I need new tires and am thinking Michellin PS2. Only question is should I get 265/40 or 295/35 in the back? I'm thinking 225/40 in front... I drive hard on the street mainly but will do 1-3 track days a year
I was wondering the same thing. I wondered if I could go wider tires in the back, something a little more "meatier". There seems to be room...
There's definitely room for an extra 30mm. Question is whether wheels are wide enough for 295s. Probably so, but check first. I've run 315s but on 11.5" wheels.
It depends. You can probably fit 295/35 to the sock rims, and they have the correct rolling radius, however, you will be faced with a lot of understeer. Some of this you can dial out with air pressure, but the correct way to dial it out is wiht rear ride height. But if you go with 295/35 at the rear, why not go with 245/35s or 255/35s at the front. This will preserve the f/r balance as 225/265 (0.849) compared to 225/295 (0.762) compared to my recommendation 245/295 (0.830 (0.019 low)) or 255/295 (0.864 (0.015 high)).
I and a few mates have been running 295s for years on standard rims. There are loads of threads on here showing what there like if you do a search.
I've searched and read all the reviews. I also appreciate re-visiting the subject, as I had not thought of going with a 245 front. So bottom line, will the car handle better with 245 and 295 than with the stock size? Will the heavier tires reduce acceleration noticeably (I'm guessing not)? BTW what are the stock wheel widths? Is the Michellin PS2 the consensus around here? Finally, what about Toyo or Nitto tires? I run Nitto NT555 on my Porsche 930 in sizes 245 and 315 and I am happy with them... Thanks for the help as I'll be buying new tires asap.
Brian: I've had experience with Nittos, and while they are very good tires, they don't compare to the PS2s that I'm running on my F355. Go with the PS2s, you will NOT be disappointed. They are a little "stiff" until they reach operating temperature, but once there......
The super sport is supposed to be an improved version of the ps2, so I don't know why anyone would still get the ps2's unless they were only replacing one or two.
For the last 8 years I have been running the stock size in the front (225/40) and a lower but wider one in the back (275/35). I find this configuration suits the car nicely and it gives you more tire manufacturer choices due to the more common size at the rear. As for the stock Rim sizes they are 18 inches by 7.5 inches in the front and 18 inches by 10.0 inches at the rear.
I have 19" wheels but here is a fairly detailed discussion about tire size. I ended up getting 235's on the front and 295's on the rear. I could not be happier. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=337948&highlight=skusa+supersports
Here's an interesting data point. The stock (original) Bridgestone tires on my 355 were wider than my new PS2's of the same size. If I had it to do over again, I probably would have gone 1 to 2 sizes wider than stock, if for curb protection alone.
I have 295/35 on my 10" wheels. The pilot sport2 is approx. 10 mm wider then the rim. It look s and drives great, even on the track! Ben.
