Race tire mounting & balancing?

[pdisme]

Anything special about mounting and balancing race slicks or can any tire shop do it? I noticed that typically weighted tape is used instead of the normal weights from passenger wheels, presumably since race tires are replaced so frequently and you don't want to be popping weights on and off; should I purchase some of that tape since most shops won't likely have it hanging around?

[Shuey2k]

Nothing special other than using racers tape to tape over the weights so they don't fly off.

The most important part about new slicks is getting them correctly heat cycled so that they last. I usually put on a new set and run two laps (outlap and inlap) at half pace. Then, I come in and let the tires sit for two or so hours before I run them again. You can run them hard straight away but they will not last nearly as long.

[pdisme]

Ah, I thought the tape itself was weighted.

LOL, between maintenance, bedding in brakes and setting the tires up, it's a real pleasure when you actually get to drive. :)

[jrfootin]

Have you driven the car around the neighborhood!!!!!???????????

[pdisme]

J, what size tires are on your car? Mine currently has:
Front: 190/570R15 Avon
Rear: 240/600R16 Avon

Sasco's website is showing Dunlop's in:
Front: 185/580R15
Rear: 235/605R16

So it sounds like the Dunlops are not quite as wide. Greg, what are you running? Is this why Avon's have a slight handling advantage?

[Shuey2k]

J, what size tires are on your car? Mine currently has:
Front: 190/570R15 Avon
Rear: 240/600R16 Avon

Sasco's website is showing Dunlop's in:
Front: 185/580R15
Rear: 235/605R16

So it sounds like the Dunlops are not quite as wide. Greg, what are you running? Is this why Avon's have a slight handling advantage?

That's what I am running. I would bet it has more to do with compounds than width.

[pdisme]

I put in the order for two sets with Sasco today, the Dunlops, we'll see how they go, they're $75/set less and I doubt I'd notice either way regardless. Should have them Tuesday so I can get the rains off my spare light wheels and the slicks on. Can't decide if I want to throw out the Avon's now or try to get another day out of them at Barber. Might actually be better if I let it slide around a bit on the tired slicks so I can get better experience on what it feels like as they wear so I know going forward.

[jrfootin]

I am running the Dunlop's. Very important if you switch tire sizes, then you need to readjust the car height.

I have a guy who is the state manager of Olson tires, he is getting me his cost on the tires.

I am going to order some extra's & some rain tires too.

[pdisme]

LOL, now you tell me. Let me know what pricing you get, maybe get my next set through you.

[pdisme]

How do you know the tire profile on these race tires since they don't use the nomenclature of street tires? I can't find a tire size calculator online for race tires to know if I'm going to have to deal with changing the ride height.

[Shuey2k]

Sasco is the sole importer of the SR3 Dunlop tires so let me know if you can do better than 1k per set.

[jrfootin]

I should know by Monday the price from my guy!

D & G,

What gear ratio are you guys running? I will run 3.07 @ Homestead this weekend, & was thinking about going to 2.91 for Sebring. Any thought, suggestions????

[pdisme]

I'm running the stock 3.07, I don't have any other gear sets so that's about it for me. :) If anything, at Sebring I might be inclined to go up in gearing rather than down because it's a brake-heavy course with a lot of turns and maximum acceleration out of the corners may benefit you more than a few extra mph on the straights.

[Shuey2k]

I have yet to switch to anything outside of the stock gearset. Anything shorter at Sebring and you will run out of gearing on the two main straights. Sebring is a horsepower track where for the for the most part you can carry your speed (saftey pin excluded).

To be honest I have just been too lazy to switch them out and test.

[pdisme]

Got my tires today, should I be concerned about the sidewall on this one?

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/525/medium/2007-03-19_007.jpg

or will it just pop out when mounted? Looks like they taped it a little hard so it pulled it inward. The rest look fine:

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/525/medium/2007-03-19_008.jpg

[pdisme]

How much would you guys expect to pay for a mounting/balancing on these tires? Had a local import shop quote me about $50/wheel for mount and high speed balance. Not sure if I should do that or if just a regular place can do it for less.

Shit, I was just thinking about this, i have center lock wheels, will a normal place even be able to balance them?

[zzzzdoc]

So, basically, you got an innie not an outie?

[pdisme]

I took the tires to three places today, first one didn't have a machine that could handle the width, second place wouldn't honor the pricing listed on tire rack because they were 'race' tires but then offered to honor the price if I paid cash, third place didn't want to take liability for the wheels since they're lightweight soft allow and they were concerned they'd bend them. I had enough of wasting my time so I took them to sears who is doing the mounting and balancing for $25/wheel. :banghead: Whatever, it's done, I can get some work done now; I'm going to look for a more reasonable place to have this done since I'll be needing this on an ongoing basis. Reeves Imports wanted $50/wheel. :2up:

So, basically, you got an innie not an outie?

Yep, gonna have to do some cosmetic surgery. :)