Track tires for stock 16/17 wheels

[Andrie Hartanto]

Guys I found track tires that works well for stock 16/17 wheels.

Front: Kumho Ecsta V700 in 205/45/16
Rear : Kumho Victoracer in 255/40/17

These tire size is very close to stock size, thus there are no clearance issues.

I tested the tires for two days and the car behave wonderfully. My car has only bolt on modification of headers and exhaust. H&R springs ad Koni shock with Dali sway bars. I was able to turn in 2:08.53 in thunderhill full track with cyclone. That is about 7 sec faster than I ever drove with street tires. Considering the weather was about 110 degrees. I am sure I can cut another second if the temperature is right.

 

[docjohn]

Sounds like you had fun,with that setup.Others have felt that there was a bit too much understeer with those sizes,I trust your track skills so if you could address that issue.I,ve still got some tread on my p-zero-c's in 225/45/16 which I really like with 255/17 rear.I have not looked into whether pirelli has similar sizes for the r version of the rosso.And I guess the mich sport cups don't have good sizes,yet.

 

[cojones]

Originally posted by Andrie Hartanto:
Front: Kumho Ecsta V700 in 205/45/16
Rear : Kumho Victoracer in 255/40/17

You would recommend mix-matching different track tires FRONT vs REAR ??

I assume the the grip differential can be mediated with a combination of alignment, suspension setup, tire pressure, and driver technique??

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Originally posted by cojones:

Originally posted by Andrie Hartanto:
Front: Kumho Ecsta V700 in 205/45/16
Rear : Kumho Victoracer in 255/40/17

You would recommend mix-matching different track tires FRONT vs REAR ??

I assume the the grip differential can be mediated with a combination of alignment, suspension setup, tire pressure, and driver technique??

Yes, yes and yes

 

[cojones]

Originally posted by Andrie Hartanto:
Yes, yes and yes

Please elaborate on your setup -- suspension (firmness, toe, etc) and tire pressures

Thanks

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

I'll be happy to share my findings with you. First please let me know your name. I like to know who am I speaking to. No offense.

[This message has been edited by Andrie Hartanto (edited 02 June 2002).]

 

[cojones]

Originally posted by Andrie Hartanto:
First please let me know your name.

You've got mail from cojones

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

asked by cojones
I am interested because I was considering to mix/match some street tires (F Toyo T1S / R Yoko AVS Sport) for track use, and wanted to see what variables I should consider.

I can only say for the Kumho, since I tested them. I would not dare to comment with certainty on your case.

Seem to me that the case here is you want to use up the tires. If that is the case, and you are not concern about the car performance on the track, go ahead and give it a try. The worse case is the car handling is worsen, but might be a good learning tool to handle your car in different situation/characteristics.

Depending on your experience and your sensitivity, you might not even notice it. Most people drives their NSX, even on the track way below the car (and the tires) capabilities. Thus can not really get good data/feeling about the difference.

The only way to know is through testing And I live by it. I tested with different setup everytime and make quite a comprehensive notes. People called me nuts when I take notes on the track, but I call it dedication.

 

[Telly Chang]

Originally posted by Andrie Hartanto:
Front: Kumho Ecsta V700 in 205/45/16
Rear : Kumho Victoracer in 255/40/17

Originally posted by Cajones:

You would recommend mix-matching different track tires FRONT vs REAR ??

FWIW, there have been reports on other forums & mailing lists that the first batch of Kuhmo Ecsta V700's were molded with the old Victoracer compound. One of the Tirerack reps reported that Kuhmo made a conscious decision to use up all of the old Victoracer compound before changing over to the new V700 compound.

So in Andrie's case, the Ecsta V700 front and Victoracer rear setup may have had the same compound, despite the different tread patterns.


[This message has been edited by Telly Chang (edited 03 June 2002).]

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Telly,

I actually talked to Kumho tech guy a while back about this issue. Back then they were saying all about the new compound, and how it is superior to the older one. They are making this to be lighter (which they achieved) and to compete with Hoosier (which they are still far from).

They failed to compete with Hoosier, and there are several issues with their new tires. Even until about a month ago, I was told they are different compound.

About a week ago, they are saying that they are actually using the same compound. That's why the tires feels the same. IMHO, they are trying to coverup their failure. No one knows for sure.

 

[nsxtasy]

Even if the compound is the same, they are still different tread patterns. So this is still a case of mixing unmatched tires, front vs rear.

While I agree with Andrie's comments in this regard:

"If that is the case, and you are not concern about the car performance on the track, go ahead and give it a try. The worse case is the car handling is worsen, but might be a good learning tool to handle your car in different situation/characteristics."

I also think it's not a desirable long-term solution.

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

I don't think there is a problem running different compound front and rear. Race teams do this all the time. And if you are running slick, they will most likely recommends different compound for NSX front and rear.

As long as you know what you're doing, you should be fine.

 

[docjohn]

fwiw,On a related topic I've been running so3 pp on fronts and so2 on back, Only for the street and this combo feels pretty stable.