Hella-Buggin'

So I think I'm ready to buy some track wheels. I like the ccw t1000 but they're a little out of the price range I'm looking for.

So far OZ seems to be a good bang for the buck but is the HLT Low Pressure Cast system stony enough for DE use?

Also, there's so many models to choose from. Are some models better than others?

Sizes, should I stick with 19" or venture into 18" rims?
I'm running 235 / 295 now, should I get some more rubber all around?

Thanks

alexb76

OZ is great, you'd be fine. 18s give you better tire choice and cheaper options.

mdrums

If you don't want to spend $2900 for forged CCW Corsair C10 or C14 the $2100 OZ HLT cast wheels work great at the track. I've had both. I'd run CCW again but my car has those pesky center locks.

Seriously stick with 18". 8.5 or 9x18 front and 11.5 or 12x18 rear. Order some Nitto NT01 245/40/18 and 305/35/18. These are $1100 for a set and out perform 19" r-compound tires...I've tried the 19" and went back to 18". NT01's are great tires right to the cords plus this size is right at the stock overall diameter so that abs and PSM work just fine.

Enjoy!

Hella-Buggin'

Thanks, I'll probably mount super sports on them for now and use them all the time. I'm not at the point where I'm close to the limits of those tires to where its worth sacrificing the drivability and convenience of not having to swap wheels yet. I thought Nittos came in large sizes and will they fit on 11" rear rims? That seems to be the widest rears listed on tirerack.
I'd love to get 9" / 12" x 18" that would give me the wider rubber.

mdrums

I've been running 245/40/18 and 305/35/18 since 2006. 1st on Toyo RA1 ( no longer made) the Toyo R888 (horrible tire) and this year on Nitto NT01 best drive to the track r compound tire I've ever driven.

I played around with 255/35/18 and 315/30/18 Toyo r888. Worked no rubbing but again the r888 is horrible and the Nitto NT01 sticks better, doesn't heat cycle out and lasts to the cords.

If your are going to track on street tires which by the way is an excellent decision until you get to advanced solo just keep you stock wheels and put on either Michelin Super Sports or Bridgestone RE11.

alexb76

What didn't you like about R888? I hear completely different reviews on those, some love em, some hate em!

I tried those on a track rental car for Nurburgring and found em to be great for that track, in 15" size though (on Suzuki Swift sport race-spec).

mdrums

R888 heat cycle out very quickly. 10 heat cycles and they drop off fast. At 7 heat cycles you can feel them losing grip. Also they have had a rash of the tread seem across the tire splitting. I had 2 do this a while ago then 4 of them late last last year split. Others have experienced them splitting but it's a well known fact they heat cycle out fast. Even new or at there optimum at the second day track event they do not have the grip level of a NT01.

alexb76

Thanks, so quite worse than RA1s? Weird they'd get worse in R888 vs. older model.

With NT01, can you drive on it to the track or you must change up there?

mdrums

Yes r888 is way worse than RA1. RA1 was a great track tire.
Yes you can drive the Nitto NT01 to the track.
Nitto is a sister company under the Toyo umbrella.

Ptech1

Agree with mdrums on the choice of street tires for now... Recently purchased Hankook RS-3 's for track use on my stock 19"s after shopping for Super Sports (305 out of stock) and RE11s on Tire Rack. Close out for 2009 production dates (actually 2010) meant I paid right at $900 shipped for a set of 4. Track performance was phenomenal and wear seems minimal so far. Would recommend them for the price if you're looking for an all around tire for less than Super Sports.

Hatzenbach

Hi Mark,

just to reiterate:
While the Michelin Super Sport is undoubtedly one of the best trackable street tires out there, the NT-01 plays in a completely different league, there are several seconds / lap between these two tires

Hella-Buggin'

Thanks Chris. I'm sure NY01's are in my future, just not yet. I feel I've got some speed left on the table with my MPSS street tires and want to shave that first.

I guess my main concern at this point, which is why I was thinking of new wheels, is strength. I have no doubts that oem cast wheels are strong enough for the street but how will the hold up under increasingly punishing weekends over time?

JFA65

I traded my '09 Carrera S for a new GT3, arriving April and have a set of Porsche lobster claws with nearly new Michelin SS that I used for track use if your interested. The rims are not in perfect cosmetic condition but function great for track use.

mdrums

FYI..the lobster claws from a 997 Carrera S will fit a 997 GT3 however you are giving up wheel to wheel track width and wheel width compared to stock GT3 19" wheel and even those are inset more that many liked.

JFA65

My new 991 GT3 has center locks. The lobster claws and Pilot Super Sports need to go for more garage space.