What GSS tires to use?

[Mmagus]

Hi folks,

What tires do you suggest for Autocrossing that will keep me in the GSS class (140 threadware or higher). I will need 225/50/15's. And...ummm...anyone have some used ones I can snag off of you for a decent price? Of course what I really need is a tire sponsor... but don't we all?

The best to you all during this wonderful season.
Mark

[ttweed]

The 225-15 size you want limits your choices for a good S/S tire. There are a lot more available in 205-15 or 225-16". If you are determined to stay with 15" rims and run a 225 width, I would suggest the Hankook Ventus R-S3 in 225/45ZR15. They are $115/ea. from Tire Rack, and are a 45-series aspect ratio instead of 50, as you specified, but a tire that is only 23" tall can be helpful for autox, depending on your car's gearing.

TT

[pdy]

Mark:

I just got a set of 225/45-15 Hankook Ventus R-S3 for Snickers. It looked like the best SS tire, and as Tom mentions, has a smaller diameter than 225/50-15.
That will lower the car, and help off the line. I think they'll be pretty good, but if you want to wait until after the 17th, I'll be the Guinea Pig and test them out.

[JERRY B]

I have the hankook's on my 944S, The are very sticky, Best bang for the buck by far, Watch out for parking lot bumpers, This size lowers the car, Steve at C2 Motorsports has a set in stock 858-495-9200 Tell him Jerry from the porsche club sent you, Support those that support the club

[Steve Grosekemper]

The hankook is a good choice but as Tom mentioned 15 inch tires are very limited.
I would prpbably try to move to 16's. More tire in the ground and actally less cost. (For the R-S3 at least)

I just made this search for my SC (16's) looking for 245/45-16's and they are impossible to find...
I guess I am just out of date...

Grassroots Motorsports (6-09) has a great article on street stock tires if you find an old issue (They call them Street Touring tires for SCCA)

[Dan Chambers]

There's the R1-R from Toyo, too. They are a good street tire, and you can always get them shaved for less "tread-wiggle." The size availability is pretty good, too. Steve, I think they have 245/45/16's in the R1-R. Talk to Steve Coe at C2, where I got my set. A little more pricy, but a good tire.

[Mmagus]

Thanks for the advice folks. I tried 16's with the assistance of a generous PCA member allowing me to run tests with his wheels I found with the 924S and the 250lb Weltmeister springs there was total inner contact with the spring. Plus with the 16 height it looked like running spacers to avoid contact would result in outer tire issues. So I am doing as origionally suggested by Morgan and will run the 15" wheels he specified.

I was looking at the Hankooks and am glad to see that those thoughts were verified. Though the Ventus R-S3 has the 140 treadwear and looks to be a great tire, might the Ventus R-S2 with a 180 treadware be a contender as well? It comes in both the 225/45/15 and the 225/50/15 sizes.

Thanks in advance and Happy Christmas Eve.
Mark

[Carl Vanders]

steve G "I just made this search for my SC (16's) looking for 245/45-16's and they are impossible to find...
I guess I am just out of date..."

If you are looking for a 245, you might look at the R1R toyo in a 17in, it's only 23.8 dia. and its wide @ 9.7

[Steve Grosekemper]

There's the R1-R from Toyo, too. They are a good street tire, and you can always get them shaved for less "tread-wiggle." The size availability is pretty good, too. Steve, I think they have 245/45/16's in the R1-R. Talk to Steve Coe at C2, where I got my set. A little more pricy, but a good tire.

R1-R's are a great tire but never came in 245/45-16.
Only Continential and Fusion make this size in 140+ UTQG anymore and I am not interested in either...

All the R guys still have this size so I should just run IS with 710's I Guess....

[Steve Grosekemper]

steve G "I just made this search for my SC (16's) looking for 245/45-16's and they are impossible to find...
I guess I am just out of date..."

If you are looking for a 245, you might look at the R1R toyo in a 17in, it's only 23.8 dia. and its wide @ 9.7

Still won't fit on a 16" wheel...
And I am not interested in a custom set of 17's
These are for daily driving and I already have multiple sets of 15/16's.

[Kim Crosser]

I don't know if they come in your sizes, but I *really* like the Dunlop Direzzas as an S/S tire. On Tire Rack, they were rated slightly above the Hankooks. A full set on my car was only about $650.

[RickK]

There was also a good tire test in the Aug 09 Car And Driver that is worth reading, but top results for dry grip were:
1. Kumho Ecsta XS
2. Dunlop Star Spec
3. Bridegstone Potenza RE760
4. Falken Azenis RT-615
5. Hankook VEntus V12 EVO

.8 seconds separated them all on a 60 second course, using the same car. Not that wet running matters too much to us, while the Dunlop finished .3 behind the Kumho in the dry it beat was 4.6 (yes that is 4.6) seconds ahead in the wet.

[Kim Crosser]

In the *very wet* other car autocross, I was running 1:02.xx times on the Dunlop Direzzas (with a passenger) - I was really amazed at how well they gripped, even going in and out of hydroplaning.

[sean996]

There's the R1-R from Toyo, too. They are a good street tire, and you can always get them shaved for less "tread-wiggle." The size availability is pretty good, too. Steve, I think they have 245/45/16's in the R1-R. Talk to Steve Coe at C2, where I got my set. A little more pricy, but a good tire.

R1-R's are a great tire but never came in 245/45-16.
Only Continential and Fusion make this size in 140+ UTQG anymore and I am not interested in either...

All the R guys still have this size so I should just run IS with 710's I Guess....

Maybe Toyo T1-R's? I run this size on the rear on my "other" cars ... maybe considered trailer tires LOL? ... not a bad price and you mentioned street use.

cheers

[stevemckay]

CHECKOUT THIS EBAY SITE eBay item #380188209300 2 New 245 45 16 Michelin Pilot SX MXX3 N2 Porsche Tires I JUST ORDERED 2 OF THESE THEY SHOULD BE HERE ON MONDAY.I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED