996 mk1 GT3 tyre choice?

[gorisan26]

Looking to replace the rubber on my 996 mk1 GT3, Used mostly on the road but looking for some thing soft and grippy rather than long lasting, It sees wet and dry conditions too. What do other owners recomend?

Thanks

[polarexpress]

If the car is used only on the road (ie, no track use), and the wheels are standard Mk1 Sport Designs (8J and 10J), then I'd go for Bridgestone S02-A's (N-rated).

If the car is used on track and the road, and you are willing to sacrifice some wet weather performance for dry weather grip, then you might as well go for Toyo R888s.

All sizes 225/40-18 and 285/30-18.

If you were running wider rims, then for the road I would recommend the Michelin PS2s (N-rated) which are probably the best all round tyre imho. Just sadly not available in the 225/285 size combo.... the closest they are available in is 235/40-18 and 295-30-18s which are too wide for the standard Mk1 Sport Design wheels.

[gfreeman]

I have fitted the Corsa System N6 (Standard spec tyre for the 996GT3RS)in 295/30 and 235/40 to my standard GT3Mk1 rims - no rubbing issues and a great tyre.

[nervous]

i ran Michelin pilot sports on mine (recommended and fitted by the car-porn kingdom that is manthey racing) and they gripped like a bad habit.

[jeremyc]

And just to complete the confusion: Pirelli PZero Rosso N4 here.

Available in the correct sizes, and soft enough that the rears only last just over 5,000 miles.

[gorisan26]

Shame there's no scratching my head in confusion icon!!!!!! do these all vairy greatly in price from each other or are they all around the same price???? p.s running the standard 8's and 10's

[tsantos]

I thought standard sport design factory wheels were 8.5" and 11"?
18" x 8.5" ET 40 24.91 lbs
18" x 11" ET 63 27.34 lbs

In any case I think you can easily fit 235/40 and 295/30 on the standard wheels or so I've been told!

[polarexpress]

tsantos said:

I thought standard sport design factory wheels were 8.5" and 11"?
18" x 8.5" ET 40 24.91 lbs
18" x 11" ET 63 27.34 lbs

In any case I think you can easily fit 235/40 and 295/30 on the standard wheels or so I've been told!

Nope. Those are the Mk2 GT3 wheel sizes.

The Mk1 Sport Designs are 18"x8" and 18"x10".

A 235 section tyre will fit on an 8" wide rim as a narrow limit, but a 295 tyre needs a minimum 10.5" rim width for safety (and certainly according to Pirelli). A 295 tyre can be mounted on a 10" rim, but the tyre walls angle in to the rim and there is reasonable tyre deflection as a result through bends.

Edited by polarexpress on Thursday 8th February 09:56

[tsantos]

Thanks! Will have to change my tyre orders then...

[gfreeman]

polarexpress said:

tsantos said:

I thought standard sport design factory wheels were 8.5" and 11"?
18" x 8.5" ET 40 24.91 lbs
18" x 11" ET 63 27.34 lbs

In any case I think you can easily fit 235/40 and 295/30 on the standard wheels or so I've been told!

Nope. Those are the Mk2 GT3 wheel sizes.

The Mk1 Sport Designs are 18"x8" and 18"x10".

A 235 section tyre will fit on an 8" wide rim as a narrow limit, but a 295 tyre needs a minimum 10.5" rim width for safety (and certainly according to Pirelli). A 295 tyre can be mounted on a 10" rim, but the tyre walls angle in to the rim and there is reasonable tyre deflection as a result through bends.

Edited by polarexpress on Thursday 8th February 09:56

Thats strange cos when I checked with Pirelli I was told the 295 tyre (N6 Corsa system) is designed specifically for the 996GT3 but would fit rims from 10" to 11.5" without any safety or handling warnings. I checked because I got different answers from different tyre specialists. I fitted them at Spa last May in the rain and they were brilliant. Wot tyres were you on Ade at Spa cos I think I would avoid those in future