preston_brown

Everyone,

I'm slightly "de-tuning" the 964 racecar I bought for DE use. While I have a year of DE experience, I don't consider myself ready for slicks yet. Maybe after another season.

Right now the car has 250/650R18 (front) and 280/650R18 (rear) Dunlop slicks mounted on BBS 18" centerlock rims. Would 265/35R18 and 295/30R18 tires be a correct DOT replacement size? Something like a Toyo R888 or Bridgestone S-02?

I run 16" Dunlop Direzza Star Specs on my 1987 Carrera ... that is really my point of reference for a high performance tire.

333pg333

Not sure what you're asking with the title of your thread? The R888s are an R spec tyre. Moving from slicks to a street tyre on a race car doesn't sound like a good plan. Just use an R spec like the Toyo or Nitto Nt01 and enjoy yourself.

GuyIncognito

I'm a bit confused too, but I've heard good things about the Hankook Ventus R-S3s as a transition between street tires and R-compounds or slicks.

preston_brown

I may be misinformed but I thought R888s were more of an intermediate tire than a full on slick.

I edited the title to be a bit clearer I hope.

mglobe

NT01 is a great choice if you can find the right size.

Horizontally Opposed Man

You are saying ,I think, that you want a tire with less grip and more predictability at the edge than a slick .There are a number of options and either the Toyo R888 or the Nitto NT01 are reasonable choices .I would see what sizesvare recommendednFor the car and use the one of the above that is closest .After your ready to move on to more grip the Hoosier R-6 is the next intermediate step e full slicks.More grip entails less durability and more money!cheers HOM

333pg333

What size are your wheels?

KaiB

Preston, what have you done about the setup on your car?

(There is a long thread about Preston's car on the 964 thread, it's a handful).

PM me, or email to Kai at Bugtussleok dot net.

J richard

Highly recommend the NT01 for DE and I'd take the RA1 over the 888...

preston_brown

Kai,

Not much yet. I have string-checked the alignment. There appears to be too much toe-in and there is plenty of negative camber (4ish degrees each side) at the moment. I've taken a few little "test drives" near my house and the old slicks it came with are super squirmy. Holding a straight line is...interesting.

I need to have the car professionally aligned, but I think no matter what new tires are in the mix. I don't think I'm quite ready for replacement Dunlop slicks with my inexperience with the car, so I wanted opinions on something more predictable, if less grippy. Something to hav the first few times I take this car to the track.

Now the engine management... That's another matter entirely. Good chance I am getting rid of the Motronic and building an adapter harness for a MegaSquirt MS3X.

IcemanG17

what is the date code on your slicks.....since its a new to you car chances are it sat for a bit and the tires probably are a bit old...

When I was new to track driving I also heard the "urban legends" about slicks being hard to control....then I would watch videos of race GT3's-Vettes-whatever on slicks and they seem to have very little issues sliding them around with ease.....it didn't seem "harder" to me, but granted those are pros

My experieince.....on my 2nd race 928 (1st one blew up to often before I really got it dialed) I tried a set of BFG R1's.....found the huge increase in grip intoxicating compared to the Star Specs I ran before.....however I found these difficult to control on the edge....when they finally started to slide, it was abrupt and took quick action to correct, drastically slowing the car......

I tried Hoosier R6 next....same grip, but FAR better feel.....I could slide the car in little increments and felt totally safe doing it.....Toyo RA1's had the same feel, just at less peak grip..

Then I tried SLICKS....talk about ADDICITIVE....Pirelli P Zero slicks, I got used for cheap....WOW...best of ALL worlds.....(Other than long warm up time on cool days)....stunning grip, and the ability to slide just a little bit.....worlds better than any R comp or street tire....and the Pirelli's aren't even considered a "fast" slick.....Yokohama and Michelin are better....

JackOlsen

Slicks for DE events?

GuyIncognito

I did a track day at Laguna Seca last month in the advanced group (which did contain a lot of talented drivers). of the ~20-25 cars in our group I think I was one of 5 or 6 not on R-compounds, if not all-out slicks.

and these were guys on track days, not using the event as a test for their race cars.

sundog

I use the NT-01 Nitto's on my 964. Highly recommend them for DE's. Used them at all the Northern CA tracks, and they are really great. Good traction, and very forgiving.

You can do this with them.

mooty

which group you ran with?
i have to say it's a total waste.
jack is on RA1's. and in his "antiquated" torsion bar 911, he would dust most ppl in RS's.