[Patrick3000]

Has anyone tried the new Michelin Cup 2 Connect on the track?

They are one of the few tires that I am able to locate in the proper size for the 996 GT3.

I’m curious if you have experience with them without the monitoring system?

[tbernard]

A few years ago at PCA Tech Tactics the guy there from Michelin said that the Cup 2 connect tires were the same as the cup 2's, they just have a little pocket on the inside for the sensor.

[Patrick3000]

Originally Posted by tbernard

A few years ago at PCA Tech Tactics the guy there from Michelin said that the Cup 2 connect tires were the same as the cup 2's, they just have a little pocket on the inside for the sensor.

Thanks, I also attended those Tech Tactics sessions for three years in a row prior to Covid canceling the event. The Cup 2 Connect uses a different compound and mold in the shoulder from the Cup 2 specifically to strengthen shoulder wear.

In addition the Michelin tire rep had some very interesting comments about heat cycles. “Michelin engineers consider a heat cycle a full track day, not a session” Don’t shoot the messenger 😮

[zygomatic]

I have a set on my Cayman. So far they've survived 3 days at PittRace, 2 at Summit, along with ~1K driving the car around. Tread-wise they're holding up well. Grip-wise, they don't seem to have lost a lot from their first day to the last. The shoulders are holding up well, too. (Note: I have about 2 degrees of negative camber up front, so that helps)

What I've noticed as I drive them: they're on the quieter side. I could get the previous tires (Pirellis) on the car to complain a great deal. These, I don't know that I've heard them squeal yet. (There's a national character joke in there)

They heat up pretty quickly, and seem to hold up well to 20-30 min DE sessions - even in 90+ heat at PittRace. Where the Pirellis got greasy more than once at VIR, I think I only managed to overheat the Cup2s once. A lap later, after asking less of the tire for a full circuit, they were fine.

I don't have the super-neat-o whizbang connect sensor and app, so I can't comment on that. I'm happy having 2 completely non-functional buttons on the car's console to push when I get bored.

When I was looking, Costco had a good price & healthy rebate - which is what got me into the tire.


Full disclosure about the tire reviewer: I don't have a ton of tire comparisons in the under-200TW set (these are 240TWs, or so Michelin claims), so I can't tell you how they compare to some of folks' favorites. Nor am I pushing the tire as much as a lot of people on here: I stand by my statement "All my laps look like cool-down laps".

Having said all that: for my purposes at the price I paid, it's been a good tire. I can drive it to the track. The car isn't terrifying in the rain anymore. It is clearly grippier than my PS4S, far grippier than the long-dead Pirellis and they seem to have reasonable life in them yet, which is good.

Happy to add more if I can, and if seeing the tire will help, I'm happy to figure out a way to share the glory of this particular set of vulcanized rubber donuts.

[Patrick3000]

Originally Posted by zygomatic

I have a set on my Cayman. So far they've survived 3 days at PittRace, 2 at Summit, along with ~1K driving the car around. Tread-wise they're holding up well. Grip-wise, they don't seem to have lost a lot from their first day to the last. The shoulders are holding up well, too. (Note: I have about 2 degrees of negative camber up front, so that helps)

What I've noticed as I drive them: they're on the quieter side. I could get the previous tires (Pirellis) on the car to complain a great deal. These, I don't know that I've heard them squeal yet. (There's a national character joke in there)

They heat up pretty quickly, and seem to hold up well to 20-30 min DE sessions - even in 90+ heat at PittRace. Where the Pirellis got greasy more than once at VIR, I think I only managed to overheat the Cup2s once. A lap later, after asking less of the tire for a full circuit, they were fine.

I don't have the super-neat-o whizbang connect sensor and app, so I can't comment on that. I'm happy having 2 completely non-functional buttons on the car's console to push when I get bored.

When I was looking, Costco had a good price & healthy rebate - which is what got me into the tire.


Full disclosure about the tire reviewer: I don't have a ton of tire comparisons in the under-200TW set (these are 240TWs, or so Michelin claims), so I can't tell you how they compare to some of folks' favorites. Nor am I pushing the tire as much as a lot of people on here: I stand by my statement "All my laps look like cool-down laps".

Having said all that: for my purposes at the price I paid, it's been a good tire. I can drive it to the track. The car isn't terrifying in the rain anymore. It is clearly grippier than my PS4S, far grippier than the long-dead Pirellis and they seem to have reasonable life in them yet, which is good.

Happy to add more if I can, and if seeing the tire will help, I'm happy to figure out a way to share the glory of this particular set of vulcanized rubber donuts.

Appreciate it, exactly the feedback I was looking for

FedEx dropped the new set off at the dealership today, should be mounted and balanced for P-fest, see you at the track.

[zygomatic]

Originally Posted by Patrick3000

Appreciate it, exactly the feedback I was looking for

FedEx dropped the new set off at the dealership today, should be mounted and balanced for P-fest, see you at the track.

How did you like the new Cup 2s?

[Patrick3000]

Originally Posted by zygomatic

How did you like the new Cup 2s?

I liked the cup 2’s a lot. Had a minor issue with the aftermarket wheels that needed a 3mm spacer and retired the car as a result. I am going to put the cup 2’s on my OEM wheels for Indy next month.

Fortunately the race car was already at the track, inspected and ready to go

[zygomatic]

For those following this tale of vulcanized rubber:

I'm now at nearly 4K miles on the street and 3 weekends (PittRace, Summit, and Lime Rock) for about 22 (possibly more) cycles of 20+ minutes each. The tires have just reached the wear bars.

In terms of grip: they don't seem to have lost that much. The tire hasn't 'gone off' in a big way.

In terms of heating up: they still get to temp very quickly

In terms of noise: they're louder on the street, but that's hardly a surprise.

I still drive like a grandma, so your mileage may vary.

[zygomatic]

And our tire tale comes to an end

Just over 4K total distance. 3 weekends (Pitt, Summit and Lime Rock), and an autocross, along with a few fun drives have brought us to a point where the cords on the driver's side are just peeking out from beneath their rubber blanket. (Inside edge on driver's side is where you can just see the cords. Not surprising given the ~2 degrees of camber and the long road trips)