What tire/size are you running in 305?

 

My last set of track wheels/tires were on Pirelli Trofeo R's, 305 rear. Deciding on my next setup...

 

The Trefeos your running are 1.1" taller than my 315 NT01 unless they make some size I've never seen. And they cost 3 times as much. I agree with general idea of everything your saying, I'm just saying there is a very real, practical and adventitious application of the 315/30 18 NT01. And I should add they're not a headache to fit. I unbolted one wheel, bolted on the other. 18x12 +68 cheap OZ with -2deg of camber and plenty of room. No fender roll.

And by your same argument, Porsche never ran 305 on a c2. Porsche also never ran a VERY sticky 60TW tire on a c2. I bet it works a million times better than PS2s or whatever the OE tire is. Cup cars are a different animal. And I think (not sure) the tire sizes are based on racing rules more than anything else. They're obviously using different compounds. And comparing one manufactures 315 to another's 305 is REALLY splitting hairs. Your 305s (I hear Trefeos run really wide) are probably wider than my 315s.

In a nutshell, I love NT01s as a streetable track day tire for the reasons I stated in my other post. Best tire for my personal use. Within that tires available sizes, 315s are absolutely the fastest rear tire to set up a 996 c2 around.

Now aside from all that, how do you like the Trefeo R. I hear they're incredible and definitely would have ran them if I had the budget. How did they last/ perform?

 

I think we are saying the same thing, you're just referencing the NT01 specifically, which I failed to comprehend in your earlier post. Where as I was being more general. The NT01 certainly seems to be a great viable option as long as you're not one of "those purists". Lol.

The Trofeo's are way overpriced IMO but they were meant to go head to head with the Michelin Cups so in that comparison, it's not really outrageous. I happened to stumble across a used set for a song that still had a few track days worth left in them, else I wouldn't have gotten them truthfully. These were my first experience with a tire of this kind so I don't really have any solid references. My last track oriented rubber were the star specs. They performed very well but my review doesn't really hold any weight. It's like asking a guy that's only driven accords or camry's on what they think of a 996.

 

I've got a set of 305/35/18 NT01s in my garage I picked up when DiscountTireDirect ran the promo on eBay. I'm currently running Toyo 888 295/18s on 12" rear rims. I'm planning on installing the new tires soon. Reading this thread, it seems I should have picked up the 315/30s.

What negative aspects will I run into once I mount the taller 305?

Thanks.

 

I've run the same Toyo 888s as you.....in the past. Switched to NT-01 (although a 315) and my times plummeted. I suspect the only thing you will notice is a ton more grip.

 

Because it's taller, it's like making your gears even longer. There are also advantages to taller tires though (look at the 918 and new RS rear tires!). And based on what I've heard by most using r888, you will like those rears better. But on your next set try 315, you should notice a little better acceleration. Not mind shattering but I bet you notice it.

 

Got the new shoes put on today! 245/40/18 front and 315/30/18 rear NT01s on a used set of CCW C10 18x10et50 and 18x12et65. I had to trim some of the wheel well liner away but had about 9mm's clearance between the rear wheel and caster arm. Next track day is a week from Friday!

 

You ran 10s up front! Hell yeah. I have 18x10s being shipped tomorrow for the same tire. I was worried it might be to stretched. But check your lock to lock up front. Make sure it's not rubbing the brake line or thrust arm at full lock. I'm running a more aggressive offset. Car looks stuffed! I love it.

Edit: I'm pretty sure those are 8.5s up front. It looks more pinched on your wheel than my 9".

 

Crap, now that you say that I think they are actually 18x9. They measured 10" outside the lips. Sorry about that.

And they are mm's from my KW's. The extra 1" would have to go out if it was there.

 

That makes sense. Would you believe I bought these without the guy even knowing the size? He listed this tire setup on them on a GT3 and made me a smokin deal on them. I figured they would either work or I could easily get my money back out of them.

 

That's an awesome fitment, as long as everything is clearing. Definitely about the most rubber you can fit under a narrow body without body modification.

 

Yeah, bead to bead is where you measure. Lip to lip is usually about 1" wider.

 

+996

FYI, you could always take a heat gun to push and modify the fender liners in the future.

 

I hadn't even thought about using a heat gun. That would have worked great.