Coochas

Hi All,
I am a Blue group driver with a 99 986 fashioned after the Boxster spec BSX rules.
Thus far I have only run on Michelin PS2 in a variety of 997s and my Boxster. I recently got a set of Toyo R888s which are the current tire used in Box Spec.

My understanding from talking with people is that R-compounds are
1) Less grippy when cold
2) More grippy when hot but tend not to squeal at the limit and then let go

I am looking to the forum for some tips on how to drive with the R888s and also any insight on how to break them in before I had to the track with them (car is street legal). Should I drive with them a few hundred miles assuming it stays dry?

TIA

BobbyC

You MUST scrub them good before a track day or else it's going to feel like you're on skates. Go put on a few hundred miles of hard acceleration/braking.

Gary R.

Are they shaved or full tread?

slvr993

Scrub them in and then go to the track and drive them. I ran the R888 on my 95 993. They stick just fine cold and even better warm. They don't scream like a street tire, but they won't just let go all the sudden either. They slide nicely and progressively, easily controlled. They just don't make a lot of noise while they do it.

Enjoy

Jeff

Mike Buck

Just put them on the car and drive. No special break in is required, even at full tread depth. I start at about 30psi to get them to 38-39 hot.

Coochas

Thanks guys.

Gary - the tires are full tread.

v-tach

run them full tread or a little scuffed !
aim for a higher hot pressure 40-44 psi

mglobe

I agree with this comment. While they will improve once you scrub off some tread, there is really no reason to worry about it. Just go out and drive.

cwlred911

Dave, you will found the 888s squirmy when they are full tread. They will get better when they are worn in. With my RS clone (sold to a good home) that weighs 2,100 lbs, I start fronts and rears at 22lbs cold, aiming for ~28/29 hot, gave me the most amount of grip (225, 235/15s). You do not need special break-in procedures to get them track ready. The 888s have more tire flex than the RA1s they replaced, and will not last as long.

Calvin

todinlaw

I have found my R888's on my 3100 lb GT3 run best at front hot 38 rear hot 40. I would heat cycle them. You can find several posts on the topic as to how to do, but its best to heat cycle at the track. DO you have to? No you don't have to, but it can't hurt, that slow curing process is good for the R compound Tire. Mark your tires with a mark at the valve stem, just to see if they are spinning on the Rims the Toyo's seam to like to rotate on the rims. I would not bother with balancing them if they do rotate.

TR6

First time I ever went out on toyos, I was very apprehensive after hearing all the cautionary tales about R comp tires being less forgiving and offering no warning before breakaway, etc. My concerns were highly overrated. The Toyos are really just a very sticky street tire, but still pretty much a street tire compared to hoosiers. The toyos will give you some warning before they start to let go. No real drama. And I run mine full tread from the start because I'm a cheapskate and also because I'm not racing. I don't care if they are a second or two slower at full tread.

My 2 cents. Your mileage may vary.

himself

I never really experienced the "no noise then let go" thing with R-comps. They talked a lot at the limit. Not as much as street tires, but more than a true slick. And I never had one just let go (other than a blow out). It is always a progressive release. And even over the limit the tires still have some grip as they don't drop off to zero instantly. It's usually just enough grip to save your backside.

-td

Gary R.

It's all a bunch of BS. My 2nd DE was in a custom built race car on Hoosier R4's (or was it R3's?) and I ran them ever since.

Coochas

Thanks again. I love RL!
I think I'll swap out the tires this week and drive them for a while before I hit the track in a few weeks with them.
I'll mark the tire/rim to check for rotation.

bobfrombolton

Dave,

I find that the R888s run best hot at 38 psi on my SPBOX.