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Best Semi-slicks for LX Torana? Recommendations?

Started by _trippytaka_ , Apr 19 2012 02:02 PM

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23 replies to this topic

#1 _trippytaka_

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Posted 19 April 2012 - 02:02 PM

G'day all,

as some of you know I have embarked on a challenge with my newly aquired LX Torana.

The challenge was originally "two minute torana" - two minutes around Eastern Creek. As a few have pointed out the old configuration is gone at turn 6 etc, so I have scrapped the "two minute" part for now... but still want to post best times possible.

I am heading to Eastern Creek in May to do the first shake down of the car. And will be needing tyres.

I am keen for some semi slicks, so I can drive it to the track once registered again.

Has anyone got experience with semis, driving an LX? Any recommendations?

I have used a number of semis in the past, but on much lighter cars (RX-7 and Nissan S15) so I am assuming that a slightly harder compound might be the best option.

I'm running 15x8 rims (pictured), so I am hoping a 225 - or there abouts, and obviously something with a decent height sidewall.

Any help / advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

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#2 hanra

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Posted 19 April 2012 - 04:48 PM

Ive got Dunlop D01J's on one of my other cars. I find them awesome!!!!Not sure if they are still available these days?

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#3 _trippytaka_

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Posted 20 April 2012 - 08:51 AM

Thanks for that I will check them out. I just spoke to a mate of mine who races an old porsche and he was raving about them too.

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#4 hanra

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Posted 20 April 2012 - 10:02 AM

Yeah I love em. Some guys use yokohama A032R's also. Apparently they are pretty good to?

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#5 _SLEDGE_

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Posted 20 April 2012 - 06:36 PM

I think Bridgestone RE55S would be ideal.

I've used them on a Jag race car and they are a very very good tyre, they are reasonably hard compound and will last quite a while on a Torana.

available in a 225/50/15 which is probably what you want.

http://www.bridgesto...port/RE55s.aspx

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#6 hanra

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Posted 20 April 2012 - 07:19 PM

Yeah the dunlops n yokys are very soft so youll chew through em pretty quick!!!

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#7 _beige_lj_

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Posted 20 April 2012 - 08:22 PM

I havent had any experience but in tyre search i did a couple of weeks ago i spotted these toyos. Have no idea what they are like but potentially another option?

http://www.toyotires...res/proxes-r888

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#8 hanra

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Posted 20 April 2012 - 08:35 PM

I just had a brain fart!!! I forgot, I also had Federal 595RS-Rs on my Turbo Falcon Ute. They were a good cheapish semi slick tyre that did a good job at keeping 400rwhp down.

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#9 rodomo

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Posted 20 April 2012 - 09:17 PM

I havent had any experience but in tyre search i did a couple of weeks ago i spotted these toyos. Have no idea what they are like but potentially another option?

http://www.toyotires...res/proxes-r888

Got them on the Grease Slapper........................no complaints

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#10 originalglenn

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Posted 20 April 2012 - 10:48 PM

hi rob

whats the wear like ?

what are they like in the wet?

would they be suitable for a road car do you think?

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#11 76lxhatch

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Posted 21 April 2012 - 07:16 AM

I've never actually tried them but I did investigate the idea of using them on a street car, based on web research and info from others. I found two conclusions that decided against it for me:
- wet performance wouldn't be good enough (OK if you need to tiptoe down to the dairy but not for normal driving)
- wear estimates varied from 5,000km to 15,000km (depending on your driving of course), I would have been happy with 10 but most seemed to agree that it would likely be a bit less than that

Other than that it seemed like it would work, the other thing to bear in mind is the harsher ride from stiffer sidewalls (but improved performance of course)

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#12 rodomo

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Posted 21 April 2012 - 06:04 PM

Sorry, I can only coment on grip.
They're better than the Dunlops I've been using.

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#13 _Bomber Watson_

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Posted 21 April 2012 - 06:22 PM

225 on an 8 is gonna be a bit stretched....

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#14 A9X

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Posted 21 April 2012 - 07:13 PM

the targa hatch runs 225 50 15's on 8's all round. Found the 888's to be a good allround club tyre

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#15 _Bomber Watson_

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Posted 21 April 2012 - 07:21 PM

I will shut up then, i got 7's instead of 8's for my rears cause i wanted 225/50 and thought they would look horrid on 8's.

Cheers.

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#16 A9X

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Posted 21 April 2012 - 10:51 PM

they look good Bomber, fit is fine.

Have a squizz

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#17 _Bomber Watson_

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Posted 21 April 2012 - 10:58 PM

Bit stretched IMO, how i thought they would look, wouldnt suit my car, but looks fine on yourse.

Cheers.

Edited by Bomber Watson, 21 April 2012 - 10:59 PM.

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#18 _rob350hatch_

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Posted 22 April 2012 - 10:13 AM

i use r888's and i did use 225's on 8's without issue the 225 in the r888 if you measure it comes in at 245.they also seem to hold there age well i have some here bought in 07 and they still stick like shit to a blanket.they even work well in the wet as i found out at wakefield last year.
the hatch runs the setup same as welby's

Edited by rob350hatch, 22 April 2012 - 10:14 AM.

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#19 _trippytaka_

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Posted 24 April 2012 - 01:25 PM

Thanks so much for all the advice.

I am running 225 street tyres and they seem like a pretty good fit. I was wondering if I should go wider, but I am happy with 225 based on that advice

It's a tough decision, but I kind of knew I would should be heading towards a harder compound, so thank you so much for the advice on that one.

I think I am going to try some R888s

they look good Bomber, fit is fine.

Have a squizz

PHAWR!!!!!!!!!! That is B E A U T I F U L!!!!!!!

Nice torrie. Love it!

The side pipe looks great! I am looking into gettin a group c megaphone just like that - apparently someone down in Melbourne does them?

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#20 355LX

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Posted 03 May 2012 - 11:46 PM

If you are chasing best lap time/grip in a semi slick, Yokohama 050's hands down winner, no question.

Edit - not considered a hard compound, but others using them have managed a decent life out of them

Edited by 355LX, 03 May 2012 - 11:52 PM.

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#21 A9X

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Posted 04 May 2012 - 12:24 PM

nothing wrong with the 888's, and you can get them in a 235 . Was my favourite club tyre on my STi.

The a050's stick like glue, but the wear rate is very high.

My favourite R spec on my car is he Dunlop D01. but i don't think they are making them any more.

Nothing works in the wet on my car.

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#22 _rorym_

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Posted 19 July 2012 - 07:13 PM

Didnt read it all...Best semi slick on the market by 2 secs is Yokohama A050s........The new Federals close behind...no contest..
R

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#23 _LXSS350_

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Posted 20 July 2012 - 07:03 AM

The A050 is certainly a softer stickier compound than what the R888's use. The Kumo V710, Hoosier R10 are softer again within the R spec choices. For a wet track the RA1 works better than the R888 although in the dry the R888 is better. If a crossover 225/50/15 wet/dry tyre is what you want the Pirelli P-zero is not a bad choice. You don't have the grip of the A050 but they wear better and you don't have to slow down much when it rains. Nothing worse than aquaplaning and hitting the wall hard. Just ask James Brock about his SLS merc at Phillip Island. Ouch !!

Although not available in this size imo the best semi slick tyres we have used are the Michelin PSC (N-spec's) .

http://www.yokohama..../tyre-rule.aspx