Different tyre types front to back
Discussion
So... I need some new rubber on the rears, they're good for tread but they're 7 years old plus, maybe more (yes I know I can check the numbers)... About 4 years ago I put 16" rims on the front, and fitted new appropriately sized T1R's (maintaining rolling radius etc)... So the fronts are good, plenty of tread, plenty of grip.. marvelous.. Back end however has now become properly bum-clenching 
I'm thinking of putting Rainsports on the rears... the fronts and rears will never get swapped obviously because the fronts (with T1R's) are a lower profile... I don't see a problem with this approach, I know how sticky the front is with regard to understeer, and the Rainsports on the rear should give much greater grip than the geriatric T1R's currently on... Obviously the balance of front/rear grip will change, but a bit of practise and experimentation (on a private road) should sort that....
I'm comfortable with this, as a driving God it really shouldn't be a problem, but thought I'd put this out there in case anyone has had any odd experiences they'd like to share with regard to different front/rear tyre grip qualities/dynamics bought about by using different tyre types F/R ..
Like to hear from anyone with experience of having gone down this route...
I'm thinking of putting Rainsports on the rears... the fronts and rears will never get swapped obviously because the fronts (with T1R's) are a lower profile... I don't see a problem with this approach, I know how sticky the front is with regard to understeer, and the Rainsports on the rear should give much greater grip than the geriatric T1R's currently on... Obviously the balance of front/rear grip will change, but a bit of practise and experimentation (on a private road) should sort that....
I'm comfortable with this, as a driving God it really shouldn't be a problem, but thought I'd put this out there in case anyone has had any odd experiences they'd like to share with regard to different front/rear tyre grip qualities/dynamics bought about by using different tyre types F/R ..
Like to hear from anyone with experience of having gone down this route...
I've had different brands front to back, for a lot longer than I planned due to the front tyres that were on the wheels when I bought them being made of some sort of indestructible rubber, a few track days, plenty of 'spirited' driving, they refuse to die but I'm not dead yet. 
They aren't the best in the wet but I don't go out in the wet
I did plan on changing them all but I think it'll be for sale in a few months so I'll let the new owner decide on tyre choice.
They aren't the best in the wet but I don't go out in the wet
I did plan on changing them all but I think it'll be for sale in a few months so I'll let the new owner decide on tyre choice.
I haven't used the same mix as you propose but under the same usages, I landed up with Bridgestones on the front and Toyos on the rear of my Griff some time ago and the handling was close to suicidal. I would never risk mixed manufacturer tyres front to rear again. Tyres are cheap compared to one's life.
Mine is the standard set up 15"- 16" and have been running on a combo of RS 3's on the rear on TR1's front for 10k and has had no trouble with grip or traction.
No track days but have been on many convoy drives which we know can be a bit high pace and have Never had a Help moment. Best convoy was with a Noble M600 involved
my Buddha that's quick.
Love the Rainsports on the rear and have a set of 205/55 R15 88v ready to go on the front in a few weeks. With you having different sizes is when is gets all a bit technical for me,In my research the general census seem's to be you don't cross brands on the same axle,and looks like same brands X4 is the thing to do.
The reasoning I didn't swap all 4 was there was 5-6mm of tread on the Toyo's and being a very well recommended tyre thought I'd see what happens. As said arleady I've had absolutely no problems.
No track days but have been on many convoy drives which we know can be a bit high pace and have Never had a Help moment. Best convoy was with a Noble M600 involved
my Buddha that's quick. Love the Rainsports on the rear and have a set of 205/55 R15 88v ready to go on the front in a few weeks. With you having different sizes is when is gets all a bit technical for me,In my research the general census seem's to be you don't cross brands on the same axle,and looks like same brands X4 is the thing to do.
The reasoning I didn't swap all 4 was there was 5-6mm of tread on the Toyo's and being a very well recommended tyre thought I'd see what happens. As said arleady I've had absolutely no problems.
..... I'm just a tight bottom.ChilliWhizz said:
So... I need some new rubber on the rears, they're good for tread but they're 7 years old plus, maybe more (yes I know I can check the numbers)... About 4 years ago I put 16" rims on the front, and fitted new appropriately sized T1R's (maintaining rolling radius etc)... So the fronts are good, plenty of tread, plenty of grip.. marvelous.. Back end however has now become properly bum-clenching
I'm thinking of putting Rainsports on the rears... the fronts and rears will never get swapped obviously because the fronts (with T1R's) are a lower profile... I don't see a problem with this approach, I know how sticky the front is with regard to understeer, and the Rainsports on the rear should give much greater grip than the geriatric T1R's currently on... Obviously the balance of front/rear grip will change, but a bit of practise and experimentation (on a private road) should sort that....
I'm comfortable with this, as a driving God it really shouldn't be a problem, but thought I'd put this out there in case anyone has had any odd experiences they'd like to share with regard to different front/rear tyre grip qualities/dynamics bought about by using different tyre types F/R ..
Like to hear from anyone with experience of having gone down this route...
Your fronts are way past their best at 4 years old, put a full set on you tight g*t! I'm thinking of putting Rainsports on the rears... the fronts and rears will never get swapped obviously because the fronts (with T1R's) are a lower profile... I don't see a problem with this approach, I know how sticky the front is with regard to understeer, and the Rainsports on the rear should give much greater grip than the geriatric T1R's currently on... Obviously the balance of front/rear grip will change, but a bit of practise and experimentation (on a private road) should sort that....
I'm comfortable with this, as a driving God it really shouldn't be a problem, but thought I'd put this out there in case anyone has had any odd experiences they'd like to share with regard to different front/rear tyre grip qualities/dynamics bought about by using different tyre types F/R ..
Like to hear from anyone with experience of having gone down this route...
I've heard the underneath suffers terribly from corrosion, lots of alley parts.
How much for a set of tyre's on the Aston Richard.
Put some Rainsports on allround and you'll do more than 1800 miles in it I promise.
You own an Aston yet want to put odd tyre's on the Tvr! Your avin some fun
T1R's are not a grippy tyre in my view. My steering wheel vibrates over bumps with T1R but i can barely detect vibration with Rainsports.
It's simple really, grip the tread block on the Toyo and try to move it with your fingers... it won't budge much,,, do that with a Rainsport,, you'll bend it over
This appears to be a great alrounder tyre that's actually suited to the weight of our cars and soft enough to offer the car what the suspension and steering geometry can not do, namely compliance and base grip that makes it feel more like.a V8 Mini,,, nippy and turns in with more grip than you actually ever need. Acceleration off corners or out of a junction is effortless and fast. It never was before on T1R's even in the dry, turning sharply out of a junction would induce wheelspin on the inside rear wheel with barely any throttle but now I'm pulling out with no wheel spin and more acceleration.
It's much easier to drive. Id now actually trust my eldest son to drive it ,,,,, they must be good
My difs fecked,,, I feel like burning the car right now but these tyre's have changed many feelings I have towards the car.
It's a weird one really. Mixed bag, loads of grip and softer ride makes it modern, easy, stable, effortless almost. I can drive much more relaxed because it feels so planted and grip filled, in the rain it's barking mad, the car feels about 1tonne heavier on the tyre's and you can feel them grabbing the road.
This is a revelation compared to any other tyre's I've had on my Chim.
Proper summer tyre's such as 888 or AD08 are going to have better grip I'd have thought but not until August
I think your going the way of Mac if your not careful, put these tyre's on and you might see your Tvr in a much better light. With the right tyre's these cars handle and feel very light and easy to drive.
Don't matter how good you are your never going to be quicker or safer then the next guy if he's on a softer tyre compound
on the thread I did on these tyre's I think it was Mk1 fan who mentioned having lots of fun using these Rainsports on a trackday,,,, having tested them a bit,,,,, I now get his drift
One of my better decisions buying Rainsport 3 tyre's.
How much for a set of tyre's on the Aston Richard.
Put some Rainsports on allround and you'll do more than 1800 miles in it I promise.
You own an Aston yet want to put odd tyre's on the Tvr! Your avin some fun
T1R's are not a grippy tyre in my view. My steering wheel vibrates over bumps with T1R but i can barely detect vibration with Rainsports.
It's simple really, grip the tread block on the Toyo and try to move it with your fingers... it won't budge much,,, do that with a Rainsport,, you'll bend it over
This appears to be a great alrounder tyre that's actually suited to the weight of our cars and soft enough to offer the car what the suspension and steering geometry can not do, namely compliance and base grip that makes it feel more like.a V8 Mini,,, nippy and turns in with more grip than you actually ever need. Acceleration off corners or out of a junction is effortless and fast. It never was before on T1R's even in the dry, turning sharply out of a junction would induce wheelspin on the inside rear wheel with barely any throttle but now I'm pulling out with no wheel spin and more acceleration.
It's much easier to drive. Id now actually trust my eldest son to drive it ,,,,, they must be good
My difs fecked,,, I feel like burning the car right now but these tyre's have changed many feelings I have towards the car.
It's a weird one really. Mixed bag, loads of grip and softer ride makes it modern, easy, stable, effortless almost. I can drive much more relaxed because it feels so planted and grip filled, in the rain it's barking mad, the car feels about 1tonne heavier on the tyre's and you can feel them grabbing the road.
This is a revelation compared to any other tyre's I've had on my Chim.
Proper summer tyre's such as 888 or AD08 are going to have better grip I'd have thought but not until August
I think your going the way of Mac if your not careful, put these tyre's on and you might see your Tvr in a much better light. With the right tyre's these cars handle and feel very light and easy to drive.
Don't matter how good you are your never going to be quicker or safer then the next guy if he's on a softer tyre compound
on the thread I did on these tyre's I think it was Mk1 fan who mentioned having lots of fun using these Rainsports on a trackday,,,, having tested them a bit,,,,, I now get his drift
One of my better decisions buying Rainsport 3 tyre's.
ChilliWhizz said:
Ged, I'm doing feck all miles mate.... less than a thousand now I'm the last nine months... and only about 1800 miles the year before...
The tyres don't stop deteriorating just because you don't have your @rse in the driver's seat!I know what you're doing, you're trying to justify selling Beastie because you love the Vantage more aren't you.......
J400GED said:
ChilliWhizz said:
Ged, I'm doing feck all miles mate.... less than a thousand now I'm the last nine months... and only about 1800 miles the year before...
The tyres don't stop deteriorating just because you don't have your @rse in the driver's seat!I know what you're doing, you're trying to justify selling Beastie because you love the Vantage more aren't you.......
Put a full set on though mate even driving gods need the best grip they can get.
griff50tvr said:
I haven't used the same mix as you propose but under the same usages, I landed up with Bridgestones on the front and Toyos on the rear of my Griff some time ago and the handling was close to suicidal. I would never risk mixed manufacturer tyres front to rear again. Tyres are cheap compared to one's life.
That's interesting as I have the same combination on my Chim and it handles fine. Is that general handling or under hard acceleration...maybe its the additional torque if its the later?PhilH42 said:
That's interesting as I have the same combination on my Chim and it handles fine. Is that general handling or under hard acceleration...maybe its the additional torque if its the later?
Under both scenarios, it was a continual fight to keep the car on the black stuff and going straight. Neil Garner, who knows a thing or two about handling, commented to me that there must be something seriously wrong with the car until I told him about the tyres, changed them to a matching set, and then he commented how well the car handled without any setup changes. If yours handles ok, maybe you don't need to fix what ain't broken!, but ........ for me now, there's too much at stake.Message Board | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff