[NEZL1]

Hey Guys,

Just got an 18' ZL1 1LE. Brought it to my first couple track days and the car performed well dealing with the stresses of the track but it wasn't particularly quick.
Some of which I'll certainly take the blame for.

The car came with Cup2's with unknown miles, although the previous owner said they were new. Despite that the outside half of the fronts is nearly bald, with more tread on the inside actually.

Which is why I'm assuming he got it re-aligned to a more aggressive spec, which was approx -3 degrees camber up front with a touch of toe out.

After my first 2 track days, the tires are now pretty even with some tread showing across the tires but soon to be looking like slicks.


The rears on the other hand look basically brand new.
So I know I need to replace the fronts, and I've read this car goes through about twice as many fronts as rears if you track it, but how about heat cycles?

Wont the rears be worn out just due to heat cycles?
Anyone worked with the Cup 2s and have a first hand account of how many track days I can expect?

Also, has anyone tried the GT350R spec Cup 2 tires? They're noticeably stickier then the standard Cup 2s and the Mustang isnt a light car either.

[TRZ06]

I would replace with the OEM Goodyear SC3 R's. They grip better than the Cup 2's and are more consistence.

They are also designed and made specifically for the 1LE and are cheaper to boot.

[NEZL1]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

I would replace with the OEM Goodyear SC3 R's. They grip better than the Cup 2's and are more consistence.

They are also designed and made specifically for the 1LE and are cheaper to boot.

I hear that but the rear tires still seem new and I would like to drive the car on the street and it sounds like the stock goodyears evapoate even quicker and are even less road friendly.
I mean i've heard they heat cycle out in as little as 2 track days. If so I'd blow through 3 sets a summer. That seems crazy to me.

[NorthGeorgia]

I have run sport cup 2 (315) on the front with g3rs (325) on the rear. Got 6 days on the cups versus typical 4 on g3r. Cups were crisp on turn in but gave way to mid corner understeer vs g3r (305) on front. Understeer on cups progressively more as outer 1/2 went bare on day 6 but still good consistent pace. Temps and pressure behaved similar to g3r. What i would expect for180 headwear vs 80. Am now running Nankang AR1 (305) on front withG3r rear. ar1s on day 3&4 at Road Atlanta this weekend....

[NEZL1]

Originally Posted by NorthGeorgia

I have run sport cup 2 (315) on the front with g3rs (325) on the rear. Got 6 days on the cups versus typical 4 on g3r. Cups were crisp on turn in but gave way to mid corner under
steer vs g3r (305) on front. Understeer on cups progressively more as outer 1/2 went bare on day 6 but still good consistent pace. Temps and pressure behaved similar to g3r. What i would expect for180 headwear vs 80. Am running Nankang AR1 (305) on front. Day 3&4 at Road Atlanta this weekend....

Noticed the AR1s were available in a 305 and thought that might be a good option but not a suitable solution for the rears.

I don't need to go faster, but I'm starting to think it just makes financial sense if this is going to be my only track car for the time being.

[m3bs]

Curious to hear you thoughts on the AR1s. I’ve been hearing good things, but mostly on lighter cars in comparison to RE71, etc. I’m averaging 3 days on the GY3Rs... but that includes one day at a Roebling per set.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by NorthGeorgia

I have run sport cup 2 (315) on the front with g3rs (325) on the rear. Got 6 days on the cups versus typical 4 on g3r. Cups were crisp on turn in but gave way to mid corner under
steer vs g3r (305) on front. Understeer on cups progressively more as outer 1/2 went bare on day 6 but still good consistent pace. Temps and pressure behaved similar to g3r. What i would expect for180 headwear vs 80. Am running Nankang AR1 (305) on front. Day 3&4 at Road Atlanta this weekend....

That is the other problem with Cup 2 tires.

They use tri-compound technology, so you have 3 different rubber compounds, with the outer being the softest and grippiest, but wears down before the rest of the tire does. I'm not really a fan of that.

[NorthGeorgia]

They ar1 is heavier and more rubber than g3r siimilar to r888 and nt01. Noisy as truck tires. They seem sensitive to pressure and sidewall wants to roll over at anything less than 32. Once up to temp and 37 psi the sidewall feels better. This could be partly due to deep treads on the shoulder flexing. Barely look worn after 2 days on track alignment. Definitely have 5+ day potential. Ran 1.36/1.37 at Road Atlanta in the afternoon heat so they pace. Pic comng

[NorthGeorgia]

Inner wear looks better than outboard. May need more camber. Look how deep the water evac channels are.... That is thick rubber. Do agree that the g3r is tough to beat front and back. I just pick up clearance inventory on whatever I can find. Requires a little more fuss with pressures and adjustment to driving style but nothing really seems to last long on the track. Nankang recommends from 34- 41 psi for cars North of (1400kg) 3000#. load rating is 102y so We shall see.

[NorthGeorgia]

Originally Posted by m3bs

Curious to hear you thoughts on the AR1s. I’ve been hearing good things, but mostly on lighter cars in comparison to RE71, etc. I’m averaging 3 days on the GY3Rs... but that includes one day at a Roebling per set.

Always wondered if Roebling would just consume fronts with its fast sweepers. Need to get a miata for that track. Think I got 2 days at COTA on g3rs but corded outside due to lack of camber.

[FNxR3DNECK]

Originally Posted by NorthGeorgia

Inner wear looks better than outboard. May need more camber. Look how deep the water evac channels are.... That is thick rubber. Do agree that the g3r is tough to beat front and back. I just pick up clearance inventory on whatever I can find. Requires a little more fuss with pressures and adjustment to driving style but nothing really seems to last long on the track. Nankang recommends from 34- 41 psi for cars North of (1400kg) 3000#. load rating is 102y so We shall see.

I have a set of 315/30/18 AR-1 that I will be putting on my car soon, I guess I'll try them out around the 36-38 PSI range for starters. I'm looking forward to trying them out!!!

[Junkyardspecial]

Goodyear SC3 R is easily the best non slick tire you can get for the track, go use those, as they were designed with the car anyway.

[NorthGeorgia]

Originally Posted by FNxR3DNECK

I have a set of 315/30/18 AR-1 that I will be putting on my car soon, I guess I'll try them out around the 36-38 PSI range for starters. I'm looking forward to trying them out!!!

Great. AR1 seem to be more popular outside the US. They do seem very sensitive to pressure at least in feel and feedback. Curious as to what you find as ideal pressure. Data below still suggests 35/36 target hot this point.

The pic below shows the telemetry with AR1 fronts and G3R rears. Lap 3 was quickest pace due to traffic but tire didn't feel totally inspiring and temps and pressure would also indicate peak grip was not yet available. Also would indicate high tire temps @ 37 psi potentially moving beyond peak grip.... think very difficult for a daily driver to get this kind of heat into a tire to experience true grip.

Side note - I try to get to the Neuss are each year and plan to do Spa next trip. Maybe drive the ring in tourist mode - looks like a sure way to wad up some metal since my old memory banks can only process 24 turns max.

[FNxR3DNECK]

First impressions of the AR-1s:

1. sweet lord they are LOUD lol reminds me of my mud tires on my old Yota.

2. I don't really have much to say about how they feel on track as it was cold and rainy all day at the Ring yesterday. First lap was super sketch as the tires were ice cold and I was figuring out which parts of the track were yet as I went, and a couple people learned that the hard was as I passed two BMWs in the barrier on the back half of the lap. Once it reopened I went back out and immediately started raining haha I decided to nut up and send it to try to get a feel for them, was able to get some heat in them the first lap so I started to push a bit on the second one but the track was just too wet.

I'll try to get one more day in next Sunday before the season ends but no promises with the way the weather is up there. It's obvious that there's TONS of grip to be had, just need a dry track to make use of it!