slick tyres

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Discussion

1781cc

Original Poster:

575 posts

94 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
quotequote all
Any recommendations from people on where to get a set of used slicks from? I understand BTCC ones crop up all the time but haven't ever seen any.

Im considering a set for the track car based on what I saw at Bedford yesterday

AshBurrows

2,552 posts

162 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
quotequote all
Do you have a cage and a good sump setup?
Few guys on track day facebook groups sell them. And there's a couple of guys on M3cutters who sell them too.

1781cc

Original Poster:

575 posts

94 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the reply!

I have a half cage (Audi TT rear safety devices cage) along with full buckets with head protection and harnesses - Forge baffled sump, K&N oil filter, oil cooler, Millers Nanodrive, etc...

Not on Facebook but will see if someone I know who is can help me - thanks for the heads up

Matthead

17 posts

103 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
quotequote all
I have a good friend who has a constant supply of ex btcc slicks, I can get him to contact you if you like?
I assume you are using 18" wheels? Preferably a 9 or10" rim. The new btcc slicks are quite big and wide.
If you require 17" slicks I have a load that I'm about to sell due to changing to 18" rims.

iguana

7,035 posts

260 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
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Matthead, what 17s you got? Potentially interested.

Matthead

17 posts

103 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
quotequote all
Dunlop 235/610/17 medium compound. All part worn but plenty of life in them. Probably 7-8 sets available. I'd have to have a count up. Also have one set of Dunlop 235/610/17 wets.

1781cc

Original Poster:

575 posts

94 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
quotequote all
I'm running 225/40/18s at the moment, I'll need to get a new set of wheels for the slicks so could consider 9Js, it'll be a little while off yet but a contact intro would be most welcome, thanks

Matthead

17 posts

103 months

Wednesday 12th July 2017
quotequote all
New slick sizes for btcc are 265/660/18 which is quite a high profile
My friend uses a 18x9 et 20 on an e46 m3 and they fill the arch. I'm about to use a 18x10 et20 on an e36 m3 and that will require some arch flares or wide body kit to get them to fit. I think the equivalent road tyre size is around 285/40/18. Hope some of this info helps you.

tankplanker

2,479 posts

279 months

Wednesday 12th July 2017
quotequote all
Depending how fast you brake/corner a baffled sump might not be enough by itself, something like an accusump to add additional oil pressure when needed might be worth considering and you wouldn't need to replace the existing sump to do so. I had to fit a proper seat brace bolted to the roll cage to prevent the seat from flexing on mine.

1781cc

Original Poster:

575 posts

94 months

Wednesday 12th July 2017
quotequote all
Just out of curiosity what tyre sizes would I need to look at based on 225/40/18?

225/6xx/18?

Matthead

17 posts

103 months

Wednesday 12th July 2017
quotequote all
A 225/635/18 is about the equivalent to a 225/40/18 but slick sizes can vary in comparison to a road tyre size, have a look here to get an idea of sizes,

http://www.cargister.com/calculator-race-tires

If you look on dunlop's race tyre webpage it gives all the sizes they do and min/max rim widths for said slicks.

1781cc

Original Poster:

575 posts

94 months

Wednesday 12th July 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for all your help matthead- I was looking at the Avon slicks website earlier and it said about J requirements on alloys, also got sidetracked on an auto car piece about a road car run slicks for a test that opened my eyes.

More laptime gains from tyres then turbos it seems!

E-bmw

9,179 posts

152 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
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1781cc said:
More laptime gains from tyres then turbos it seems!
Track dependent obviously, but that would come as no surprise.

1781cc

Original Poster:

575 posts

94 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
quotequote all
From my point of view I'm considering slicks over a turbo upgrade so yeah, food for thought!

Matthead

17 posts

103 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
quotequote all
Without a doubt slicks are the best performance per pound you can get. It's not just the outright grip that is better but the ability to brake sooo much later, get on the power out of corners quicker and obviously the lateral grip around corners. Road legal track tyres are great but usually expensive, a good set of used slicks will give 3-4 trackday and be a third of the price. The first time I used slicks I was nervous as people said I would have oil pressure issues and terrible cold grip but now I wouldn't do a trackday without them. Try the race wets in the wet (obviously!) and you can drive a wet track like it's dry!
As an aside, as for the baffled sumps, my E36 has an s54 in it and it had a m52 2.8 before that, neither had been baffled or had dry sump set ups and I've never had any oil problems. Maybe I'm not trying hard enough biglaugh

1781cc

Original Poster:

575 posts

94 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
quotequote all
That's good feedback on slicks thanks, I've been running banking ns2-rs and to be fair they have been great, especially in the wet as the Quattro system on the TT has been modified to a 50/50 split so grip is in good on wet tracks.

I guess the big thing for me is finding some of the right size, may have to buy new if I can't find them used but it seems like a no brainier.

The only positive for a turbo upgrade is when I'm unable to overtake faster cars on the straights but I'm all over them being held back in corners already before slicks!

StreetDragster

1,517 posts

218 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
quotequote all
Aside from on Facebook, where would you buy track slicks and wets from new?
Is there some retailer like black circles or camskill for them?

HustleRussell

24,623 posts

160 months

Thursday 13th July 2017
quotequote all
StreetDragster said:
Aside from on Facebook, where would you buy track slicks and wets from new?
Is there some retailer like black circles or camskill for them?
Most people take delivery at the circuit on race weekends. I think you're going to have to pick up the phone.

StreetDragster

1,517 posts

218 months

Friday 14th July 2017
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HustleRussell said:
Most people take delivery at the circuit on race weekends. I think you're going to have to pick up the phone.
I don't mind picking up the phone, but who to call, not sure the ghostbusters can help with this one

Samjeev

725 posts

121 months

Friday 14th July 2017
quotequote all
1781cc said:
From my point of view I'm considering slicks over a turbo upgrade so yeah, food for thought!
Seems like a lot of hassle when a turbo would be more fun.
Running slicks will exclude you from a number of track days and if you lack an MSA approved roll cage you may be turned away altogether.

Not to mention running to the edge of traction is part of learning your car, slicks would surely just sweep any of that under the rug I imagine?