another tyre thread

[munky]

Sorry, it has been done before but not in the last 10 pages (apart from the Kent one)

What's the current thinking on best tyres for a Chimaera 400 if you want the same type all round? Blackcircles have a choice of Pirelli 6000 Powergy or the Toyo Proxes T1-R but which is best for grip, when used in both wet and dry? Don't give a stuff about noise or longevity. I had P6000s when I had an MX-5 and they were great, way better than the Dunlop SP sports that it came with but are the P6000s suitable for a Tiv? Is the weaker sidewall of the Toyos going to be a problem? In fact I've just noticed that the front tyres only go up to a V rating on blackcircles except Dunlop SP9000 which aren't available for the rear, and in any case I dislike Dunlop.
SO what's the answer.. is there a better, third option out there but not on blackcircles.com? I seem to remember Goodyear F1 being mentioned at some point..

tyre sizes are (IIRC)
front: 205/55 R15
rear: 225/50 R16

thanks....

[JR]

Hmmm. Too many requirements IMHO; I think that the only tyre which fits your requirements is the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 e.g. www.mytyres.co.uk/start.html

NB the Chim 400 series started life on 205/60/15 and 225/55/16

[tvrbob]

The popular choice is T1-R, my choice too. They need a little more pressure than the 'book' value to compensate for softer sidewalls, 24/26ish. They have a nice progressive lateral grip giving plenty of warning before they let go. Excellent dry tyre, not so good in the wet though I doubt there is a good wet tyre choice.

[JR]

tvrbob said:

The popular choice is T1-R, my choice too.

Yes but then we enter the V-rating debate.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Toyo is the best tyre IMO. Only V rated in 15" so you'll need approval from your insurer (maybe an issue if you change insurers). SP9000's are pretty good - we've got Toyo rear and SP9000 front on one Griff, SP900 front and rear on teh other (the rears were on when I bought it but will put Toyo when replacing). Both similar tyre pattern and identical treadwear (280).
FFG

[munky]

JR said:

Hmmm. Too many requirements IMHO; I think that the only tyre which fits your requirements is the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 e.g. www.mytyres.co.uk/start.html

NB the Chim 400 series started life on 205/60/15 and 225/55/16

Mine's a '99 car, did they change? Am 100% sure that neither is a 60 profile

I guess then if I want to avoid V ratings, I need to go with Micehlin Pilots on the front. Or anyone tried these Marangoni tyres?

And then whatever on the back - Bridgestone RE050, Toyo or I hear Falken are good?

Or has anyone put 16" rims on the front to get around this issue? Why did TVR use different sizes anyway?

cheers...

[JR]

The pilot did fullfil your requirement for the same tyre all round. As FFG mentioned most like the SP9000 which also meets this condition but not the anti-Dunlop one. F1 GSD3 must be favourite for the rear.

[JR]

munky said:

Mine's a '99 car, did they change?

Yes in about 1997.

Tedios thread but worth a read: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=1&f=8&t=365603&h=0

[ekim]

I have just put a set of bf goodridge on the rear of my 400 chim and am made up with them.
not had it out in any really wet weather yet but in the dry more grip than i thought possible on a tvr.

only cost me £60 each delivered as well so bargain i thought.
think the web site was summet like tyretrader.com

[zippee]

The Pirelli P6000 is called the 'ditchfinder' for good reason - Be warned!!

Toyos are very good though do take a few miles more than usual to bed in. Personally I use Falken FK452s and find them to be excellant.

[munky]

The lack of choice only really applies to the fronts then it seems. Any reason not to have different front and back tyres?

[zippee]

munky said:

The lack of choice only really applies to the fronts then it seems. Any reason not to have different front and back tyres?

Nope! I run Eagle F1s on the front and Falkens on the rear with no problems. As long as their the same on each side you'll be OK.

[munky]

zippee said:

munky said:

The lack of choice only really applies to the fronts then it seems. Any reason not to have different front and back tyres?

Nope! I run Eagle F1s on the front and Falkens on the rear with no problems. As long as their the same on each side you'll be OK.

Are your fronts 205/55 R15 ? Where did you find F1s for the front? Thanks!

[BoyzToyz]

tvrbob said:

The popular choice is T1-R, my choice too....Excellent dry tyre, not so good in the wet though I doubt there is a good wet tyre choice.

I had Toyo Proxes T1 R's all round on the 2-day Evo magazine test on wet, greasy, rain lashed and mud strewn Exmoor roads. They handles themselves superbly under extreme driving by the Evo testers..someone would need to do a very convincing act to get me off Toyo's now.

[jellison]

SP9000 worked really well in the P&ssing rain at the EVO / Power day - very progressive tyre. Able to get all the power down (as long as I did't just MASH IT!). Much longer wear than Toyo and probably not as sticky in the dry - but too much Grip can be overrated.

[FunkyGibbon]

another vote for the SP9000 here - great in the wet and grippier than my skill/bravery limits in the dry

[aerospoke]

Hi there!

How stiff are/feel the sidewalls of these tyres? I know that the Goodyears are less stiff than the Bridgestones especially the SO3. Which are most similar to the original SO2? Is anybody running Bridgestone RE 050A?

Cheers Jens

[jellison]

aerospoke - Bavaria is that near Lichtenstein?

[aerospoke]

Hi Jon

Its not far, depending on which corner 0f Bavaria your living in. From Munich its about 250-300 Km. I suppose you were thinking about the 3-Ländertreffen there, to which i will be driving with the chim and girlfriend.

Cheers Jens

P.S. I think i saw your car last year on the Goodwood parkingplace.

[jellison]

aerospoke said:

Hi Jon

Its not far, depending on which corner 0f Bavaria your living in. From Munich its about 250-300 Km. I suppose you were thinking about the 3-Ländertreffen there, to which i will be driving with the chim and girlfriend.

Cheers Jens

P.S. I think i saw your car last year on the Goodwood parkingplace.

No - A chap in Lichtenstein is working on a Copy of my LS Chim 500! We are helping him.

Was progressing well, but think he is taking some time off from it - busy business to run and all that dull stuff. Rainer Nipp.