PortlandTom

Our local PCA is requiring annual car inspections for track days. I had my GTS inspected last week and they failed my tires (too much wear). So I need new tires by this weekend or I can't go to the track.

I have the stock 17" wheels, as well as a set of 17x10s for the front and 12 for the rear. I've been running the stock wheels with 225/45s in the front and 255/40s in the rear. The wider wheels have Goodyear Eagle F1 275/40 tires in front and 315/35 tires in back - which are shot.

I wanted to put new Goodyear tires on the wide wheels, but it turns out the 315/35s are backordered for 6 to 8 weeks. Only a few other companies make 315/35 17" tires, (Goodrich T/A KD, Sumitomo HTR Z, and Dunlop SP Sport 8000) and I'm not sure how good they are.

So that doesn't leave many choices:

- I could get one of the other brands that makes 315/35 17" tires, if I knew they were any good.
- I could get new tires for the stock wheels. If I go this way, I'd appreceiate recommendations on brands and if I can go wider that the stock 225/45 & 255/40 sizes.

Thanks,
Tom
'93 GTS Amazon Green, 5 spd.

928Myles

Tom,
I can't help you on the tyre choice but I am interested in how you found the F1's - I have a set sitting in my garage to go on the std cup 1 rims - 275/40 rear & 235/45 front.

I have had SP 9000 & SP maxx on my S4 - the maxx being better when warm than the 9000. I would imagine that 8000's would be similar.

Thanks,
Myles

pcar928fan

Can you fit those wider wheels/tires under your fenders w/o rubbing? That is amazing if you can. Must be the PERFECT offset to do that... Those will give MUCH better grip at the track. I am cheap when it comes to tires...you just wear them out anyway so why spend a freaking huge amount of money on them. I usually buy them from Tire Rack and have Discount mount them for me...cheap and easy. You need them pretty quick so you might call around or check on line for in stock stuff at Discount...

If you don't need to use them for wet street driving AND you have some track events under your belt I would say go for some R's and put them on the wheels you plan to use on track.

YMMV!

Lizard928

Go with the Gforce KDs or the KDWs.

PortlandTom

Myles - I've never actually driven on the Eagle F1s - the tires were shot when I got them from the PO. I'm pretty sure he liked them, though.

James - As above, I've never actually had them on the car. The PO did, though, and I saw him on the track with them. The rear uses different spacers than with the stock wheels/tires.

I know time is short. I lost a lot of time because of Discount Tire. They told me last week they could get the Goodyears by today. When I got to the store, they apologized for "forgetting" to call and tell me they couldn't get them in time, and then tried to sell me something else. I later learned that they won't be available from Goodyear for 6-8 weeks. Can you say "bait and switch"?

I'm hoping to have the tires shipped in by Friday, and mounted Friday or Saturday.

Lizard931 - Thanks for the recommendation - I may try them.

Tom

tomcat

I had GY F1s think they are great tires (including on the track). Currently running Falken 452s and I think they are just as good (dry/wet traction, noise, comfort, etc.). My 275-17 in the rear were $125 so the price is right.

SharkSkin

+1 on the KDW2's. I haven't been so impressed with a tire since I went from BFG T/As to Pirelli P6's back in the early 80's.

Jim bailey - 928 International

Too much wear ?? The DOT race tires come NEW with only 4/32 of "tread" and go down from there and get replaced when you see CORD !! Run new full depth street tires and I rip chunks from the edges of the tread blocks in just one session.... Unless they are worried about RAIN your tire would need to be really, really worn before I would fail you in tech inspection.

mark kibort

I know ! I dont get that. tell'em you got them shaved! we even shaved Street toyo T1S tires (280 tread wear) for Speed GT and Touring!
mk

PortlandTom

The tires they failed were the stock-size street tires. They look pretty good to me, but have a few chunks out of the tread. They look better than the track tires which is why had the street wheels/tires on the car when I went for the inspection.

My plan was to buy the Goodyears for the wider wheels and use them for both street and track. I posted yesterday asking for advice when I found out the Goodyears were on back order.

Today, out of desperation, I had the track tires inspected, and they passed! There's not much rubber left on the track tires, but that didn't seem to bother them as much as the chunks missing from the street tires.

I still don't completely understand it, because the chunks aren't very big. But I'm Ok to run at them DE this weekend, so I'm not asking a lot of questions.

Tom
'93 GTS

Jim Reay

I have a full set of F1's on the S4. Seem a pretty good tyre. Have been round Teretonga a few times with them, and they hold up well.

Jim
1991 928 S4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qds1qoH5LW4

Jim bailey - 928 International

Good thinking going back with the track tires have a great weekend !

Chuck Schreiber

Tom,

Do you have pics of the bigger wheel/tires combo on your car?

PortlandTom

Here are a few pictures I just took. Sorry they aren't better, but I'm not much of a photographer.

Tom

Chuck Schreiber

Looks good Tom! No tire rubbing with those big 315s out back??!!