PSS on the track-can it handle heat?

[twboy1999]

i personally went to 7 track days with PSS.
I am noob at tracking, so I am not as fast as veterans.

still plenty of threads left. Maybe I am just a very slow driver. Lol.. For street you can't beat the PSS. If you planning to track alot than obviously get a different set of tires.

I am switching to hankook rs-3 for track this season.

[bigjae1976]

I've used both the RS3s and the Star Specs. While neither is a great, quiet DD tires, each has their own strengths.

The RS3 have superior dry grip and don't fall off when hot. I got 8k miles plus 5 weekends at the track (1 was in the rain)...they still have about 4/32 left but the edges are getting close to the belts. But these get pretty noisy once you track them. The tramline pretty bad on uneven pavement. The cold grip (40's) is terrible. These are borderling dangerous in the cold and wet when the tread is a bit worn.

The star specs have MUCH better wet and cold grip. These can be a year round tire if you lived further south. Won't work well if the temps stay below 40 for extended periods. Suprisingly, these will still grip well enough for occasional dips into the low 30's. These do grip really well but a small step below the RS3s. The biggest difference is that these fall off when they get hot. But the fall off a little and hold so you don't totally lose traction.

Originally Posted by Z K

I'd recommend the RE11 or the AD08. Both are great dual purpose track tires and very street and DD friendly.

I don't see these tires in 275/35R18s on Tire Rack...odd.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I've used both the RS3s and the Star Specs. While neither is a great, quiet DD tires, each has their own strengths.

The RS3 have superior dry grip and don't fall off when hot. I got 8k miles plus 5 weekends at the track (1 was in the rain)...they still have about 4/32 left but the edges are getting close to the belts. But these get pretty noisy once you track them. The tramline pretty bad on uneven pavement. The cold grip (40's) is terrible. These are borderling dangerous in the cold and wet when the tread is a bit worn.

The star specs have MUCH better wet and cold grip. These can be a year round tire if you lived further south. Won't work well if the temps stay below 40 for extended periods. Suprisingly, these will still grip well enough for occasional dips into the low 30's. These do grip really well but a small step below the RS3s. The biggest difference is that these fall off when they get hot. But the fall off a little and hold so you don't totally lose traction.



I don't see these tires in 275/35R18s on Tire Rack...odd.

Yeah, I don't know why. I think it's because 275/35 is more a "tuner" tire than OE tire size. You won't see a car come with OEM 275/35R18 tires. The RE11 and AD08 come in popular OE tire sizes. The flip side is Dunlop doesn't make a 265/40R18 and do not have any 19" sizes.

RE11 and AD08 have more grip over the Z1 Star Spec and handle heat much better on track. Dunlop needs to come up with a new compound to compete. But I guess because the Dunlop is less expensive, they have a niche in the market.

I agree, the RS3 is has greater grip than any other street tire but also has a soft sidewall and wear super fast.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Z K

Yeah, I don't know why. I think it's because 275/35 is more a "tuner" tire than OE tire size. You won't see a car come with OEM 275/35R18 tires. The RE11 and AD08 come in popular OE tire sizes. The flip side is Dunlop doesn't make a 265/40R18 and do not have any 19" sizes.

RE11 and AD08 have more grip over the Z1 Star Spec and handle heat much better on track. Dunlop needs to come up with a new compound to compete. But I guess because the Dunlop is less expensive, they have a niche in the market.

I agree, the RS3 is has greater grip than any other street tire but also has a soft sidewall and wear super fast.

Disagree...the RS3 has held up very well. Again, 8k miles plus 5 track weekends. One was in the rain but two were in 100+ degree heat.

But I think Dunlop is getting stupid because the prices have been inching up ever since they came out. Because it was the price that made them so attractive.

Either way...you get what you pay for. Spend less $$$...there's a trade off. The question is are you willing to accept whatever that trade off is.

[llis]

Originally Posted by checkmate

Guys,

I'm getting my Square set of Apex's soon so the search for a square set of tires have begun.

I'm torn between the time and track tested NT01s, RS3s and Star Specs vs PSS.

I understand PSS is great for DD and your occasional trip to the track but I also don't want a tire thats going to get shredded at the track. I want a tire that can handle well in the dry and wet but capable enough to be a DD.

Advice/Comments/Suggestions?

I really liked the AD08s. For a street tire that is good for track, dry street and also on the wet, it's a great balance. So what if it's a little stiff in the ride!

(And to clarify ambiguous statement above, AD08s are directional, so your rotation options are limited to front-back.)

If you're getting wheels though, you might consider track tires and swap at the track. Stud set costs $150 and makes it easy to mount the wheels. Floor jack in the trunk w impact wrench, wheels on blanket in back seat. Thrash on track tires and do your daily commute on your favorite street tire.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by llis

I really liked the AD08s. For a street tire that is good for track, dry street and also on the wet, it's a great balance. So what if it's a little stiff in the ride!

How long did your AD08s last?

[klammer]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

How long did your AD08s last?

Know this isn't directed at me but have had great luck/longevity with the ad08's, about 15 days with the front and 10+ on the rears and still counting. I've found the yoko's to last forever, and are a great dual purpose tire, have about 6k street miles on them and aren't too expensive, live the tire

[checkmate]

I'm leaning more towards the Nitto NT05 at this point considering the rave review on the forum and elsewhere on the web. Its cheaper than AD08 and of course much cheaper than PSS (which will be relegated for DD duty and the ocassional drive through the mountains).
The Nitto NT05 @ $228/tire shipped seems to be a great street/track tire from reviews. It seems to handle heat well.

The reason I keep emphasizing the dual street/track tire is because most tracks are within a 2-3hr drive from my home. The idea of driving to the track on my street tires and then changing to track tires becomes cumbersome. I want to drive to the track on my track tires and back home. Keep in mind that we also get a lot of rain in the spring and summer which means I want the tires to get me to the track and back home safely in the rain.

I'm planning to do at least 4-5 track weekends between April and June which means I am less likely to change tires between track days.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by klammer

Know this isn't directed at me but have had great luck/longevity with the ad08's, about 15 days with the front and 10+ on the rears and still counting. I've found the yoko's to last forever, and are a great dual purpose tire, have about 6k street miles on them and aren't too expensive, live the tire

Thanks for the feedback! Just what I was looking for.

[llis]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

How long did your AD08s last?

It depends on how you drive and whether you have camber plates which can save on track wear. I still have mine after several track days and thousands of highway miles. (I went to dedicated track wheels & tires to save on corner wear. Also as good as the Yokos are, they are not racing tires. I had real fun on Continental/Hoosier Grand Am tires.) for one tire for all, AD08s.

I don't know about NT05s, but NT01s can be a great DOT track tire. But they absolutely suck in the rain. Like pull over and wait for it to stop kind of suckage.

[llis]

Originally Posted by checkmate

I'm leaning more towards the Nitto NT05 at this point considering the rave review on the forum and elsewhere on the web. Its cheaper than AD08 and of course much cheaper than PSS (which will be relegated for DD duty and the ocassional drive through the mountains).
The Nitto NT05 @ $228/tire shipped seems to be a great street/track tire from reviews. It seems to handle heat well.

The reason I keep emphasizing the dual street/track tire is because most tracks are within a 2-3hr drive from my home. The idea of driving to the track on my street tires and then changing to track tires becomes cumbersome. I want to drive to the track on my track tires and back home. Keep in mind that we also get a lot of rain in the spring and summer which means I want the tires to get me to the track and back home safely in the rain.

I'm planning to do at least 4-5 track weekends between April and June which means I am less likely to change tires between track days.

I'm in the same boat re some long drives to the track. But w studs swapping wheels can be a 15-20 min job, even for a girl. (Definitely bring a stool. Makes it much easier.) And that opens up real possibilities for track tires.

[Z K]

I can provide some feedback on the AD08. I had them on a previous car and liked it. I was able to get 4 track days, about 12 autocross events and 15,000 miles of daily driving out of them. When those wore out I purchased another set of AD08. I had 245/40R18 size.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by llis

But w studs swapping wheels can be a 15-20 min job, even for a girl.

Studs are the shit! Not sure why the Germans insist on the wheel bolts.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by llis

I don't know about NT05s, but NT01s can be a great DOT track tire. But they absolutely suck in the rain. Like pull over and wait for it to stop kind of suckage.

+1 on this

[checkmate]

In a total reversal of my previous plan-I ordered the PSS for track days. Will post my review on this thread after my first two track days with occasional commutes and cruises mixed in. Will measure the tire tread and air pressure pro-actively throughout the next few months.

[quads]

Which compound is most comparable to the RS3's? AD08, NT05, RE11?

Here's my problem. I bought a bunch of 305/30/19 RS3's on the cheap but I need 275/30/19's up front and there are not RS3's in that size.

AD08, RE11 and PSS do have that size and I'm trying to decide which. I know it's not good to mix but I have to do it.

These are track tires. I'm already running PSS for street.

[arter]

Originally Posted by 4sevens.com

Which compound is most comparable to the RS3's? AD08, NT05, RE11?

Here's my problem. I bought a bunch of 305/30/19 RS3's on the cheap but I need 275/30/19's up front and there are not RS3's in that size.

AD08, RE11 and PSS do have that size and I'm trying to decide which. I know it's not good to mix but I have to do it.

These are track tires. I'm already running PSS for street.

Based on Tirerack and some other surveys, the AD08's are the next best dry track adhesion tire after the RS3's ( compared to RE-11s, NT05's and Star Specs).


I run AD08's as my street tire and occasional track tire ( wet, cold, or dry) and NT01's as my dry track tires. Both have great life.
I've run the NT-01's in the rain. Not horrid, but I was repeating.... think smooth... think smooth the whole time. I should have changed over...

Melted my PS2's in a couple of days on the track. I would track PSS's cold or wet, but dry I think they would melt also if you push them.
RS3's are awesome hot, dry street tires, but cold and/or wet is not their thing ( and I needed a cold/ wet option since I run the NT-01's.

[sawzall]

Originally Posted by checkmate

In a total reversal of my previous plan-I ordered the PSS for track days. Will post my review on this thread after my first two track days with occasional commutes and cruises mixed in. Will measure the tire tread and air pressure pro-actively throughout the next few months.

I did the same for my square set. I'm running 275/35/18 PSS. I've had one track day on them so far, and it was in the wet, and it was pretty cold. The tires performed really well, it was pretty obvious that I had more grip than a lot of people running RS-3 and similar tires. They wore really well (no chunking, or premature wearing of the center bars). We'll see how they do on much hotter days, but so far i'm pretty happy with them.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by shizzle

I did the same for my square set. I'm running 275/35/18 PSS. I've had one track day on them so far, and it was in the wet, and it was pretty cold. The tires performed really well, it was pretty obvious that I had more grip than a lot of people running RS-3 and similar tires. They wore really well (no chunking, or premature wearing of the center bars). We'll see how they do on much hotter days, but so far i'm pretty happy with them.

You used the PSS at the track in the conditions they perform best. I also use my PSS as wet track tires (and as DD tire). Glad you like them.

I am however curious to hear how you will find them on a hot dry track (especially in respect to wear).

[sawzall]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

You used the PSS at the track in the conditions they perform best. I also use my PSS as wet track tires (and as DD tire). Glad you like them.

I am however curious to hear how you will find them on a hot dry track (especially in respect to wear).

That's what i'm waiting for as well. I might hit Mosport GP at the end of April, and that should be a good test if the weather holds up. I'm going to try to keep the tire temp in the 35-38C hot range. Hopefully that will keep them from getting greasy or overly soft.

In normal street (dry) driving I find the PSS to have much better grip than the NT05 I used previously.

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by shizzle

That's what i'm waiting for as well. I might hit Mosport GP at the end of April, and that should be a good test if the weather holds up. I'm going to try to keep the tire temp in the 35-38C hot range. Hopefully that will keep them from getting greasy or overly soft.

In normal street (dry) driving I find the PSS to have much better grip than the NT05 I used previously.

35-38c tire temp Are you going to drive real slow for fun on the track

The NTo5's are a very poor street tire as they are quite slippery till they get a fair bit of heat in them.

[dawgdog]

Originally Posted by checkmate

In a total reversal of my previous plan-I ordered the PSS for track days. Will post my review on this thread after my first two track days with occasional commutes and cruises mixed in. Will measure the tire tread and air pressure pro-actively throughout the next few months.

I have heard very positive reviews of PSS on the track, one from a very advanced driver. I have Nt 05s on one set of wheels and NT01s on another. I tend to leave the Nt01s on the car if the events are close together and they are fine on the street, even in the wet when in good condition. Not noisy at all compared to R888s. I'm not a huge fan of Nt05s as they are not good in wet conditions and only fair on dry pavement.