Grippy tyres, tyres sizes, wheel sizes, options?
Discussion
apart from the lack of power compared to modern cars, the thing that i have always thought let my s2 down, was the lack of grip from standard size tyres, in anything other than perfect warm dry road conditions. i went out last night to the tvr, lotus, marcos, ginetta and noble night at the ace cafe last night (which by the way was disappointing, i hoped there might be other classic TVRs or at least something interesting like a nice wedge or modern era grif, and maybe a nice old Marcos or a classic Lotus like a 2+2, or an esprit. but no! nothing but boring modern lotus cars and MY classic TVR! but at least they do a good pint of Guinness there!), it was freezing and the roads were damp and anytime i put my foot down in 1st, 2nd or 3rd my tyres spun. if i had been in my bme e34 with 235/45x17s front and 255/40x17s rear i could have confidently powered around and bend as if i'd been in the tvr in the dry.
when i first got the s2 years ago i experimented with lower profile tyres on the original o.z. rims, trying 205/50x15s as i used on my e30, they massively improved grip BUt made lack of ground clearance even worse, where i live there are sleeping policemen everywhere and my car grounds on them even with 60 profile tyres, so i had to go back to standard sizes. now i am thinking the answer maybe to go up a wheel size or two and down a tyre profile or two.
so my question to all of you is what wheel sizes and tyres sizes have you tried and found the best compromise between grip and ground clearance, i was thinking escort cosworth 8jx16s would allow some really wide low profile tyres, or sierra cossy 7.5jx17 wheels, or maybe some compomotive ml (minilite copies) in 8jx15 to keep a standard looking wheel diameter but wider rim allowing wider lower profile tyres maybe something like a 225/50r15 or 235/50r15, wonder if that would offer much advantage over standard (would certainly look nice. your thoughts and more importantly experiences please guys. here's a pic of when i tried some 16x8 compomotive split rims a while back.
when i first got the s2 years ago i experimented with lower profile tyres on the original o.z. rims, trying 205/50x15s as i used on my e30, they massively improved grip BUt made lack of ground clearance even worse, where i live there are sleeping policemen everywhere and my car grounds on them even with 60 profile tyres, so i had to go back to standard sizes. now i am thinking the answer maybe to go up a wheel size or two and down a tyre profile or two.
so my question to all of you is what wheel sizes and tyres sizes have you tried and found the best compromise between grip and ground clearance, i was thinking escort cosworth 8jx16s would allow some really wide low profile tyres, or sierra cossy 7.5jx17 wheels, or maybe some compomotive ml (minilite copies) in 8jx15 to keep a standard looking wheel diameter but wider rim allowing wider lower profile tyres maybe something like a 225/50r15 or 235/50r15, wonder if that would offer much advantage over standard (would certainly look nice. your thoughts and more importantly experiences please guys. here's a pic of when i tried some 16x8 compomotive split rims a while back.
Try applying less throttle.
Weight distribution doesn't help the S's handling but all is not lost.
The Dunlop Blueresponse is available in the desired 15-inch size & profile. Works very well and pretty cheap. Very popular with a lot of S owners on here (V8 and V6). Been used on trackdays too by some.
Michelin's new Crossclimate tyre is also available in 'our' size, which should - if the blurb is to be believed - provide year round performance. Not that much more than the Dunlop. Not sure if anyone has tried them on an S yet. I could be tempted come renewal.
I currently use hard compound (180TPI) Nankgang NS-2R on the S's as I do trackdays regularily. Once warm they are leagues ahead of regular road tyres. Still good on the road - unless I drive like a bellend they don't get up to full temp. Cheaper than the Dunlop's. Not tried them in the current weather as other matters require my attention.
Weight distribution doesn't help the S's handling but all is not lost.
The Dunlop Blueresponse is available in the desired 15-inch size & profile. Works very well and pretty cheap. Very popular with a lot of S owners on here (V8 and V6). Been used on trackdays too by some.
Michelin's new Crossclimate tyre is also available in 'our' size, which should - if the blurb is to be believed - provide year round performance. Not that much more than the Dunlop. Not sure if anyone has tried them on an S yet. I could be tempted come renewal.
I currently use hard compound (180TPI) Nankgang NS-2R on the S's as I do trackdays regularily. Once warm they are leagues ahead of regular road tyres. Still good on the road - unless I drive like a bellend they don't get up to full temp. Cheaper than the Dunlop's. Not tried them in the current weather as other matters require my attention.
hi mk1fan, first things first, what mk1 are you a fan of? transit? escort? capri? jag???
ok thanks for the reply about tyres, i have the blue response on there now, don't like them at all, no grip last night whatsoever, and yeah ok maybe they need to warm up and didn't get a chance to the short trip from my place to the ace in the freezing cold, but the big conti sports or bridgestone potenzas i have had on my e34 grip in any weather at any speed, over any distance, which is why i was temped to put 17s on the s and go for the same awesome modern tyres.
did wonder about sticky track type tyres on the 15s like toyos etc so interesting about your nankangs.
anyone with experience of sticky tyres they are happy with on the standard wheels even if not standard sizes, or bigger wheels and tyres, i'd like to know
i tried triangle talon sport with 205/50r15 a while back and though cheap they were much grippier than the blueresponse.
as for the ace, getting there from anywhere at that time is a headache, i waited til about 6.45 to leave home even though i only live about 10 minutes away (if driving like a loon very late at night when the roads are empty) and it still took about 30 minutes with the roadworks and contraflow on the a406. and you didn't miss much anyway unless you are into those new lotii, to me there is nothing interesting about them, they just show the owner has lots of money and bought a new expensive fast car out of a showroom. i prefer classic and modified or restored / upgraded old cars, none of the lotus owners even new what mine was! but maybe later in the year when the weather is betyter we can meet up there and encourage more owners of old tvrs, marcos and old lotii to show up.
ok thanks for the reply about tyres, i have the blue response on there now, don't like them at all, no grip last night whatsoever, and yeah ok maybe they need to warm up and didn't get a chance to the short trip from my place to the ace in the freezing cold, but the big conti sports or bridgestone potenzas i have had on my e34 grip in any weather at any speed, over any distance, which is why i was temped to put 17s on the s and go for the same awesome modern tyres.
did wonder about sticky track type tyres on the 15s like toyos etc so interesting about your nankangs.
anyone with experience of sticky tyres they are happy with on the standard wheels even if not standard sizes, or bigger wheels and tyres, i'd like to know
i tried triangle talon sport with 205/50r15 a while back and though cheap they were much grippier than the blueresponse.
as for the ace, getting there from anywhere at that time is a headache, i waited til about 6.45 to leave home even though i only live about 10 minutes away (if driving like a loon very late at night when the roads are empty) and it still took about 30 minutes with the roadworks and contraflow on the a406. and you didn't miss much anyway unless you are into those new lotii, to me there is nothing interesting about them, they just show the owner has lots of money and bought a new expensive fast car out of a showroom. i prefer classic and modified or restored / upgraded old cars, none of the lotus owners even new what mine was! but maybe later in the year when the weather is betyter we can meet up there and encourage more owners of old tvrs, marcos and old lotii to show up.
I'm one of the S owners Dunlop bluerinse brigade - put on last year as the old ones were losing my confidence and they had been abused on several track days and EuroTours.
Have to say I'm mighty impressed with them especially in the wet (compared to what came off) and my confidence restored, perhaps even increased. I managed to great an excellent deal at F1 Autocentre where they only made £3 profit per corner.
Have to say I'm mighty impressed with them especially in the wet (compared to what came off) and my confidence restored, perhaps even increased. I managed to great an excellent deal at F1 Autocentre where they only made £3 profit per corner.
hmmm even in the rain eh? i must be doing something wrong. or maybe i'm just spoiled with the better grip and handling on my e34 (you can see it in front of the s at the start of this thread. when i first got the e34, it was on high profile 15s and would get sideways with very little provocation like the s, but i switched to m5 size wheels 8x17 front and 9x17 rear with low profiles and it was transformed, incredible grip in any weather at any speed. that's why i wondered about doing something similar to the s and wondered if any of you guys had already tried it) what pressures to run on the bluerinses?
Scoobimax said:
I'm one of the S owners Dunlop bluerinse brigade - put on last year as the old ones were losing my confidence and they had been abused on several track days and EuroTours.
Have to say I'm mighty impressed with them especially in the wet (compared to what came off) and my confidence restored, perhaps even increased. I managed to great an excellent deal at F1 Autocentre where they only made £3 profit per corner.
Have to say I'm mighty impressed with them especially in the wet (compared to what came off) and my confidence restored, perhaps even increased. I managed to great an excellent deal at F1 Autocentre where they only made £3 profit per corner.
The s likes tyre pressures of 24psi ish..are your tyres 60 profile.?
Had a recent geometry check.?
I'm running std wheels and Bridgestone tyres but also have 25mm spacers to widen the track to v8 spec.. Kind of.
Poly bushes all round GGP on the front and Nitron on the rear..
The spacers made a huge difference to my car but it's not exactly standard.
Also Ss feel very different to modern cars is it handling badly or just not inspiring confidence? Spinning wheels in third is impressive so perhaps too much pressure or poor geometry.?
Thanks
Damian S3 Duratech
Had a recent geometry check.?
I'm running std wheels and Bridgestone tyres but also have 25mm spacers to widen the track to v8 spec.. Kind of.
Poly bushes all round GGP on the front and Nitron on the rear..
The spacers made a huge difference to my car but it's not exactly standard.
Also Ss feel very different to modern cars is it handling badly or just not inspiring confidence? Spinning wheels in third is impressive so perhaps too much pressure or poor geometry.?
Thanks
Damian S3 Duratech
I think you might be looking in the wrong place. If you want great traction and predictable behaviour in the wet / slimey stuff what you need is a Limited Slip Diff.
Transformed TGTVR in the wet.... I could even catch AutoAndy at Blyton Park. That was with just regular Conti Super Contact 5's.
Transformed TGTVR in the wet.... I could even catch AutoAndy at Blyton Park. That was with just regular Conti Super Contact 5's.
Top Gear TVR said:
I think you might be looking in the wrong place. If you want great traction and predictable behaviour in the wet / slimey stuff what you need is a Limited Slip Diff.
Transformed TGTVR in the wet.... I could even catch AutoAndy at Blyton Park. That was with just regular Conti Super Contact 5's.
Oh good point... I totally forgot the LSD wasn't standard.Transformed TGTVR in the wet.... I could even catch AutoAndy at Blyton Park. That was with just regular Conti Super Contact 5's.
If you don't have an LSD get one, it transforms the S, seriously it transforms it. I used to have a Quaiffe that was awesome, I'm back on a viscous Unit now which is ok but not really in the same league. Much cheaper however.
You could have one put in your case or swap the whole unit out.
Damian
yes i have 20mm spaces too, nice billet bubcentric jobs all round, but bet my tyre pressures are way higher than 24, am used to higher pressures on my e34 with low profiles, run more like 33-34 in that! will check pressures tomorrow and try 24.
it just has very little grip compared to my bmw. the bmw doesn't have an lsd either and has more power but a hell of a lot more grip so my first thought was tyres as the s has high profile narrow 920560) and the bmw has wide low profile, 255/40 but when my e34 was standard it had similar lack of grip from 225/60x15s, i changed to 255/40x17s and that transformed it! before it would break traction all the time even in the dry, now it won't even in the wet.
it just has very little grip compared to my bmw. the bmw doesn't have an lsd either and has more power but a hell of a lot more grip so my first thought was tyres as the s has high profile narrow 920560) and the bmw has wide low profile, 255/40 but when my e34 was standard it had similar lack of grip from 225/60x15s, i changed to 255/40x17s and that transformed it! before it would break traction all the time even in the dry, now it won't even in the wet.
DamianS3 said:
The s likes tyre pressures of 24psi ish..are your tyres 60 profile.?
Had a recent geometry check.?
I'm running std wheels and Bridgestone tyres but also have 25mm spacers to widen the track to v8 spec.. Kind of.
Poly bushes all round GGP on the front and Nitron on the rear..
The spacers made a huge difference to my car but it's not exactly standard.
Also Ss feel very different to modern cars is it handling badly or just not inspiring confidence? Spinning wheels in third is impressive so perhaps too much pressure or poor geometry.?
Thanks
Damian S3 Duratech
Had a recent geometry check.?
I'm running std wheels and Bridgestone tyres but also have 25mm spacers to widen the track to v8 spec.. Kind of.
Poly bushes all round GGP on the front and Nitron on the rear..
The spacers made a huge difference to my car but it's not exactly standard.
Also Ss feel very different to modern cars is it handling badly or just not inspiring confidence? Spinning wheels in third is impressive so perhaps too much pressure or poor geometry.?
Thanks
Damian S3 Duratech
i agree an lsd would help, i did have a cossie one that i was going to fit a few years ago but then sold the car before i fitted it, i offered it to the buyer cheap but he wasn't interested so i sold it on ebay for loadsamoney ;-)
but as i just said earlier, my bmw doesn't have an lsd, just low profile wide 17s and has tons more grip, and had similarly little grip before i got rid of the high profile 15s that came with.
ok i will look for a good used lsd again and if that and the tyre pressures don't help, i'll try some wide 17s! thanks for the replies guys. nice to know someone is listening ;-)
but as i just said earlier, my bmw doesn't have an lsd, just low profile wide 17s and has tons more grip, and had similarly little grip before i got rid of the high profile 15s that came with.
ok i will look for a good used lsd again and if that and the tyre pressures don't help, i'll try some wide 17s! thanks for the replies guys. nice to know someone is listening ;-)
Top Gear TVR said:
I think you might be looking in the wrong place. If you want great traction and predictable behaviour in the wet / slimey stuff what you need is a Limited Slip Diff.
Transformed TGTVR in the wet.... I could even catch AutoAndy at Blyton Park. That was with just regular Conti Super Contact 5's.
Transformed TGTVR in the wet.... I could even catch AutoAndy at Blyton Park. That was with just regular Conti Super Contact 5's.
think only the v8s had them as standard, unless you mean later cars than the s altogether like the griff.
cossies had them as standard, and a 2wd cossie 7.5" diff should be a straight swap. cheers
cossies had them as standard, and a 2wd cossie 7.5" diff should be a straight swap. cheers
Top Gear TVR said:
I think later cars had them as standard- but I'm sure someone will know for sure.
that's a 7" and we have 7.5" in the s, but thanks, i'll look.
Top Gear TVR said:
TGTVR has a 7" diff. This is the place to find everything you need to know about ford diffs for the S
http://www.super7thheaven.co.uk/components/sierra_...
http://www.super7thheaven.co.uk/components/sierra_...
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