ScottArizona

Hey all, I recently picked up a set of 18" ccw's, 9" fronts and 12" rears. I know its blasphemy, but I wanted them to run on the street as I just really love the racy look (double blasphemy, I even run the center caps!)

So I picked up some brand new nt01's (305/35/18) for the rear, and matched them to some slightly used 235/40/18 I had in my garage already (I know, somewhat debatable height discrepancy with this set up, but I already had the 235's!). Figured this would be good since they don't really heat cycle out on the street, are relatively cheap, and offer amazing grip (and I don't drive in the rain here in AZ).

So I mounted them up and can't stand them. They are SQUIRMY! I literally thought I broke a drop link or sway bar mount. At highway speeds if I move the wheel back-and-forth quickly, I feel like I'm driving a 70's buick compared to the feel with my MPS's. I was so sure something was broken I went back and checked everything, put the stockers back on, and all was right in the world again. Pressures for the nt01's were spot on (33 front, 35 rear cold)

I love grip but not at the expense of making the car feel like it turns like my old Super Air Nautique!

Are there any other tires out there that will fit a 6 gt3 running 12 inch rears without stretch and that have MPS-like behavior? Will the oem size pilots fit a 12" rear without stretch (I know Michelins run wide). Thanks all.

tgavem

I agree with you on the feel of the NT01. I tried running them hot at 38 and the rear still felt funny. Like I had to wait for the tire to catch up. I never felt comfortable so my times increased and I decided to change to R888.
I have 600/800 spring rate.

The R888's are a great tire but can heat cycle out quickly, but has stiffer sidewall which is better for higher spring rate. They will fit your large wide rims.

It is all about matching tire to suspension so if you have high spring stiffness, try higher pressure on the NT01 or try the R888.
The AD08R are great too but not sure if wide enough for the 12inch rims.

ScottArizona

Appreciate that response! Not a huge fan of the R888 (I have them on my rwd Gallardo), as they seem to loose grip way before the tread is gone.

ADO8Rs seem perfect based on reviews on this forum, but I have the same question (will they fit a 12-inch rear wheel safely). Would love any feedback on that question as those things have great reviews, stiff sidewalls, good noise level, etc...

kk2

I was running nt01 hot at about 32 PSI , so I would target that. Also, they do take quite a bit of time to wear in. On the track they're complete garbage for the first five or six sessions.

mooty

996 i think you need 315 rear
when new very squirmy. just wear it out a bit

spiller

Like mooty said, you might be better going with the 315 as it has the shorter sidewall. I think you'll still have similar obersvations though. It's just the characteristics of the NT01 unfortunately. I ran 245/315 and used to run them at 32 hot and if you went down to 30 hot it was like rolling around on waterballoons. They lack sidewall stiffness and I agree that it can be easily felt even running around at street speeds. Makes for a slightly more comfortable ride though! After running on A050 with my track wheels and going back to NT01 for the street I couldn't believe the difference in ride.

AudiOn19s

The squirm goes away as they wear in...but when it's really gone and they really get good is when you don't want to be using them as street tires any longer

onelove

Squirm definitely goes away as you wear them in, that being said they do have a bit of slip angle compared to some of the other R compounds I've driven on but once you get used to that they give you a nice little slide that predictably catches itself.

Toyo Now has the R888R which I imagine is happy medium between them.

993GT

Falken RT615K+
new Yoko Advan A052 might be an option too, like to try them soon...

ScottArizona

Thanks for all the advice guys. Will try wearing them in a bit and see how I like them. Wonder if anyone has tried the stock 295 Michelin pilots on 12" rears. They actually don't seem that much narrower than the 305 nt01's.

32krazy!

Max rim width for 295 is 11.5 and your stretching the tire another 1/2". Not a good idea. 295 optimum width is 10.5"

Backmarker

I ran NT01s on the street for years, and they did not squirm but were very LOUD. These were tires that had done 6-8 track days and were well worn. I ran 235/315 on 8/11 HREs.

I now run MPSC2 on the car and they are very sticky but more like a street tire. I can see why new GT cars come with them