Toyo R888 for normal road use

[andyoleary]

Anyone use them for everyday road use or are they best left to track days? I have T1-S's on all round at the moment and am looking to change to T1-R's but curious about the triple 8's.

Cheers

Andy

[Luca Brazzi]

Just had them fitted to mine, amongst a host of other things before I depart for the continent.

Will let you know when I get back. Went out for a quick test drive....OMG how much grip

LB

[andyoleary]

Cheers Luca, appreciate it.

Good luck over there,

Andy

[Tussie]

I am running Pirelli Zero Corsas which are very similar: just be careful to not go to fast in the wet

[andyoleary]

Actually, I just double-checked - I have 235-40 T1-R's on the front and 245-40 T1-S's on the rear....strange combination given that you'd expect the rears to be changed sooner than the fronts and I thought the T1-S's were pretty much being phased out by the T1-R's.

Thanks for the heads-up about the Pirelli's - I will check them out.

Ta

Andy

[spicy six]

ive fitted them together with replacement (significantly lighter) alloy wheels. I use the car just for weekends rather than an everyday vehicle. The R888's replaced Goodyear F1's, of the same size, ie 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rear. This combination of sizes keeps the overall diameter of the front and rear tyres the same. The RE888's have a squarer shoulder than the Goodyears and as a result the rears occasionally caught the arches when pushing hard. I fitted Nitrons some time ago so the rubbing was easily sorted by raising the rear just a little. The grip the R888's provide is in a different league to the Goodyears, they have transformed the car. The turn in is instantaneous the car just dives for the apex and you can rocket out of the turn, applying the throttle harder and earlier than you would have thought possible. There is so much grip in the dry, that the car tended to roll, ive stiifened the Nitrons several clicks to compensate for this. They grip better than I was prepared to expect in damp conditions, and offer probably similar grip levels to the Goodyears in these conditions. Be carful with them in really heavy rain though, they cant cope with lots of standing water and slide easily. The only other negative in my opinion is the stiffness of the sidewalls, which while responsible for the great cornering, also really hurt the ride. You are much more aware of the road surface with the R888's. I intend to run the R888's in the summer months and refit the Goodyears for the winter, although after experiencing the benefits of the R888's it will be hard to go back to the Goodyear's.

[andyoleary]

Thanks Graham, nice feedback. Would I be right in thinking you were the chap at Loton part who won the SP6 trophy? If I am right, I remember you had the 888's fitted and your rims looked really good - out of curiosity, where did you get them from?

Cheers

Andy

[spicy six]

hi andy
The alloys I replaced the spiders with are Jap wheels, made by a company called Rota Alloys. Finding replacements for spiders is not easy, as the size, width, stud pattern and offset limit the choice available. The standard spiders look still look fantastic to my eye, but they are quite heavy, so the main motivation to change wheels was to try and reduce the unsprung weight. After much searching the Rota's proved to be the lightest I could find without spending silly money.
Any improvment in ride the wheels may offer is more than cancelled out by the increased stiffness of the R888's, but the steering is definitely better, feeling more fluid, less stodgy and keener.
Because I replaced both wheels and tyres at the same time it is difficult to say which is providing the differences in behavior, but the overall result has definitly improved the car and my enjoyment of it.

[Tussie]

Totally agree with Graham; I also replaced the spiders with split rims, fitted the Pirellis and had 2-way Ohlins fitted. The cornering speed gives Porker GT3s a nice view of your exhausts and the overall steering is in a different league altogether. The split rims are a customjob from Spain through William at peformancealloys.com (the guy is amazing) and the Ohlins were fiited by Aurok.com, again Dave knows just how to balance the car on better geometry and is very familiar with TVR. Actually, all their press cars used to be handled by Aurok. You might also consider to get rose jointed bushes on the roll bars, which again increases turn-in speed. As far as the tyres are concerned I got 255 x 35 all around on the Tuscan2. I think something like 235 x40 on the front would though avoid excessive wear on the flanks, the 8.5 rims are actually too narrow for the 255s. In any case, barring very wet conditions, the semi-slicks are miles from the F1s originally fitted.

[andyoleary]

Thanks guys, lots to think about there. I have the rose-jointed ARB links on the "wishlist" and have the car in with Fernies tomorrow for a service so might see what they can do for me.

Cheers

Andy

[Luca Brazzi]

Writing to you from 50 miles inside France in the Campanile at Bethune...wifi is so handy ...

It took some getting used to....the tyres and set up have made the car even more 'pointy'. Grip is amazing...especially with new springs at the bag (mine had started to sag)

Got here just as the heavens opened....absolutely tipping it down here, lightning and thunder all around. Hope its gone by tomorrow, as everyone says these tyres are slightly less than great in heavy rain and standing water.

Fingers crossed. Will update you tomorrow evening from Beaune (south of Dijon)

LB

[andyoleary]

Hello Luca! Thunderstorms passed us by here about 2hrs ago - deluge! Take it easy on them there slicks fella,

Andy

[Luca Brazzi]

My update is here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
so as not to hijack this thread.

LB

[Tuskaa]

Sorry to go over ground probably covered, but quick answer to quick question would be much appreciated!

2001 Tuscan 4ltr
On AVO shocks
All road use, never tracked
Looking for average/good grip and average/wear and tear.

Best make/model and front/rear sizes, and cheapest place to purchase?

Thanks all

Keith

[rev-erend]

I've got 888's on the SEAC and whilst they have huge dry grip - whenever I drive the car I seem to find torrential rain.

This time down to Le Mans .. and the 888's on the back are a pain the the backside.. talk about sweaty palms.

Think I might look for something else if this Elnglish summer keeps up

[s6boy]

Tuskaa said:

Sorry to go over ground probably covered, but quick answer to quick question would be much appreciated!

2001 Tuscan 4ltr
On AVO shocks
All road use, never tracked
Looking for average/good grip and average/wear and tear.

Best make/model and front/rear sizes, and cheapest place to purchase?

Thanks all

Keith

235/40's on the front 245/35's rear. Goodyear Eagle fitted for the second time and last/grip very well.
If you're North or East London try Supertyres in Maldon, Essex, or just phone around and get as many quotes as you can, most places will try and match each other.
You should be looking at around £145.00 all in for a 255/35.
Hope this helps.
John

[Tuskaa]

s6boy said:

Tuskaa said:

Sorry to go over ground probably covered, but quick answer to quick question would be much appreciated!

2001 Tuscan 4ltr
On AVO shocks
All road use, never tracked
Looking for average/good grip and average/wear and tear.

Best make/model and front/rear sizes, and cheapest place to purchase?

Thanks all

Keith

235/40's on the front 245/35's rear. Goodyear Eagle fitted for the second time and last/grip very well.
If you're North or East London try Supertyres in Maldon, Essex, or just phone around and get as many quotes as you can, most places will try and match each other.
You should be looking at around £145.00 all in for a 255/35.
Hope this helps.
John

Thanks, have finally decided on 235/40 for the front and 245/40 for the rear. 4 x Toyo T1R's at £460 total inc VAT and delivery. Thought this was a good deal.

[GarryM]

A comment not yet mentioned is that the tread pattern on R888s creates a whine/drone at speed. Some have mistaken it for a worn bearing and if you are easily irritated by this sort of thing it might put you off. Apart from that, and being no good in heavy rain, they are fantastic!

[rev-erend]

GarryM said:

A comment not yet mentioned is that the tread pattern on R888s creates a whine/drone at speed. Some have mistaken it for a worn bearing and if you are easily irritated by this sort of thing it might put you off. Apart from that, and being no good in heavy rain, they are fantastic!

I found the whine disappears when the passenger seat is vacated

[Luca Brazzi]

GarryM said:

A comment not yet mentioned is that the tread pattern on R888s creates a whine/drone at speed. Some have mistaken it for a worn bearing and if you are easily irritated by this sort of thing it might put you off. Apart from that, and being no good in heavy rain, they are fantastic!

Well bu**er me, I was beginning to wonder if there was a problem, due to a whining sound....the power of PH...thanks for clearing up that worry.

LB