DannyBoyC6

Hi guys, I've been using the Toyo R888's on my C6 at HPDE events for a couple of sets of tires. The rears (315/30/18's) get pretty darn slick by the 15 minute mark in 80+ degree weather at my local track. I always have 10-15 good minutes, then the *** end starts sliding out, I then cool down for a few laps to get the grip back to where I need it, then go at it again for another 5 minutes until the session ends. I don't know if it's my driving style that cooks the rears or if I'm over/under-inflating them (I target somewhere in the 28-30 PSIG range when hot). Does anyone else have this issue with R888's?

My outside rear is pretty much shot, so I'm wanting to change to a different tire now if there is anything out there that provides similar dry grip without getting slippery and ruining my sessions half-way through.

Any thoughts or criticism is welcome!

Thanks!
Dan

parsonsj

I haven't run R888s for a couple of years, but I used to run 36-38 psi, as recommended by Toyo, as I recall.

fleming23

Are you only interested in R compound tires?

NT-01 would probably be the tire I would recommend as it comes in the 315/30-18 and is similar to the 888 but typically gets better reviews.

If you do any sort of dual purpose driving with the tire, I was very impressed with the BFG Rival S. I ran 295/30 888s for a few track days before upgrading to 315/30-18 Rival S tires and the rivals were faster, did not get slick (although tracking in 70 degree vs 90 degree so not apples to apples) and are still a great weekend tire. You do need to run them at a higher pressure though. I started about 27-28 cold and wore the arrows off the sidewall pretty quick. Same goes for the 888s. Were you using chalk or paint to check sidewall rollover?

LFZ

I notice this late in the day after 3-4 sessions.....but this is happening on a fresh set at the start of the day?

rbl

WAY under inflated. Start them at 36 Psi cold and come off the track in 42-44 range ... huge difference. I ran them for 5 years.

R888 is a good tire but like higher pressures.

SouthernSon

Might look at the inflation pressures as suggested. Also, could be rear alignment, applying too much power for grip in exiting, A/H on, maybe not broken in correctly or just old tires. You might find someone at the track with a pyrometer to check the temperatures.

DannyBoyC6

Thanks for the good info, guys. I used to run them higher - like 38 PSIG hot, but got hammered by the instructor-level guys for being *way* too high. I guess I'll get another set for the rears and keep them up higher and see what happens.

DannyBoyC6

I'll also definitely look at the NT-01s to see if they handle the heat any better. I believe I had the grease-out issue on the R888s when they were fairly fresh and I was coming off the track more high-30's hot, so it might be worth trying another rubber.
Thanks again

Highroller101

I would start with 35 in the rear and 33 in the front

Typically you look for 35-38 hot in a tire like this, but for some reason R888 like a lot of pressure

hungryhippo

A lot of different preferences for this tire... personally, 36 hot felt the best on my car. Nt01's are a way better tire.

rbl

The instructor-level guys probably have never run the tire and should keep their mouth shut (even though they are trying to be helpful) since they obviously think they are the same as a Hoosier, which they certainly are not. I never told my students what pressure to run unless I had first hand knowledge.

Search the forum and you will find that they need air to stick but also check the rear alignment as suggested by SS.

TKOGTO

My experience as well. 36 hot works best for me but by 38 they are borderline useless. It's odd how you'll see different experiences with these tires. I followed higher pressure recommendations most gave 1st time out. Less than halfway through 1st session, I had to come in to lower them. Never has an issue thereafter. Despite this I would try higher pressures. It seems to work for many if not most.

B Stead

Here's an example of a tire manual:

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/asset..._NEW_FINAL.pdf
.

StreetSpeed

Just because you're an instructor doesn't mean you know squat about tires. I know this because I'm an instructor and I know squat about tires (other than the Hoosiers I now use pretty much always). That said I ran R888s for a season and ran them at 40psi hot and had no complaints. Any time someone asks me about temps I tell them to look it up in the tire manual.

Whis9

http://parsbrorc.com/?page_id=250

SunnydayDILYSI

I've run a lot of R888s and NT-01s (also NT-05s and a couple others). They all got slick after 15 minutes of running hard on a warm day (I'm in Texas, so we get more than our share). I recommend full slicks or practice tire management (i.e., don't stay on the bleeding edge every turn, manage on and off the edge throughout the turns to manage temps).

Last C5

I'm an instructor and I've run in instructor only groups and wondered whether some of those guys even had driver's licenses.

Ive run 888s for years and I run 315/30/18s square at 39 to 42 hot.
On a hundred degree day they can get a little slick by the end of the day if you're pushing hard. Other than that they're fine.

Soloontario

Just switch to NT01's and run about 35 hot.

J.R.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ies/iagree.gif
Raced them for solid year awhile ago and agree with above.

Kubs

Chalking your tires is a good starting point, but to be the most accurate you should take tire temps across the tread with a pyrometer. That will not only help with pressure but alignment as well.