performance tires
Bannana Shine
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From: Rochester Hills, MI
I just bought a set of Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs. They're only for street use (I exclusively use Hoosier R6s on the track), but I still drive the ***** off the car on the street, and I'm liking them so far. They're on sale on Tire Rack, some kind of clearance or something, plus a $50 rebate.
I've also put a lot of miles on multiple sets of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s. I really love those tires, also extremely high performance in the dry, but also amazingly good in the wet. And I think better treadwear than the Dunlops. More expensive, though, they may actually be as much or more over the long run, compared to the Dunlops.
I've also put a lot of miles on multiple sets of Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s. I really love those tires, also extremely high performance in the dry, but also amazingly good in the wet. And I think better treadwear than the Dunlops. More expensive, though, they may actually be as much or more over the long run, compared to the Dunlops.
Bannana Shine
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From: Rochester Hills, MI
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Sydney, Australia
The star specs mentioned above are very good, and are also my street tire. I actually used them for a motorkhana and a practice session on the track too recently, and for a street tire, they are very good.
On the track, a semi slick is still better.
On the track, a semi slick is still better.
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Phoenix, AZ
I have used the Falken Azenis RT-615K with great success. It is a street legal motorsports and DOT approved track competition tire. Excellent on the dry and wet pavement. I used these tires on the street and track. They are also reasonably priced.
However, I might change to something else this next time around. I am just not sure which tire would be the best for everyday use.
However, I might change to something else this next time around. I am just not sure which tire would be the best for everyday use.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 78
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
I'll chime in on the Dunlops Direzzas, as I have them on my car. Good tire for the price - and the price is about as low as you'll find without going to one of those Korean or Chinese brands. IMO, dry grip is good - I'm in SoCal so I can't comment on grip in the wet :-) - but noise is a little high and ride is a little harsh compared to a premium tire like Michelin Pilots. I'm running 275's in the rear and can't break 'em loose - need more power!!
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Bannana Shine
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From: Rochester Hills, MI
I'm only running 225s in the rear...I can break them loose with something like a 5000 rpm launch, and chirp them with a very fast 6500 rpm 1-2 shift. But even on a very hard launch, they spin a bit and then hook up very quickly.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 78
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
I've only had the car for about three months now - after three years of research and looking - and am still babying it somewhat til some repairs are done, namely the paranoia inducing timing and balance shaft belt service.
I just had some suspension work done - front sway bushings, caster blocks and a set of M030 Koni struts off a 951 turbo I found on eBay. Lowered the car about 30mm up front and 10mm in the rear. I'm getting a lot of understeer tho, and steering response and precision is pretty mushy. M030 sways will be coming shortly, but can anyone recommend what else I should look at to tighten up the steering/handling?
-Austin
I just had some suspension work done - front sway bushings, caster blocks and a set of M030 Koni struts off a 951 turbo I found on eBay. Lowered the car about 30mm up front and 10mm in the rear. I'm getting a lot of understeer tho, and steering response and precision is pretty mushy. M030 sways will be coming shortly, but can anyone recommend what else I should look at to tighten up the steering/handling?
-Austin
Bannana Shine
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From: Rochester Hills, MI
Check your steering rack bushings, they may be made of 18 year old rubber, which has deteriorated to 18 year old dust.
I'm about to replace mine with delrin bushings, I'll tell you how that goes.
I'm about to replace mine with delrin bushings, I'll tell you how that goes.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: San Francisco Area
A friend with a 968 used the direzza n1 star and they gripped like racing slicks. Super loud though.
My '95 has direzza dz101 tires and they are decent. Quite smooth ride, fair grip, predictable. Haven't put enough miles on them to know how the tread wear is. I would not be excited to use them on the track.
If you want a tire that is good for DD and also holds on OK at the track, I like the Pirelli pzero. I have used both the pzero nero and the pzero assimetrico and I like both, for different levels.
My '95 has direzza dz101 tires and they are decent. Quite smooth ride, fair grip, predictable. Haven't put enough miles on them to know how the tread wear is. I would not be excited to use them on the track.
If you want a tire that is good for DD and also holds on OK at the track, I like the Pirelli pzero. I have used both the pzero nero and the pzero assimetrico and I like both, for different levels.
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 84
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From: Hillsborough, NC
Has anyone run the "Continental ExtremeContact DW " or the DWS? The reviews on TR make me a bit nervous, as they are very polarized.
I'm torn between the Contis, the Dunlops (mentioned above), and the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110. I'd like to put another set of Pilot Sports on, but I don't want to spend $1k on tires.
I'm planning on going with a performance tire, now, but my next set of tires will probably be all-season. Since this car is my daily driver, I think comfort and longevity, along with me being a cheap-skate, will be more important than out-right performance.
Any advice/personal experience will be appreciated.
I'm torn between the Contis, the Dunlops (mentioned above), and the Hankook Ventus V12 evo K110. I'd like to put another set of Pilot Sports on, but I don't want to spend $1k on tires.
I'm planning on going with a performance tire, now, but my next set of tires will probably be all-season. Since this car is my daily driver, I think comfort and longevity, along with me being a cheap-skate, will be more important than out-right performance.
Any advice/personal experience will be appreciated.
RL Community Team
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From: San Francisco Area
I don't think that's being a cheapskate, just frugal. A cheapskate would buy house brand tires from the local tire store, or some used junk.
I often buy used tires, but I scrutinize each tire very closely, and I only buy if it looks evenly worn, meaty, and obviously only pairs or fours. I once got a set of PS2s with 90% and 50% for $200. Just need to look around.
Do you have multiple sets of wheels, or just one?
I often buy used tires, but I scrutinize each tire very closely, and I only buy if it looks evenly worn, meaty, and obviously only pairs or fours. I once got a set of PS2s with 90% and 50% for $200. Just need to look around.
Do you have multiple sets of wheels, or just one?