I'm looking at putting C5 Z06 wheels on my 2002 coupe, and staying with stock C5 Z06 tire sizes. There are not many options for tires. My wife and I do about 4 AutoX each year (yes, the new wheels will change our class... we don't care), and we are starting to do some HPDEs. Looking for a reliable tire that is not too freaky at the limit, has good grip in the corners, and can still be used for a few laps if it starts to drizzle. Price is a consideration, but the not the primary one.
Anyone have experience with the Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport?
While the RE760 is a good tire it really is not quite up to the task at an AutoX The Pilot Sport PS2 is the best performer in those sizes I would also recommend you run a 275 in the front rather than the 265
Last edited by Luke@tirerack; 06-11-2009 at 02:48 PM.
Luke - Thanks for the info. Some more questions...
The stock C5 tires have a 1" difference, front vs. rear, in overall diameter. A stock C5 Z06 has a 0.8" difference. 275/40-17 and 295/35-18 yields a 0.4" difference. So... with 275s up front will my Active Handling have issues with the roughly 0.6" change in diameter differential vs. my stock C5 tires?
I know PS2s are great. Since I'm running on the track and Autocrossing just for fun, will I think they are worth twice the cost of the Bridgestones?
I note that GM engineers chose a 265 front tire for the Z06. Maybe that was based on the available tire sizes at the time. Maybe there was some engineering reason for it. I don't know. My question - will a 275 tire start to "overload" my stock C5 front suspension (assuming I'm using a 17x9.5 Z06 wheel)? Is a 9.5 wheel wide enough to support a 275?
and... what do you think of the Goodyear F1 GS-D3 ? Pricewise it's between the Bridgestone and the PS2. Same for performance?
the .6" difference will not upset your cars electronics ... I know of dozens of folks running that exact set up. The 265 size choice was based on the desire to induce understeer to make the car easier for the masses to drive and 275 is a much more popular size
I like the GS D3 but, I also like to be competitive when at the local AutoX and the PS2 is that good
Last edited by Luke@tirerack; 06-11-2009 at 02:59 PM.
you're welcome .. let me know if you have any addiitional questions
Luke, would the re760 be a good all around tire for my hot rodded 54?
I am running 205/50/17 in the front and 245/45/17 for the rear. It will be just used for street and highway driving.
Luke, would the re760 be a good all around tire for my hot rodded 54?
I am running 205/50/17 in the front and 245/45/17 for the rear. It will be just used for street and highway driving.
Thanks
considering its ride quality, above average performance and low noise it would be a very good choice. Here's LINK for more info or to place your order
Big price difference between Michelins and Bridgestone is making me seriously consider Bridgestone.
Bridgestone rated marginally higher than Michelin overall by C&D. The Bridgestone is quieter for one thing, However, C&D is just one review.
I would like a quieter tire than the GY F1 Supercars as the Z06 is lacking enough sound absorbing insulation when on the highway.
I concluded that the extra performance that the Michelins will provide on the track (based on the C&D results( will make no difference to me. I consider myself to be a novice autox and HPDE driver.
Maybe poorer performing tires will make me a better driver. At least that's what the instructor told me when I told him I had a set of Nitto R888's that I could bring to the HPDE event. I never used the Nitto's...sold them. I would rather improve my driving skills than rely on sticky tires that don't benefit me in the long run.
As for the one important criteria....braking, the Bridgestones get a pretty good C&D rating relative to other alternatives for the C5 Z06. If I recall correctly, their braking was about the same as the Michelin. If I am wrong, please correct me as I no longer have the magazine here.
That test was interesting but, the manner in which they weighted the results made many of the lower appear better than they actually are. The tire cost was given more significance than some of the performance characteristics. The PS2 is significantly better than the Potenza RE760 in every aspect except for wallet impact.
Many do not realize the performance gains the PS2 offer much like they do not experience what 400+ hp can really do but, when pushed to the limits of adhesion (think panic stop) the difference can be as dramatic as impact or no impact.
for those HPDEs the progressive break away characteristics of the PS2 allows for better feedback and feel for the driver which in turn means you learn more about the cars limits as well as your own. I do agree with your instructor that novices should not be on unforgiving R-Comps.
For AutoX the tires mean everything and handicapping yourself before the event even starts seems counter productive to me
Last edited by Luke@tirerack; 10-05-2009 at 03:33 PM.
Corvette Store
Potenza RE760 Sport ??
