[5.M0NSTER]

Spring is approaching, and I need new rubber. My car is mostly stock, with pads, fluid and track alignment. I only drive about 5000 miles per year and do 4-5 track days per season, and no AutoX.

Looking at "reasonable" options, I only see the Goodyear Eagle F1 SC3. I've used Cup2s on a different car, and I love them, but not at nearly $2k a set. Are there other options out there I haven't found yet for the factory wheels? What do you guys recommend?

[Alpha1BC]

What's making you want to move away from the SC3? It's a phenomenal tire for what it is and tough to beat on track, especially considering it's the tire the rest of the suspension/chassis was designed around.

Having tried a few different sets on what sounds like the same setup you have, I still recommend either the SC3 or the SC3R in the OEM sizes for track use. On these cars those two tires are probably the best match for the stock setup you can get depending on what balance of grip and lifetime you're looking for.

If you're looking for something that is a little friendlier for daily/wet use the PS4S can still stand up to track use, but you won't be setting any record lap times on them.

[khcoaching]

SC3s are hard to beat. I have hauled ass on them and they last.

Ken

[Christian1LE]

Same setup as you. I don't have experience with any other tires but I'm replacing mine with OE after 5 trackdays. Granted I did about 650 miles on them in 3 days at VIR. They seem fairly good and like you said, everything else is $2k+ and probably last less.

[nprario]

If you can go through USAA and I know not everyone can the SC3's just cost me 1,200 out the door and that is in Calif with 9% tax included.

[5.M0NSTER]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Looks like I too will be sticking with SC3. So far I have done track days on SC3, Cup2, MPSS, Hankook Ventus RS-3s and a few others. My preference so far in roder:

Cup2 --> SC3 --> MPSS --> RS-3

I have nothing against SC3, it is a pretty grippy tire all things considering. Cup2s have spoiled me though, so I wanted to see if there are any viable alternatives from the likes of Nankang, Bridgestone etc.

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Looks like I too will be sticking with SC3. So far I have done track days on SC3, Cup2, MPSS, Hankook Ventus RS-3s and a few others. My preference so far in roder:

Cup2 --> SC3 --> MPSS --> RS-3

I have nothing against SC3, it is a pretty grippy tire all things considering. Cup2s have spoiled me though, so I wanted to see if there are any viable alternatives from the likes of Nankang, Bridgestone etc.

Once you try the SC3R you'd be putting it above the Cup2. Takes the heat better, allows more aggressive braking and has more grip.

[20Bluezl1]

So im in the same situation I use SC3 285/305R20 and SC3R at the track 305/325r19. I wanted to switch to SC3 305/325R19 for the street but they ate out of stock. Are the Cup2 as sticky on the street as the SC3?

[5.M0NSTER]

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

Once you try the SC3R you'd be putting it above the Cup2. Takes the heat better, allows more aggressive braking and has more grip.

I bet. I have driven a few cars (not my own) on stickers, and I know that's essentially a different world all together. Not willing to spend over $2k per season on that type of rubber though, and I don't change between track and street in terms of pads or tires.

Been there, but too much effort given where my life is at at this point in time. Now I'm all about max lap times for the least effort. So 200 thread wear tires and DTC60s is my daily setup now.

Honestly the only reason I went Cup2s on my last car was because I was chasing a sub 8 min Nurburgring Nordschleife lap. It worked, I managed a 7:47 pace and a 7:52 lap overall. But that was limited chances/time and all or nothing kind of circumstances. Now I can be more sensible

Originally Posted by 20Bluezl1

So im in the same situation I use SC3 285/305R20 and SC3R at the track 305/325r19. I wanted to switch to SC3 305/325R19 for the street but they ate out of stock. Are the Cup2 as sticky on the street as the SC3?

In 80F + weather, I think they grip about the same on the street. What I liked about the Cup2 is that they ALWAYS seemed to have more grip in reserve when I needed it on track. But they were hilarious when it was low 40s and damp.

[20Bluezl1]

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

I bet. I have driven a few cars (not my own) on stickers, and I know that's essentially a different world all together. Not willing to spend over $2k per season on that type of rubber though, and I don't change between track and street in terms of pads or tires.

Been there, but too much effort given where my life is at at this point in time. Now I'm all about max lap times for the least effort. So 200 thread wear tires and DTC60s is my daily setup now.



In 80F + weather, I think they grip about the same on the street. What I liked about the Cup2 is that they ALWAYS seemed to have more grip in reserve when I needed it on track. But they were hilarious when it was low 40s and damp.

I dont drive the car under 60s and definitely not raining mainly hard street driving.

[FNxR3DNECK]

I went to RS-4s back in 2018 before the SC3 was offered in 19" sizes so I could run a square setup, now I run the Nankang AR-1s in in 315 Square (You would also probably prefer these over the Cup 2 IMO). I would say if we are talking pace per $ spent ration the best way to go is still switching to a 19/18" wheel and running a square setup so you can rotate them. Yes there is the up front cost of the new wheels but it will make up for it in the long run when the tires last longer because they either wear slower than the SC3s and/or because you are rotating them. 19x10.5 square is a really popular spec, you can run most tires in 305/30/19 on these, RS4s, SC3s, AR-1s, etc....

[5.M0NSTER]

Originally Posted by FNxR3DNECK

I went to RS-4s back in 2018 before the SC3 was offered in 19" sizes so I could run a square setup, now I run the Nankang AR-1s in in 315 Square (You would also probably prefer these over the Cup 2 IMO). I would say if we are talking pace per $ spent ration the best way to go is still switching to a 19/18" wheel and running a square setup so you can rotate them. Yes there is the up front cost of the new wheels but it will make up for it in the long run when the tires last longer because they either wear slower than the SC3s and/or because you are rotating them. 19x10.5 square is a really popular spec, you can run most tires in 305/30/19 on these, RS4s, SC3s, AR-1s, etc....

Thanks for the perspective. I see what you mean about the pros of having a square and smaller diameter setup. Two questions to this

1) Do you notice a difference in gearing the smaller diameter tires make? As in do you have to shift to 5th where before you may have stayed in 4th?

2) What's a good place to source 19x10.5 wheels?

I've heard a lot of great feedback about AR-1s, but haven't had a chance to drive that tire yet.

[khcoaching]

I had a lot of these questions and used my journal to track what worked and what didn’t. I did a pretty big write up on the square setup.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594295

[Christian1LE]

Originally Posted by khcoaching

I had a lot of these questions and used my journal to track what worked and what didn’t. I did a pretty big write up on the square setup.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=594295

Thx, that is quite helpful.