competition tires
Thread Starter
Track Day
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 22
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From: NJ
competition tires
I have been running Kumho victoracers for the last 2 years. Does anyone have practical experience of lap time improvements by switching to hoosiers. I would like to improve my lap times by at least 1.5 sec. to 2 sec. Also, I currently run 225 17in front and 255 rear. How wide can I go on a 993 C4 narrow body? I prefer to stay with a 17in wheel to stay in my class. thanks for the help.
Al
Al
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,166
Likes: 1
From: La Jolla, CA
Al,
You can certainly go to 245 and 275 in a 17" size without issue. Your issue might be that your stock front wheels will not be able to support a 245 x17" (7" wheel is stock). Before I made a number of changes to my car I ran 7" and 9" stock cup wheels. Best sizes for these were 225 and 255 to get somewhat consistent handling. I did use a 275 x 17" on the 9" rears at times with some other front wheels.
As far as the differnce between the old Kumho's and Hoosiers you will definitely see 1 to 3 seconds in a typical track lap, in my opinion.
You can certainly go to 245 and 275 in a 17" size without issue. Your issue might be that your stock front wheels will not be able to support a 245 x17" (7" wheel is stock). Before I made a number of changes to my car I ran 7" and 9" stock cup wheels. Best sizes for these were 225 and 255 to get somewhat consistent handling. I did use a 275 x 17" on the 9" rears at times with some other front wheels.
As far as the differnce between the old Kumho's and Hoosiers you will definitely see 1 to 3 seconds in a typical track lap, in my opinion.
Thread Starter
Track Day
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 22
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From: NJ
I plan to purchase Fiske in 17in to accomodate the size increase to 245 front and 275 rear. Another option is to just retain the 225 front and 255 rear sizes and just make the switch to hoosiers. I much would I expect to gain in performance if I decided to get custom wheels to fit 245 front and 275 rear. Does the size increase make that much of a difference?
Al
Al
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 9,663
Likes: 557
From: Solana Beach, CA
Try out the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups. I drooped my Willow Springs time from 1:39:20 to 1.36:80. And, the wear on the tires was excellent.
All due respect to Kary, he has a lot of track time on his 993, and experience with Hoosiers. But from what I have obeserved, they go away very fast with agressive driving. People have been known to go through as set of Hoosiers in a weekend, ouch! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
Check out the November Pano article on 18" tires. They had rave reviews for the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups; I concur (see above).
All due respect to Kary, he has a lot of track time on his 993, and experience with Hoosiers. But from what I have obeserved, they go away very fast with agressive driving. People have been known to go through as set of Hoosiers in a weekend, ouch! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
Check out the November Pano article on 18" tires. They had rave reviews for the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups; I concur (see above).
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,310
Likes: 667
From: Bay Area CA
Another vote for the Michelins. Faster than Hoosiers, last longer and don't require as much camber...and you can drive em to the track!
Just be prepared that these tires are so sticky that they will uncover any weak/worn suspension parts.
Just be prepared that these tires are so sticky that they will uncover any weak/worn suspension parts.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest, CA
Craig, We miss you out at the track, come out and visit sometime.
Martin had a good weekend, but I think he may be able to get even lower lap times out of those tires. This weekend it was tough getting tire temps up in the run sessions to get performance from any tire. On one car we substituted Kuhmos for Hoosiers and didn't see any significant time difference but I still think Hoosiers have to be faster.
In the later aftenoon when run sessions were longer we were able to see good temps which in turn helps on lap times.
(P.S. to Martin, Kid knocked off another 2 sec.)
Martin had a good weekend, but I think he may be able to get even lower lap times out of those tires. This weekend it was tough getting tire temps up in the run sessions to get performance from any tire. On one car we substituted Kuhmos for Hoosiers and didn't see any significant time difference but I still think Hoosiers have to be faster.
In the later aftenoon when run sessions were longer we were able to see good temps which in turn helps on lap times.
(P.S. to Martin, Kid knocked off another 2 sec.)
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
[quote]Also, I currently run 225 17in front and 255 rear. How wide can I go on a 993 C4 narrow body? I prefer to stay with a 17in wheel to stay in my class. <hr></blockquote>
if you are keeping stock 7" front and 9" rear wheels, I would be a bit concerned with going wider than 225 front and 255 rear. The 225 on my wheels seem to "bulge/balloon" out from the wheels, esp. in front. I would be worried with wider fronts.
Look at the wheel width recommendations in the tire specs and don't exceed them.
if you are keeping stock 7" front and 9" rear wheels, I would be a bit concerned with going wider than 225 front and 255 rear. The 225 on my wheels seem to "bulge/balloon" out from the wheels, esp. in front. I would be worried with wider fronts.
Look at the wheel width recommendations in the tire specs and don't exceed them.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 228
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From: Fullerton, CA
Hi Laura,
I was planning on coming Saturday, then the wife decided I had to lay bricks (literally lay bricks, cement and the whole 9 yards) so I got stuck in a massive Honey-do.
Answer the email I just sent you!
I was planning on coming Saturday, then the wife decided I had to lay bricks (literally lay bricks, cement and the whole 9 yards) so I got stuck in a massive Honey-do.
Answer the email I just sent you!