Posting in this forum to get experience from others with FI setups and identify if anyone has mixed and matched with R888s out back. Current setup running daily at 14.5 psi, approx 500 whp:

FRONT
Volk 19" 9.5" rim width with Toyo R888 265/30/19
REAR
Volk 19" 10.5" rim width with Toyo R888 305/30/19

Front R888s are worn out with inner camber wear after running them for a year (about 8k miles) with -1.8 camber. The rears have worn evenly with -1.3 camber and have maybe 30-40% life left.

Almost all of my driving is street driving though I'd like to be able to take these tires to the track (1/4 and road course), ZdayZ, etc. I just don't get enough time for track events to warrant a spare set of wheels/tires.

I'm thinking of switching to a different brand for the front to reduce camber wear but want to maximize handling (also R888s have a loud whine, which is ok, but if I can avoid it...).

I do have a problem with trailing throttle oversteer and overcorrection. I feel it's mostly a driver issue, complicated by running a 5AT but I'm working on it! Just mentioning it in case you want to give a recommendation to address this.

Based on searching the motorsports threads here and on other boards, I have come up with a few top choices:

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position, UTQG 280/140 AA A
- available in 265/30R19(280 treadwear) and 275/30R19 (140 treadwear)

GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 GS-D3, UTQG 280 AA A
- available in 265/30R19

Michellin Pilot Sport PS2, UTQG 220 AA A
- available in 265/30R19 and 275/30R19

Bridgestone Potenza RE11, UTQG 180 A A
- available in 275/30R19

Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08, UTQG 180 AA A
- available in 265/30R19 and 275/30R19

Any I have missed that I should research? Thanks!

 

I'm not much of a tire expert, but I can say that I had great experiences with both the Michelin PS2 and the RE050A, which I'm currently running now. Traction is great with both tires, and road noise is not an issue for me.

Are you dead set on keeping the R888's in the rear? If not, I would just recommend PS2's all around.

 

I am waiting for a set of R888's my self for the rear (295/30/19). I have the PS2's right now and I am not too impressed with the traction, but they are worn out a bit.

 

I'm not dead set on anything, but I'd need a reason to get rid of the R888 in the rear since they are in decent shape.

I had the PS2 before I went to the R888. The difference is night and day in traction levels (in the summer). The R888 just plain sticks. In cold weather, they are terrible, but in summer they can hold most of my 2nd gear. The PS2 will spin through 2nd and into 3rd. I loved the ride, cornering and traction (except the rear wheel spin off the line) of the PS2.

The R888s stick, but they are really noisy and they follow every groove and crack in the pavement. I'm leaning towards the 140 tread wear pole positions...

 

PS2s are a fantastic tire, but the R888 is exceptional.

How old are the PS2s? They get slick when they get a few years old. The R888s are on backorder!

Agreed. I think the R888s are better (and more comfortable to drive) than BFG Drag Radials I used to run on my high HP toy.

 

I too am no tire expert but, I love my RE-11's (285/35/19 rear). Great traction and stick like glue in the corners. I'm still running my stock RE050A's up front as they have plenty of tread left but I will definitely be swapping them out for RE-11's in the near future.

 

in for opinions

 

I have Pilot Sport Cup's (265/30 R19) on the front. They seem fine. Next time, though, I'm going 275 in the front.

 

Wow, I would have thought 1.8 would wear pretty even but then again they are track tires. Next time you get a set I'd be curious to see if the toe in front is ok.

In for results.

 

Toe in is set at -0.08 both left and right front.

I should add that for most of the past year I ran with SPL a-arms that *may* have been out of spec on one, either or both sides at some point (car drove fine and wheels looked ok, I don't know for sure as I went from their version 1 to version 2 without checking alignment once I recognized the issue - the v1 a-arms are complicated to install apparently, and may not have had the locking nuts tightened down properly at the last alignment by Butler in Marrietta or they came loose on their own ). These v2 arms can go max positive of -1.8 camber (unlike the v1 which had way more adjustability).

I think this is only tire that could possibly out drive the R888 and still be used as a street tire. At $500 per tire, it's not cheap and it will wear out even quicker.

 

I was in the same boat last year after my tt install. I ended up going wider in the rear with BFG KDW2's, and honestly I love them. They hook up great in the warmer months, ride comfort and handling are great.

The r888's are an excellent tire as mentioned, and down the road as I continue to increse my hp I may go that route. Based on the results i've had though, im going to stick with the KDW2's until they start slipping. Just another option.

 

What is odd about the RE050A pole position tires is that the treadwear varies drastically among sizes, ranging from 140 to 280! The 275/30R19 should be stickier than the RE-11.

 

I have Nitto Invo and they are known for better tire wear on neg cambered cars.

One question though with the way that our cars are designed for understeering wouldn't you want sticker tires up front to eliminated or reduce trait?

and wouldn't this go under "Wheels and Tires"

 

I'm thinking the same thing.

I have Khumo ECSTA MX's up front (245-40-18) on a 8.5 in wheel. I am considering a stickier front tire to help stop the "push"

last season I have scott's old BFG DR's (295-35-18), lots of grip (even lateral if you let them lean before laying down power).....
Haven't decided on new rear tires for this season yet.

Tom

 

I have the Yokos and they seem fine, but I honestly haven't had them in warm enough weather to say if they grip real well or not.

With my having only a 9.5" rear wheel, the R888 isn't even an option. Between the whp and 3" true duals, road grip will be elusive and road noise is pretty much a non-factor. I can say that on a 50* day I can get the slip light to turn on at 80mph in 4th gear with a quick roll-on

 

im running toyo TR1's 255/35/19 and r888's in the rear 305/30/19. seems to work very well for me.

 

More traction up front, less understeer I believe. While the topic may be focused on tires, I felt the recommendations coming from from folks running R888s in the sizes I'm thinking of running might be more applicable - and those folks are usually running FI.

Barring some new insight, I think I've narrowed it down to:

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position, 275/30R19 (140 treadwear, 25.5" diameter, $299)

Bridgestone Potenza RE11, 275/30R19 (180 treadwear, 25.6" diameter, $301)

I will look into the Invos...

 

Well for street I run Nitto Invo 20" 345 rear and 275 front

For track I run R888 18" 305 rears and RA1 275 or Pirelli Pzero Racing Slicks 285/265/18 in the front

Just to give you a insight on my setup

 

Thanks for sharing guys. The Nitto Invo is a solid tire for the street it seems. Some report traction below that of the PS2. There are complaints of soft sidewalls, but that also imparts excellent comfort. It is available for $268 in 275/30R19 but only as a W rated tire with treadwear of 260.

I will look into the RA1 and TR1.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong on this but I've always thought the best way to reduce understeer through tires is to get a larger front tire. For example, 275 all the way around.