Brand of tires for street and DE?

[thotdoc]

What brand of tires and model name of that brand turn in best and then best hold the line?

My wheels will be ready in about 6 -8 week sand I want to have tires.

Thanks,

G

[Cajundaddy]

Far too broad a question with 50 possible choices so we need to narrow the field a bit:

What size wheels (17x8, 18x9 etc)?

What car model and weight?

Is wet performance important to you?

Will they be used below 40F?

Mostly street or mostly track use?

[thotdoc]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Far too broad a question with 50 possible choices so we need to narrow the field a bit:

What size wheels (17x8, 18x9 etc)?

What car model and weight?

Is wet performance important to you?

Will they be used below 40F?

Mostly street or mostly track use?

Ok, that was a reasonable reply.
9 x17:245/45X 17,
11 x17: 315/35 X 17.
Mostly street, 5-6 DEs per season.
Wet performance or cold weather is not important as I only drive the car during the summer.
911, 1980, 2400#, 3.2 engine, track torsion bar suspension.

[wildcat077]

I personally use Dunlop Star Specs in the rain and Nitto NT01's on the dry ... have to say the Dunlops are awesome in the rain and as far as the Nitto's are concerned i have 40 + heat cycles on them and they still have plenty of life in them !

Tire sizes are 225/45/17 and 255/40/17 for the Dunlops on 7.5 and 9 inch Fikses,Nittos are 235/40/17 and 255/40/17 on 8 and 9 inch Fikses.

Works well for me !

Cheers
Phil

[IROC]

I'm not sure about the size availability, but recent testing by Grassroots Motorsports is pointing to the Bridgestone RE-11As and the BFG Rivals as the top tires for what you appear to be looking for...

[911SauCy]

+1 on the NT01 Nittos...I have not tracked them yet but a completely transformative tire/experience with these on my car.

[brads911sc]

Re11 are great.

[175K911]

Personally I think a 315/35 rear tire is too much tire. Might fill the wheel wells nicely but with a stock 3.2 and minor suspension changes I doubt you'll get those tires up to temp on the track. I run 295/35 Hoosiers on 17x11 wheels on a caged track car and they work fine, but based on tire temps I'd never try to get the 315's up to temp. and many people I know with wide body 911's run 245/40 front and 275/40 rear on your size wheels with great success.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by 175K911

Personally I think a 315/35 rear tire is too much tire. Might fill the wheel wells nicely but with a stock 3.2 and minor suspension changes I doubt you'll get those tires up to temp on the track. I run 295/35 Hoosiers on 17x11 wheels on a caged track car and they work fine, but based on tire temps I'd never try to get the 315's up to temp. and many people I know with wide body 911's run 245/40 front and 275/40 rear on your size wheels with great success.

+1

Looks like a lot of tire to get up to temp and severely limits tire choices. I suggest RE11 or Hankook RS3 for your purpose if available in your size.

FYI- Here is the build sheet for one of the top 911s in the western USA from that era/wt/hp class. He typically runs 225/275s:

Butch Build Sheet

This car runs 315s effectively but he has a lot more power, well developed suspension and aero:
http://www.petrolicious.com/one-car-to-do-it-all-jack-olsen-s-911

[thotdoc]

I want to thank everyone. That doesn't mean that people should stop posting on this subject. Likely this is of interest to many people.

[drl911]

Originally Posted by wildcat077

I personally use Dunlop Star Specs in the rain and Nitto NT01's on the dry ... have to say the Dunlops are awesome in the rain and as far as the Nitto's are concerned i have 40 + heat cycles on them and they still have plenty of life in them !

Tire sizes are 225/45/17 and 255/40/17 for the Dunlops on 7.5 and 9 inch Fikses,Nittos are 235/40/17 and 255/40/17 on 8 and 9 inch Fikses.

Works well for me !

Cheers
Phil

Ditto!!!

[Roger 911]

+1 for the Dunlop Direzza Star Spec. I went from A032s to the Star Specs and was much happier all around with the Star Specs. Good grip, predictable, and great wear. However, I believe these have been discontinued and replaced with the Direzza ZII.

Roger

[nineball]

absolutely love my hankook ventus rs-3. super stick, super firm sidewalls and i can drive the hour each way to mid-ohio with them on the car for all my de events. only downside, like most near-r compound tires is cold - anything under 40 and you don't want to be on them.

[rgoodrich]

Bridgestone RE-11 A. Not only do they handle well, ride well, and have reasonable longevity, but they STOP. I just had a near crunch when Phoenix traffic went from 65mph to stop in a very short distance. Missed the car in front of me by inches. Porsches have good brakes, but this performance was phenomenal.
Robert

[Sboxin]

Well, these tire threads are always interesting - - - so I went to Tire Rack's
web site to look at the sizes you mentioned -- like 315x17 - - - there are a
few brands out there that should fit your needs - like the Kuhmo Ecsta XS was one
I found.

We run Hoosier R6s for race on 17x9&10s wheels with 245-40-17 and 275-40-17 tires
And, we use Nitto NT-01 for practice
But, this is a track only car - - - not nearly the same needs as yours.

I thought there would be more different tires available for your size requirements -
but alas there are not . . . You have an unusual car configuration with the wide body
and 3.2L engine. Some people move to larger wheels like 18 or 19s - there seem to be
more tires available in those sizes - like the Michelin Cups - personally I like Michelin
for the street on my Boxster.

I don't think I was much help - other than suggest a lot more research on your part . . .

Regards,

[easelboy1]

++1 RE-11 A. Best tires I have ever used. Not impressed with dunlop, continental, and goodyear over the years.

[dw1]

++++1 on the RE-11

For street-use tires, I'm a big Conti fan, especially liking the Extreme Contact DW, but for DE's I think the RE-11 is simply better.

[JeremyD]

I never have an issue getting heat into 315 tires

[thotdoc]

Originally Posted by Sboxin

Well, these tire threads are always interesting - - - so I went to Tire Rack's
web site to look at the sizes you mentioned -- like 315x17 - - - there are a
few brands out there that should fit your needs - like the Kuhmo Ecsta XS was one
I found.

We run Hoosier R6s for race on 17x9&10s wheels with 245-40-17 and 275-40-17 tires
And, we use Nitto NT-01 for practice
But, this is a track only car - - - not nearly the same needs as yours.

I thought there would be more different tires available for your size requirements -
but alas there are not . . . You have an unusual car configuration with the wide body
and 3.2L engine. Some people move to larger wheels like 18 or 19s - there seem to be
more tires available in those sizes - like the Michelin Cups - personally I like Michelin
for the street on my Boxster.

I don't think I was much help - other than suggest a lot more research on your part . . .

Regards,

Thank you. This is part of my doing research; fining out what others have experienced and learning from everyone's experience.