alperin

I'm looking to step up to an R compound for DE's after doing ~16 track days. Car is a stock n/a 944. Basically I'm looking for the most economical R compound I can get. I hear good things about Toyo RA1's. What is their longevity? Any other recommendations / and good places to order from?

Also, currently on the car I have 215/60/15's all around on 15x7 wheels up front and 15x8's in the back. What kind of setup do you guys recommend? I don't particularly like having the wheel staggered.

Jim Michaels

You might consider Kumho VictoRacers in size 225/50/15. They fit 6-8" rims, have a diameter of 23.6", can be driven on to and from events, and cost $162 each at Tire Rack. I used VictoRacers at autox and track for years in 16" and 17" diameters, but now have a car with 18" rims, so no more Victoracers for me. I miss them.

Bryan Watts

If you want economical and longevity, Toyo is really the best/only option.

VaSteve

I ran a set of RA-1s on my 944 n/a (see signature). From full tread to the cords it took me 2 seasons (about 4 events/season). I used 7's all around so I could swap tires from front to back. That was a great car.


When got RA-1s for the S2, I got full tread again. That was a mistake. I had to really dial it back.

RDL

I used Vict6oRacers on my 924s for several years. I could get 6 track events 9 Autocrosses and 2,500 street miles before they corded.
I have never used the Toyo's.

smlporsche

As a long time user ( who recently started smoking the Hoosier crack pipe) I can say with absolute certainty that the 245/45 x 16's (shaved) RA-1's all the way around are the best setup for 944's when grip & longevity are important.
I have used a set for a whole season and they are still fine (black/red driver) I ran mine on 8 & 9's clubsports and were very happy with that setup.
I have a set of standard 7 & 8's if you're interested but the 7's won't take the 245's...

RonCT

Try a search on the subject and you'll find dozens if not hundreds of very thoughtful threads on this subject. Short answer - RA1 shaved to say 5/32 (typical is 4/32, but I like 5). Get them while you can, I was told production ends 12/31/08.

Rich Sandor

Hankook Z211

http://frisbyracetire.com/hankook_z214.asp

Hands down.

F350Lawman

Nitto NT 01s can be had at http://www.discounttire.com in the following sizes. They are excellent for your use as well.

15"
205/50ZR-15 86W BLK $136.00
225/45ZR-15 87Z BLK $140.00

alperin

Actually, along these lines I have another question. I can easily get another season out of my fronts, and am thinking now about just getting a set of decent street tires for the rears. The $600+ set of RA-1's + mounting / balancing is a bit out of my budget.

On the front I have 215/60/15 tires on the 15x7 wheels. I am looking at getting 225/50/15's on my 15x7 wheels for the rears. Has anyone run into trouble running slightly different diameter tires front and rear?

Bryan Watts

Not economical or long lasting. They are on the same level as Hoosiers...6-9 heat cycles of REALLY fast and then crap.

Martin S.

I have had great luck on a 993 with RA-1 tires...24 heat cycles...good as gold to the bitter end.

I have some Cayman S buddies that run Nittos. From Discount Tire Web page, "Introducing the Nitto NT-01, the pinnacle of Nitto Tires technical excellence. The NT-01 is a D.O.T. approved competition radial with an asymmetrical, non-directional tread pattern optimized for dry racing conditions. Beginning with a tread depth of 6/32", the NT-01 can be shaved to 4/32" to reveal a "slick" tread surface with two circumferential tread grooves. The NT-01 features a racing-inspired tread compound formulated for on-track performance to deliver extreme cornering power for fast and consistent track times."

I have to agree on the Z 214. I got about 9 heat cycles, and then they went away.

Good old Kumho VictoRacers are pretty good as well.

Wear goes way down in direct proportion to hardness ratings, the bigger the number, the harder the tire. RA-1, Nitto NT-01, Toyo R-888 are rated at 100. The Z 2145, Kumho 710 and Hoosiers are way softer. As a result they dont last as long.

I run the RA-1s for practice and Hoosiers for qualifying. I always shave the RA-1s to 4/32...they are delivered with 8/32. It seems sad to leave 1/2 of the tire on the floor...but shaved tires seem to last plenty long. A RA-1 shave to 4/32 will perform as good as it ever will the first time out.

dmwhite

the Z211's are similar to toyos but have been discontinued (a while back)...there might still be some floating around though...

the link you posted is for the Z214's which are similar to hoosiers and bfg's in performance and wear/longevity

Z214's definitely aren't economical or long lasting but they don't go to crap after 9 heat cycles either...maybe 15 or so heat cycles

for DE's, stick with toyos

M758

RA-1 225/50 R15 if you can get them. or R888 225/50 R15 as these are the replacement for the RA-1.

These tires are relativly cheap and long wearing. I have been using Toyo on my 944 since 2002 and have been happy with them for years.

Bryan Watts

Just noticed he posted Z211...I just followed the link and didn't read his post. But, like you said, the Z211's are NLA anyway. Had to run them on my Miata when I ran one of the Pro races...liked the Toyo's a lot better.