Tech Talk: Tire Selection For Your Sportscar

We discuss the important variables in tire selection to help you make the best choice for your light-weight sportscar.

[@ISpinUWin]

You are not kidding regarding the difficulty in getting tires. In early winter, I could not find the tires you mentioned. I waited for almost 2 months. I added Bridgestone RE71RS to my search and luckily was able to find a set they just got in and I had them within a week. After I received them I also finally got the Hoosiers I had ordered almost 3 months ago by then. Anyway, the Bridgestone made for some really fun, awesome grip, winter track and street tire. Now during the summer I’ll be back to Hoosiers. I’ll be happy to try to get the Bridgestones again next winter. Finally, your message about old tires is very important. There is a significant drop off in grip after five years, no matter how good they look. I even videoed and posted my experience with 10 year tires and another with old Hoosiers at the track. Skate fest and not in a fun way like you might think. Lots of understeer, no grip at all, and less predictable than healthy tires. Thx for the vid!

[@Pwr2wt]

I’ve been enjoying the short videos you’re sharing. Very much appreciated. I hear on LT that it’s “old technology “, but I love the Toyo R1R’s. Perfect for street, give up a bit on the track, but better than R888R’s in the wet.

[@InoKinetic]

RA1s are another excellent tire that work especially well with 15"/16" rims. Glad you like the videos...our Blog also has tons of info.

[@RJayStyle]

Toyo R888! Don’t mix tires or sizes haha. Love this content ❤

[@patrickvanrinsvelt4466]

Has anyone had experience with Kenda Kaiser tires? Running Yokos AD09s and they are great but at a cost. Great content and just the right length.

[@InoKinetic]

We have not tried the Kenda.

[@202One]

👍👍👍

[@petrolfever]

I've had several setups on my Exige. For the street I love my 15/16 (205/225) setup. I've had some truly awful setups as well, the worst being trying to fit a 255 in the rear... What was I thinking!?

[@InoKinetic]

Probably the same thing we were thinking when we attempted to fit 215 tires at the front of an Elise back in 2006...big mistake!

[@petrolfever]

@@InoKinetic That same setup had a 225 front, which was less of an issue (other than the caliper clearance). But I think there is a little more room up front on an Exige, correct?

[@InoKinetic]

@@petrolfever A bit more clearance on the Exige but the real problem was not getting the 215 street tire hot enough to work. 225 would be impossible - except maybe slicks.

[@tonycamilleri4443]

Great advice. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!!

[@corpserv]

Any recommendations for track day tire pressures on an Elise/Exige?

[@InoKinetic]

HOT: AO48s = 26/28 psi, R888 = 31/33 psi

[@RevMatch111]

How about A052s?

[@DimoS...]

Great video sir! What is your opinion about 2zzge engine?

[@InoKinetic]

Thx. I like the 2ZZGE - they have been a good match for these cars. If you are tracking your car, you have a couple oil considerations but they can be run safely/reliably. Our Mountune built 2ZZGE are simply awesome!

[@DimoS...]

@InoKinetic thx for reply sir! I use 0w40 mobil1 fs oil is good? The car is "family car" but when im alone go over 6k rpm every time. Sir What's the cause for wiped intake camshaft on 2zzge? Also Can tight valve clearance hurt the cam lobes?

[@InoKinetic]

@@DimoS... Make sure that the oil is warm before jumping into the second cam. Keep your clearance close to factory specs.

[@DimoS...]

@InoKinetic thank you very much sir!

[@DimoS...]

@InoKinetic 0.12-0.13 is ok sir right? Can a clearance like 0.06 hurt the cal lobes?