Tyres for RS or 914/6GT running 7's & 8's ?

[dragonfly]

This is an interesting thread for me too, as I run 7&8x15s and have been using Kumho V70a on track but they are 50 profile. I'd also like some road tyres on my 2nd set of rims and would like to go higher profile for greater comfort/finesse.

I saw Steve Monk testing a newly built road/track 911 at Goodwood on the Toyo CF1 as recommended by their tech guys, and he seemed pretty complimentary about them. This link gives all the sizes and specs http://www.toyo.co.uk/tire/pattern/proxes-cf1 and lists 215/60x15 plus 185 and 195 in both 60 and 65 profile. Has anyone here tried them?

[Bruce M]

Unless my maths is wooky, there is only a 1mm difference in diameter between a 185/70 & 215/60.

[Lightweight_911]

Your maths is spot on ...

[Bertroex]

I have on my c3 195/65/15 and 215/60/15 on 7 and 8 x 15.; I'm looking to replace these for the new season.

I'll have the car corner weighted and aligned again but, in day-to-day traffic, knowing of pot holes, stones and road kill on on our rural roads, I'd rather run a 65 or 60 profile tyre than a 55 /50 tyre profile and having the car lowered.

On the impact bumpers forum, Richard B is discussing a group buy for an 5,5kg alloy undertray to protect the fuel tank; this is something I would seriously consider should I run lower profile tyres/having the car lowered and having a one degree nose down stance.

cheers,

Bert

[shoestring7]

I've got the Conti Premium Contact on 7s and 8s on my 2.4T. I had the same problem as you - I plumped for the 'quality' brand option.

I'm happy with them, much better wet weather grip than I really expected, they hardly needed any balance weights and they don't have a lairy tread pattern. I know they're built for 1800kg saloons not 1000kg sports cars with only 400kg across the front axle, but even so they're infinitely better than anything available in 1973. I run the front at only 28-30psi.

HTH.

C>

[yoda]

On the impact bumpers forum, Richard B is discussing a group buy for an 5,5kg alloy undertray to protect the fuel tank; this is something I would seriously consider should I run lower profile tyres/having the car lowered and having a one degree nose down stance.

My car had a very light alloy undertray fitted when the previous owner installed the 85l fuel tank. I wouldn't say my car is very low (prob average based on other cars I have seen) but judging by the marks on the under tray, there isn't a huge amount of clearance.

Very interesting thread, will be watching with interest for the best tyre choice

[Bertroex]

Charles:

Conti's: you mean you run 16 inchers on your 2.4T?

Cheers,

Bert

[Mitch]

FWIW I've got Goodyear NCT 5's 195/65 & 215/60 R15 on 7 & 8's. I've been happy with them for normal road use and they've lasted well.

I'm thinking of changing this year, so I'm reading this thread with interest (thanks Andrew!) and keen to hear feedback on the Toyo CF1's as their R888 is well thought of for track use and wonder if the CF1 is a quality "touring" tyre? So, in the sizes I'm running I'll be looking at Toyo, P6000's and NCT 5 again.

[Bertroex]

Mitch,

I did the mallory park 6 hours event (well, half of it until the engine blew up- stop sniggering, Mike Bainbridge!) on Goodyear NCT5. I wouldn't have thought that they have a better grip than conti sport contacts but are probably a bit grippier than the pirelly p600. Now, has pirelly changed their compound for the p600, incidentally.

I borrowed Impmad2000 wheels for a photoshoot and the difference between his pirelli's and mine were:
floatey, not so surefooted in wet vs hard, progressively loosing grip, not so good in the wet.

Andrew, what is the requirement you need from you tyres, incidentally? You use it for events such as the Tour brittania?

Cheers,

Bert

[NigelC210]

I'm now on my 2nd set of Pirelli P6000 N1 on 7&8s, 195/65/15 and 215/60/15.
Driven 40k miles of mainly continental motoring in all weathers. No problems at all, good grip.

Last year the 215/60/15 N1 became NLA,
but now the P6000 N2 version is on the market for both 195/65/15 and 215/60/15
in a speed matching set.

NB In the late 70's Porsche changed the front tyre size from 185/70/15 to 195/65/15.

[redrobin911]

The tyres should be the same overall height/rolling circumference hence why the fronts have a higher tyre wall height - than the rears. You will need to check ride height and probably corner weight the car if you do this but its what i would do.

I've been reading with interest on some of the tyre choices for different applications for different cars and I wanted to expand on what i said earlier.

As said before the tyres should be the same height front and rear - this means a lower profile on the rear regardless of profile height. Secondly if you change from a 65 or 70 profile to a 55 or 50 profile you need to adjust the ride height and have corner weights checked - esp for front to rear axle balance, therefore it is possible to keep the same ground clearance by using a lower profile tyre.

One idea would be to use 60/65/70 profile tyres for road use then opt for a second set of "sticky tyres" for track day use where lower ground clearance isn't an issue, and in fact preferred. But do bear in mind that having suspension setup is much more critical for track use that tyre choice and the combination of both make for a fast track car, but this setup will be horrible on the road.

[IanMcLeod]

Mitch,

I did the mallory park 6 hours event (well, half of it until the engine blew up- stop sniggering, Mike Bainbridge!) on Goodyear NCT5 ...

Off topic Bert but does that event still exist as I looked last year and didn't see it and quite fancy having a go.

Ian.

[Ferry Man]

I've been looking at suitable tyres and I was very impressed with a set that Nick Moss had put on a black RS replica he restored (on 7's & 8's).
I saw them and thought they just looked superb.
They filled the arches nicely, they were the correct profile and the tread pattern was very pleasing and period correct.
The sidewall bulge was spot-on, they fit the rims a treat.
And what were they?..... ....Avons.
I set my mind then, that's what I'll be buying when I need tyres.

[Lightweight_911]

Yes, they're CR6ZZ's ...

[johnM]

I really like the Avons, worth the money in my opinion.
Just a bit dissapointing when you end up with one of these in them.



Kind regards.