Track tyre suggestion for FWD Car
Discussion
Afternoon Pistonheads,
I got a set of Nankang NS-2R Tyre for my first TD car after several recommendations. My experience is, they have very good lateral grip, you can really turn the car at quite high speeds and feel the chassis rotating but the tyres holding on, however, I find as soon as they have some heat in the front end grip goes off and start to get understeer on tigher corners, especially hairpins. And they're excessively wearing on the edges after just a few sessions as you'd expect when the tyres are squealing under load.
Going to replace them just deciding what with...
Currently thinking Toyo R888R or Federal 595 RSPro, but open to suggestion.
Be interested to hear others experience....
Thanks in advance,
HBT
I got a set of Nankang NS-2R Tyre for my first TD car after several recommendations. My experience is, they have very good lateral grip, you can really turn the car at quite high speeds and feel the chassis rotating but the tyres holding on, however, I find as soon as they have some heat in the front end grip goes off and start to get understeer on tigher corners, especially hairpins. And they're excessively wearing on the edges after just a few sessions as you'd expect when the tyres are squealing under load.
Going to replace them just deciding what with...
Currently thinking Toyo R888R or Federal 595 RSPro, but open to suggestion.
Be interested to hear others experience....
Thanks in advance,
HBT
Hmmm, what are the pressures doing? I suspect pressures are getting too high, which is why theyre understeering. Assuming a light fwd car, id say youd wanna run 30psi when HOT, which is probably like, 22-24psi when cold.
If pressures are ok, then youve probably just reached the limit of the tyres, at which point its time to come in and cool them off.
FWIW, i run federal 595 rsrs, but from what i hear theyre pretty similar to NS-2Rs, so i dont think different tyres will fix the issue.
If pressures are ok, then youve probably just reached the limit of the tyres, at which point its time to come in and cool them off.
FWIW, i run federal 595 rsrs, but from what i hear theyre pretty similar to NS-2Rs, so i dont think different tyres will fix the issue.
Tuition and a slight change to driving style might help a lot too... the old slow in, fast out philosophy, nice late turn in, get the car rotated on the brakes, and square the corner off so there is less steering lock when you get back on the gas.
Apply throttle too early and you'd encourage chronic understeer, and run wide on the exit.
Apply throttle too early and you'd encourage chronic understeer, and run wide on the exit.
Pressures on the door are 34 front and 30 rear (for normal use), I opted for around 30 all around when hot. Let out some pressure cold (around 6-7) did a few fairly gentle laps to get some heat in, came back to pits to test and settle at around 30. Although, on some tracks where all the corners are left, that corner will get a bit hotter than the rest.
Never sure whether to leave them or let a little more pressure out of the left in that case?
It's a Honda Civic, fairly light. It's got coil overs and fast road / track geometry, it could probably do with a bit more camber on track but at moment its' doing a fair bit of road miles, which is why the set up is fast road and track, rather than track.
I'm fairly new to track driving but not a total novice and I always get local coaching to refine my turn in at each track and normally pick it up fairly quickly, so all of your suggestions are definitely valid about turn in, slow in / fast out.
However, at tracks I know, I'm fairly consistent, same gear, give or take the same speed and turn in point and you can notice the tyres grip fall off after about 10 mins.
Its possible changing tyres won't fix, having said that, putting Pilot Sport 4s on my old BMW transformed its ability on the road, so whilst you can blame poor driving and car set up on tyres sometimes, there is also a chance getting the tyres right can have a real positive impact too.
A mate recently mentioned Cup 2s on his Porsche being transformational.. That might be a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.
Never sure whether to leave them or let a little more pressure out of the left in that case?
It's a Honda Civic, fairly light. It's got coil overs and fast road / track geometry, it could probably do with a bit more camber on track but at moment its' doing a fair bit of road miles, which is why the set up is fast road and track, rather than track.
I'm fairly new to track driving but not a total novice and I always get local coaching to refine my turn in at each track and normally pick it up fairly quickly, so all of your suggestions are definitely valid about turn in, slow in / fast out.
However, at tracks I know, I'm fairly consistent, same gear, give or take the same speed and turn in point and you can notice the tyres grip fall off after about 10 mins.
Its possible changing tyres won't fix, having said that, putting Pilot Sport 4s on my old BMW transformed its ability on the road, so whilst you can blame poor driving and car set up on tyres sometimes, there is also a chance getting the tyres right can have a real positive impact too.
A mate recently mentioned Cup 2s on his Porsche being transformational.. That might be a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.
Tyres have a window. NS-2R are not the zenith of tyre technology and yes, they will be going off. If you let pressure out you work the carcass more, but allow it to roll on the shoulder more, add pressure, you support the shoulder but work the tread more. Do shorter sessions but also don't ask too much of the tyres, get some decent tuition.
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