TT Gasman

If I can get my old 996 back, I'll build one.

earlyapex

I don't want to build another race car. I'm staying with spec 911.

onefastviking

Get me the vin and I will work on seeing if I can get you the info to return the love of your life !

trackjunky

Mike, like we surmised when we sat down almost two years ago to talk about 996Spec, tires are the big issue.

In the future, might I suggest that the spec move to either BFG's or Nitto's or something similar, but the sizes change to 225/285 or even better 235/285 if the proper diameter is found. This is far more cost effective because it is the tire size that Porsche designed for the GT3 and the size that best suits the 8 and 10 inch rim width's.

I run that combination and trust me, front grip is not a problem.

Chris M.

That's what I'm sayin'. If this class ran Toyos, Nittos, or something else that lasted longer than one weekend, it would be THE class to go to in the future. A lightweight, modern, fast 911, with costs kept to a minimum, cheap wheels, and a virtually unlimited supply of spare parts? It would be a no-brainer.

v-tach

ditto !

TRT41

Seems to be more interest if there was a different tire choice. Looks like we should add- Yes I would with a different tire spec.
I love Nitto NT-01s, the R888s ran well but the conservative aligment does not work well when using other tire brands. I have a set of BFG R1s in my Jeep for use once the Nitto cord. Looking forward to seeing how they compare.

mglobe

Great idea, but I can't figure out how to edit the poll. If anyone knows how to change a poll once it's posted, please speak up. Otherwise, if you have selected no because of the tires, and have not already mentioned that tire choice is your reason, please mention it. The feedback is very useful.

David, you're going to love the BFG's, and I'm pretty certain they are good for at least a couple of race weekends and then practice after that. Damn things wear like iron.

TT Gasman

pm sent

bb45

Hi Guys

I thought I'd introduce myself and post a quick note about tires for the 996 Spec.

I'm the guy who put this spec together, with much help from Dennis Aase , Mike Essa at TechTrix and Bill Pickering from Northern California.

We are completely open to changing the spec tire to a more durable product. Please understand that the reason we selected Hoosier for the initial spec, was because we know it to be faster than the Nitto, Toyo or Goodyear options. Making the cars fast, attracts more attention and helps generate enthusiasm (=more builds).

As we did with Boxster Spec, we will listen to the drivers. If they are cool with giving up a little bit of grip in exchange for some longer tire life...??? Let's do it. BUT we want to make these decisions on accumulated data so please keep some notes.

Mike Globe just submitted a cost sheet comparing some of the favorites. I'll post here:
BFG R-1 245/285X18 $1076
Hoosier R6 245/285X18 $1204
Nitto NT01 245/275X18 $980
Khumo V710 245/285X18 $1204
Toyo R888 245/285X18 $1270

Mike says: BFG’s and Nitto’s are cheaper by a significant (in my book) amount. Just something to store away for now. Note that the Nitto’s do not come in a 285X18. Only 275. That will no doubt cause a lot of consternation should those tires be proposed. Too bad, as the price and performance is pretty good.

Thanks for your support of this spec.

bb

mglobe

Look who the cat drug in...

FWIW, as I've mentioned before, I'm running BFG's and keeping notes on lap times vs heat cycles. My first set maintained more or less flat lap times through 30 HC's. I'm 15 HC's into the second set, and running consistent 1:59's at TWS with these tires. I actually expect this set to last me through the TWS club race next week. I love these tires.

I have also run Nittos, and like them quite a bit in the dry, but not in the wet. R888's are nice in the rain, ok in the dry, but don't seem to last as long as the Nittos.

Right now BFG R1's are my hands down fave, but we would have to spec a rain tire too, which would not be that big of a problem imho.

garrett376

Hey Bill - for me it's more than the up front cost - it's that a Toyo or Nitto at 10 uses is pretty close to 0 uses, or 20 uses. That means to be competitive you don't always need the new tire expense for every event.

Plus, it seemed odd to me that this spec was designed to be "fast" so the cars were competitive with V3/R5 cars despite them being in different classes. If being fast is appealing to draw more builds, how do you really define if fast is fast? My opinion from the cost-conscious enthusiast, being expensive would be more discouraging to new builds than it would if the cars were more reasonable to run. After all, if all the cars are equal, who cares if they're a bit slower than if they had this or that expensive modification or costly tire that required frequent replacement to be competitive? They'll still be faster than a 944 spec car, no? For example, my M-Improved 996 (basically stock) is faster than my prepared J-Prepared 964 (stripped for weight, stiff suspension) by a sizable margin. The 996 is fast... and quite cheap (just hope it is as durable as the 964)!

In this economy, I'd bet more builds would happen if it was cheaper, versus faster.

bb45

HI Garrett

Let me explain the logic behind the class. 996 Spec is the final rung (for me) of a
ladder that would allow a Porsche enthusiast 4 economic strata choices for spec racing.
1. 944 Spec (sub $20k) 2. Boxster Spec ($30k) 3.996 Spec $50k and 4. Cup Cars
north of $70k.

The Boxsters run proportionately faster than the 944s , the 996 run proportionately faster than the Boxsters..etc.

I expect that the cars at each level will be proportionately more expensive to run/maintain. My vision is that a driver will pick the strata they are financially comfortable with.

bb

trackjunky

You also need to look at overall diameter as well when making this tire selection. Some of the brands offer about 3/4 of an inch taller in front than rear and that messes up the balance.

Additionally, a 245 tire on a 8" wide rim is less than optimal. Virtually all tire manufacturers suggest you run the tire on as wide a rim as possible for that tread width. Most H stock 996's run 245/295 or 305 which is a 50-60mm difference in tread width. They also run the 245 on an 8 1/2 or 9 inch rim, which should make the tire not as tall as on an 8" rim. 245/275 or 245/285 seems to mess with what is known about this chassis.

BFG and Toyo sell 225 and 285 x 18's at a near equal diameter (25.1 and 24.8 inches respectively). The 245 is about 1/2 an inch taller. The 285 R888 is shown as being "reinforced" which I take to mean that it may have been intended to run on the rear of a Porsche. 225 and 295 are equal in diameter at 25.1 inches.

garrett376

Hi Bill! Your slick menu makes good sense of the purpose of the class and how it was designed to fit in with the rest of the cars. My comments aren't really valid then - I guess some of the internet-based misconception I have read on sites like this regarding the class is that it's about a $35,000 build with one of its focuses to keep racing costs reasonable or relatively low. Your explanation helps to clarify the purpose of where this car fits in. Thanks!