I'm about to pull the trigger on a set of these, but am a bit hesitant due to the high (300ish) treadwear rating. I know they're quality tires, and supposed to be tremendous in the rain. But what I'd like to know is if they give sufficient grip on the street for some spirited driving and WOT pulls with 450ish rwhp

P.S. looking at running 285/30s in the back.

 

Rich,
Here are two good tests:

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....ticle_id=10252

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/ima...5_tiretest.pdf

 

do you drive in the rain? I do not hince why I have been thinking of R tires or just some MT DR's. Also those new TOYO tires look very nice..

 

Don't know if this will help, but I have a pair on the daily driver and what they say about teh tirs in the wet is true. In areas where you're extremely comfortable, you don't even need to slow down, the tires refuse to break loose.

 

Chuck, thanks for those links. The GS-D3 finished first in the C&D comparo, pretty impressive.

Mike, I don't typically drive in the rain, but in the event of a road trip (like down to Deal's Gap) I like to have the option.

 

Have you ran 285/30's in your FD before? I don't think you'll like them for a few reasons. Is that your only size option in that tire?

 

Hey Sean,

trying to keep the rolling diameter down to around 25 inches. I'm also considering 275/35, which I've read might actually help traction due to the bigger sidewall. Rolling diameter rises to 25.6 inches, which will hurt my gearing a bit. I am running 4.3 gears, so i guess i shouldnt be too concerned.....

 

I just know that running the 285/30's has two issues one is poor traction of the line the other is bent rims. If they have a 275/35 you may want to consider it. If you have any Fd's there running the 285/30's take a look at them, they tend to not fill the wheel well as well, and have almost no sidewall. The plus is gearing as you said, and the little extra width. I think you'll be better served overall with the 275. Do they offer the 295/30?

 

I bought a set of GS-D3's about 15K ago. I'm running 255/40/17 all the way around.

I was really excited when I first got them. I did all the research your doing and once I got the tires on they exceeded my expectatons. I knew immediately I would be purchasing again. I did a HPDE track event at Rockingham on them and they did awesome. And they were great in rain. DGRR 07 was near end of life and I didnt end up in a ditch even though I ended up driving way faster than I should have.

They remained pretty consistant throughout their life but now, as you would expect at 15K, are not so great. I have no rotations left in them and the rear is on the wear bar. Coupled with the winter temps I have little to no traction even at 10psi.

So I am shopping again and am thinking hard about going RE01R since I am limited to 255 on my rims and Im headed back to 16psi soon. I have had several non-rx7 friends rave about this tire and I am willing to sacrifice the treadwear for traction - 180 treadwear for 255's. They also dont completely suck in the rain though I am sure they arent as great as GS-D3's.

In your case I think 285 would get you a lot more traction but if your boost comes on fast you still may be over powering them. I have a progressive boost controller to try to deal with it - 10 psi from 1-30 mph, 12 psi from 31-45 mph, 14 psi 46-60mph and 16 psi 61+. Which of course I turn off completely at the track and run 10psi.

I'm likely making this decision in the next 2 weeks. Currently 75% chance I go RE01R. Hope this helps - it would make being sick and unable to sleep a tiny bit better if this info helps you at all...

 

Way to fast at DGRR?? Good info as I am going to need new tread after this year's event. Off topic, but are you going Sean?

 

On the fence. 60% yes at this point. You register already?

Rich - you buy any tires yet?

 

Yup.. Better b there..

 

I'm registered for DGRR 2008, so is Ray Crowe and Gordon Monsen .

No tire decision yet, still waiting on my Fikse Profils........

 

I was looking to get these tires also for my meisters but tire rack says they're backordered till end of april

 

If by some miracle I can get my car done then my plan is to make it there. I have soooo much stuff to do with customers stuff on top of a boatload of stuff to get my car done. So who knows.

~S~

 

I bought some RE01R's today. I should have them on the car by Friday and will let you know what I think of these compared to the GS-D3's that I have been running.

You decide yet Rich?

 

Yeah, those RE's are supposed to be great, like a new age S02pp. They don't come wide enough for the sizes I was looking into though.

I've decided to go with something that has oh, about half the treadwear rating of the D3s. Stay tuned, I hope the setup freaking fits