265/45/16's, a gift from the tire gods!

[911st]

I spend way to much time looking at tire info and discovered that the new Khumo Ecsta XS's some int a

265/45/16 and 225/50/16

This could be a gift from the tire gods for our 930's running 7&9/16" Fuchs (85-89 from the factory.)

These should fit very well.

The new Ecsta XS's are part of the new street class race tire like the Dunlop Z1 Star Spec and Brigestone RE-11's. Almost R tire capable. I run my Z1's on the track and they hold well (beat a few R1 guys) and work well on the street.

The specs for the 265/45/16's are 25.4" tall, can run on 8.5 to 10" rims, on a 9" rim are 10.5" wide with tread of 9.7".

For reference, most 205 and 225 /16's are at 25" tall. Most 245's are about 9.6" wide.

No other tire maker seems to be making a 265/45. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+XS

[voitureltd]

I'm running 265x45 16 rears and 245 45 16 fronts that are the old kuhmo V700 race slicks. They are just about ready to get into the cords so need some decent tires. What does anyone think if there are other options other than the Ecsta ES's? I just drive the car on street now ( about 1500 miles a year mostly with lots of boost used from the 11.5 1/4 mile running gear) so I could go back to track tires as they would last a few years for my driving needs which would include an occasional touring/DE event at the track . I'm pretty sure the rims are 8" fronts and 10' rears.

[911st]

Tony, it is good to hear you have been running there 265x45 race tires. Did they fit w/o issue or did you have to do somthing?

I do not think anyone else makes a 265/45/16 so it is the new Escta XS or drop back to to 245's and there are not many choices there. Do you have 9" rear rims?

How did you like the V700's and what size rim did you run them on. They are approved for 8" rims. Do you know if they work as well as the R888's or R1's?

[voitureltd]

They fit on the 1977 930 with the BBS 10s but the 245x 45s on the front ( instead of the 225 50 tires) fit & tracked well on the the car but seemed a little to wide for the 8 " rims ( do you want more or less under steer or over steer? ) for regular use with no fitment issues. I have another 77 930 that has the same BBS 8&10's wheels but is shod with B.F. Goodrich G-force sport 255 50 16 rear and 225 x50 front and they fit real well and are really very meaty.. The current price is $116 rears and $85 fronts which is dirt cheap. They work real well for spirited touring or regular driving.

[krasuskyp]

Originally Posted by voitureltd

They fit on the 1977 930 with the BBS 10s but the 245x 45s on the front fit & tracked well on the the car well but seemed a little to wide for the 8 " rims for regular use with no fitment issues. I have another 77 930 that has the same BBS 8&10's wheels but is shod with B.F. Goodrich G-force sport 255 50 16 rear and 225 x50 front and they fit real well and are really very meaty.. The current price is $116 rears and $85 fronts which is dirt cheap. They work real well for spirited touring or regular driving.

Great datapoints Tony, much appreciate the detail. Love them V700's, that was something I (briefly heh heh) toy'd with. I do more like 5k/yr. and it didn't sound like it made as good sense as these new Kumi's. The 245 fronts are tempting, but won't fit my OE 7's - would love for 8's up there buuuut. Agreed on them BFG's: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?p=4673227&posted=1#post4673227

The dirtcheap factor to any of these options is huge considering their ahem lifespan 8-).

Tx again.


ps. "mostly with lots of boost used from the 11.5 1/4 mile running gear"... bwhahaha / muwhahahaa 8-)

[911st]

Worth noting that Kuhmo also makes the V700 and V710 in a 265.

[BarryJB]

Originally Posted by 911st

I spend way to much time looking at tire info and discovered that the new Khumo Ecsta XS's some int a 265/45/16 and 225/50/16
This could be a gift from the tire gods for our 930's running 7&9/16" Fuchs (85-89 from the factory.)
These should fit very well.
No other tire maker seems to be making a 265/45. Kumho Ecsta XS

Just wanted to thank you for this info, I have 7&9x16 Fuchs on my 85 911 w/rolled front fenders. I didn't want to use the obvious UHP choices or R-compound tires, so after seeing your post & more research, fitted the aforementioned Kumho XS late December to replace my beloved but bald SO2/F & SO3/R, and held my breath both re performance, fit and appearance, especially I was worried about the 225 hitting & sidewall flex on the 7 rims, and the larger diameter gearing effect of 265/45 re 245/45 - no need. A step up in all areas fact. My speedo read 5mph fast with the 245/45 and so is a bit closer now with the 265/45 on the back. No rubbing on my Carrera body either end, and no obvious detrimental gearing change - not that latter will likely worry you 930 guys. No input on wear but at 180 should be comparable to the SO2/3 set up in terms of tires per (s)miles ;¬). Phenomenal grip, very linear throttle steer & controllable break-away... dry only so far, I read the wet caveats. I'll need to mod the suspension to keep up - feels like biggest roll angles ever on street tires. Look great too. A gift from the tire gods indeed.

[911st]

Barry,

Can we beg you for any pictures?

Thanks for the info.

[Maxx1]

HOly Crap! So we're down to one manufacturer for the stock rims?

[911st]

There are great tires left that support stock rims. Skip tire rack an go to Toyo.com.

[BarryJB]

Originally Posted by 911st

Barry,

Can we beg you for any pictures?

Thanks for the info.

Yes, sorry about delay in posting reply, distraction occurred, work or something equally pesky. Here is one photo before with the old SO2/F & SO3/R set up a few days before I got the XS's, and three shots after. My car is way too high (Bilstein Sports + DOT bumper/headlight height thing) - hope to get suspension sorted this month, but you can easily see the difference in filling out the fenders on my 6&9 x 16's going from 205/55 to 225/50 front, and from 245/45 to 265/45 rear, in the two rear side shots. Last shot is of the San Diego New Year's Day run Ed Hughes set up, my car is nearest camera, that's Ed's Targa "Ruby" next in line. I have to say again these are terrific tires, quiet, and I do not miss the SO's at all as I feared I would. Definitely improved turn-in with reduced understeer. Ride is superb, there are some ripply roads I know N of my home where my F250 CC & motorcycles are all totally unsettled, but these tires just soak it up (I'm running 32psi F & 34 R at the moment until I spend some time with the pyrometer) with aplomb and better than with the SO's.

I suspect after lowering and antiroll bars are in, it will need one front fender lip to be rolled a tad more (one was less flattened than the other), and possibly a bit of extra negative on the fronts, but you lucky turbo chappies will likely have no such issues. At the rear I can't quite get a finger between the tire and the torsion bar plate stud, but by all accounts, that's plenty, and no need to cut them down.

It does do the square wheel feel thing at full lock when parking which wasn't near as pronounced with the 205's on the front, I think it's just the extra tread width is too much for the geometry and it forces the grip point to skip back and forth across the contact patches - feels the same as if my leave my F250 in 4x4 and do tight (for a F250!) turns on blacktop.

Here's before with 205/55-16 SO2's F & 245/45-16 SO34's R


Here's after with the Kuhmo XS's, 225/50-16 F & 265/45-16 R

[BarryJB]

BTW these tires do seem to flat-spot overnight but smooth out after a few miles once warm - am I right this is a common experience for R-compound users? I've never run on R-compound but I know I've not experienced this effect on street tires before. The I think even softer SO2's never did this that I noticed anyway.

[911st]

Excellent!

[BarryJB]

Oops I meant SEVEN & 9 x 16 rims... here's one more Palomar shot - XS's in the sunset. Sniff, gettin' all misty over tires ;¬)

[aschen]

I just ordered a set of these for my 930. Unfortunatly I only have 7 and 8s so the tires will be a bit pinched. 265 is alot of tire for an 8" rim but I think it will be ok. I run 245 on 7.5 rims on my elise with no problems........

[aschen]

Just put these on. Wow! What a huge difference I have never driven a 930 on modern tires I guess. These replaced 10 year old michelins. I went to a parking lot to test the grip and I am super impressed, I think I will try to autocross this thing now. I am happy that my 930 now doesnt have narrower tires than both my daily driver station wagon and my elise. The 225/265 combo is a bit pinched on the 7 and 8s but it honestly doesent look too bad. 214/245 would probably be ideal but this combo isnt available.

If you have 7 and 8s dont be afraid to get these tires. If you have 8s and 9s I think these are about as good as it gets in the non r combound variety.

Thanks khumo!

[911st]

How about some pictures?

Especially of the rear's.

[aschen]

Ill try to get a shot in the next few days.....espescially of the side wall so you guys can judg if these are too pinched for your tast.

I come from the world of autocross where we are always trying to squeeze too much tire on too little rim . 265 on 8s is less than Ideal but Id wager it still offers more grip than 225s on 8s. This probably comes at the expence of some road feel I think.

[aschen]

And who wants to convince Kumo to do a run of these in 15 335 and 255

[911st]

I think the 265's are rated down to 8.5" so you are not pushing it to far off spec.