Discussion
Jerryhatrick's Chim will be needing tyres after this Saturday's East Fortune track day and I was wondering...
Available choices for the weekend appear to be SO3s on the front (205/55r15 with power steering), possible Mich Pilot Sport (but I don't know if that's the original directional or new assymetric pattern.
On the rear, the choice is SO2s or again, Mich Pilots.
Always favoured the Michelins and they certainly work well on both FWD and RWD Alfas. I've tried old Bridgestones on a previous Alfa, and though they were just OK. I know that the B530 was just a cooking tyre and the Potenzas are a different animal altogether.
My findings with the Chim were that attempting to find some sort of stabilising understeer was impossible- it always oversteers. Sure, there are messages through the wheel suggesting that the limits are being approached, but still no truely adjustable handling. The car ran SO2s front and S03s rear, all of equal wear (about 40% worn when I made this assessment). The handling characteristics are the same wet or dry.
Is switching to SO3s front and SO2s rear going to produce some really dangerous handling, or just dial in some understeer. I already see that not many people have tried the Michelins so I don't expect to see much by way information here.
Yes, the suspension is in good order, and no, I won't try Toyos- I've seen a mate killed just a week after switching from Michelins.
Toyos are a best a good 2nd rate tyre. I reckon they work ok on the larger Spyder rims but just don't have the response and minimal slip angles to work on a smaller rim.
Suggestions?
Available choices for the weekend appear to be SO3s on the front (205/55r15 with power steering), possible Mich Pilot Sport (but I don't know if that's the original directional or new assymetric pattern.
On the rear, the choice is SO2s or again, Mich Pilots.
Always favoured the Michelins and they certainly work well on both FWD and RWD Alfas. I've tried old Bridgestones on a previous Alfa, and though they were just OK. I know that the B530 was just a cooking tyre and the Potenzas are a different animal altogether.
My findings with the Chim were that attempting to find some sort of stabilising understeer was impossible- it always oversteers. Sure, there are messages through the wheel suggesting that the limits are being approached, but still no truely adjustable handling. The car ran SO2s front and S03s rear, all of equal wear (about 40% worn when I made this assessment). The handling characteristics are the same wet or dry.
Is switching to SO3s front and SO2s rear going to produce some really dangerous handling, or just dial in some understeer. I already see that not many people have tried the Michelins so I don't expect to see much by way information here.
Yes, the suspension is in good order, and no, I won't try Toyos- I've seen a mate killed just a week after switching from Michelins.
Toyos are a best a good 2nd rate tyre. I reckon they work ok on the larger Spyder rims but just don't have the response and minimal slip angles to work on a smaller rim.
Suggestions?
By goodness this topic comes up every week. Agreed Toyo's are seeing significant bad press at present. SO3pp's at 2psi below book (to adjust for greater wall rigidity) are the current tyre of choice and trackers tend to agree. I would be very nervous of transferring learning from an Alfa to a Chimaera. Mich, Dunlop, etc. don't make tyres for lightweight RWD brute force sports cars. Stick with those that do. Bridgestone and Toyo make tyres for this duty, use those. Bridgestone SO3pp are in favour today.
>> Edited by tvrbob on Wednesday 18th August 00:21
>> Edited by tvrbob on Wednesday 18th August 00:21
Thanks TVRBOB, I'll use that advice. I had previously not considered that the Bridgestones are specifically for light weight cars. I do also believe in horses for courses. I also acknowledge the possible pitfalls of comparing very high performance cars to more mundane stuff- possibly dangerous. However, the manners of certain cars are in fact very similar, albeit speeds and throttle modulation are dissimilar. I would NEVER be nonchalant about TVR handling- good though it is.
Deeen, SO2s are now VERY hard to come by. This is what I've been offered by our local trade wholesaler. Yes, a matching set could be located, but the tyres will be worn right down over the weekend.
Deeen, SO2s are now VERY hard to come by. This is what I've been offered by our local trade wholesaler. Yes, a matching set could be located, but the tyres will be worn right down over the weekend.
tvrbob said:
By goodness this topic comes up every week. Agreed Toyo's are seeing significant bad press at present. SO3pp's at 2psi below book (to adjust for greater wall rigidity) are the current tyre of choice and trackers tend to agree. I would be very nervous of transferring learning from an Alfa to a Chimaera. Mich, Dunlop, etc. don't make tyres for lightweight RWD brute force sports cars. Stick with those that do. Bridgestone and Toyo make tyres for this duty, use those. Bridgestone SO3pp are in favour today.
>> Edited by tvrbob on Wednesday 18th August 00:21
As I run Toyo's I wondered what this' bad press ' was?
Can you enlighten me please!
chris43 said:Do a search, most posts relate to mould slip that causes new tyres to behave dangerously. Some folk have declared 'Never again'. I understand it can take several 1000 miles to get them run in. I am reacting to posts from others, as I say 'bad press'. I haven't experienced them and don't intend to.
As I run Toyo's I wondered what this' bad press ' was?
Can you enlighten me please!
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff