| Author | Message | ||
| syd (500syd)
New member Username: 500syd Post Number: 7 Registered: 3-2003 |
Unfortunately I've returned these Falkens as they don't meet the minimum load rating. See my new post about this problem: http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/112/112.html?1049616387 | ||
| syd (500syd)
New member Username: 500syd Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2003 |
Rob et al, While I'm waiting for my Hoosiers (don't ask), I've got a set of Falken RS-V04 R compound tyres for the 550. Will post what these are like shortly. There's not a lot of info on the web about these tyres, I considered the usual Pirelli Corsas, but ended up with these. | ||
| syd (500syd)
New member Username: 500syd Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2003 |
Thanks again Rob! | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 418 Registered: 11-2002 |
PS, Modena Engineering is in your yard somewhere, you should look these guys up. Frank Capo Modena Engineering 13 Patrick Court Seaford, Vic 3198 Australia (39) 782.4420 | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 417 Registered: 11-2002 |
Go for it. The car is not even close to optimized for the grip of slicks, but you just want to have fun, so do it. I'm sure a set of Dunlop, Michelin, Yokohama, or other touring car sizes will fit. My tire pressure suggestions are the same. You will get much less autitory feedback from slicks when you reach the grip limits and they will tend to "break away" much more suddenly, FYI. | ||
| syd (500syd)
New member Username: 500syd Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2003 |
Rob and others, Given that Hoosiers are rare in Oz, what about putting full slicks on the 550? Slicks may be easier to obtain. Do you have any experience/stories to tell? | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 410 Registered: 11-2002 |
syd, call Bruce Foss at Hoosier, 219-784-3152. He's the top guy for competiion tires at their headquarters. Perhaps he can assist with export to Australia. You may have to buy a container full though. A friend of mine is a customs broker here in the US, if you require a contact, I can get that info to you, too. Best regards, Rob | ||
| syd (500syd)
New member Username: 500syd Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2003 |
Thanks for all your feedback. Tommy - I don't believe the Kumho comes in 18in, which is what the 550 uses. I couldn't see 18s on the web site anyhow. Rob, I'll definitely post my experiences when I get them. Hoosiers are pretty hard to get in Australia - the local distributor just doesn't carry any inventory. Right now, am looking at bringing them in from the US directly. Any tips on this would be appreciated. Just ran a track event with a more aggressive alignment, with 2deg neg camber all round - and the car was very neutral on road P Zeros. Can't wait for more sticky rubber! | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 834 Registered: 5-2001 |
From a cost and durability standpoint you may want to consider the Kumho VictoRacer. They are DOT legal competition tires also. Unless you are a pro I can just about guarantee that you won't notice any difference in performance. I just ran a track event with them a few weeks ago. The Hoosiers are great but they are expensive and could possibly only last one or two events. The Kumho's are much, much cheaper and will last a couple more track days. | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 406 Registered: 11-2002 |
Ohh, and syd, welcome to Ferrari Chat  | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 405 Registered: 11-2002 |
The Hoosier DOT legal race tire is about the closest one can come to a proper slick race tire. If you've never driven a race tire before, you're in for a treat. Grip is phenomenal. For track day use, you should be able to run six or more events, dependent upon your alignment, driving style and number of spins. Their performance will drop a bit after three or four "heat cycles", but for track days, that doesn't matter to you. More grip equals increased roll in corners equals probable increase in static camber settings to get the ultimate from the tire. My recommendation, however, is to just bolt them on with factory alignment settings and have fun. I assume you also drive on the street with other tires, an aggressive race type alignment will certainly increase tire wear on your street tires. If you drive 80% or more on the track, do one event and take notes of how the tires feel and their tread wear. Ideally, one wants to take other data like carcass temperatures and pressures, too. Use this information to determine if a change in alignment is necessary, or even slightly desirable. I recommend a cold tire pressure of 36 psi front, and 34 psi rear. Note the pressure gain after your first session, now you can adjust the feel of the car by adding or bleeding air. Let's say hot tire pressures are now 42 front and 38 rear. The car understeers at corner entry, and understeers at corner exit under power. Try lowering front pressures to 39 psi hot (don't wait 30 minutes to make this change as the tire will cool a bit, this throws off your data) and go out for the next session. In general, to a point of diminishing returns, lowering tire pressure increases grip on that end of the car. But don't go below 30 psi hot, you will begin to increase tire wear while not gaining grip and reduce the heat capacity of the tire (important for safety). I suspect you will end up running around 36 to 44 psi hot, and probably have less than 3 psi difference front to rear. You'll love these tires, let me know how it goes. Have fun, Rob | ||
| syd (500syd)
New member Username: 500syd Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2003 |
Hi, has anyone got any feedback or experience on putting Hoosiers on a 550/575 for track days? Specifically, I'm wondering about wear, camber settings, grip etc. Any other comments on Type R tyres on a 550/575 would be welcome! |