zero2sixd

So, I'm thinking of spending most of my autocross time in STU and/or a street tire index (ESP) class next year and am trying to figure out which treadwear 140 or above street tire would be the best for this. I have 18x9.5 in. wheels sitting in the garage and I'm looking at 285/35R18 front and rear so I can minimize the sidewall and maximize tread width. The "standard" tire for the S197 on that wheel is the 275/40 but I'm thinking that it may have significantly less response compared to the 285/35. Not sure if there will be significant rubbing issues with the 285, but it doesn't sound like it from what I've read and this is a pretty short tire overall at a little less than 26".

All of that said, there aren't a lot of options in either of these sizes and here's what I have come up with in no particular order:

Nitto NT05 285/35
Hancook Ventus R-S3 285/35
Bridgestone RE-11 275/40

I'm very partial to my current 245/45 Dunlop Star Specs on the OE 18x8.5 wheels, but Dunlop doesn't make the Star Spec in the 285/35. They make it in a 275/35 but that is getting real short at 25.6" and it isn't putting as much rubber on the ground as a 285/35.

Anybody have any experience/feedback? Did I miss any options?

dvs4.6

Go with the 275's u won't even notice the difference and u will have greater selection of tires. The only mustang that comes stock with a 9.5 is the gt500 and that is a 285 in rear and 255 in frnt. I ran the 285 and got some roll from the side wall, 255 sits just fine, so go with the 275. IMO good luck the opinions will commence!

Sam Strano

Kumho XS makes great dry grip... I'd look that way because to be competitive in ST, you need all the bite you can get (and frankly if it rains you are screwed anyway vs AWD cars).

azrampage

I've run my '07 Pony Package with the factory 17x8 wheels in our local Street Tire Classes, and been through the Dunlop Direzzas Star Specs (245 then 255) and now have the Nitto NT-05 (275).

I personally did not like the shorter 255x40x17 Dunlops; for me they were too short, and no faster than the 245x45x17 Dunlops in my case.

Both Dunlops and the Nittos handle heat very well, and in fact do not really need "spraying" as the Bridgestones and others seem to require. I have not yet tried the new Kumho XS's, but when I needed a 275 tire in the 17" size, Kumho and Nitto were the only two out there with the 275x40x17 size.

You have 18's so your options are a little different. I have heard from those running the Kumhos that they (as do the Nittos) take a run or two to warm up, if the weather is cool. Here in Arizona, that's anything under 60 degrees

Bigger, heavier cars, like our Mustangs, tend to put a lot of heat in the tires in an autocross, so watch out for tires that require cooling between runs. Those tend to overheat during a run (IMO) and negate the between runs cooling.

I'd look for a tire in your proper size (275 or 285) with an adequate diameter (shorter tires heat more quickly) in this order:

1. Dunlop Star Spec
2. Nitto NT-05
3. Kumho XS

My two cents.

jayel579

It is a war right now in the "ST" tire classes between the different manufacturers. With that said, IMO unfortunately these mustangs aren't really considered by the tire makers. But it is going to come down to Hankook vs Nitto vs Bridgestone (add in ... vs Kumho vs Toyo also) then equate heavier car vs lighter car vs AWD vs RWD vs FWD. Like the lighter FWD cars work better on this tire maker vs the AWD or heavier cars work better with that tire maker.

I have been looking at putting together a kick around ST car out of my winter car while the mustang sits. From talking to different guys I race with on street tires it has been a toss up for me between the Kumho XS, Hankook RS3 and Dunlop Star Spec. It will prob come down to how much I want to spend on tires and that will be the ultimate decision maker for me.

But honestly if you think about all of this too much it really can give you a head ach, as I am doing to myself now! I am so glad stock class runs on R-comps, so much easier to choose from.