MONGO510 Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 Hey guys, I am in the market for a new set of tires for the Z. The car will be used for Hill Climbs and a few Open Road races. I will not likley be running at the front of the class as this will be a new type of racing for me. I need to drive conservatively as I dont want to break or bend the car. This is for fun with my Son. I need tires that stick well and are consistant for many miles (not 60 Sec A/X blasts). Hopefully,( one can dream), they will last a season (6-10 events). There are not really many miles driven at these events, so they will probably hold up ok. Tire size is 275-40x17, F&R. Probably a track day type tire would fit the bill. What are your suggestions? Thanks, Mongo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 Toyo Proxes RA1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank280zx Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 toyo R888's or ADVAN a048 if you ask me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 Hillclimbs are usually pretty short and you'd want autox tires. ORR is a different story, whatever the current harder compound DOT tire is would probably be best, RA1 or Victoracer would have been the choices last time I was racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehelix112 Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 Not to hijack, but i'm about to order the Hankook Ventus Z214 (which comes in that size). I'm getting it as it's the cheapest semi i've found, but you might consider it too. It comes in two compounds, so you could maybe try both to find the best balance of wear, grip, warmup time for you, and not have to retune quite as much as if changing brands as well. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30 ounce Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Dunlop Direzza Star Spec Z1 has been a very good tire for track days for me and are tough enough for the street. They have recieved very good reviews and the autocross guys use them because they have great cold grip that doesn't fall off too much when they get heat in them. I've heard Toyo proxes RA 1 need to get some heat in them before they grip well. But they probably have ultimately higher grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjandriesen Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 (edited) Agree with 30 For DOT R compounds go with Toyo RA1s. Full tread for lots of wear or shave them to 4/32nds for a more aggressive grip. They grip well and will stick until they cord. For true street tires the Dunlop Star Spec or Falken Azenis RT-615s. Close but not as good grip wise but they wear much better. Edited February 24, 2011 by tjandriesen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONGO510 Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Looks like I can start doing some comparison researech. Is "Tire Rack" the best place to purchase? I notice they don't handle Toyos, suggestions on toyo dealers? Thanks for ideas, any others? Mongo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30 ounce Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I got my Dunlops from Tire Rack and they were awesome!! Tires arrived in 2 days!! And the price was great too. Highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONGO510 Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 They don't list a 275-40x17 Direza Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30 ounce Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I found a 265/40-17. I would call them. That's pretty dang close they might not have it listed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30 ounce Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Also the Dunlop direzza dz101 is not the same tire!! It is not as good as the sport z1 star spec!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zbloke Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Kumho V70A, available in 275/40/17, hard and medium compounds too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 RA1 is a good compramise choice between those two quite different applications you mention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forcer Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 They don't list a 275-40x17 Direza For some reason the widest they make in for 17's is a 265. For 275, you gotto go with an 18. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehelix112 Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 For some reason the widest they make in for 17's is a 265. For 275, you gotto go with an 18. On the upside, 265 is about perfect for the Rota RB group-buy x9.5 rims. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONGO510 Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 Looking at all the different tires and their specs, I am leaning toward the RA1 Mongo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavy85 Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 I say you need to pick your goals and budget. R compounds will be fast but wear fast and are not very robust to user error (i.e. lockem up and you flatspot them). 140 treadwear street tires are still relatively fast but last forever, give really good driver feedback, and are really quite durable to surviving user error. If this is your first attempt at racing I highly recommend starting on 140 street tires. I used to run slicks - not R comps but true slicks and they feel more numb and easy to flatspot and ruin and they wear fast. Last year I switched to a different class running street tires and am so glad I did. I'm running Bridgestone RE-01 (since been replaced with RE-11) and have ~11 track days, ~5000 street miles, and two parking lot autox on them and they still have something rediculous like 4/32" minimum tread left. I plan to run four more track days then switch to Hancook RS3 street tires for the first race this season. After reading much feedback is seems they are one of the faster street tires and as a bonus are by far the cheapest. Hancook RS3, Bridgestone RE-11, Dunlap Star Spec are all the top end street tires and I'm sure would work well for you. Also need to consider the rules and what class you'll be in. If you have some racing experience and want to be fast the hot ticket is the Hoosier R6 R-compound but expect to spend $$$$$. Cameron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MONGO510 Posted March 1, 2011 Author Share Posted March 1, 2011 Thanks for all the input fellas. I went with the RA1's in a 275-40 X 17. They are sold by the local tire merchant (Les Schwab Tires) and are on the shelf locally. $999.20 mounted, balanced, Metal stems. ouch! But a pretty good price considering. Mongo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehelix112 Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Cool Mongo, let us know what you think of them. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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