BEST TYRES FOR PHASE 2 NSX?

[david_f]

Hi everyone! I'm looking to change the tyres on my phase 2 (late 2000) NSX which currently has Dunlop SP Sport 8050's fitted. Given the odd front tyre size (i.e. 215/45 ZR x 16), I think I'm limited to either the aforementioned Dunlops, Bridgestone Potenza RE 010's or Yokohama A-022's - as recommended by Honda. Does anyone know what's considered the best of these three (or a more up-to-date alternative - in the right sizes)? I use my car mainly as a weekender and track day toy. Thanks for any help. David.

[Kevin]

Change the 'odd' tyre size to 225 for the front, and 255 for the rear, and you will find more selection. These sizes are fine. I use Bridgestone S03s. These sizes are also cheaper than the odd original sizes.

[david_f]

Change the 'odd' tyre size to 225 for the front, and 255 for the rear, and you will find more selection. These sizes are fine. I use Bridgestone S03s. These sizes are also cheaper than the odd original sizes.

Thanks for the tip Kevin, much obliged!

[ctrlaltdelboy]

agreed - these are the sizes I too am currently running.

I have been strongly recommeded to use Kumho V70A's which will be my next set - awesome dry grip + reasonable wet grip + lighter in weight than any other tyre I have checked (a big advantage - unsprung weight is worth 10x as much sprung weight) - my shopping around has led me to the conclusion that the cheapest supplier for these is South Shore Tyres on 01253 761362.

Darren

[NSXGB]

....are the Kumho tyres really any good?? My experience of them years ago was a real cheapo budget job, that made my mates Capri handle even more like a dog! I have seen the Kumho's for £70 a pop in 'our' sizes, which I suppose is tempting, but do you really want to chance it?

I have just bought a full set of RE010's (16"&17"...£470 later), which I personally chose because they are specifically made for the NSX, therefore it should handle the way Honda intended...3000 miles more & I will make my mind up whether to go for regular tyres again or not!

Also, fitting a 225 to the front of a pre power steering NSX...has anyone tried it? How much heavier did it make your steering?


Simon.

[ctrlaltdelboy]

there are a few of us here running 225's up front without PAS - no problem. I can't comment on handling differences as I have only tracked the NSX in this size.

The Kumho ECSTA V70A has some pretty rave reviews as far as I can see - it is known as the V700 in the states- see here for info.

I have been sold on them as my next tyre by (aside from good reviews and light weight) Richy Voaden - I know Richy from the Honda Revolutions club, he has been driving Castle Coombe for 15 years or more and last year I gave up trying to keep up with him on track in his Kumho-shod Prelude (I'll try again this year though :wink: ) anyway, Richy reckons they are the best road tyres he has tried on the track - that'll do for me!

[NSXGB]

....they sound quite good, a bit more specialised than the ones I have seen at £62 each!

Any idea how much lighter they are?

[ctrlaltdelboy]

weight difference for me is:

current front - Eagle F1 225/45/16 @ 23.5lb
new front - Kumho V70A 245/45/16 @ 22.6lb

x2 = 1.8lb or 800g - not much in itself, but acheived at the same time as a larger footprint - plus the new wheels are lighter by 1.9kg or 4.2lb each giving me a total front axle weight saving of 10.16lb or 4.6kg

current rear - Bridgestone SO2PP 255/40/17 @ 27.5lb
new rear - Kumho V70A 275/40/17 @ 27.4lb

x2 = 0.2lb - virtually nothing, but again a wider tyre, plus the wheel weight saving again is 7.9lb giving a rear axle weight saving of 8.1lb or 3.7kg

total unsprung weight saved = 18.2lb or 8.3kg whilst getting more rubber on the ground.

I would mention that the tyre weights do of course vary from size to size, and the widest suitable fitment for a standard (7") front wheel is the 225/50/16 which weighs in at 24lb - slightly heavier than the Eagle F1 I am currently running.
For a standard rear rim (8.5") the widest fitment is 245/40/17 which wilst coming in at a svelte 22lb could lead to excessive oversteer if used in conjunction with the 225's at the front.

if reducing unsprung weight is of greater importance to you than increasing the contact patch then you could run these rears with the 205/45/16's which weighing in at only 18lb which could be a nice combination :idea:

sorry for waffling - I hope this post has been helpful rather than more confusing :!:

[NSXGB]

....putting tyres of those sizes would surely baffle the TCS system if used :?:

I felt the handling of my car was not as it should be with 205/45/16 Michelins up front with 245/45/17 P Zero's at rear...causing, IMO, understeer where it shouldn't. Occaisional oversteer was also experienced without TCS cutting in.
Even though the tyres were supposed to be within tolerance (to keep the TCS happy), I found that the green TCS light didn't start blinking (when it cut in) until the tyres were practically worn to their limit.....thus suggesting to me it 'aint working right??

I may be just waffling, but that's how I came to the decision to get the RE010's all round....

[ctrlaltdelboy]

I am shocked and surprised at the last post.

Baffling the TCS is of no concern to me - the first thing I do when I start the engine is to turn it off.
I have even purchased (but not yet fitted) a 'SmartTCS' which will keep the darn thing off even if I stall or switch the ign off.

why anyone would dream of driving the NSX hard with that wretched system interfering I cannot imagine - sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I prefer to take control (and responsibility) of the vehicle personally. Sunday driving however is different as is getting used to the NSX when newly acquired.

If you are cornering at the kind of speeds where you are experiencing under or oversteer how can you possibly make any kind of judgement as to what tyre/spring/swaybar/gearing/LSD setup works best for you when you have the TCS sticking it's oar in and altering the entire situation?

I'm not trying to insult you in any way, nor am I suggesting that I am a better driver than you, but I would like to politely suggest that you forget the discussion above as it has no relevance to driving under the supervision of the TCS and is potentially dangerous to attempt.

If I have mis-interpreted your position by the way I read your post then please let me know and I will retract any inappropriate comments - as stated, I am not trying to have a pop at you here.

Darren