Tires in the RAIN!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 104
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From: Alabama
Tires in the RAIN!!
I've recently returned from a 'Vette event and autocross. I drove home thru Isadore's constant rain. Part of Xcross was in the dry, part in the rain. I'm on Pirelli P7000 Supersports-315/35/17 rear; 275/40/17 front, on a Camaro. My question is, are these tires notoriously loose in wet conditions? During Xcross they worked great on dry pavement, then were horribly slippery in the rain. The drive home was scary at and BELOW speed limit on Interstates with hydroplaning and no front end steering. Is this known as a dry weather only tire?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,334
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From: Western NY
Re: Tires in the RAIN!! (bma2)
Along with the C-5, I also own a Camaro. When the OE tires wore out, I replaced them with a set of the P7000 Super Sports, although in the stock size of 245/50-16. I did, however, step up to a set of 16"x9.5" CCW rims.
I drove the car on a daily basis throughout the summer, and found the tires to handle well in wet and dry, but I didn't get a lot of miles out of them. (and I don't mean because of burnouts!!) The OE GYs lasted 23-24K miles, whereas the Pirellis went maybe 16-17K miles. When the Pirellis were replaced, I went back to GYs, although I bought "takeoffs" from SLP Engineering.
IMHO, I think that your front tires are quite wide, and possibly they just can't evacuate the water fast enough to prevent hydroplaning. The GYs on the Corvette are similarily sized, bur the GYs have a much more open tread, which allows the water to pass through.
I drove the car on a daily basis throughout the summer, and found the tires to handle well in wet and dry, but I didn't get a lot of miles out of them. (and I don't mean because of burnouts!!) The OE GYs lasted 23-24K miles, whereas the Pirellis went maybe 16-17K miles. When the Pirellis were replaced, I went back to GYs, although I bought "takeoffs" from SLP Engineering.
IMHO, I think that your front tires are quite wide, and possibly they just can't evacuate the water fast enough to prevent hydroplaning. The GYs on the Corvette are similarily sized, bur the GYs have a much more open tread, which allows the water to pass through.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 104
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From: Alabama
Re: Tires in the RAIN!! (leadfoot4)
I've considered the thought that the overall width of the fronts (and rears) is a considerable part of the problem, but they are impressively ssticky in the dry! Thanks for the reply
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Bay Area CA
Re: Tires in the RAIN!! (bma2)
I had a friend with an Integra GS-R that ran P7000's. His size was 205/45R16 on 16 x 7 inch rims. They were great in the dry, but slippery in water. Just thought you'd like to know.