I am looking to upgrade to an R comp tire. I have decided to get RPF1 17x9.5 +38. I know I will need to run a spacer and am looking at 265 or 275s. I do a lot of auto x but would like to get to a couple track days. I am looking at A6 and R888.
What spacer would be needed to run this size? Has anyone had any luck with the hankook slick? Let me know what you guys think.

 

Both will probably need a fender roll to make fit properly. The 18mm offset would have been a bit better so you'll more than likely need spacers with the 38.

Hoosiers are really fast, but also the quickest wearing and can be hard to drive unless you've been on them before. If they are available in the size you use it might be worth looking at the Kumho V710's. I'd say the Hankooks is a good happy medium between the A6 and Kumho.

 

Their is a huge margin between an A6 and an R888. I feel the R888 is pretty much a lame duck these days unless you need water evacuation, in which case you should be on a Wet tire anyways. Ive used all but the latest Hoosier, but the information on them is pretty concrete as its been the go-to tire for national autox competition for years now.

R888 - Subpar grip, falls off when it gets too hot, and in general I just didnt like that tire on my buddies STi.

V710 - Needs a good scrub before use, has great grip and wears like iron in comparison to the others. They fall off a little after ~50 runs but not much and as long as you can get heat into them theyll keep on gripping. Longer you use them the harder it is to get them hot. I used a set of 275s for 3 years once, the last season they were still good dual driving in the summer heat. Caution, dont use in rain. These guy NEED heat more than all the others Ive tried other than maybe my first R3S03's (RR compound).

Hoosier - Sticker hoosiers will make you feel like an all star! 50 run hoosiers, not so much. 100 run hoosiers, shoulda bought kumhos.

Hankook z214 c71 - Best cold tire Ive ever been on (excluding wets). I would easily place this when new between the Hoosier and Kumho but they need lots of camber. Edges are not as durable as Kumhos (I have no direct comparison to hoosiers though). These were amazing till I corded the edge (possibly from my co-driver understeering and not un-steering). As soon as they were cooked, they were dead. 60-70 runs and I bought a new set of tires. Knowing what I know now Im sure 100-120 would be attainable with more camber and proper driving.

Goodyear Eagle RS - I want these.. 295-18s please! Apparently they kick *** but are impossible to get.

None of these are suited for track days. Get some Durezza's or Hankook RS3s for track and wet autocross days, and have the DOT slicks for dry autocross.

 

^ I think this is pretty much spot on...

You'll have trouble finding an good size for autox with 17's, ideal size would be an 18" wheel with 285/30/18's. A6's rule the roost when it comes to autox, I do know one local who uses the Hankook but he gets beat by the guys on Hoosiers (and he in a subie, hehe). There is no tire I know of that will be as competitive in autox that can still handle a track day.
If you want both, you really need to two sets of wheels like Dallas says.

I run StarSpecs on my car, and I do both track days and autox. Generally I finish right behind the guys on Hoosiers in autox, but I don't have to swap wheels at the end of the day either.

Good Luck

 

I have used RA-1's, R888's and NT-01's on my Evo.

I hated the R888. Horrible when they got hot and a lot of squirm IMO.

I am on my 4th set of NT-01's (275/35/18) and I like them. For a full tread tire they are fast out of the box and only get faster.

 

Pretty much spot on.

As for track days; the stickier tires will stick more and wear faster just like in AutoX; but exponentially so. For example; the top TT guys will dump their A6's after 1 weekend because they're already 1 second slower after 8 sessions. That's on a 1:30 lap for example.
R888 or even better an NT01 would last ya a solid 8 trackDAYS. Might need flipped part way through if you're not running enough camber.

 

Would a nt01 be able to see some street duty? What camber is recommended? Right now I am running 2.5 f 1.5 rear. Is there going to be any issue running a 275 17? I plan on a spacer and rolling the fenders.

Thanks for all the input.

 

The NT01 work alright on the street as long as you understand that they won't last very long, perhaps 5-10k depending on amount of track days, highway driving, etc. And that they will pick up debris on the road more and driving in the rain should be limited.

As for them fitting, they will fit with a little bit of fender rolling. Reference this thread:

http://www.socalevo.net/index.php?op...864#msg8191864

 

Really, I'd start off on street tires for tracking until you can push the car 11/10ths. Z1*, RE11, AD08, RS3 -- all great.

NT01s on the street pick up every rock and sand particle. Good for sand blasting. But if you hit a patch of sand - no traction. I've had to drive to get gas on my NT01 and R6s.

Currently on R6s myself. About 8-10 track days on them. Still running well. Am I as fast as new R6s or A6s - nope.

Looking at going down to a 16in rim for my SVTF so I can run one of the Goodyear RS offerings.

 

I autox'd and DD'd Star Specs for 2 seasons great tire. I'm on my first set of Kumho V710's this season. Car is kicking ***, but I have yet to run any other R-comps to compare. They are however affordable and have a lot of life. I have put a used set of Hoosier A6's on my buddies Mk V jetta (leased lol) and they were stupid grippy!! On a side note, a lot of my GT3 customers hate the R888.

Craig B

 

I track with the PCA and it seems the Porsche guys love the R888's. Most of them go to that tire after they wear out their Sport Cups. I've never used them myself.

 

Interesting... What track? All of the guys I have worked with run road Atlanta. They praise the pilot sport cups and talk trash about the R888, in comparison. The R888 work amazing on my fathers Healey and the vintage 911 racecars. Maybe they are more suited for lighter car.

 

^ NJMP. I think they go to the R888's due to the lower cost mainly. Those Sport Cups are expensive and only last about 6-8days from what I understand.

 

Im running the exact setup you've mentioned , 275/40/17 NT01 , RPF01 17X9.5 38
My fenders are rolled and pulled , and i have 12k/14k springs , If you run fender liners you will rub at full lock in the front, And even then you might get close depending how slammed your car is. These tires dont need a lot of camber 2.5 is the MAX i would run if you are keeping the tire pressure above 30psi.

Im a huge fan of the NT01s they are the closest thing to a do it all tire , but i refuse to drive them on the streets unless its just to get gas . I usually have 2-3 sets of rims and tires with me at every big track day. And have run Every tire listed above in previous posts and then some.

I noticed you want to still be competeive at autox as well , one thing to keep in mind is the STREET TIRE classes are growing and are much cheaper to run with less swapping of tires needed just a thought.

 

Subscribed! No mention of the BFG R1's, hmmm?