Different tires front and rear?
10-02-2007 | 03:04 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 700
Likes: 11
From: Princeton, NJ
Different tires front and rear?
So I was wondering the other day, do people ever set up their car with different brand pairs of tires front and rear? I mean some folks adjust brake bias by using different pads front and rear. The stock tires are different sizes front and rear anyway. Couldn't you use different brands of tires front and rear to fine tune understeer/oversteer?
10-02-2007 | 05:42 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 15
I have run diferent types front and rear, but mainly because I didn't have
4 the same at the time, and was willing to wing it. You could do it, but
I wouldn't classify the work as 'fine tuning' but more like crude experimentation.
If you've already worked out the major standard reasons for ill-handling,
the experiment might be valuable.
I know a good driver that alters brake bias by grinding deep grooves
into his rear brake pads so the effective surface area is 70% what it
was...
4 the same at the time, and was willing to wing it. You could do it, but
I wouldn't classify the work as 'fine tuning' but more like crude experimentation.
If you've already worked out the major standard reasons for ill-handling,
the experiment might be valuable.
I know a good driver that alters brake bias by grinding deep grooves
into his rear brake pads so the effective surface area is 70% what it
was...
10-04-2007 | 12:39 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 1
From: Ontario, Canada
"I strongly advise against it, because there are too many factors that come into play and it will more likely be detrimental than an improvement."
There are no "mystical" factors that come into play.
There will just be a net loss of total traction, going with a known, less sticky tire on one end of the car (even if you end up balancing the car this way).
Another words, your total traction would be higher if you stuck with the stickiest tires on all four corners, and balanced the car with springs and/or sway bars.
There are times when a brand of tire discontinues one size or the other, so it's no big deal if you switch to different fronts or backs. Ya just try to get the same performance category.
There are no "mystical" factors that come into play.
There will just be a net loss of total traction, going with a known, less sticky tire on one end of the car (even if you end up balancing the car this way).
Another words, your total traction would be higher if you stuck with the stickiest tires on all four corners, and balanced the car with springs and/or sway bars.
There are times when a brand of tire discontinues one size or the other, so it's no big deal if you switch to different fronts or backs. Ya just try to get the same performance category.
10-04-2007 | 01:45 AM
#5
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,985
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver BC
No, of course there are no "mystical" factors, but you have to consider:
1: speed rating
2: treadwear rating & tire compound
3: water channeling abilities
4: alignment requirements (some tires have recommended alignment settings)
Yeah, of course you can mix tires, but it's generally not a common practice, it's usually done out of neccessity, like when you say a tire is discontinued.
Again, it's not the proper way to setup a car. It's a band-aid solution to finding replacement tires.
1: speed rating
2: treadwear rating & tire compound
3: water channeling abilities
4: alignment requirements (some tires have recommended alignment settings)
Yeah, of course you can mix tires, but it's generally not a common practice, it's usually done out of neccessity, like when you say a tire is discontinued.
Again, it's not the proper way to setup a car. It's a band-aid solution to finding replacement tires.
