John McM

225/45 and 255/40. A new set of Z221s would see you through the whole tour. Very quiet on the open road. At least when they have a few km on them.

mjg

Not what you asked for, but Nitto NT-01s are available in your sizes. They're the same compound as Toyo R-888s (same parent company) with a different tread pattern (better dry grip), and are a fair bit cheaper. $1580 for a set from Hyper, possibly available cheaper elsewhere.

O2GO

Thanks very much John. Do you run the C3 or C7 compounds and in your experience what would you recommend for me? I can't seem to compare the compound hardness vs the R888s which have a wear rating of 100.

The R888s whine a lot on my car on the open road so the Z221s do give me another option for the SITT if they're good and quiet. Not sure if I want to do so many kms on 17" when my car is setup for 18s. 17s alter the gear ratios nicely for the track, but a bit low for the road.

Thanks Matt. That's interesting. Makes me wonder why R888s are so much more costly.

You guys are showing me how much I need to learn about tyres. Thanks so much for the feedback. :-)

peterC2S

My feedback on 221s on the road is different to John's. The first time I put them on after road tyres I thought something was wrong they were so noisy. Awesome on track but I could not live with them on long drive (I even went on the NITT on road tyres and changed at track.)

Have only used soft compound.

peterC2S

Doug - what are the rim sizes and offsets for your 17" track wheels?

Just want to see if the Sport Classic track wheels I had for the 964 would fit.

John McM

Have you thought of a price? They fit my car

O2GO

I'm sure they would fit. I'm up north and away from home so can't check. Steve R supplied my 17" track wheels... They're old 911 wheels I think from a 993 but don't really know for sure what model they're off. In terms of running them instead of your 18's (assuming your Cayman S has 18's?) for track work, Steve R says they're faster than 18s and, after many track days, I believe he is right. Certainly better to learn the car with as they're quite progressive when on the limit and your ratios are lower. There's less mass to turn so you can spin them faster and get some advantage... Anyway, something along those lines.

I've just checked my 18" wheel offsets (as the car is her) and they are:
Front 8, 57
Rear 9, 43

John McM

Z221 were noisy for first 300 or 500 km. After that they seemed fine to me.

peterC2S

Your wife would kill me - you have no more room in the garage for yet another set of rims...

Macca

John. I daresay only you can get 5000km and 12 track days from Z221 in C70 (soft compound). I doubt you will beable to manage much more than 5-6 track days and 1000km of touring once you get into the 1.20 window (or even with your recent gain in speed). As others will attest here getting times down to 1.20ish at HD as an example will put plenty of wear on you tyres. Amazing what a few second a lap is in terms of additional heat and abrasion on that rubber. As a guide I measured my tyres up comprehensively after the NITT. Two track days, the second of which I was getting quite quick plus 1500km touring and I was close to 40% worn on those Z221s. Im running a more negative camber than you but that's really only an issue on the road. There is no way I would get through the 4 x SITT track days only with my current Z221s now they are close to 50% worn, let alone add the 3000km+ of touring. Thats why Im taking a set of road wheels with new Super Sports to get the touring completed and probably will use them on the 4th track day.

Doug. Steve says the 17s are quicker not for their size as much as for the fact he recommends a no factory sidewall profile for the tyre to reduce rolling circumference and thus give the impression of lower gearing. It works too but its not really possible on 18" only because the profile is already lower and the tyre manufacturers range is constricted once you get below 30 profile in 18. Its really only an issue on certain tracks with certain cars where the gearing is traditionally too low. Your speedo etc will read wrong but the smaller circumference will give you lower gearing...

peterC2S

Thanks - yes standard 18s on mine same sizes and offsets as yours.

My 17s are smaller (and a lot lighter) at 7 ET55 and 8.5 ET50 - fit the standard 964 tire sizes of 225 & 255. My concern is that 17s were not even an option on the Gen 2 CS so just worried about caliper clearance etc.

O2GO

I'm not sure if 17's were an option for the Boxster 987 either, do you know? My calliper clearances are tight. Anyway there's one very practical and reliable way to find out if they'll work :-P

O2GO

I should add, you need a car to try them on :-)

mjharrisonnz

Will do

Macca

Matt. Been meaning to ask if you received the email I sent you a week or so ago re Switzerland etc?