One thing I always recommend to new FD owners who are looking at a loooong list of things to buy for the car is a good set of tires. Tires make the car handle, go fast, do everything - if you have crap tires, you're getting nowhere.

My car came with some god-awful concrete rocks on the stock rims (they were mud and snow rated! Yikes!) and I ran those all the way down as I was restoring my Racing Beat rims at the time and was buying tires for the new rims.

So, when I did buy tires for the RB rims I got some Kumho Ecstas. Decent tire, I was DD'ing the car at the time and needed a compromise of grip and life. Well, they did pretty well but they just came up for replacement, the tread was down to the wear bars in the rear.

The Kumhos stuck fairly well, much better than the concrete that was on there before, but they didn't grip when cold and just didn't stick well in the corners. Also, in cold weather I had NO traction, rolling into the throttle in 2nd would light the tires up. That's with 255's in the back.

So, I decided to man up on tires. I don't DD the car any more so I wanted GRIP. I got some Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec (that's a lotta name) tires, 235/45/17 front, 265/40/17 rear. Tire Rack:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

So, yeah, HOLY CRAP. I have INSANE grip now. Making a right hand turn from a stop, I can punch it in 1st around the corner and just whip around. Freeway offramps are no problem at ludicrous speed. I'm also smelling clutch now as the tires are loading the drivetrain a LOT more than before.

Guys, the FD needs GOOD tires. The chassis is phenomenal, and good, sticky tires will bring the most out of it. Sticky tires will also keep your FD out of the ditch and keep you pointed the correct way down the street.

I paid around $700 for the Dunlops out the door. Yeah, it's a lot, but it will do more for the car than anything else. Single turbos, coilovers, PowerFC's, intercoolers are are useless if you can't put the power to the ground or grip your way around a corner.

I would seriously think about that before you put down money on your next mod - are my tires up to the task?

You'll be SHOCKED what your car can do with the right rubber.

Dale

 

The sad thing is, this info might be news to some around these parts

 

You should try it with some big gummy Kumho V710's on warm autox course.

 

Those Dunlops are great for the price. I have had Kuhmo, Pirelli, Bridgestone and now finally Michelin PS2's which I REALLY enjoy. While I can't afford the $600each for the 305 new, I snag them used on ebay for about $175 each with 70 to 80% thread left. For those looking for high end tires but cant afford it, snag some off of ebay with no patches or problems and save a significant amount of money. I have purchased 15 or so used tires from ebay without any issues and saved thousands of dollars.

 

I've been reading a lot of great reviews on those Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec's.

 

Yep!

 

I love when people realize what tires really can do for a car! I have people ask me all the time how I get traction etc.. Good tires are awesome

 

I my Dunlop Direzza star spec Z1's. After a few track days though I think I may be purchasing a new set soon. Another good choice is the Advan AD08's

-Dan

 

Hankook Evo 12's have served me well so far.... then again 265 fronts and 285 rears also make a huge difference

 

i just got the star specs also. loving them so far. 265/40/17 in the rear.

 

I run Star Spec z1s on my CTSV. PHENOMINAL tire. The FD is about due for new rubber too and these will be the tires I will get.

 

I like this thread, lol. I bought some 17's this year cause the stock rims with beat tires from the 90's just couldn't handle the 374whp I ended up making. I bought 17's that came with Kumho Ecsta MX's with 255's on the rear. If it's cold I'm ok as long as I don't give it too much gas but if I go any more than very light throttle with the boost down they just light right up. Now on a hot day it's pretty good at low boost but still breaks loose at higher boost.

So I've been giving this subject some thought cause I got a ported shroud and water injection for my car as well as scheduled some dyno time. Being as I don't have much traction now I know I need to do something. I bought a set of 18's that have 285's on them. The tires aren't gonna do it so I've been looking for a good 285/30/18. I wanted the Dunlop but didn't see it on tirerack. The Advan AD08's are and I've been thinking of getting them.

Does anyone have experience with them? I drive my 7 every day for the most part, it's the first full season it's been on the road. I'm curious how well they'll hold up. I'm looking to make about 450whp and get some traction. Any advice?

Tom you coming to Albany any time soon now that the car is up here?

 

^I had a set of MX's and hated them. I'm looking at the XS have heard a lot of good things about them and i'd like to give kumho 1 more try.

 

Same opinion of the MX's. I have the Star Spec's on my RX-7 and love them.