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Old Apr 5, 2014 | 11:46 PM
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Default Run flat question

searched but could not find........anyone know what kind of unsprung weight saving you would get going to a premium sport tire from the OEM Z51 runflats? thx
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 01:13 AM
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Originally Posted by nsxpilot
searched but could not find........anyone know what kind of unsprung weight saving you would get going to a premium sport tire from the OEM Z51 runflats? thx
specs for the original Michelin Super Sports run flats:

front P245/35ZR19 27 lbs.
rear P285/30ZR20 32 lbs.

specs for Michelin Sport A/S 3 non run flats:

front 245/35ZR19 25 lbs.
rear 285/30ZR20 30 lbs

you save 2 lbs. at each wheel.

I switched to Pilot Sport A/S 3 at 3k miles. I now have 1K miles on the new tires and the improvement in ride quality for street use is remarkable. If you plan to track your car, keep the Super Sports for race day.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 01:35 AM
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You won't find a better track tire for your Stingray but the Michelin All Season 3 tires are a better choice for day-to-day driving and they're drivable in colder temps. They will also wear longer than the Super Sport tires.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 03:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Shortimer
You won't find a better track tire for your Stingray but the Michelin All Season 3 tires are a better choice for day-to-day driving and they're drivable in colder temps. They will also wear longer than the Super Sport tires.
plus, they dont crack if you expose them to temps below 40 degrees.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 07:30 AM
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thanks guys, good to know. Ive never been a fan of R/F's, am a little surprised its only a 2 lbs saving, it sounds like R/F's have lessened the traditional negative characteristics associated with them. My preference is to get the quietest and smoothest ride the car can provide, so long as they are reasonable sticky. Is it the soft compound in the OEM tires that make it better for track use? Like any mod, I suppose its hard to "get it all"......
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by nsxpilot
thanks guys, good to know. Ive never been a fan of R/F's, am a little surprised its only a 2 lbs saving, it sounds like R/F's have lessened the traditional negative characteristics associated with them. My preference is to get the quietest and smoothest ride the car can provide, so long as they are reasonable sticky. Is it the soft compound in the OEM tires that make it better for track use? Like any mod, I suppose its hard to "get it all"......
I have been driving on run flats for the past 16.5 years, including 6 years in my C6 Z06. I find no difference, that my finely tuned butt can detect, in the car's performance while riding on run flats.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by JoesC5
I have been driving on run flats for the past 16.5 years, including 6 years in my C6 Z06. I find no difference, that my finely tuned butt can detect, in the car's performance while riding on run flats.
Me also. I have been driving performance cars for a long time. I like the feel. And, I do not want a ride like sitting on my living room couch.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by nsxpilot
thanks guys, good to know. Ive never been a fan of R/F's, am a little surprised its only a 2 lbs saving, it sounds like R/F's have lessened the traditional negative characteristics associated with them. My preference is to get the quietest and smoothest ride the car can provide, so long as they are reasonable sticky. Is it the soft compound in the OEM tires that make it better for track use? Like any mod, I suppose its hard to "get it all"......
I read somewhere in an SAE paper that there is more than one elastomer in the tread. The outer material is different from the middle of the tire....thus, you get great cornering and great straight ahead properties.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by JoesC5
I have been driving on run flats for the past 16.5 years, including 6 years in my C6 Z06. I find no difference, that my finely tuned butt can detect, in the car's performance while riding on run flats.
...you might want to restate that...if you've been on the runflats for that long, you have not made an A-B comparison!
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by JoesC5
I have been driving on run flats for the past 16.5 years, including 6 years in my C6 Z06. I find no difference, that my finely tuned butt can detect, in the car's performance while riding on run flats.
I don't claim to be that discerning in such matters, but the last two performance cars (an M6 and an SLK)-- when I replaced the run flats with good performance tires, the diff was very noticeable. Quieter, smoother AND stickier. In fact, the tires on the M6, if I remember right were like 8 Lbs lighter per corner.... and unsprung weight is never a good thing. Although I don't dispute it, I'm a little surprised the R/F's on the C7 are more track capable. But then again, I'm surprised Chevy built the C7! JMHO
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 12:29 PM
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In my post #2, I claimed improved street ride qualities with the Michelin Sport A/S 3 versus the Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Those qualities include less noise, less unsprung weight, less flying road debris, less tire hop, better wear, and better all-season traction. But for stickiness, traction, and overall performance on the track, the Super Sport is far superior.

BTW, tire weights were pulled from specs provided from Tire Rack website.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by indy 28
In my post #2, I claimed improved street ride qualities with the Michelin Sport A/S 3 versus the Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Those qualities include less noise, less unsprung weight, less flying road debris, less tire hop, better wear, and better all-season traction. But for stickiness, traction, and overall performance on the track, the Super Sport is far superior.

BTW, tire weights were pulled from specs provided from Tire Rack website.
I'm not necessarily doubting you but I find it very hard to believe you can feel 2lbs of weight difference in the AS3 to the PSS.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by gthal
I'm not necessarily doubting you but I find it very hard to believe you can feel 2lbs of weight difference in the AS3 to the PSS.
I can't feel just 2 lbs., its the overall street ride qualities and handling that are improved, of which unsprung weight must be part of the equation, or would you find that hard to believe. Make the switch, and perhaps you'll have a different opinion.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by $$$frumnuttin'
...you might want to restate that...if you've been on the runflats for that long, you have not made an A-B comparison!
16.5 years ago was in the fall of 1997. Are you aware that Jim Perkins did not like run flat tires and the C5 was originally intended to be fitted with non run flat tires as standard equipment with the run flats as an option(like on the C4)?

GM & Goodyear had identical tires made for the C5, both run flat and non run flat at the very beginning of the C5 production run. Jim Perkins retired in 1996 and the decision was made to release the C5 with run flat tires as standard equipment. If you didn't like the run flats, you could buy the same tire in a non run flat. A-B comparison was available 16.5 years ago.
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 03:17 PM
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Originally Posted by JoesC5
16.5 years ago was in the fall of 1997. Are you aware that Jim Perkins did not like run flat tires and the C5 was originally intended to be fitted with non run flat tires as standard equipment with the run flats as an option(like on the C4)?

GM & Goodyear had identical tires made for the C5, both run flat and non run flat at the very beginning of the C5 production run. Jim Perkins retired in 1996 and the decision was made to release the C5 with run flat tires as standard equipment. If you didn't like the run flats, you could buy the same tire in a non run flat. A-B comparison was available 16.5 years ago.
You win!
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Old Apr 6, 2014 | 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by indy 28
I can't feel just 2 lbs., its the overall street ride qualities and handling that are improved, of which unsprung weight must be part of the equation, or would you find that hard to believe. Make the switch, and perhaps you'll have a different opinion.
That makes sense...

Having said that, I would NEVER switch... I want more traction and responsiveness and not less The ride is quiet and refined enough with the PSS. I want sharp turn-in, very high grip levels and responsiveness. Those are the "compromises" any AS tire makes versus their summer only sibling. For some people, the noise, ride comfort and wet traction is more important... for me, it is all about performance. Just my opinion though
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