Hi guys,

I have just bought a 996 GT2 CS '01 for track use and short races (30'). My previous track cars were 964RS and 996 GT3 mk2.

For years, I have been using Michelin Pilot Sport Cup but for my GT2 I realized that the OEM size (315/30 in 18") in MSC does not exist.... So I need to find something else... In MSC, there is nothing wider than 295 in 18"...

I am thinking of moving to 19" rims and put 235/35 in front and 305/30 in rear.... I did not find anything better..

For 96 GT2 owners, what combination wheel size/tyre did you experience and what is best for track use ???

Many thanks,

Bt

 

18's are about as big as you need to go for track on a 996. It was not designed for 19's. If you are intent on using a street capable tire I would suggest NT-01 or R888 if you can't locate MPSC in the right sizes anymore.

 

Thanks for your reply. I perfectly understand that GT2 is designed for 18" but it is possible to find a rim/tyre combination that is similar/very close to 18" and in that case I do not see the problem... In the front, 235/35 R19 is exactly the same as 235/40 R18. In the rear, it is slightly different but the closest configuration is a 305/30 R19.
I'd like to use MSC because for me this is the best tyre for track. The R888 is a good tyre but the feedback I have is that it has difficulty handling the weight of the GT2...

I am mainly interested in experiences for intensive track use.

Did you use the R888 yourself, anybody running 19'' with MSC on a GT2 ?

Many thanks !

 

We run the R888's on our GT2, great tire for the car.

 

Not any more, I use semi slicks, but I used to run them and I think MPSC are the best too, but not the Nspec MPSC. If you want to run the 19's and they work for tires and this is more casual track driving then go for it. You mentioned race in your first post so I thought it was actual racing.

 

Thanks heavychevy for the feedback.
My use is actually track days and also short races indeed, ca. 30 minutes races.
What is the difference between MPSC and Nspec MPSC ?
Practically speaking, in terms of performance and laptime, is it better to use R888 in 18" OEM size or use MPSC 19" ?
I will not use these wheels for the road and I will have the original rims with MPS2 for the road. So noise, wet handling, etc I do not care.
Thanks.
BAT

 

Nspec are the factory Porsche MPSC. They are not as sticky as the off the shelf MPSC. They have less contact patch due to more grooves for water channeling and I think a slightly harder compound. R88's might be faster than those, but the regular MPSC are some of fastest tires with tread that you can buy. There is also the Trofeo R which has gotten good reviews in it's young tenure, some say faster than the best MPSC.

If you will have a spare set of wheels, may I suggest a BFG R1, or Hoosier (if they sell them in France) and actually there is a new goodyear tire semi slick as well. These will be faster than MPSC.

R888's are not great tires, pretty good in rainy conditions vs other R-Compounds but otherwise they are pretty bad unless you shave them to begin with. NT-01's don't have optimal sizes but they will work, and are very good, fast tires.

 

Many thanks for your answer, this is very usefull. I did not know for the lower performance of N-spec MPSC. And in R-tyre, the MPSC2 is also on the shelf now and from my information will be be very very sticky and will last longer...

And yourself, apart from tyre choice, what would you recommend between 18" and 19" to get the performance ?

Thanks

 

It's really hard to compare. 18's have had so many more options and tire choices and 19's are just catching up since so many manufacturers are selling cars with R-Compounds as factory equipment.

Personally I would choose 18's because they are smaller and will allow more tire, which as you may know, wheels get damaged on track and running shorter sidewalls to fit 19's will put you more at risk. The overall 18 package will most likely be lighter as well all things considered. And 18's still have more options for tires still as the 19's usually come in sizes only for the car they are designed for mostly.

So it still boils down to tire choices and weight. Other than that, the performance difference will likely be negligible between the two sizes honestly. 18's will have a better chance of being the faster setup though. Assuming same width wheels.

 

I run the Nitto NT01s in a 245/40/18 and 305/35/18 on 9" and 12" wheels. This is a fantastic set up and much much better than the short 315/30/18s I ran before. This is a very popular combo run by many 997GT3 guys. $1000 out the door for the set and they are good all the way to the cords unlike the 888s. The NT01s are a little slick the first couple of sessions and very consistent after that. I got 38 sessions on my last set. The 305/35/18s compared to the shorter 315/30/18s will give you a larger contact patch and do not roll over nearly as much due to their stiffer sidewall. About as good as it gets unless you wanna run Hoosiers or slicks. The taller 26.4" rear (vs 25.3" for the 315) will also give you slightly taller gearing which helps. Additionally, the taller rear tire will induce a little bit more rake into the chassis which is good. There is a reason Porsche went with this sizing (diameter wise) on the 996 cups and the 997 GT3s. Performance wise, 18s will be better than 19s.

 

Pwdrhound, where so you find nt01 for $1000 otd? Thanks

 

Discount Tire. My local store gives me a good deal. I bought 9 sets from them this year. The set I bought last week was $1006 and the two prior to it were $969. I think normal prices are a touch higher.

 

Thanks a lot Pwdrhound for your feedback, I am very puzzled now... It is true that a good set-up in 18'' would also allow to gain a bit of weight. And it is true that on 996 and 997 cup, 18" are used...
I would not have any question if I could run OEM size in MSC on OEM wheels... In my short races, we are normally obliged to run MPSC and nothing else. Except if the size does not exist (which is my case now), and in that case what is the best tyre I can have in 315/30 R 18 ??
The Nito NT-01 seems great but I do not think it is available in Europe/France...
I have the feeling that 18" is better performance wise after listening all your feedbacks...
Apart from R888, any other high performance tyre available in 315/30, what else ?!...

Thanks !

BAT

 

Trofeo R. I have no idea what sizes are available though.

18 inch wheels will be lighter, given the same wheel and width, usually by about 1.5-2 lbs. But 18 inch tires will probably be heavier by about a lb than 19's in the same size/width due to more sidewall. The net loss in weight of the 18 vs 19 will be about 1-2 lbs per corner.

 

I second pwderhnd. The nitto is pretty good.

I suggest you do not run the r888. It does not have the level of grip exiting corner under throttle laterally to match our gt2 power. It just doesn't hook up well if you push hard.

In nitto, I ran factory sizes and was achieving porsche club semi slick lap record level times compared to cup spec 996.2 gt3 cars running on soft compound time attack tyres. They are good enough. First day not too good, then they are on and grippy.

The other option is buy appropriate 18x 11" rears and run 245 front with 295 rear in something like Yokohama A050. Again very fast. Tried both options myself. Nitto is an elegant solution. Just fly them in if not sold locally. It's no big deal. Good luck.