Cory M

I have to run the R888's because I'm in a spec class, want to send me your $200 discount coupon?

dnitake

Only a touch more tread noise than PZeros on the freeway. At that, what tread? There, nonetheless...

2002M3Drew

I've autocrossed now on both the NT-01 and the R888 (and I have gone through 5 sets of RA-1s over the past few years). Though everyone on the internet is saying that the Nitto NT-01 and the R888 are the same compound, I honestly cannot believe that after driving both. The NT-01 has the feel of a harder compound, perhaps better suited to the track like a Michelin PSC. In the rain, it is a handful, and in cold temps, forget about it. They just don't get enough heat. The R888, on the other hand, has good grip in cold and damp conditions, and outstanding grip in the dry. I would put them just a notch below the V710 in grip, more or less equal to a BFG R1. The 710 and the A6 remain better autox choices. On the track with the R888, I have no personal experience, but two friends that I drive with frequently (one who is usually on Goodyear slicks) report that the R888 is outstanding on the track as well. Though it would be reasonable to assume that the R888 won't wear quite as well as the RA-1 because of its softer compound, so far wear on sevarl cars observed to be running them this season is very acceptable, starting at full tread depth.

multi21

It's probably important to bring up vehicle weight and location of the country in this discussion as the points you brought up are valid. My 2004 GT3 is probably heavier and has more Hp than other P cars which will heat the tires up quicker. Couple that with the fact I'm in Socal, the temps, even in the winter are not a concern, but summer temps are. All I know is that with the engine sitting over the rear tires at a track in July where temps can reach 108, R888 get greasy after 15 min. where the Nittos were more consistant over a 30 min. session.

M758

Maybe it comes down to tire pressures.

I have not run the R888's but have lots of running on the RA-1's. We all found a sweet spot on RA-1 pressures, but we maybe trying to use RA-1 pressures on the R888. Some sources say go 1-2 psi higher than RA-1's. Other seem to say go lower. My feeling is that most of us have not found that sweet spot.

If the tire gets greasy after 15 min, but you are not rolling over the side way try to run lower initial pressure. If you are running over the side wall try to run higher pressures. Another thing you can do is run 15 min and take some pressures. Then run 15 more min and see what happens. Did they keep increasing or stay constant? It is pretty clear that for the RA-1 at least going over 41 psi mean a loss of grip. Starting 1-2 psi too high could mean that tire shoot up past 41 psi (or equvalent for the R888) at 15 min. Of course starting too low may over heat the tire a bit by working it too hard causing the same thing.

As for tire temps.
Well I just got a temp gauge and figured I would baseline my temps. I ran my RA-1's like I have for years and on pass side tires I saw 155 to 165F across the tires. Driver's side were less, but I think this track related. (ie more left turns). Ambient air temp was 95F and I really expected more temp in the tires. The car did not feel any different from normal. What does that say? I don't really know.

BTW.. car is 2620lbs 944 with 130 rwhp using 225/50 R15 tires seeing 38 psi hot. (32 cold)

mooty

not sure about nt01, but full tread R888 is SIGNIFICANTLY louder than PS2 or Pzero on street.

mooty

that's my exp as well.
R888 has shorter life span than RA1, but it's grippier and just as predictable.
i run 40psi on RA1 and 38 on R888 on a 3200lbs GT3 in CA weather.

multi21

To echo Mooty, my R888s wore faster and I never ran them over 38 psi 3195 # GT3

mdrums

Which tire has a stiffer side wall..R888 or NT01?

Ken7258

What hot temps are you running the NT01's at, front and rear or both the same. I have a ~3,000 pound C2.

multi21

NTO1 temps hot, 36 front, 38 rear max.

fly2low

nt01s fely dialed in when I used 35 front, 37 rear on a 996TT

gab997

Currently have set of take offs that I got really cheap for track use from a base C2 which are 18x8, 18x10 so the 235/275 setup is what I will be going with initially on the 997S. Living in south florida colder temps are not a concern more the other way around is tires getting to hot and greasy. I have around three-four more events to go through the existing tires then will be going with the NT01.

Another question is how much to the pressures change from cold to hot on R compound tires? Do they change as much as street tires in the past some of the pressure changed +/- 8psi.

Thanks for all the input.

Greg

TheOtherEric

I got the same or better wear on my R888 as I did on RA1's. Specifically, my R888 rears lasted a couple more days than RA1's did.

Abby Normal

I just went from Hoosier's to Nitto and really like them..