New to autocrossing...advice on best tire for buck
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
New to autocrossing...advice on best tire for buck
I have a 94 Corvette and I purchased some 97-99 C5 rims. Just need to find some autocross tires for them.
I believe the rims are 17"x8.5 for the fronts and 18"x9.5" in the rear (I think).
So, I am guessing that would be 255s in the front and 285s in the rear.
I have heard Hoosiers are horrible per people that autocross in my local club. Expensive and don't last.
I have heard Kuhmos are about the best bang for buck. Maybe not the best, but considering how much cheaper they are, you get a good deal.
I know NOTHING about tires. So dummy down replies.
TIA
I believe the rims are 17"x8.5 for the fronts and 18"x9.5" in the rear (I think).
So, I am guessing that would be 255s in the front and 285s in the rear.
I have heard Hoosiers are horrible per people that autocross in my local club. Expensive and don't last.
I have heard Kuhmos are about the best bang for buck. Maybe not the best, but considering how much cheaper they are, you get a good deal.
I know NOTHING about tires. So dummy down replies.
TIA
#2
Le Mans Master
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I have a 94 Corvette and I purchased some 97-99 C5 rims. Just need to find some autocross tires for them.
I believe the rims are 17"x8.5 for the fronts and 18"x9.5" in the rear (I think).
So, I am guessing that would be 255s in the front and 285s in the rear.
I have heard Hoosiers are horrible per people that autocross in my local club. Expensive and don't last.
I have heard Kuhmos are about the best bang for buck. Maybe not the best, but considering how much cheaper they are, you get a good deal.
I know NOTHING about tires. So dummy down replies.
TIA
I believe the rims are 17"x8.5 for the fronts and 18"x9.5" in the rear (I think).
So, I am guessing that would be 255s in the front and 285s in the rear.
I have heard Hoosiers are horrible per people that autocross in my local club. Expensive and don't last.
I have heard Kuhmos are about the best bang for buck. Maybe not the best, but considering how much cheaper they are, you get a good deal.
I know NOTHING about tires. So dummy down replies.
TIA
#3
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W. Detroit Events Coordinator
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Scrubs or if you want a new tire NITTO NT01, not as fast as a Hoosier but will last for ever and won't drop off much at all.
#4
Le Mans Master
I'm running Michelin PS2's as I drive the car daily and like having great handling in both dry and wet conditions. If you couldn't tell from my avatar I absolutely love them. They are pricey, but they are stupid predictable, handle great and are the most quite road tire I've ever driven on. Had Kuhmos on the car previously and I'll never cheap out on tires again. If you want a track only tire you can drive to the course on, that NITTO NT01 is a great tire.
Oh, I'm running stock C5 tire sizes, 245/45/17 and 275/40/18. Before the start of next season I hope to get 17x9.5/18x10.5 and step up to ZO6 tire sizes 265/40/17 and 295/35/18. Pretty nimble and doesn't understeer too much.
Oh, I'm running stock C5 tire sizes, 245/45/17 and 275/40/18. Before the start of next season I hope to get 17x9.5/18x10.5 and step up to ZO6 tire sizes 265/40/17 and 295/35/18. Pretty nimble and doesn't understeer too much.
Last edited by shakedown067; 10-23-2009 at 10:21 AM.
#5
Melting Slicks
You won't find a faster tire than the Hoosier A6 - it's just phenominal. But, if you're on a tight budget, just run used scuffs until you figure out which one(s) you like and can afford....and your driving comes up to that level.
#6
Le Mans Master
I've been autocrossing the past several years on Toyo RA-1s or Kumho V700 Victoracers. They're not as grippy as Hoosier A6s or V710s, but they're a lot better than a good street tire, and you can drive them to/from home.
Just this year I've made the transition to Hoosier scrubs, and while the A6s grip much, much better, they also wear much, MUCH faster.
Also, you can run 275s up front and 305s in the rear. You'll get many comments about poor contact patch, etc., but I've had no problems.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Just this year I've made the transition to Hoosier scrubs, and while the A6s grip much, much better, they also wear much, MUCH faster.
Also, you can run 275s up front and 305s in the rear. You'll get many comments about poor contact patch, etc., but I've had no problems.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
#7
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That's a bold statement & I beg to differ it really depends on your application. I don't know about auto cross but as far as TT and Road Racing A6 is one of the best, although initial testing of a tire other than a A6 has produced better results for me.
#8
You would really like the Nitto NT01. I have a set for my Mustang, and they're great. Lots of grip, and I can drive the car to the event.
When you get more experience, and you want to be a contender in your class (A Stock?), you'll want Hoosier A6s.
When you get more experience, and you want to be a contender in your class (A Stock?), you'll want Hoosier A6s.
#10
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It's the fastest DOT tire, I'd agree with that. Full slicks would be faster though.
#11
Le Mans Master
I bet you drink this
The Victoracers will be the easiest transition to the real world of short lived sticky tires. They will last your whole season + depending on how much you autocross.
You'll be (this varies on who you ask) ~1-1.5 seconds behind fresh V710 Khumo's but you can always step up to those once you get competitive.
The Victoracers will be the easiest transition to the real world of short lived sticky tires. They will last your whole season + depending on how much you autocross.
You'll be (this varies on who you ask) ~1-1.5 seconds behind fresh V710 Khumo's but you can always step up to those once you get competitive.
#12
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IMHO Kumho Victoracers, good price and last a little longer, down side they dont come in 18 inch sizes. check out the newer 200 wear rated tires like the Kuhmo XS, Nitto Nt05,
#13
http://scca.com/popup/raceresult.asp...13555&file=854
I would get some good street tires first before moving to a DOT race tire. You will learn so much more about the handling of the car which will allow you to become a better driver quicker. Then after a year or so get some race tires.
check out the newer 200 wear rated tires like the Kuhmo XS, Nitto Nt05
#14
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http://scca.com/popup/raceresult.asp...13555&file=854
I would get some good street tires first before moving to a DOT race tire. You will learn so much more about the handling of the car which will allow you to become a better driver quicker. Then after a year or so get some race tires.
I would get some good street tires first before moving to a DOT race tire. You will learn so much more about the handling of the car which will allow you to become a better driver quicker. Then after a year or so get some race tires.
#15
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I'm running Michelin PS2's as I drive the car daily and like having great handling in both dry and wet conditions. If you couldn't tell from my avatar I absolutely love them. They are pricey, but they are stupid predictable, handle great and are the most quite road tire I've ever driven on. Had Kuhmos on the car previously and I'll never cheap out on tires again. If you want a track only tire you can drive to the course on, that NITTO NT01 is a great tire.
Oh, I'm running stock C5 tire sizes, 245/45/17 and 275/40/18. Before the start of next season I hope to get 17x9.5/18x10.5 and step up to ZO6 tire sizes 265/40/17 and 295/35/18. Pretty nimble and doesn't understeer too much.
Oh, I'm running stock C5 tire sizes, 245/45/17 and 275/40/18. Before the start of next season I hope to get 17x9.5/18x10.5 and step up to ZO6 tire sizes 265/40/17 and 295/35/18. Pretty nimble and doesn't understeer too much.
#16
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http://scca.com/popup/raceresult.asp...13555&file=854
I would get some good street tires first before moving to a DOT race tire. You will learn so much more about the handling of the car which will allow you to become a better driver quicker. Then after a year or so get some race tires.
I would get some good street tires first before moving to a DOT race tire. You will learn so much more about the handling of the car which will allow you to become a better driver quicker. Then after a year or so get some race tires.
i do not belong to the learn the car with street tires group. the Vette is completely different with slicks. no comparison. but if you have no idea how to drive a track car, then i sgree, strat with street tires and get loose!
and get some time spinning sideways in the dirt too
Last edited by rustyguns; 10-23-2009 at 04:28 PM.
#17
The only reason I say that is a noob with race tires is going to cord and heat cycle them out sooner than someone who knows how to drive. (I learned that the hard way a long time ago :o) But if you go the race tire way right away the scrubs would be the ticket.
#18
Charles,
You asked, "which tire should I run"? The first question you may want to ask it which TYPE of tire should I run. Race tire (Hoosier A6, Kuhmo V710, etc) or a street tire (Kuhmo MX, Michelin PS2, etc). I'd start with that question first.
My opinion is that you will learn a lot more and spend a lot less money running a street tire. Once you have some experience, you will take more advantage of the race tire. Race tires hide mistakes and actually make it harder to learn.
Chris Shay
You asked, "which tire should I run"? The first question you may want to ask it which TYPE of tire should I run. Race tire (Hoosier A6, Kuhmo V710, etc) or a street tire (Kuhmo MX, Michelin PS2, etc). I'd start with that question first.
My opinion is that you will learn a lot more and spend a lot less money running a street tire. Once you have some experience, you will take more advantage of the race tire. Race tires hide mistakes and actually make it harder to learn.
Chris Shay
#19
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Where can I get scuffs?
These rims and tires will be used strictly for autocross. So they dont have to be street legal or DOT approved. DOT approved = street legal, right?
I have Goodyear Eagle V treads on them right now. I would hate to be putting 10k worth of street driven mileage wear on them in 1 day every time I autocross.
BTW, I am new to autocross and really just plan on doing it for fun more so than competition. Hell, my car is an automatic. I am not one of those die hard guys that's care only weights 2000lbs because I gutted it and took everything out of it. Just FYI.
These rims and tires will be used strictly for autocross. So they dont have to be street legal or DOT approved. DOT approved = street legal, right?
I have Goodyear Eagle V treads on them right now. I would hate to be putting 10k worth of street driven mileage wear on them in 1 day every time I autocross.
BTW, I am new to autocross and really just plan on doing it for fun more so than competition. Hell, my car is an automatic. I am not one of those die hard guys that's care only weights 2000lbs because I gutted it and took everything out of it. Just FYI.
Last edited by CStewTAMU; 10-23-2009 at 10:34 PM.
#20
Le Mans Master
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Where can I get scuffs?
These rims and tires will be used strictly for autocross. So they dont have to be street legal or DOT approved. DOT approved = street legal, right?
I have Goodyear Eagle V treads on them right now. I would hate to be putting 10k worth of street driven mileage wear on them in 1 day every time I autocross.
BTW, I am new to autocross and really just plan on doing it for fun more so than competition. Hell, my car is an automatic. I am not one of those die hard guys that's care only weights 2000lbs because I gutted it and took everything out of it. Just FYI.
These rims and tires will be used strictly for autocross. So they dont have to be street legal or DOT approved. DOT approved = street legal, right?
I have Goodyear Eagle V treads on them right now. I would hate to be putting 10k worth of street driven mileage wear on them in 1 day every time I autocross.
BTW, I am new to autocross and really just plan on doing it for fun more so than competition. Hell, my car is an automatic. I am not one of those die hard guys that's care only weights 2000lbs because I gutted it and took everything out of it. Just FYI.
speak of the devil this guy has some http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...-for-sale.html
and i forgot ...i some extra scrubs too. what size rims do you have?
Last edited by rustyguns; 10-23-2009 at 11:02 PM.