Revolver

Ok, have finally decided to get some semi-slicks for track days. It was getting to be a tired excuse.

The plan is this:

1. Keep my 18 x 8.5 Enkei's for track use (they are so beaten up now that's all they're good for! ) and fit them with semi-slicks.

2. Get a new set of street rims. Maybe 19's for some fun.

Now, I could search forever, etc but thought it might be fun if suggestions were received as to the following:

1. Brand, size and compound for the semi's.

2. Brand, size and offset for the streeters.

Who wants to play?

risky business

hmm......

what color is your car?

semi's i would get some yoko advan a048

streeters i use NITTO INVO 245/40/18... they are pretty awesome but i only got because the azenis 615's were out of stock. will get azenis next time, however the nittos are awesome.

as for the offset.......oh dont get 19's. get 18's... i have 18x9.5 all around with 35 offset. no rubbing and im lowered on tein s techs... however i am pretty close to rubbing, but i drive hard and never rub.

also the 35 offset is perfect. the wheels sit flush with the car and it looks soo freakin good.

MACCAA

Oh dear Dave's crossed to The Dark Side....
Semis:In order of speed:
1.Dunlop[Rod uses 'em.'Nuff said...]
=2.Toyo/Bridgestone
=3.Kumho/Yokos
Size:245/40-18 or 225/45-18 if not available/lots cheaper.
There's a mob called St George Tyres or similar over this way that seems to do good deals on Toyo 888's.I know a few VW guys using them with good results.
Dunlops are the most $$$$,but are a bit quicker than the others.
At the end of the day it depends on your budget,but with your profession that shouldn't be a problem.....
Cheers
Len
P.S the S3 is here...

takahashi

What MACCAA said, but I will rate Bridgestone way higher than Toyo. They are much easier to manage the tyre temp in different tyre pressure.

Bridgestone has new compound cout RE-11S. You may want to try them.

Use your Enkei then 245 is the best fit. 225 is not bad. Compound wise has to be hard if you travel the semis on the road. Soft compound in most brands will overheat in a couple of laps, even at Wakefield. Most are for Motorkhana only, said so in the lastest test in Japan.

rotarenvy

my toyo t1R's have been great and are lasting a very long time but the grip still isn't exceptional. I'm considering trying a semi-slick street tyre so I know what good traction is.
how do hard compound semis hold up to mild daily driving? and would a hard compound race tyre have more traction than a top shelf street tyre?

do toyo make a semi-slick tyre? the new r1r seems to be a street tyre as there are no compound choices.

dozer

iTrader: (3)

^remember you give up grip for longetivity...toyo also has thier r888 tire out, but its guaranteed they wont last as long as your t1r on a daily driven basis

Revolver

Thanks for playing so far guys. Appreciate the advice.

Some more info:

1. Colour is Ti grey.

2. Would prefer silver coloured street wheels over black, white, blue, etc.

3. Would love to get some suggestions on street rims (not street tyres, I know what I want already for street rubber).

4. Happy to pay extra for good semi's, within reason.

5. Do the Dunlops have different compounds, etc? What is best assuming they will only be tracked? I will be not be using them on the road but I obviously want them to stand up to a few of our usual track days.

6. I'll use 245/40-18's for the semi's - my Enkei's are 8.5, so it's a reasonable fit.

7. Going back to street rims - re: sizing, I'm thinking of 19x8 with a 35 offset. I don't see the point of going any wider for street use. What do you think Taka? Anyone else?

Thanks a lot guys. Keep those suggestions coming.

Hope you're enjoying the S3 Len. I'm seriously tempted by the hotter TT but am struggling with the poor rear seating...

MACCAA

Dunlop have up to three compounds depending on size and availability.Softest would be too soft.Check with Gary at Garys Motorsport [near Eastern Creek]re size and compound.
He'll steer you in the right direction.
Rod's are medium from memory.
Cheers
Len

risky business

enkei rpf03

Revolver

Do you mean Enkei RP03's?

That's what i've already got and will be the track rims once I get new streeters.

Revolver

Thanks Len, I'll get in touch with him when I'm ready to start buying.

Revolver

Ok, the short list for street rims, so far...

Comments? Other suggestions?

MACCAA

Mmmmmm....BBS.....
But the others look pretty good too!
Decisions,decisions..

auzoom

Sorry taka but thats just not true. Never had an issue with tyre temps or pressures. In fact with decent tread I thought we agreed. the R888's were a better tyre than the RE55S in the wet. In the dry they are on par. I have never driven on RE55S before so cant say for sure. I haver also done 8 track days on my R888's and driven over 5000km on them on top of the track (200km each way to Winton plus some driving on the streets cause I am to lazy).

As for rims, my current fav is the SA67R

The coloured rim is available in a number of colours, ie blue, red, etc. Or you can go Gunmetal


Cheers

Andrew

rotarenvy

that's a lot of km! I might have to try a set for the road if I ever wear the t1r's out

auzoom

They are a little noisey for constant daily use.

timbo

So...street wheels and track tyres, Dave....
Well, on wheels, I say go the BBS's....but I'd be wary of going to 19" and 35 profile.

As to tyres, depends on whether you are driving to the track, then fitting, or fitting at home, then driving to the track. If the former, go the Dunlops...but don't forget to factor in the trolley jack, stands, chocks and rattle gun!! -- MACCAA won't always be there . If the latter, then you might want the Toyo R888's, as they might be a little longer lasting/easier to use on the road.

takahashi

Timbo is right!

I meant: "What MACCAA said, but I will rate Bridgestone way higher than Toyo. (Bridgestone has more outright grip than R888).

(And) They (bridgestone) are much easier to manage the tyre temp (and) in different tyre pressure. (I did not and should not say monitoring on R888 as I never use them extensively - only drove your car and Craig's car with Tein on R888"

I need to elaborate, make more full stop and new paragraph to my statement. And, I should not have comment on pressure monitoring on R888, but Andrew you told me the car felt **** on 44 psi?!!!


The most sensitive on pressure is Yoko by far but once you get the right pressure - it will stay on grip until your car runs out of petrol. It is certainly my 6 hour tyre, I feel I can do more consistent lap time, although not the fastest, on Yoko compare with say Dunlop.

Chosing tyres is as personal as chosing rims. That is why I do the round and settle on one brand - Dunlop.

takahashi

That fine Revolver, you already roll guard for your Enkei??

Hey in terms of compound, Dunlop R1 if you change tyre at track and H1 if you run on the road. I don't think 245/40 18 has H1 only R1.

Russell Stukey at the Dunlop distributer in Brunswick told me I can run them on the way to Winton. But I don't trust him. Last time I went up with my track tyre on because it was wet; and there are a lot of extra rubber stuck on the tyre, the only way to remove it is to run them (I have use a screw driver to srape them extensively).

auzoom

lol taka, that was on a warm day and I had tyres that were cold 40psi. When I came off the track they were 44psi. You cant tell me any other R Compound would feel track worthy at those pressures?

Revolver

I do like the BBS rims but at twice the price of the Enkei's it's a big call. As you say, decisions decisions!

Revolver

Me likey but would prefer to avoid colours or gunmetal - the coloured thing isn't my taste and the gunmetal makes the rims look smaller on a Ti car (IMHO). That's why I prefer silver or alloy looking rims...

Revolver

Well, will need new street rims if I get semi's, hence the double decision.

I appreciate the warning about 19's but surely the overall diameter shouldn't change much with the appropriate profile tyre? Or are you talking about ride/handling as distinct from rubbing issues?? Mazda have gone to 19's for the new series II GT, so why can't the series I handle that (given mine also has MS suspension)?

I will NOT be driving on the road with the semi's. Will track them only, so yes, will be investing in a decent jack and rattle gun...and MACCAA always seems to be there!

Revolver

Yep, already rolled the rear guards, which is why I thought I could get away with the 19's. Probably vanity to choose them over 18's but for street work only I thought they'd look good.

Len, Timbo, Andrew, you agree with Taka about compound? R1 too soft? I want to get more than 1 track day out of them...

MACCAA

The softest compound will generally be too soft.You could check with Rod and see what his are[if he knows....]
They appear to be going OK.
There's usually a maximum of 3 compounds[call 'em soft,medium and hard]so check with Gary at Dunlop NSW on 9676 8655.
His wesite may have info on the compounds too;garysmotorsporttyres.com.au
Cheers
Len