I had a 981 GT4 for 3 years and loved it at the track. You can see some of my videos here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4z...NUe3_K2Zj08VRw

Now that I have had two track days in the 718 GT4 I thought I'd offer some thoughts and questions I have:

• All my alignment parts and wheels fit from the 981 GT4 which was quite nice
• I am running 3.5/3 camber with some toe in rear
• The boost in torque is very noticeable and overall the platform feels stronger
• Despite not ideal (hot) conditions I managed to beat my old lap times by a second
• Like the old car I didn't find much advantage in using the shock button
• After some experimenting I found the stiffer rear sway bar setting felt right, so I am medium/hard on front rear sway bars (same as old car for me)
• I went to play with adjusting wing but found it was already on the more aggressive setting from the factory
• I didn't find any front aero duct covers like the old car (found them, they are right in front of front wheels, important to know they are not "ducts" like old car but diffuser bits)
• My old car I ran stiffer springs, this time the car feels soft again from factory but I am considering going straight to MCS instead of just a spring upgrade
• I am also considering the AP Radical brakes as I would like the easy pad swap and durability (no cracking ceramic pucks)
• I am thinking of moving off of RE71r as my goto tire, currently looking at R88R in 265/30r19 295/30r19 sizes

The RE71r (or Cup2) may still be the lap time king of street tires but I want something that holds up longer than 6 laps before falling off. I am also liking that I can get it in a 295 width rear since the 718 GT4 seems to overwhelm rear traction under power much more so than 981 did. Convince me otherwise!

 

Thoughtful analysis and real life setup advice! Why I visit this forum! And to admire the GT4 in all of its color variants

 

Nice looking GT4 and rig! . Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I'm looking forward to getting mine out on track.

I have heard good things about the 888R as well, but I never had issues with the RE71Rs falling off unless it was over 95 degrees ambient at the end of a session. What hot pressures are you running? I have to keep them at 30psi hot to keep them from getting greasy.

 

My version of "falling off" my not be as bad as others, I have just never set a new lap record towards the end of session it always happens on lap 4-5. After that I lose 1-2 seconds, which makes me kinda give up on the session. I have tried lower pressures, not sure about 30 hot I have maybe done as low as 32 hot. What pressure do you start at?

 

I've used the 265/295 R888's on my '13 PDK BS with a Cobb 93 tune, with Carbo Tech pads and Soul exhaust for a few seasons. I target 34 hot at COTA and the "in dash" G's yield 1.27 front, 1.36 left & right and .89 rear. Those numbers decline by 10% near the end of tire life. Lap times are 2:36 +/- in low traffic. Breaking traction has never been an issue given the 350 or so hp.
I hope the Spyder tests my turn exit skills a bit more than the BS.

 

I start at 22 to 26 psi cold depending on ambient temps and stay off the curbs the first lap out until I work some heat into the tires. As the day goes on and ambient temperatures rise, I have to bleed off pressure to keep them at 30 psi hot. The RE71Rs hold on well for me throughout the session, CUP2s fall off a ton for me no matter what I have tried.

I was running higher pressures until the Bridgestone reps were at COTA and looked at my tire temps across the tread and suggested I drop pressures. Might be worth a try to see if it helps you. I only ran -2.7 degrees of camber on that car and 245/285 tires.

 

Great feedback PKH, thanks
Target pressure was 30 psi hot on RE71R for me too

 

Yep, I find that most folks over-inflate the RE-71Rs. On my '19 CGTS with only -1.5° camber I run them around 28 to 30 PSI hot and get very even wear and great traction. Specs from Laguna Seca:

 

Have to agree that you might be running your RE71Rs too hot. Depending on OAT I start mine around 25-26 psi and try to stay at or below 32 hot. Above that they seem to get greasy for me.

But all of this might be a mute point since there was a post on here that there will be a newer version coming out for the spring, RE71RS. That will mean new experimentation of where to be pressurewise.

 

Thanks for all the feedback!

I know RE71R are a favorite and I have been running for 5 years now on different cars, but really interested in alternatives. Anyone try R88R as a comparison?

Also has anyone tried a RE71R 305/30r19 on rear? I think the 718 needs a bit more grip under power and the 285 rear isn't cutting it.

 

Subbing for tire convo. Mine came with the Dunlops and grease up after a few laps after warming up. Been up and down the psi range and still can't alleviate the characteristic. Cup2 is the immediate reply from many, but I'm curious to see who has been venturing outside of the de facto standard and found a hidden gem.

 

With more usable torque across the rev range I'm not suprised you feel it exceeds rear grip more than the old car. That's what torque does.

 

Thank you so much for this thread, it answers what I was wondering about the 285s in the rear with the new engine!

 

Bridgestone RE-71Rs, 255/285-35-19s, 32 hot. Camber -2.8 front and rear, on a PASM shock, X73 sprung Cayman S, with a couple minutes of toe out in front and 12 minutes of toe in for the rear for each corner.

 

I have an 981 CS. I use Nitto NT-01 245/275-40/18" on forged rims as a dedicated track set up. Being DOT rated, it allows me to swap wheels at home and drive to the track. They hold up really well at Sebring in the FL heat. Sweet spot is around 32 psi hot. Unfortunately Nitto doesn't have a lot of sizes for your 19" wheels which is why I run 18".

Since you trailer your car, why not step up to true slicks?