997 gt3 track tires

[stisseront]

I am looking for track tires and wheels for my 997 Gt3. Any recomendation?

[Gator_86_951]

I guess this has been beaten to death. I imagine the RA-1 comes in whatever size you need for that new-fangled beast of yours. This will be my first weekend on RA-1s so I will post how they work out.

[Trak Ratt]

My buddy with the '02 GT3 loves his Hoosiers ;) Plenty of after market wheels for GT3s. Same guy just got another set of stockers.

[Jazzbass]

I am looking for track tires and wheels for my 997 Gt3. Any recomendation?
How many track days do you have?

[BlackTalon]

I am looking for track tires and wheels for my 997 Gt3. Any recomendation?What run group are you in? Recommendations for Green/ Blue will be different from White/ Black and Red Groups (i.e., performance street tires, DOT-rated r-compounds and all-out track tires). Don't have much to offer WRT wheels; most track guys in high run groups run Fikses and other custom 3-piece wheels.

[TD in DC]

Stefan is a damned good black group driver. Don't have an answer for you, but I would be happy to test them for you. Just say the word, because that's the kind of friend I am ;) :lol:

[Blur80]

I am looking for track tires and wheels for my 997 Gt3. Any recomendation?

Suspect the 997 GT3 comes with 19". For my 997/s I got the SportTechnic Mono Lights: 18#f, 19# r !! Big difference in unsprung weight betwen these and my OEMs. Also had new Michelin Sport Cups mounted on them. Big difference in grip.

[Mark in Baltimore]

The MPSC's get my vote for the best performance/bang for the buck factor. Unless you're racing or are allergic to money in your pocket, Hoosiers are overkill.

[Motomodz]

contact John at Complete Custom Wheel. (1-888-577-0144 )....I bought a set of made to order 18 inch wheels, for my 997 for autocross. not as blingy as some other wheels out there but seem well built, lighter than OEM, priced at half of the more popular name brand wheels.

I hear the pilot sport cups are the way to go. please share your decision. best of luck!

[Ryan]

I'm sticking with the MPSCs on my GT3 for a while (just order a backup set last night). Main downfall is each set costs $1,723 from tirerack ($524 Rear each, $316 front each).

[Jase007]

Ryan:

Main downfall is each set costs $1,723 from tirerack ($524 Rear each, $316 front each).

:shock: That's almost the cost of a full set of goodyear slicks 12" F and 14" R !! At least yours will last more than one-two race / DE weekend :lol:

[stisseront]

Hi Tod,

Hope to see you soon at the track. VIR (March16-18), Summit (April 6-7).

[stisseront]

John,

I have gathered a lot of info on the OEM tires. Even though they are called MPSC they are not really track tires. Different side walls, tread and compounds from a regular MPSC. Just looking at them they look very different. I think I'll run 18" MPSC with 315 in the back.

[Mark in Baltimore]

I have gathered a lot of info on the OEM tires. Even though they are called MPSC they are not really track tires. Different side walls, tread and compounds from a regular MPSC. Just looking at them they look very different. I think I'll run 18" MPSC with 315 in the back.
I've never heard of this. I always thought an MPSC is an MPSC is an MPSC. Where did you get your info and how is the appearance different?

[stisseront]

Marc,

I have read in different articles on the 997 GT3 that Michelin has put SP on street cars before and things did not work out (aquaplaning, wear). These articles mentione that M has made modifications to the SP for the 997 GT3 in order to make it work.
I have the original tires of the 997 GT3 and a set of 18" MPSC that I ran last season on my Carrera 997. They have obvious differences. There is added grooves. The outside wall is very different in shape. The none GT3 MPSC has some kind of thick belt slightly extending from the inner diameter and GT3 one does not. The wall of the none GT3 goes towards the inside of the wheel while the GT3s bulges out.
I also heard this from the owner of Protosport in NJ who is pretty involved in racing. You are welcome to come check out my tires if you want.

Stephan

[Mark in Baltimore]

Thanks, Stephan. I had not heard of any differences between MPSC's.

[racer]

I'm still trying to get over the fact that 4 tires run $1700+mounting and balancing. Makes me miss the paltry $500 for 4 205/50-15 Victoracers ;)

[Blur80]

Marc,

I have read in different articles on the 997 GT3 that Michelin has put SP on street cars before and things did not work out (aquaplaning, wear). These articles mentione that M has made modifications to the SP for the 997 GT3 in order to make it work.
I have the original tires of the 997 GT3 and a set of 18" MPSC that I ran last season on my Carrera 997. They have obvious differences. There is added grooves. The outside wall is very different in shape. The none GT3 MPSC has some kind of thick belt slightly extending from the inner diameter and GT3 one does not. The wall of the none GT3 goes towards the inside of the wheel while the GT3s bulges out.
I also heard this from the owner of Protosport in NJ who is pretty involved in racing. You are welcome to come check out my tires if you want.

Stephan

Stephan,

If you are going to be at Summit Point March 3 and 4 I would like to stop by and compare tires - what car will you be tracking, color, etc so I can find you. (Excuse me if you already mentioned it earlier in this thread.)

[KJinDC]

Mark,

The 19" MPSCs are an N-Spec tire developed specifically for the 997 GT3 accoring to some. My understanding is that they are further optimised for a bit more treadwear and better wet weather behavior. They do not have the full grip of the original MPSC as a result.


-KJ

[Noah]

I guess running four 15X7 cookies on the GT3 is out of the question... ;)

[stisseront]

John.
I will be at VIR March 17-18 with Zone 2, white GT3 997 #36 and Summit with Schattenbaum April 6-7 car #49. Hope to meet you there.

Stephan

[Ryan]

Stephan - Here's a post from rennlist. Spec NO tires are definitely different!:

Several of you have speculated the differences between the new N-spec MPSC, primarily as introduced on the new GT3, and the "standard" one available in all sizes. I thought it may be some time to do a little digging.

In checking with our Michelin engineering contacts, they confirmed what we already knew, that OE tires are developed in conjunction with the vehicle manufacturer, and their exact design specifics are considered proprietary and confidential. Therefore, Michelin was unable to provide any details on the functional differences between the conventional Pilot Sport Cup and the N0 Porsche-OE derivative fitted to the new GT3.

Attached is a photo that illustrate some of the outward differences. I used the front 235/35R19 (97Y) which has both versions available.
MSPN 88851 235/35R19 (97Y) Conventional Pilot Sport Cup
MSPN 08291 235/35R19 (97Y) N0 Porsche-OE Pilot Sport Cup

Observations:
*The Porsche OE version has a narrow circumferential groove in the wide outside shoulder, where the conventional tire is solid (both have alternating oval openings).
*The circumferential grooves on the Porsche-OE version are much wider and the intermediate ribs much narrower than the conventional version.
*Not readily visible in these photos is the change to the inside shoulder. Where the notches are molded at partial depth on the conventional PSC, the Porsche-OE version has partial on the inside half, and is full-depth on the outside half of the tread block.
*Both versions are molded at 6/32" tread depth.
*All of these tread pattern changes indicate a move towards improved hydroplaning resistance with the Porsche-OE version versus the conventional tread pattern.
*The Porsche-OE version does not have a rim protector, while the conventional version does.
*The Porsche-OE version has one layer of Rayon for the body ply material, while the conventional tire has two layers.
*The Porsche-OE version is manufactured using Michelin's highly automated C3M manufacturing process, while the conventional version appears to be manufactured with standard hand-operated machinery.


As you can tell in the picture, the two tires look quite a bit different. The Porsche tire is on the right:

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?p=3911555#post3911555

[}{arlequin]

keep talking guys, this will annoy tee-dee to no end :twisted:

[BobNovas]

My advise is to go with the round ones.

[Ryan]

Actually don't have a choice. The rears 305/30/19s are only available NO...the fronts you can get either

[stisseront]

Ryan,

Great job on you MPSC research. It might be a great idea to get a new set of 18" wheels. This will tremendously increase your tire selection. Also, it will be cost efficient in the long run. You can have light weight wheels made by CCWheels for $2,800. They need about 2 weeks to make a set of wheels. They will ship them with balanced and mounted tires of your choice. I am attaching a chart with the selection of tire you would have if you went to 18".

[Rob in VA]

John.
I will be at VIR March 17-18 with Zone 2, white GT3 997 #36 and Summit with Schattenbaum April 6-7 car #49. Hope to meet you there.

Stephan
I'll be at both of those events. I'll stop by and say hello. What run group are you in?

[Rob in VA]

I'll be at both of those events. I'll stop by and say hello. What run group are you in?

Looks like you're in black. Good times.