year old design-- im sure some of the newer tires and compounds are going to make you happier.
I really have no interest in tracking in the rain. 1. I would want to have as much control as possible. 2. Helmets cause me to pop the T tops like Dino from the Flintstones. I don’t think I could drive long with them on. I’ll investigate. This is the feedback / input I was looking for. Let’s get the track days going.
You never know whats going to happen though. If you pay $200 bucks for an event and it rains half the day, are you just not going to run? That would suck.
Still though, the z1 is a great tire and I dont expect anything less from the z2. Harvey runs the z1 on his sti and set a CSCS superstreet AWD record on them (which was unfortunately broken 10 minutes later) and he’s running stock wheels.
The z2’s are only $17 more per tire from tirerack than r888’s. nt01-s are 274ea shipped from DTD. IF you’re looking SOLELY on price, then the nt-01s are the clear winnner.
Yeah the z1 star specs aren’t cheap at all. I have them in 275/35 and they were close to 1200 for a set of 4. If you can get those rpf1’s for like 800 you should definitely jump on that. They’re a quality wheel for sure!
