Tire Question -- 93 SE

[JeffYoung]

Getting my 93 SE ready for some "light" tracking this year (I have a dedicated track/race car as well). I am replacing what I think are the original Goodyears on the car, and am having a hard time finding a match in the OE sizes of 215/50-15 and 245/50-16.

Toyo makes the RA-1 in 225/50 and 255/50, and I'm wondering if anyone has gone up to that size without a problem. I'm in a 93 SE, great, great car.

Also, would like a recommendation and a US source for a decent track/street brake pad. I use Performance Friction on the track, but they need to be warm to work and would more of a hybrid for track and street use.

Thanks guys.

[dictys]

Dunlop sp9000 215/45-15 and 245/45-16 are well suited to the SE.

Rgds
Dictys

[maigret]

My car (S2) has 225/50 R15 & 245/50 R15. Without PAS I find the steering heavy under 50 mph.

This effects the handling in that I can't flick the car around easily on winding roads.

The fronts need replacing soon but the rears are barely worn. Is 205 for the front getting too narrow relative to the rear or would 215 be a better compromise?

[newburymess]

Dunlops are lousy track tires, and I have seen too many of them with belt separation to want to even put them to street use. A good, cheap track tire is the Kumho V700. Kumho Ecsta's are suitable for both road and occansional track, they have silica rubber compound and get quite sticky after a few fast laps.

[JeffYoung]

Kumhos are decent track tires, but I do think the old Victoracer is better than the first gen Ectsa. The second gen Ectsa is or V700 or whatever they call it is basically a Hoosier clone and not suitable for the street at all.

I favor Toyos on my race car because they provide nearly equal levels of grip as the Kumho, and I am convinced they last longer.

So, again, the question, not brand related: will 225s in the front and 255s in the rear rub at all?

Thanks guys.

[dictys]

Well the 300 sport which is a SE Body had

Front: 8.5'' x 16'' OZ alloy rim
with 245/45 x 16'' Goodyear GS-C tyre.

Rear: 10.5'' x 17'' OZ alloy rim
with 315/35x 17'' Goodyear GS-C tyre.

which are wider than what you are proposing.

[JeffYoung]

Thanks Dictys, that is helpful.

Question: do you know if the Sport 300 (God I want one) had the same hubs, etc. as the SE? Those could change the geometry a bit such that a smaller tire could rub in the SE.

Looking for anyone with a stock SE with stock rims and a bit wider tires.

Someone above asked about lower width (205s) on teh front. Actually, since stock SEs are known for a bit of understeer, that's probably not a good idea as it will reduce grip in the front and increase the push.

[dictys]

JeffYoung said:

Question: do you know if the Sport 300 (God I want one) had the same hubs, etc. as the SE? .

As far as I know yes, but it may be worth asking the question on the UK Yahoo Group as there are a couple of Sport 300 owners on there.

JeffYoung said:

Actually, since stock SEs are known for a bit of understeer, that's probably not a good idea as it will reduce grip in the front and increase the push.

Fitting a sport 300 rubber strip (from SJ) rather than the SE one will reduce the understeer a little. Also remove the front fogs and put ducting through to the front wheel arches will increase your brake cooling and thus reducing fade etc.

Rgds
Dictys

[windsorlotus]

The question of tires is always a tricky one. I too looked for a good replacment for my 90SE and covered every tire on the market today. I found the Dunlop Sport 8000 much more suitable for the track than the 9000's. Reason being that the 9000's are extreme wet performance tires with a very agressive pattern to channel the water away. Yes the 9000's have the exact sizes but going up one size in the 8000's did not affect the car at all. In fact it enhanced it.
Good luck
SGB

[rlearp]

I'm using Dunlop 8000s, 225s up front and the 255s in the rear. No problems touching any body work. No problem steering the car at low speeds either (90 SE, no power steering). If you have problems with steering work out more.

Grip - better than the stock size tires and it has reduced the tendacy of the front to push occassionally. Also has marginally better traction in the rear for standing start launches. There is a little more tire noise upfront, but that largely depends on what you are replacing.

[maigret]

Working out sounds like too much work. Perhaps a new tyres will be better anyway. Another vehicle I owned without PAS had much lighter steering just by changing brands. I was was just hoping not to have to spend the readies just to find out.

BTW my current fronts are Goodyear Eagles.

[kylie]

JeffYoung said:

Kumhos are decent track tires, but I do think the old Victoracer is better than the first gen Ectsa. The second gen Ectsa is or V700 or whatever they call it is basically a Hoosier clone and not suitable for the street at all. I favor Toyos on my race car because they provide nearly equal levels of grip as the Kumho, and I am convinced they last longer. So, again, the question, not brand related: will 225s in the front and 255s in the rear rub at all? Thanks guys.

Hi, I run RA1's in those sizes you are referring to as everyday street tires. They rub very slightly on the fronts under full lock when turning, but otherwise they are fine. The only thing to consider when going slightly wider with the same percentage in tire profile, is that they sit a bit taller on the rim, so it has a bit roll under hard cornering. I have friends who run these sizes on pro race cars and they are very pleased with the performance.

Cheers
Kylie
89 Esp Turbo

[JeffYoung]

Kylie, thanks, that was the information I was looking for.

Any advice on a good street/track hybrid brake pad?

Thanks.

Jeff

[kylie]

Hi am sorting my pads out at the moment been talking to quite a few people locally as well, seems all I need is slotted 298mm rotors in the front, meaty pads like mintex or pagids for front and rears and better fluids to do the business. As much as I seriously would like good looking AP's or Wilwoods to brag about, I have been talked out of the idea from the local stores. Hoping to get it all in before the next track day in March.

[AZ88Turbo]

JeffYoung said:

Kylie, thanks, that was the information I was looking for. Any advice on a good street/track hybrid brake pad? Thanks. Jeff

Jeff,

EBC Greenstuff pads are a great choice (or redstuff it you really want to get serious). I have been running the green for a while now and they do very well on the track and road. Highly reccomend them.

Mark - 88 Turbo

[feffman]

Jeff:

Contact CarboTech Engineering (www.CarboTechEng.com) and speak with Matt about their Bobcat or Panther Plus brake compounds for your Esprit. I run the Panther Plus on my 1999 Esprit V8 and have found them perfect for the track, albeit a little noisy on the street.

Another good option is the Porterfield R4S pads which are a hybrid street/track pad (www.Porterfield-Brakes.com) which work well on Esprits.

If you are a Lotus Ltd. members, both firms offer a discount on the pads as well.

Happy Lotusing!

Mark Pfeffer