Tire recommendation for HPDE

[EFI]

Can you explain this one to me? I heard Porsche's can use 255 in front and 305 in the back out of the box.

They also have a huge 600lb chunk of aluminum and steel sitting over the rear wheels, unlike the Mustang which has this over the front wheels.

I can't comment on the reasoning for square vs. staggered, but you can't really compare what a rear engine Porsche uses vs. a front engine Mustang.

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[Shadow277]

Which track were you thinkin of running? I have run Pacific Raceways several times with the Mustangs Northwest Roundup in July and also the Ridge. I have never run a true track performing tire but I do have the Nitto NT555 G2 tires and I once they get good and hot they do perform good. That said, it is damn hard to keep up to those running better tires on the same car.

Nitto NT555 G2 any good?

 

[Shadow277]

They also have a huge 600lb chunk of aluminum and steel sitting over the rear wheels, unlike the Mustang which has this over the front wheels.

I can't comment on the reasoning for square vs. staggered, but you can't really compare what a rear engine Porsche uses vs. a front engine Mustang.

That makes sense. I thought the staggered setup was preferred because it allows for rotation, especially at lower speeds with throttle controll. I think Ford did a good job with the Premium wheels coming in at 255/275.

 

[luc]

Can you explain this one to me? I heard Porsche's can use 255 in front and 305 in the back out of the box.

Porsche is a rear engine car, the opposite of a Mustang. The Mustang weight is front biased

 

[Norm Peterson]

In choosing tire sizes for handling, you need to start by determining where the tire loads are coming from and how they're being distributed.

Basically, a front engine RWD car puts the heavy end up front, which is also the end that gets the car turning in the first place. So it's going to be doing more of the work, and you could even argue that the front tires could be bigger (at least wider) and/or grippier than the rear tires. In fact, there was one FWD GM car that actually did the OE tire&wheel setup that way.

But a complication arises with FE/RWD when power (and especially midrange torque) rises beyond some level. At that point, you're probably going to want (or need) a bit more rear tire to help keep big throttle response in check on corner exit. That's something you should expect when you're running forced induction, though there can be some value in minimal amounts of stagger for a high power/big displacement normally aspirated car (I'm thinking Camaro SS/1LE here with the extra 1.2 liters of displacement and slightly less weight).


As mentioned, you can't use the rear engine Porsche as a guide to how you should approach Mustang tire/wheel/suspension tuning. Porsches are fast around a road course because they've been developed for that sort of driving with careful attention paid to the basic characteristics of a rear engine RWD car. OK, some are AWD, but the heavy end is still out back.


Norm

 

[Vettel-ish]

Been running cup 2's and they are epic. Not sure they will last as long as the NItto and thats the argument right. Grip VS longevity.

If you can swing the cash, give the cups a try. Super sticky. They transformed my car.

 

[rileythemustangguy]

Which track were you thinkin of running? I have run Pacific Raceways several times with the Mustangs Northwest Roundup in July and also the Ridge. I have never run a true track performing tire but I do have the Nitto NT555 G2 tires and I once they get good and hot they do perform good. That said, it is damn hard to keep up to those running better tires on the same car.

Pacific Raceways is where I plan on going, it seems like they've got a good setup with Proformance Racing School; one day to learn how to drive on the track, then you can come back for lapping days after that. How do you find groups that run at the track? I can't find any Mustang groups that are actually local to Seattle area, even the PNW Mustang club is mostly Oregon, or so it seems.

Thank you for the note on your experience with the G2s! That's really helpful to have a real experience review. Honestly I probably won't be pushing these tires to the limit this year, and if I really enjoy track time I'll buy another set up wheels/tires for track use only for next year.

Maybe I'll see you at the track this summer!

 

[rileythemustangguy]

Been running cup 2's and they are epic. Not sure they will last as long as the NItto and thats the argument right. Grip VS longevity.

If you can swing the cash, give the cups a try. Super sticky. They transformed my car.

I would LOOOOOOVE to be able to run those - I'm definitely thinking if I enjoy the track time life this year, I'll get a set of high quality tires for track only use for next year (like Cup 2s).

 

[Vettel-ish]

I would LOOOOOOVE to be able to run those - I'm definitely thinking if I enjoy the track time life this year, I'll get a set of high quality tires for track only use for next year (like Cup 2s).

Becarful, the track bug bits hard lol. I just did a cage and a painted aria helmet lol 6k later lol

 

[Grintch]

Can you explain this one to me? I heard Porsche's can use 255 in front and 305 in the back out of the box.

The typical Porshe has 60% or more of it weight on the rear tires, while the Mustang is closer to 60% on the front. So 255 F/305 R will be understeer city with a Mustang.

 

[cop on my back]

Pacific Raceways is where I plan on going, it seems like they've got a good setup with Proformance Racing School; one day to learn how to drive on the track, then you can come back for lapping days after that. How do you find groups that run at the track? I can't find any Mustang groups that are actually local to Seattle area, even the PNW Mustang club is mostly Oregon, or so it seems.

Thank you for the note on your experience with the G2s! That's really helpful to have a real experience review. Honestly I probably won't be pushing these tires to the limit this year, and if I really enjoy track time I'll buy another set up wheels/tires for track use only for next year.

Maybe I'll see you at the track this summer!

Pacific Raceways is a lot of fun. I hit 140 mph into turn 1, it is a bit of a pucker corner if you know what I mean. I live in Canada but go there every year for the Mustang Round up put together by Mustangs NW. Google it. It is a great bunch of people that all love Mustangs and speed. I have made a lot of good friends and there is always tons of advice available to help have a fun day at the track.

 

[Grintch]

Nitto NT555 G2 any good?

Good for what?
The road course, not so much.
Street use, fine but nothing special.

 

[cop on my back]

Good for what?
The road course, not so much.
Street use, fine but nothing special.

I have managed 1.2 lateral G with my NT555 G2's, at least that is what the factory meter says. 1.1 is most common for me.

 

[Grintch]

I have managed 1.2 lateral G with my NT555 G2's, at least that is what the factory meter says. 1.1 is most common for me.

So?
How many wins does it have against other street tires in the Optima Street Car Challenge, Autocross, etc. Go to a track day and count all the cars running it.

P.S. IIRC, the top tires were registering 1.6g in Car & Drivers Lightning Lap (or maybe it was Road & Tracks Best Driver Car).

 

[cop on my back]

Not going to the track to win. The OP is looking for a good track tire for their first HPDE. Do you think they are trying to win? Sheesh man. All I am saying is for the price you can get a good bunch of laps out of them and drive good on the street. Not everyone is going balls out.

It is people like you I avoid at the track, all ego, the best at everything and always have a better story than the person talking about one.

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