Track tires - which one to go for ? Track freaks please chime in!

streetturbo · Nov 2, 2009, 07:21 AM

As the title says i need new track tires for my evo 9 with bolt ons (around 300 whp).

Have oem bilstein suspension dropped on eibach springs.

The track has extreme grip and is fast (4,5 and 6th gear). Track:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrkuWjIbYdI

So considering my suspension set up and track conditions which tires should i go for?

I was quite satisfied with the toyo r888 but would like to try sth else, was looking into :

nitto nt01 or some hoosiers ?

Should fit to the oem size wheel 17x8 - so which size should i pick (nt01 255/40/17 ? ) to experience max grip without rubbing?

Also what alignment would be ideal for the conditions?

Thanks for the input

boomn29 · Nov 2, 2009, 08:00 AM

Well, ya need to decide the balance between the level of grip you want and your wallet!

Stickered (aka brand new) Hoosiers are light years faster than R888/NT01 - but they cost more and won't last nearly as long. So that's up to you. My opinion is, if you're not in some type of competition - go for the NT01. The NT01 would be my advice over the R888 btw.

Size... well I'd recommend a wider rim personally. But if you wanna stick with an 8", you could do a 225 or 245 Hoosier; the 245's are over 9" wide though. I suppose you could do a 255 on the stock 8" rim - lotsa people do.
Both options would sit better on a 9".

Alignment... well is it track only or some DD? If you're on OEM suspension, you're pretty limited in terms of front camber. Try to get -2 or a bit more and just zero out the toe all around to maximize tire life.

Balrok · Nov 2, 2009, 08:31 AM

Yup, can't go wrong with the NT-01's, should be perfect for your performance level. Though I don't know if i'd mount those onto stock 8" in 255 form, I'd go for 245. Get them full tread too, don't bother with shaving or heat cycling.

TxEvo8 · Nov 2, 2009, 09:43 AM

Agreed on the NT-01s, I just got some in 245/40/17 for the stockers and they performed wonderfully. I did not shave and stayed with 6/32nds, I hope to get 5-6 days out of them.

george3 · Nov 3, 2009, 01:01 PM

I've run the Nitto NT-01's, Toyo R888, Toyo RA-1's, BFG R1's and Hoo-Hoo's on another car.
The audience is right. Hoosier's are like crack... once you get on them you won't want to leave em. But, they don't last long and start falling off after 8-10 heat cycles.

Some say the R1's is the closest to a Hoosier in grip and last longer. I'm on them now, but I drive hard and want to try the Hoosier's again next season.

When I had 17" rims, I ran 255 Nitto's on the car and it had a fair amount of grip and decent braking. I prefer the R1's over the Nitto's and Toyo's. Rumor mill has it the R888's will be discontinued soon and the RA-1's may return. RA-1's were actually better near the end of their life cycle.

I have to use 18" wheels now b/c of my StopTech BBK rotor size. I run a 9.5" wheel with -3.0 front camber and -1.5 rear (I need more in the rear) and it's a nice setup that I also use as a DD. Hope that helps a little.

streetturbo · Nov 3, 2009, 03:05 PM

Thnx for the great info guys!

george3 · Nov 3, 2009, 03:28 PM

If it's your first R-compound tire, don't go with Hoosiers. Learn with a tire that will let go gradually first (any of the others). Then decide if that's enough grip for you.

GL

Bueller · Nov 3, 2009, 05:07 PM

There is no reason for you to run Hoosiers, unless youre racing. Total waste of money. Besides, it sounds like youre pretty new to motorsports. Hoosiers, and other dot-slicks, are going to mask your mistakes. I think the R888s are garbage. A lot of other racers feel the same way. I like the RA1s and NT01s. Id say run whatever is cost-effective.

skyblas · Nov 3, 2009, 05:14 PM

go for the yokohama A048
u cant go wrong with that
the hks evo uses it for their time attack CT230R evo

Jeff_Jeske · Nov 3, 2009, 06:01 PM

I've had NT01's on 8" wide rims.... they were pretty good BUT the BFG R1's I'm running now have loads more grip. They are 255/40/17 .... I have notices uneven wear from what I think is too much tire for an 8" rim. They fit without issue but I'm sure I would have even better performance on a 9" rim.

As recommended... the NT01 is a long lasting sticky tire. I'd go with that but be sure to match your brake pads with the tires.

lolwut · Nov 15, 2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyblas

go for the yokohama A048
u cant go wrong with that
the hks evo uses it for their time attack CT230R evo

But they use a compound that is not available in the US.

lolwut · Nov 15, 2009, 10:48 AM

Speaking of which... can anyone provide feedback on the medium compound A048s vs R888s?

Most the of the A048 vs R888 comparisons Ive seen have been from Lotus drivers... and most claim the R888s are superior to the A048s, but they are comparing the "medium-hard" compound...

???