thePill looking for an R...

[Dubbsfaris]

Are the "R" tires some how different than any compound previously used on a street legal performance vehicle. Does not sound like Ford has much faith in the chosen tire and compound if this is true. Weird.

The R is kind of a different bird here- built for the track, and no real compromise was made in making sure they were turnkey race ready. Because of that, its very much like the Cobra Jet, except they at least kept the R street legal (A requirement in racing series that the Cobra Jet didnt have to meet).

I guess Ford figures that there wont be a large number of R cars built, that buyers would not be racing them in the winter anyway, so no real reason not to put a better performance tire on it even if it means 4 months of hold on builds. Im betting the payoff is putting a car on the track that bests a Porsche GT3 RS has more appeal to it than downside.

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[mookydo]

What kind of a question is this? besides being a smart ass question. The guy is trying to give us info as he hears it..no guarantees, and you want to piss him off.....you "new guys" on here that have 9 post or 13 post....get real oh no offence..:frusty:

Holy crap man take it easy. I just asked a question, only wondering who the guy is.

 

[mattlqx]

Are the "R" tires some how different than any compound previously used on a street legal performance vehicle. Does not sound like Ford has much faith in the chosen tire and compound if this is true. Weird.

This is status quo for "R compound" (R as in Race, not R as in GT350R) tires. They're very soft which is what makes them very sticky. The structure of the molecules changes according to temperature, that's also why tires like this require a specific heat cycle procedure prior to use (Ford probably sources them already heat cycled). Bad things happen to the compound when it freezes that will result in either cracking or hardening of the tire (resulting in worse performance as it becomes less sticky).

All soft tires are like this. It's not a new thing or something that is avoidable once you cross the threshold into a sticky track tire. Ford wants the very best rubber on the R because it's designed with the track in mind. And by all accounts from the track tour, the R tire helps immensely with grip. It has nothing to do with faith, but everything to do with not mistreating a component that they're on the hook for warrantying until they're delivered and then some.

 

[mookydo]

This is status quo for "R compound" (R as in Race, not R as in GT350R) tires. They're very soft which is what makes them very sticky. The structure of the molecules changes according to temperature, that's also why tires like this require a specific heat cycle procedure prior to use (Ford probably sources them already heat cycled). Bad things happen to the compound when it freezes that will result in either cracking or hardening of the tire (resulting in worse performance as it becomes less sticky).

All soft tires are like this. It's not a new thing or something that is avoidable once you cross the threshold into a sticky track tire. Ford wants the very best rubber on the R because it's designed with the track in mind. And by all accounts from the track tour, the R tire helps immensely with grip. It has nothing to do with faith, but everything to do with not mistreating a component that they're on the hook for warrantying until they're delivered and then some.

Understand completely and Thank You for the info. Is this the 1st street legal vehicle to be delivered to the public with an "R" compound tire in place?

 

[Dubbsfaris]

If they are not Ford employees, I would not consider them a credible source for information. If Chevrolet and Chrysler can manage to ship cars with summer only high performance tires, so can Ford.

Well, the regular 350 and the GT500s came with tires that were summer only, and didnt effect build outs, but the R gets the best tire made for track use for reasons stated above.

Information we get at Shelby comes from Ford. There isnt an upside to publicly releasing that info, but I dont think they would hide it. I wasnt told it was confidential, and Im told many confidential things I manage to keep to myself. I was just sharing it here.

 

[lemers]

Didn't the ZL1 have tire issue concerns because they were sitting in a lot during a subzero cold front one year?


2016 GT350 Magnetic w/Black Stripes / Black Roof /Tech Package ETA Feb (US Port) under MSRP

 

[mookydo]

Well, the regular 350 and the GT500s came with tires that were summer only, and didnt effect build outs, but the R gets the best tire made for track use for reasons stated above.

Information we get at Shelby comes from Ford. There isnt an upside to publicly releasing that info, but I dont think they would hide it. I wasnt told it was confidential, and Im told many confidential things I manage to keep to myself. I was just sharing it here.

Interesting tid bit for sure. Who are you?

 

[mattlqx]

Understand completely and Thank You for the info. Is this the 1st street legal vehicle to be delivered to the public with an "R" compound tire in place?

No, the Boss 302 Laguna Seca came with Pirelli P-Zero Corsas which were R-compound as well. Precedence has nothing to do with it, just Ford doesn't want to cover potential damage this time around, that is all.

The Focus RS will have them as an option (no word on if that will inhibit delivery during next winter). Porsche delivers cars with Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires as well year round afaik. I'm pretty sure most exotics use them as standard equipment as well, but I haven't been cross-shopping Ferrari or MacLaren lately. ;P

 

[5.0 435]

If you ordered a R you better understand those tires can't be driven in temps under 32 degrees .Corvette used the same type tires and had cracks on many tires that were built during the winter months. Ford doesn't want the same problem. Just moving the cars onto the transporter cracked the tires.

 

[mookydo]

No, the Boss 302 Laguna Seca came with Pirelli P-Zero Corsas which were R-compound as well. Precedence has nothing to do with it, just Ford doesn't want to cover potential damage this time around, that is all.

The Focus RS will have them as an option (no word on if that will inhibit delivery during next winter). Porsche delivers cars with Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires as well year round afaik. I'm pretty sure most exotics use them as standard equipment as well, but I haven't been cross-shopping Ferrari or MacLaren lately. ;P

I thought there were some other high end vehicles that had them but have not been cross shopping F-cars or Lamborghinis either, LOL.

 

[mattlqx]

Well, the regular 350 and the GT500s came with tires that were summer only, and didnt effect build outs, but the R gets the best tire made for track use for reasons stated above.

Summer-only is not the same thing as an R-compound which will be physically damaged by cold temperatures. The GT500 came with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G2 tires which are normal summer tires*. Ditto for the Michelin Pilot Super Sports on the non-R GT350.

Edit: looks like the F1 Supercar's don't like cold temperatures either, but they don't appear to require initial heat cycling. So they're kind of at an in-between point.

 

[krt22]

Well, the regular 350 and the GT500s came with tires that were summer only, and didnt effect build outs, but the R gets the best tire made for track use for reasons stated above.

There is a big difference between the PSS and PSC2 in terms of compound.

THe goodyears that came on the GT500s also have a TSB attached to them not to use in weather under 40*, otherwise they can crack

 

[Dubbsfaris]

Interesting tid bit for sure. Who are you?

My name is Warren Faris, and I am a Regional Director for Team Shelby. My region is Southern Plains- Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Team Shelby is owned by Shelby American, and we do conference calls every other week to discuss enthusiast events and products. I enjoy what I do, and have made friends with many great people over at Shelby and Ford. If I can ever be of assistance to anyone here, my door is always open. I only do this to support the enthusiasts and coordinate great events!

(Im also a general contractor here in Texas-highways- and one of the director for the Terlingua Preservation Society)

 

[mookydo]

My name is Warren Faris, and I am a Regional Director for Team Shelby. My region is Southern Plains- Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Team Shelby is owned by Shelby American, and we do conference calls every other week to discuss enthusiast events and products. I enjoy what I do, and have made friends with many great people over at Shelby and Ford. If I can ever be of assistance to anyone here, my door is always open. I only do this to support the enthusiasts and coordinate great events!

(Im also a general contractor here in Texas-highways- and one of the director for the Terlingua Preservation Society)

Excellent! Sounds great. Keep the info and updates coming. Nice to have interfaced with you here sir.

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