Traction: Cost vs Benifit
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: God's Country, ID
Traction: Cost vs Benifit
The cost to go from a 285 to a 325 or 345 rear tire is not cheap.
It looks like it's gonna cost about $2200 by the time I add up the Z06 rear fenders & hardware, paint work, widening the rear 19's and powder coating all four wheels black. This isn't even including the cost of two new fat rear tires (I just purchased two new 285's 3 weeks ago
).
I'm interested to know if there's a big enough improvement in traction to spend the cash?
Plan B was to consider a more sticky tire in the 285-305 range. Currently I'm running a 285 Kumho, detuned to 525whp, and still have to modulate my right foot to keep from over powering the tires. I'm doubtfull however that anything over 550rwhp is going to hook-up in that tire size without a full on drag tire? I don't want to give up canyon carving however. (Yes I want my cake and eat it to).
Is there a less expensive route that will improve traction but not take away cornering? I'll spend the $$ if I can actually hook-up with 580-600whp on a street tire. I'm not expecting to go WOT from a standstill. But would like to keep from going sideways in the mid-upper RPM range. Any imput, thoughts or advice from you folks that improved your straightline traction would be appreciated.
It looks like it's gonna cost about $2200 by the time I add up the Z06 rear fenders & hardware, paint work, widening the rear 19's and powder coating all four wheels black. This isn't even including the cost of two new fat rear tires (I just purchased two new 285's 3 weeks ago
).I'm interested to know if there's a big enough improvement in traction to spend the cash?
Plan B was to consider a more sticky tire in the 285-305 range. Currently I'm running a 285 Kumho, detuned to 525whp, and still have to modulate my right foot to keep from over powering the tires. I'm doubtfull however that anything over 550rwhp is going to hook-up in that tire size without a full on drag tire? I don't want to give up canyon carving however. (Yes I want my cake and eat it to).
Is there a less expensive route that will improve traction but not take away cornering? I'll spend the $$ if I can actually hook-up with 580-600whp on a street tire. I'm not expecting to go WOT from a standstill. But would like to keep from going sideways in the mid-upper RPM range. Any imput, thoughts or advice from you folks that improved your straightline traction would be appreciated.
Last edited by DSOMC6; Dec 1, 2011 at 01:35 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Which Khumo are you running? There is a HUGE difference between say, a Khumo SPT and a Khumo XS.
SPT has a 320 tread rating and the XS has 180 tread rating and is about the softest street tire made.
If you want/need to stay with a 285 get yourself a Khumo XS, Bridgestone RE-11 or a Hankook R-S3.
No street tire is going to hold in low gears with 525rwhp though.
SPT has a 320 tread rating and the XS has 180 tread rating and is about the softest street tire made.
If you want/need to stay with a 285 get yourself a Khumo XS, Bridgestone RE-11 or a Hankook R-S3.
No street tire is going to hold in low gears with 525rwhp though.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,858
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
Which Khumo are you running? There is a HUGE difference between say, a Khumo SPT and a Khumo XS.
SPT has a 320 tread rating and the XS has 180 tread rating and is about the softest street tire made.
If you want/need to stay with a 285 get yourself a Khumo XS, Bridgestone RE-11 or a Hankook R-S3.
No street tire is going to hold in low gears with 525rwhp though.
SPT has a 320 tread rating and the XS has 180 tread rating and is about the softest street tire made.
If you want/need to stay with a 285 get yourself a Khumo XS, Bridgestone RE-11 or a Hankook R-S3.
No street tire is going to hold in low gears with 525rwhp though.
I have an A6 tranny so it's not too difficult to keep it straight and from overpowering the tires off the line, but on the 2-3 shift at wot it's a little scary stepping-out at those speeds.
Would a 325 or 345. (say PS2) grip well enough it's worth spending $3k? I'n not looking for cosmetics just want better performance.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,858
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,858
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
Correct. My concern would be the tire sticking out beyond the fender and hitting the edge/lip over bumps etc. Is the suspension (z51 shocks currently) stiff enough that the several inch gap will be enough to prevent this?
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 418
Likes: 3
From: Fallsington PA
Its not all about the width of the tire either. Alot of getting a car to hook up is in the sidewall. A smaller diameter wheel and a tire with more of a sidewall will hook better than a real low profile tire.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: God's Country, ID
This may be a workaround until I purchase/mount wider fenders later next year. It sure would be sweet to upgrade to coilovers rather than fenders at this time.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
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From: Long Island New York
Widening the stock wheel wont do it for 325's. Just widening the inside will cause rubbing(from what Ive read).
CCW makes several wheels that with the proper offset allow 325/275 tires to be mounted with no rubbing or sticking outside the stock bodywork. They also allow for BBK's, I've had them on my car for almost 3 years now. Mounted are Bridgestone Pole Positions which I like better than the Goodyears. Better traction, less tramlining, longer wearing and less expensive.
You also mention traction with 550+hp and canyons. Are you talking about traction from a dig? If you are then obviously a quality drag radial is needed. If canyon carving, the drags arent as desireable.
I have 522rwhp and the Bridgestones are a nice balance. The car sticks very nicely.
CCW makes several wheels that with the proper offset allow 325/275 tires to be mounted with no rubbing or sticking outside the stock bodywork. They also allow for BBK's, I've had them on my car for almost 3 years now. Mounted are Bridgestone Pole Positions which I like better than the Goodyears. Better traction, less tramlining, longer wearing and less expensive.
You also mention traction with 550+hp and canyons. Are you talking about traction from a dig? If you are then obviously a quality drag radial is needed. If canyon carving, the drags arent as desireable.
I have 522rwhp and the Bridgestones are a nice balance. The car sticks very nicely.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
Widening the stock wheel wont do it for 325's. Just widening the inside will cause rubbing(from what Ive read).
CCW makes several wheels that with the proper offset allow 325/275 tires to be mounted with no rubbing or sticking outside the stock bodywork. They also allow for BBK's, I've had them on my car for almost 3 years now. Mounted are Bridgestone Pole Positions which I like better than the Goodyears. Better traction, less tramlining, longer wearing and less expensive.
You also mention traction with 550+hp and canyons. Are you talking about traction from a dig? If you are then obviously a quality drag radial is needed. If canyon carving, the drags arent as desireable.
I have 522rwhp and the Bridgestones are a nice balance. The car sticks very nicely.
CCW makes several wheels that with the proper offset allow 325/275 tires to be mounted with no rubbing or sticking outside the stock bodywork. They also allow for BBK's, I've had them on my car for almost 3 years now. Mounted are Bridgestone Pole Positions which I like better than the Goodyears. Better traction, less tramlining, longer wearing and less expensive.
You also mention traction with 550+hp and canyons. Are you talking about traction from a dig? If you are then obviously a quality drag radial is needed. If canyon carving, the drags arent as desireable.
I have 522rwhp and the Bridgestones are a nice balance. The car sticks very nicely.
Neither is a big deal and would save the OP TONS of money over the CCWs
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,858
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From: God's Country, ID
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
How much does it cost to widen the wheels and ship back and forth?
CCW's arent that much(compared to some others) and you get a better, forged wheel. Just one opinion and option.
Last edited by NYC6; Dec 1, 2011 at 04:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,858
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From: God's Country, ID
I took a quick peak underneath and it looks doable. I just have to figure out how a 265/325 set-up will affect over/under stear and if it can be set-up correctly?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 475
Likes: 1
From: New Richmond, Wi
I run 325's on the LG wheels. Car is lowered all the way in the rear on stock bolts and no problems at all. I wouldn't suggest trying the Stock Z goodyears though, they are too wide. I run Mich PS2 ZP (Zr1 tires, but in 19") and they are amazing tires.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,858
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From: God's Country, ID
