as@eisx.UUCP (Andrew Shajenko) (11/02/84)
<> I'm looking for high performance tires for a Porsche 924 with stock wheels - 14 J 6. The car now has Avon 185/70 SR 14 (low tech, low performance tires up on by the previous owner), and stock tires were Goodyear NCT (also 185/70 HR 14), I think. I'm looking for high performance tires with a tenacious grip at various speeds (this is not a very fast car), both straight-line and in fast, hard corners, and in all pavement conditions - dry, wet, slippery (lots of snow and slush here in the Northeast in the winter). As for size, I've considered 195 or 205 for width and 60 for profile. A sales rep at national mailorder house (just down the street from work) recommends Yokohama A008 225/60 HR 14 for a 14 J 6 rim. I've had good past experience with B.F.Goodrich Comp TA, but the Yokohamas surpass them in high speed cornering and are supposed to be the best street tires, close to racing quality. When I questioned the width, he showed me the Yokohama shop recommendation sheet, wherein it clearly states 225 for 6 inch rims. My questions: 1) Are these too wide? Will I have clearance problems with the fender wells. Will they be considered oversized - will they be legal? Will they peek out of the fenders and splash mud on the sides of the car? 2) Should I consider different widths for front and rear? This is a well balanced front-engine rear-drive car. 3) Given that one has excellent dry handling tires, how will they perform in rain? Snow? Ice? 4) Does anyone have experience with the Yokohamas, specifically the A008. Thanks in advance. Andy Shajenko, AT&T-ISL, South Plainfield, New Jersey eisx!as
robert1@ihuxx.UUCP (Robert Duncan) (11/05/84)
Andrew - I read you letter with interest, since I have a similar dilemna with my 944, altho' I my flared wheel wells remove part of the size consideration. My summary of the possible tires: Yokahama A008 - (half slick, half block tread) - best tire available for dry racing - low tread life (but what a sticky compound) - see Yokahama for more info (and free tire comparison test results, done on a 944) - good wet performance NCTs Gatorback (1st mounted on Vette) - supposedly the best rain tire (designed after successful F1 tire tread pattern which pushes the water away from the footprint, using diagonal channels which radiate away from the center of the tire) - not rated as the best tire for dry, however P6s - good all-around tire for wet and dry Dunlop D4s - the tire that my car was shod with from the factory - not a good wet performer - long tread life (hard compound) Hope that this helps. For better info on the tire choices, call Yokahama distributor for free literature (test results, originally published in "Porsche & VW," or some such), and check Car & Driver back issues for the "Performance Tire Comparison Test"a (a quick check thru any issue for the reprint order form will show you the correct issue that this test is in). Remember tho' that by choosing a wider tire you will increase the footprint (improving dry performance), but this will reduce the ability to remove water from the contact patch (wider distance to remove water, lower pressure per square inch) which will worsen your wet performance! happy trails, Robert Duncan ihuxx!robert1 IX 1H-229 x0353 -- Robert Duncan ihnp4!ihuxx!robert1 AT&T Bell Laboratories @ Naperville, IL