I just ordered a set of Potenza S-03s in stock size 225/50/16 for $138 a piece, grand total with shipping at around $587.20.

I read the reviews on these tires and they seem to fit my needs accordingly, in both dry and wet traction.

So what tires are you using and how are they?

Dan.

 

You'll be real happy with those. The consensus at this point is S-03, Toyo T1S, and Pzero Assimetricos.

The toyo and Pirelli for lightweight. From what I hear the Toyo's steering response is a little more progressive while the S-03's are quicker. I have heard great things about both tires and never a complaint.

However it truly comes down to each individual's driving style and needs.

Rishie

 

Hey Rishie, you still remember me?

I came one day with Justin, I was the guy with the red Prelude asking for a tire swap, mount and balance, like several months ago. Still remember that?

I sold the Lude and got a 93 FD base. Now looking for parts for this car. Can you give me your # so I can ask you about some wheels?

Thanks.

Dan.

 

I am running S-03s and I like them very much. Of particular note is the excellent wet traction / hydroplane resistance and braking power. It sounds like you got a good deal on some excellent tires.

I bought two sets of wheels from Rishie and I recommend him as a wheel source. He has great prices and service, knows the RX-7 fitments well, and supports the RX-7 community.

-Max

 

I'm running Pzero Assimetricos... i'm very happy with them. They've got enough grip to rub stock tire size on the fender lining around a hard corner with the stock shocks and eibach springs. I'm particularly impressed by the steering response & nice stiff sidewall. They are light years better than the Goodyear GS-Ds that used to be on the car and make the Nittos on my MR2 feel like jello.

I don't think that I've ever driven them in the rain, so I can't say how they perform when the road is less than perfect (it's rained all of 3-4 times this year in So Cal)

I've got 225's up front and 245's in the rear and am wishing I went the same size all the way around - I'm not a big fan of understeer (edit: it is kinda nice to be able to get on the throttle early while coming out of a corner, but I'd still rather be more neutral)

 

What are the advantages/disadvantages of having wider rear tires than the front?

Dan.

 

I have 255/40-17 Yokohama AVS Intermediates all around on 9 x 17, 45-mm offset SSR Integral A2s. They grip well in the dry, but have had better grip with the P-Zero Asimmetricos in the wet (in size 225/50-16).

For the road course, I have 245/45- and 275/40- 17-inch Hoosier R3S30s on SSR Comps 8.5 and 9.5 wide 17-inch wheels. Outstanding performance for a DOT tire, and has no peer in this regard...although I am hearing from local Porsche guys that the Michelin Pilot Sport Comps have 98% of Hoosier's grip, but for many many more heat cycles. Some are saying that you run Pilot Comps for the whole season, and not lose the grip!

With that said, I'm on my 2nd set of Hoosiers, so...perhaps I'll need to look into the Pilot Sport Comps?

 

The S-03s are fantastic. I'm running 235/45R-17s in the front and 255/40R-17s in the rear. They have unbelievable grip and are very progressive at the limit. I haven't driven them much in the rain, but for the little I have, I have no complaints.

Evil - The advantages of running larger tires in the back are a couple. First, the car will lean towards understeer (or push). This means that the front end will slide before the rear, all else being equal. However, throttle input and/or trail braking can get the back end to take a nice set, and the car is easier to manipulate (adjust attitude) in mid corner with a slight rear bias (for me anyway). Second, as BirianK pointed out, you can get on the gas earlier and harder coming out of a corner with the larger rears because they'll have more bite. This translates into higher exit speeds and faster straight away speeds (for those road racers out there...). This extra grip becomes more important when you start modding and adding more power.

The disadvantage is also the understeer. The car will not be quite as neutral as stock (how far off depends on the difference between the tires widths). I find this to be less of a concern because you can always adjust the car's line with the throttle and/or brakes.

It really comes down to driving style and preference. Some people prefer more neutral handling, and some like a little more rear grip. There's really no right or wrong.

Also, remember there is more to handling balance than tire widths. The springs, shocks, sway bars, and suspension links all play a role too...but that's a whole other conversation.

 

kdamer thanks for the info.

However, I'm having a slight change in mind of tires. Now I'm looking at the BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW tires.

Are those any good? From the reviews that I've read these perform a bit less than the S-03s, but still good tires?

Thanks.

Dan.

 

I have not personnally ever had KDWs on any of my cars before (I stick with Michelin, Pirelli and Bridgestone), but from what I hear, they are quite sticky. But, I also hear their tread life is not as good as the more expensive tires (like the S-03s). You get what you pay for I guess...

Anyone else ever run KDWs?

Also, as ARD T2 mentioned, the Toyo T1-S Proxes are also quite good (and slightly cheaper than the S-03s, I believe). In fact, the Speedvision (or Speed Channel, or what ever the hell they call it now) Touring car and GT series both run the T1-S across the board.

 

Where's the best place to order the T1Ss?

 

which of the three has longer tread life.

 

make sure you're thinking about the right tire... There's a T/A KD and a T/A KDW ('W' being for wet traction). From what I understand, the KD's are excellent, the KDW's are just so-so. I'm reasonably sure that the KD's are more in the same league with the S-03's, but the KDw's are more along the lines of the Bridgestone RE-010 - a decent tire, but nothing special (flexy sidewalls and noisey around corners)

The KD's are also only available in a limited number of sizes, so they may not have appeared if you were searching for 16" tires on the tire rack (I made the same mistake when looking for tires)

edit: looks like you can get the KD's in 225/50/16 now - $186/tire *ouch* - and they can only be rotated forward/backward (not opposite corner)

 

Well whatever I choose, it'll be nothing else besides the S-03s, or maybe T1Ss for IF and when I upgrade the wheels.

BTW, what is a good size to run in the fronts because if I do upgrade, the rears will probably be 255/50/17 (or was it 255/40/17?). What's a good size front to pair it up with that?

Thanks.

Dan.

 

Depends the wheel width up front. I'd run a 235/45-17 OR 245/40-17 on 8.5-in wide, or 225/45-17 on 8-in wide wheel.

 

Has anyone tried the New Firestones???
I heard they are even better then the S03's.

 

Which Firestones? The SZ50s?

 

I believe those are the ones.
The Ultra High Performance ones, I've heard people that have used both S03's and these, say that the Firestones are a better tire.

 

I run a 235/45-17 on an 8 inch rim. Fits fine. You can actually go up to a 245/40-17 on an 8 incher without problems (these are fronts, by the way). Check with tirerack, they have a listing of the range of acceptable wheel widths for each tire size.

Rears are 255/40-17 on a 9 inch rim.

Anyone know the cost difference for the new Firestones?

 

EviLPeNeviL- If you are running the stock 3rd gen rims just for a short time until you can afford larger/wider ones why not just buy cheapy Yokohama AVS I's. They are only $60/piece and SleepR1 I believe has road raced with them and gives them good reviews.

No point in spending $150/tire on S-03's if you are just going to get new ones in a few months anyway.

You are also aware that 245/45/16 S-03's fit all the way around on stock 3rd gen rims right?

BTW- I have a brand new pair of 245/45/16's for sale:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=108415

GNX7

 

Yeah, I have no complaints with my 255/40-17 Yokohama AVS Intermediates. Will probably get another set of 5, before Tire Rack runs out, and at $94 each, that won't take long

 

Using Goodyear Eagle F1s up front and Yokohama A032rs in back which helped traction A LOT. G-tech 0-60 times went down .5 seconds.

 

anyone here use parada spec-s's i dont think they fit on stock rims but i was curious

 

You mean they won't fit because of their design, or because you can't get them in the right size?

I don't think I've ever heard of a tire not being able to fit as long as it's sized correctly for the rim.

And no, I've never used Parada Spec S's.

 

Running Toyo Proxes RA-1 (245/45ZR16) on the stock rims. Not shaved. Seem fine for the street in SoCal where it's rarely wet. Work well on the track, as they should, since they're R-compound tires...

When Rishie gets my new wheels to me, I'll be using Kumho Ecsta V700 tires in a 265/35R18. Not shaved, but heat cycled by Tire Rack. I'm salivating just thinking about it

If I lived where it rains, I'd try Toyo T1S tires for the street and use the Kumhos at the track. But down here, I just like having the stick of the R-compound tires...