PSS on the track-can it handle heat?

[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?

[DOUT]

The PSS is a great tire for street use and the occasional track use. They grip very well and last long. However, to avoid shredding/prematurely destroying them you MUST check your tire pressure before and after every session to make sure that the air didn't heat up and expand and increase pressure too much. You will have to let air out and add more every so often.

[von_zoom]

Very difficult to get a tire which will hold up to the abuse of track days, run well dry and wet, and be expected to be a lasting street tire. If you run it on the track, expect the same thing as butter in a pan on the stove.
vz

[CanAutM3]

Are you looking for a tire that will be both a DD and track tire? If so, forget about the NT-01.

Don't get me wrong, the NT-01 is a great track tire and I can only recommend it (I am on my fourth set, 18" square setup). However, it is definitely not suitable for DD. It totally sucks in the wet and is very harsh and noisy . They are OK to get you to and from the track, but IMO, not much more.

BTW, I use PSS as my DD tire and wet track tire and absolutely love them (stock 19" staggered setup). They don't last very long on a dry track though .

If you are getting a square set of wheels, why not use them for the track with a dedicated set of track tires and keep your stock wheels with street tires for the DD?

[davem3fan]

Pilot Sport Cup
They make them in the factory 19" sizes.

[sawzall]

Originally Posted by davem3fan

Pilot Sport Cup
They make them in the factory 19" sizes.

^Looks like the OP wants to run 275/35/18 square (at least that's what i've seen all people running square Apex setups go with) so the PSC won't work.

I'd be interested in using PSS as a dedicated track tire over the current NT05 i've been using. If i can get an equivilent number of days out of them i'd go with them. Right now i'm leaning towards the Dunlop Star Specs.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by shizzle

^Looks like the OP wants to run 275/35/18 square (at least that's what i've seen all people running square Apex setups go with) so the PSC won't work.

I'd be interested in using PSS as a dedicated track tire over the current NT05 i've been using. If i can get an equivilent number of days out of them i'd go with them. Right now i'm leaning towards the Dunlop Star Specs.

How many track days are you getting out of your tires?

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

How many track days are you getting out of your tires?

With my NT05's 275/35 18 on 10"s.I have gotten about 12-13 days(25 hours) before they give up.I flip them at half tread and am quite diligent about rotating their position to maximize the wear.I am quite aggresive so I am quite happy with the cost effectiveness of these tires.Good grip in the dry/suck in the wet but very predictable.I am on my 3rd set.I use my stock PS2's as my wet setup and I find that they are a very good wet tire.
For comparsion I get about 4 days out of new RA1's,2 days on 888's which I do not like at all and 45 minutes out of the Continenal Grand Am Challenge slicks (Hoosiers).They are very fast and the most fun of any tire that I have had on the car but do not like sliding & curbs on an abrassive track.

[persian54]

RS3s or SS

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

If you are getting a square set of wheels, why not use them for the track with a dedicated set of track tires and keep your stock wheels with street tires for the DD?

+1. Also get wheels studs to make swapping the wheels easier.

[von_zoom]

If you are getting a square set of wheels, why not use them for the track with a dedicated set of track tires and keep your stock wheels with street tires for the DD?

My question also. I run a square set up, APEX 18X10, and use BFG Gforce R1 275/35/18. Cannot be used in the wet, but are execellent on dry surfaces. Why go to the extra expense in rims if you plan to run PS2. I use the PS2 stock tires on my M3 for wet tracks.
vz

[checkmate]

Is the RS3 good in the dry and wet?? Also as a DD?

[Z K]

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

[aus]

StarSpec's get no love here.
STALKER had some issues with a few sets, but other have run them well.

.

[CanAutM3]

12-13 days! That's pretty decent .

I get about 8-10 days out of my NT-01s. Since the NT-01s are asymmetrical, I cannot flip them on the rim . I installed GC camber plates mid-season last year, seems to improve the the wear on the outer edges. I hope I'll be able to stretch them a bit longer.

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

I am quite aggressive

I saw some of your track vids, that is an understatement .

[e92motorsports]

I would recommend the Falken RT-615, used on the street and for track days and were a great tire!

[sawzall]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

How many track days are you getting out of your tires?

I've got 5 days on my tires so far. I need to flip them around at this point so i'll probably get another 2 days out of them. My NT05 is a staggered setup which is probably why i won't get as many days out of them as Gearhead999s does.

[checkmate]

Consensus on this and other forums is that NT01 and RS3s are the best for track duty at least if I'm doing HPDEs regularly. I wonder why Falken 615Ks aren't on those lists though? Are any of the aforementioned tires decent enough to drive daily (if required) in the dry or wet? How about road noise?

PSS seems to be a great performance DD tire which can occasionally be tracked...hmm..decisions decisions...let's not forget that PSS is mucho expensive as well.

I've decided to use the APEXs are my track only set up guys so feel free to keep me educated.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by checkmate

Consensus on this and other forums is that NT01 and RS3s are the best for track duty at least if I'm doing HPDEs regularly. I wonder why Falken 615Ks aren't on those lists though? Are any of the aforementioned tires decent enough to drive daily (if required) in the dry or wet? How about road noise?

PSS seems to be a great performance DD tire which can occasionally be tracked...hmm..decisions decisions...let's not forget that PSS is mucho expensive as well.

I've decided to use the APEXs are my track only set up guys so feel free to keep me educated.

You should read your own thread... I already responded about the NT01 as a DD (see post #4). I guess you want more than one oninion .

BTW, good choice on having a dedicated set of track wheels .

Not sure if NT-01 are THE best, as they are not the best in any category. But they are a good overall compromise between grip, predictability and durability.

[checkmate]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

You should read your own thread... I already responded about the NT01 as a DD (see post #4)

BTW, good choice on having a dedicated set of track wheels .

Thanks but you did not provide any answers as to what the best viable option is. From what you've said- NT01 sucks as DD and in the wet. PSS doesn't do well on a dry track. What's the alternative? i.e. a tire that meets both those objectives?

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by checkmate

Thanks but you did not provide any answers as to what the best viable option is. From what you've said- NT01 sucks as DD and in the wet. PSS doesn't do well on a dry track. What's the alternative? i.e. a tire that meets both those objectives?

Meeting both objectives is tricky as it is going to be a compromise.

Depends on what you want.

If you are going for a dedicated set of track wheel and tires and another one for the DD, then the option of PSS for street and wet track and NT-01 for dry track is quite good. This is what I run and I am very happy with it. Others might have different opinions, I can only share from personnal experience .

If you are going for a single set of tires and wheels for DD and track, then NT-01 is not for you. PSS might be a good option in this case if you do not track too much (just ensure you have decent camber up front and check your pressures as to not shred the outer edges of the tire).

Hope it helps .

[MaxL]

Originally Posted by checkmate

Thanks but you did not provide any answers as to what the best viable option is. From what you've said- NT01 sucks as DD and in the wet. PSS doesn't do well on a dry track. What's the alternative? i.e. a tire that meets both those objectives?

IMO, if track use is important to you, your best options will be RE11 or the AD08, as someone mentioned before. Both good enough in the wet to be a safe daily driver, while taking track use really well. Some might add NT-05 to that list, but I never used them and I've heard they are less comfortable on the street (noise, flat-spotting when car is parked for a while). But both RE11 and AD08 would be a compromise on the street as well - more noisy and harsher ride when PS or PSS (more so with AD08, but on the flip side they are cheaper, last longer and symmetrical so can be flipped).

In other words, no obvious choice.