Best Cerbera Tyres for feel and at/over limit control

[AdamAJP]

It's time for me to source some suitable new tyres for the Cerb and I am having difficulty choosing, mainly as this is a relatively new car (to me) and the first time I am purchasing tyres for it but also because i keep reading conflicting reviews depending on the weightings given to the various aspects of a tyres performance. My philosophy in the past has been "you get what you pay for" and that tyres are a very important part of safety and enjoyment if that helps. So any help appreciated please from those that may have been through a few sets

I have standard Spiders with 225/35/18 (ContisportContact3, I think 87, XL's) on the front (now at 4-5mm) and 255/35/18 (Pirelli Pzero Rosso, 94, XL's) on the rear (now low at 3mm).

As a guide, I am looking for a tyre with which I can safely explore the limits of my new car (very gradually and only ever fully on track before I'm flamed) that will not bite me on the road if I accidently overstep the limit. I am very careful should the car have to be driven in the wet (seldom and only if I get caught out), but drive the car at all temperatures if it is sunny.

Sorry for long-winded query but I am struggling and want to get it right if forking out for four tyres in quick succession. I am considering Pirelli Pzero (not Pzero Rossos I currently have), Continental contisportcontact5P and Goodyear Eagle F1 Assim 2. Wish they made Michelin Pilot Supersports in the right sizes as these seem ideal for my needs. Run PS3's on daily car but doubt these are sufficiently performance-orientated to keep the 460bhp under my right foot tamed somehow.

Oh yes - have Nitron adjustable suspension with Eibach racing springs and Powerflex bushes (plus Steve Heath nut n'n bolt suspension kit) so ride is quite hard but 94 load index (XL's) on the rears may be contributing - most tyres seem to be for heavier cars these days. Car seems quite skittish on uneven roads but planted on smooth flat roads (might try looking at small pressure adjustments next).

Greatly appreciate it if you could share your experiences, with thanks

Adam

P.S. I hope you are all getting out and enjoying the roads in the sunshine

Edited by AdamAJP on Wednesday 26th March 17:07

[Alistair H.]

Forget the tyres.....Tell us about the 460 BHP?

[Tanguero]

For the best handling feel and progressive break away at the limit forget the 18" wheels. The biggest handling improvement I made to my Cerb for sprinting was to go back to the original 16" wheels. The taller sidewall made the handling much more progressive and easier to correct approaching the limit of adhesion.

So much so I now have 2 sets - one with R888s for track and one with T1Rs for road.

[jackwibble]

4.7 Club member I'm guessing, power graph to dribble at?
I'm a Toyo Proxes fan but the Goodyear is also a good around option.

[AdamAJP]

Alistair H. said:

Forget the tyres.....Tell us about the 460 BHP?

I suppose the tyres are not going to last that long anyway...

460 Blackpool Horse Power, so about 380 normal horses

Joking aside, credit to the previous owner for a great 4.7 conversion. I'm smitten.

[AdamAJP]

jackwibble said:

4.7 Club member I'm guessing, power graph to dribble at?
I'm a Toyo Proxes fan but the Goodyear is also a good around option.

shortly to be a badge wearing member, like yourself

Edited by AdamAJP on Wednesday 26th March 17:33

[AdamAJP]

Thanks for feedback - interesting to hear about 16" being an upgrade especially. Upgraded discs are already a tight fit but maybe 17" wheels could fit - not something I had thought about until now (although the idea of a spare set has entered my mind - guessing that's how you started Tanguero before ending up with 8 of them).

Edited by AdamAJP on Wednesday 26th March 23:11

[Tanguero]

I did make custom caliper spacers but I have 330mm front disks and 6 bolt calipers off a 4.5 under my 16" rims. If you go that route I found there was more space under the Oz Saturns rather than the RL 16s.
Nitron shocks,500/450 lb springs and 16" wheels is the handling sweet spot for me.

Shortly to join the 4.7 club myself - the Cerb is with APM at the moment. It should be a bit of a step up from 4.2...

[Alistair H.]

Damn all you boys getting 4.7's! I NEED one! My man maths wont let me do it until I get a failure...then its just "may as well whilst its out"

On tyres, all depends what you use it for. Tang's approach of two sets of wheels with 888's on one set and std road tyres on the other is the way to go. I have two sets... 888's on both!

[totalpetrolhead]

Tanguero said:

For the best handling feel andTgressive break away at the limit forget the 18" wheels. The biggest handling improvement I made to my Cerb for sprinting was to go back to the original 16" wheels. The taller sidewall made the handling much more progressive and easier to correct approaching the limit of adhesion.

+1 to that comment. I went for the spiders as I love the look they give the car, although it drives better on the 16 inch saturns. I bought Goodyear eagle asymmetrics and can't fault them, especially in the wet. Have had Michelin's and contis on other cars and have bbeen very pleased with the Goodyear's so far. They are best in my opinion for energy rating, wet grip and noise level by comparison. I run 25 psi all round on the spider/Goodyear combo and seems to work well.

[Tanguero]

Alistair H. said:

Damn all you boys getting 4.7's! I NEED one! My man maths wont let me do it until I get a failure...then its just "may as well whilst its out"

Man maths?? You need woman maths...

Tanguero: But Dear, its an awful lot of money...
Mrs Tanguera: I know, but we need to have the engine rebuilt anyway.
Tanguero: Wouldn't you rather spend it on the new kitchen we want?
Mrs Tanguera: Don't be stupid - the Cerb is far more fun. Shut up an give me Andy's number.
Tanguero: Yes dear...

[Alistair H.]

Tanguero said:

but we need to have the engine rebuilt anyway.

Theres the rub....

I need engine failure....hmmm.... Maybe I ignore that little red light and buzzer?

[griffdude]

Alistair H. said:

Theres the rub....

I need engine failure....hmmm.... Maybe I ignore that little red light and buzzer?

Don't you need a clutch first though?

[Alistair H.]

Dammit..Yes I do!

So whilst the gearbox is out... may as well lift the engine as well?

Looking forward to locking horns again at Harewood.

[purpleliability]

Snapped crank shaft (number 2 for me!) means that mines at APM too, not too long now!

On the tyre front I'd recommend the Yokohama AD-08R. You can get them in 225 40 18 and 255 35 18 which fit nicely. They have conventional tread pattern with decent water clearance but use a strong sidewall construction which results in a very direct steering feel.

The compound is close to AO48/R888 than road tyres so you have solid traction and grip. Breakaway is very progressive under power, can't wait to test the 4.7 on them!

I also have Nitrons btw

[AdamAJP]

Some really helpful stuff here, thanks all.

Be interested in others' experiences of the 4.7 vs standard engines. Man maths is the best...

...off to see what spring weight ratings I have and to play with psi next.

Hadn't considered the Yokohama's so thanks there. Just have to work out if I'm brave enough to enjoy the rewards but seem to be a few on semi-slicks so chest wig at the ready perhaps.

The great thing about these cars is you can really tell and make a difference with relatively small changes.

[Supateg]

[quote=purpleliability]

On the tyre front I'd recommend the Yokohama AD-08R. You can get them in 225 40 18 and 255 35 18 which fit nicely. They have conventional tread pattern with decent water clearance but use a strong sidewall construction which results in a very direct steering feel.
/quote]

+1 for the AD08
I have them on the Integra's and they are the best tyre I've ever used end of. On or off track baring slicks