Autocross guys - Tire advice
#1
Autocross guys - Tire advice
I got some 17x9's for sticky tires... Unfortunately, I still cant really justify the expense for Hoosiers on this car, unless I can find some cheap (Anyone has an idea where to get some used Hoosiers in 275/40/17 , let me know! But Im sure you guys all horde your sources if you have any . )...
Im looking at the following tires:
Nitto NT01
Nitto NT05
Falken Azenis RT615k
Anything else in the 700-900 new range is what Im looking for. Tryign to stay under $750, but Im willing to stretch it up a tad for some NT01's since the price is really nice on those. They're supposedly the same compound as RA-1's, which are apparently a little better at track days than autocross because they need to be heated up a little.
I also want to get at least a couple of years' worth of events out of whatever I get. These tires will be used ONLY for autocross and perhaps driving to my local venue. (5 mile round trip for me)
Im not sure if something like an NT01 will last long enough to be good for two years. And Im worreid the NT05 wont be a big enough jump for it to even be worth it over the NT555's I have right now.
The Falken Azenis RT615k's look like nice tires, but people seem to hate the old RT615's. It's also a 200TW tire, same as the NT05, and the NT05 is cheaper...
As a quick side note... I'm dealing with some posi issues with my 9-bolt... Nothing serious. Just taking some preventative measures before the cones bottom out in the carrier. But it got me to wondering... any of you guys ever tried autocrossing with a spool? It's not that expensive to buy a spool carrier from 9bolt.com, and I've heard a few guys say the cone type posis are probably the worst out there in terms of autocross usefulness. They wear out fast for that and still resist turning. 2 cents here would be nice. I've got a 98-02 Torsen carrier set aside for a 10 bolt I will probably eventually have, but my 9-bolt is set up pretty well. Getting a 10-bolt to the level of my 9 bolt is probably a $500-$1000 proposition at this point.
Im looking at the following tires:
Nitto NT01
Nitto NT05
Falken Azenis RT615k
Anything else in the 700-900 new range is what Im looking for. Tryign to stay under $750, but Im willing to stretch it up a tad for some NT01's since the price is really nice on those. They're supposedly the same compound as RA-1's, which are apparently a little better at track days than autocross because they need to be heated up a little.
I also want to get at least a couple of years' worth of events out of whatever I get. These tires will be used ONLY for autocross and perhaps driving to my local venue. (5 mile round trip for me)
Im not sure if something like an NT01 will last long enough to be good for two years. And Im worreid the NT05 wont be a big enough jump for it to even be worth it over the NT555's I have right now.
The Falken Azenis RT615k's look like nice tires, but people seem to hate the old RT615's. It's also a 200TW tire, same as the NT05, and the NT05 is cheaper...
As a quick side note... I'm dealing with some posi issues with my 9-bolt... Nothing serious. Just taking some preventative measures before the cones bottom out in the carrier. But it got me to wondering... any of you guys ever tried autocrossing with a spool? It's not that expensive to buy a spool carrier from 9bolt.com, and I've heard a few guys say the cone type posis are probably the worst out there in terms of autocross usefulness. They wear out fast for that and still resist turning. 2 cents here would be nice. I've got a 98-02 Torsen carrier set aside for a 10 bolt I will probably eventually have, but my 9-bolt is set up pretty well. Getting a 10-bolt to the level of my 9 bolt is probably a $500-$1000 proposition at this point.
Last edited by InfernalVortex; 02-27-2015 at 09:57 PM.
#2
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Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
Sorry I'm not more knowledgable on the tires but I haven't done a lot of shopping in that size yet. I'm still running my stock 16x8's and have that THIN selection figured out. I took a short look, I'd recommend checking out the Toyo Proxes. They are in you price range. I thought Kumho made a cheap but decent autoX slick in that size but I didn't see it. Paul Hyurk would have good advice for you.
I wouldn't ever try autoXing with a spool. It would be HORRIBLE!! It would cause SERIOUS understeer. Almost preventing you from turning. You really need that differential for the difference in wheel speed. A buddy of mine broke the diff in his old monte and welded it (like a spool) to get by until he could get a new one. He could barely turn a street corner.
If your a member on FRRAX there are threads discussing both your questions. I can post links if you'd like.
As a quick side note... I'm dealing with some posi issues with my 9-bolt... Nothing serious. Just taking some preventative measures before the cones bottom out in the carrier. But it got me to wondering... any of you guys ever tried autocrossing with a spool? It's not that expensive to buy a spool carrier from 9bolt.com, and I've heard a few guys say the cone type posis are probably the worst out there in terms of autocross usefulness. They wear out fast for that and still resist turning. 2 cents here would be nice. I've got a 98-02 Torsen carrier set aside for a 10 bolt I will probably eventually have, but my 9-bolt is set up pretty well. Getting a 10-bolt to the level of my 9 bolt is probably a $500-$1000 proposition at this point.
If your a member on FRRAX there are threads discussing both your questions. I can post links if you'd like.
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Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
Unfortunately there isn't a ton of choices in that size. I'd go for the NT05's, but they really are a second tier street tire. The 615's have a reputation of overheating easily, and once again are a second tier tire. What class are you running in? Assuming the average region and where most thirdgen's are classed I'd say it won't really matter,
but a 18x9.5-10.5 would give you a lot more choices in 265-285's.
I'd turn the posi cones down if they're contacting the ends of the carrier and shim them I'd throw a washer under the center spring for a little more preload and just run it that way.
but a 18x9.5-10.5 would give you a lot more choices in 265-285's.
I'd turn the posi cones down if they're contacting the ends of the carrier and shim them I'd throw a washer under the center spring for a little more preload and just run it that way.
#4
Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
Unfortunately there isn't a ton of choices in that size. I'd go for the NT05's, but they really are a second tier street tire. The 615's have a reputation of overheating easily, and once again are a second tier tire. What class are you running in? Assuming the average region and where most thirdgen's are classed I'd say it won't really matter,
but a 18x9.5-10.5 would give you a lot more choices in 265-285's.
I'd turn the posi cones down if they're contacting the ends of the carrier and shim them I'd throw a washer under the center spring for a little more preload and just run it that way.
but a 18x9.5-10.5 would give you a lot more choices in 265-285's.
I'd turn the posi cones down if they're contacting the ends of the carrier and shim them I'd throw a washer under the center spring for a little more preload and just run it that way.
So since I am going to be heavily, heavily penalized just for being in CP alone, I just said screw it and I got some NT01's. Figured I'd regret not getting them, and when they wear out I'll have a better idea of how I want to play it. They're not Hoosiers, but they should be tons of fun anyway.
#5
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Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
For CP, as long as you don't expect to beat the world, you'll be happy with the NT01's. They wear out fairly quickly if you also drive them on the street but they stick well on the track. We currently run the Falken RT615K's for events and have been happy with them. We mainly run the car in Pro-Touring style events where a 200TW tire is required though. When we still ran SCCA CP class we ran the BFG R1 slicks and the Nitto NT01 and Nitto NT05.
#6
Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
For CP, as long as you don't expect to beat the world, you'll be happy with the NT01's. They wear out fairly quickly if you also drive them on the street but they stick well on the track. We currently run the Falken RT615K's for events and have been happy with them. We mainly run the car in Pro-Touring style events where a 200TW tire is required though. When we still ran SCCA CP class we ran the BFG R1 slicks and the Nitto NT01 and Nitto NT05.
These are a second set of wheels/tires, so they'll only get used at the autocrosses. The question is whether it's worth the trouble to drive them out there unmounted and change tires at the course. Not sure if I can figure out a way to fit all four inside the car but I imagine it may be possible. It's about a 10 mile round trip from my home to our venue and back. You say they wear out quickly, do they wear out quickly enough that I shouldnt waste them on the highway at all?
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Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
Unfortunately the tier 1 tires like the Rival are not available in 275-40-17, even though the market in that size is nearly as large as 275-35-18.
We have a set of the Falken 615K on a silver set of our wheels ere at the shop - love them for street use. Super grippy, ok in the wet, and great sidewall stiffness.
I don't have experience with the NT01 or NT05 - other than having a display wheel with an NT05 on it.
The Toyos probably wouldn't even qualify due to their treadwear rating for anything a street car would run in.
We have a set of the Falken 615K on a silver set of our wheels ere at the shop - love them for street use. Super grippy, ok in the wet, and great sidewall stiffness.
I don't have experience with the NT01 or NT05 - other than having a display wheel with an NT05 on it.
The Toyos probably wouldn't even qualify due to their treadwear rating for anything a street car would run in.
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Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
Toyo r1r's they just changed thier treadwear rating to 200 from 140(so the are CAM class legal). The really didn't change much else besides the rating just make sure you get the newer ones that are rebadged. The do come in a 275/40/17
#10
Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
Yeah those looked really interesting, but i figured for the same price as the NT01's, the NT01's would be faster.. I think if I decide to stick to the street classes I'll have to decide between R1R's and NT05s'. I imagine the R1R's would be the better tire just because they're more expensive.
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Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
I have had any experience with nitto race tires i did use the 555 for street and rain tires and they were great. I used toyo ra1's for track days and autox for a year and a half they held up pretty well. And that was 3 or 4 track days and about 10 autox events.
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Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
Thats a pretty clean look. What size spacers did you use?
#14
Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
This is complicated to explain. I have a set of 17x9.5/17x11 ZR1's, and the adapters in the picture are the adapters taht fit THOSE wheels. The rears on the white ZR1's need a full 2" adapter in the rear, while my 17x11's need only a 1.25" adapter in the rear. The picture above with the white ZR1's is with them bolted onto the 1.25" rear adapter. I have LS1 front brakes so the front is 2.3" farther out than stock, .3" for rotor, and 2" for adapters.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Last edited by InfernalVortex; 03-14-2015 at 03:25 AM.
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Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
#17
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Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
I have also used John Berget Racing tires. Very good service and awesome to deal with. I dealt with John himself and i couldnt be more pleased. The cast offs he sold to me were in mint condition. Awesome price and service. I would highly recommend him.
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Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
Just got home from auto-x and the first time out with new Toyo R1Rs (275/40/17) and I couldn't be happier. I was a bit surprised at the amount of improvement of the very old Dunlops I've had for a few years. Now got to re-learn braking distances and speeds. They were stamped 200 but I read you can order them with 140 or 200. Maybe until all the 140s are gone? Anyway, I think they're great.
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Re: Autocross guys - Tire advice
Yeah they are still selling their back stock of the 140's, but they also say they didn't change anything. They just changed their testing to get the 200 rating.
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