Spyerx

Appreciate all the thoughts guys... what do you guys think on going to a 225/265 from what I have? The rear on the car is fine, the front, it's really tight, can get some rub under full compression (just a kiss) and the RE71R supposedly are a little chunky... I think going -10mm F/R will keep Balance same and they will work on the 8.5/10 wheels. in fact I could probably do a 225/275 as the front end on this car is insane good.

NT01
235/40-18
Diameter: 25.39”
Width: 9.49” (8.5” wheel)
Load; 1356
Weight: 24.99

275/35-18
Diameter: 25.55”
Width: 10.91” (9.5” wheel)
Load: 1521
Weight: 28.19

RE71R

235/40-18
Diameter: 25.4”
Width: 9.5” (8.5” wheel)
Load; 1521
Weight: 24.0

275/35-18
Diameter: 25.6”
Width: 10.9” (9.5" wheel)
Load: 1521
Weight: 27.0

OR

225/40-10
Diameter: 25.1”
Width: 9.1” (8” wheel)
Load: 1389
Weight: 23.0

265/35
Diameter: 25.3”
Width: 9.7” (9.5” wheel)
Load: 1609
Weight: 27.0

cobalt

I tried many different sizes years ago but the difference between tire brands and even sizing was a bit more pronounced than today. Like everything technology is leveling the playing field and it comes down to preferences. IMO the 235/275 over the 225/265 was a nominal difference in everything but the most extreme conditions. I am sure our Bear Mountain twisties aren't as nice as your canyons but still some great roads if you take the time to discover them and usually empty so you can take some liberties.

I run a 225/265 MPS4s's on my C2 with turbo size and offset rims 8" front and 10" rears. IMO the 4s's are better than the old R888's I ran on these same wheels on track performance wise. Never liked the old 888's and went with BFG R1a's for a number of sets which IMO were superior but not a street tire and useless in the rain. The 888's took a min of a session to break in and lasted until chorded with minimal loss as where I found on my boxster that the 4s's did heat cycle out around 2/3rds to 3/4 of the way through the tread. Otherwise I liked the overall performance of the tire especially in the wet. I am in the process of removing the suspension from my C2 and going with MCS 2 way non reservoir setup and just found my bushings are still good but showing signs of aging out so I am considering the rennline HD bushings instead of going stock and I don't want full monoball for NJ roads. I will report back when finished but have a feeling you will have made up your mind by then.

Spyerx

Cool thanks. I just ordered the 225/265 RE71R. They are a tick shorter and narrower, but doubt I'll feel a real difference.

Regarding the old R888, we didn't like them. BUT, the new R888R is supposed to be same or similar compound to the NT01. A few guys at the shop are using them and like them.

Also talked to some buddies - I've used the NT01 for several years and its just a damn good tire... - for their opinions as they have tried the latest spec Cup2, NT01, and RE71R. Their general feeling is the NT01 and RE71R are so close in performance on track it would be tough to make a call. But, the wet performance of the RE71R is much better. Nobody seems to like the cup2 that much, it's good, but not great and falls off after a lot less heat cycles than the RE71R. The same on the Trofeo R, which is the fastest when fresh, but falls off FAST.

I could probably get away with the MPS4 on this car and be fine, we'll give these RE71R a go and see how I like them.

cobalt

I was never a Cup fan myself either. The first gen IMO sucked. Let us know how you like the RE71R's I have heard nothing but good things about them and I agree I doubt you will notice a difference in the sizes.

Bill Verburg

I would have gone RE71 or A052 225/40 & 265/35, The RE71 is a great track & street tire(as grippy as NT01) but isn't good in the rain, they come w/ very little tread(about what I used to get from old style shaved RE71), NT01 are sort of sloppy when new but get better w/ age and as the tread wears away, Heard nothing but good things about A052 but never used them, Cup ones were great when hot but treacherous cold

Matt Andrews

Do you have actual first hand knowledge suggesting this? I helped develop the NT01. As they are stickers, they are similar, but they heat cycle really differently. The NT01 het cycles pretty similar to a street tire. The Toyo turns into a rock after a couple heat cycles and make an awful street tire if you actually are going to drive on them hard.

lcrain

I do not have first hand knowledge of the toyos, only the nittos and the bridgestones. My apologies if I misspoke about them.

Another option you might consider is the Nankang AR1. 100tw street tire with promising reviews and plenty of sizes to choose from. I have not driven these either, though my brother has gone through a few sets on his 993 and prefers them to the nittos, bridgestones and maxxis rc1. I bought a set for my e36 racecar but am going to a strictly hoosier diet going forward.

Spyerx

I agree with your assessment of the NT01, they AGE well! They are near magical when they get down to just those center grooves and stlll have a lot of life left in them.

Not tried the A052. And only had Cup1 on my GT3RS, but have driven cup2 several times. Actually, I may have had them on my GT4...

Have you tried the RE71R version yet?

Living in SoCal, rain use isn't a priority, really, the only ask I have is "better than an NT01" :-) I'm not really tracking too much lately so track performance is really secondary.

Matt Andrews

I went through this as well. Sounds petty, but I didn't like the modern tread patterns of some of these newer sport tires. Didn't look "period". But I was looking for 17's. Came down to the Conti's and the NT01s. And I know I'm not putting these wheels and tires on track, I ended up getting the NT01s again. I guess I just went with what I know I like. A little loud. looks the part. Good feedback...

samurai_k

Thanks for asking this question! Interested in what you experience. I have nt01s too for my de tires. More wet here in NorCal. My other two experiences was with Hankook RS3s which did not stick in the winter and Continental extreme contact DW sport which have been great up here. Took them to the track a few times... Tires got a little mushy on some hot laps but tolerable and safe in the wet winter.

Noah930

Oooh, don't tell me that. I just put a set of those on my 930 a couple months ago.

Spyerx

^^ if you are referring to re71r it’s a totally different compound.

fwiw the nt01 on my car now have 2015 dates and they are pretty hard... I’d use them on track but for street it’s getting borderline.

Metzeger

Today I try on a 993 RS the Dunlop sport maxx RT2...

Noah930

Currently running the Toyo R888R.

I have never run the NT01, but have gone through a couple sets of the NT05 (not the drag tire, but the road tire) on my car, and really liked them for street use. I go through a set about every 3 or 4 years, so I don't seem to get to the point where age fossilizes them.

DWS964

Just to throw another variable out there...
A group of us in IN have become huge fans of Hankook RS4, that we use for DE track time. They have great life, good grip, work very well in the rain. I have them in 225 and 255 on 17's and use the set on my 964 and 996. I have used them for 2 1/2 seasons (six? 8? DE's including Indy GP course and Road America) and still have plenty of life (OK, I'm a slow old guy). They are directional, not asymetric, so you can remove and flip them to get more even wear out of them. I had them heat cycled by Tire Rack before mounting and using them, and that may have helped their life span, I also use Formula Vee tire treatment between track events, and am convinced that has helped extend their life and softness. I don't use them for street (use a set of Sumitomo's for cheap street time). But, I would certainly use them on the street, if I were not so cheap. And they are less expensive than most of the alternative brands. Win.