Pilot Sport Cups

[Camfab]

Ok, after being on hold for one hour with Michelin, I was told that Pilot Sport Cups are not to be installed on the Viper. This was with someone in their racing tech dept. So now that I'm passed that. Who has actual experience with those tires. I'm a little concerned about the lack of exact sizing for the fronts. I would like to run the 345/30 18 in the rear, but not sure about the fronts? Available are 265/35 18 with an O.D. of 25.2" or 285/30 18 with an O.D. of 25.1" the factory pilot 275/30 18 has an O.D. of 25.7" . Larger sizes are available which come closer to the factory O.D., like 315/30 18. I just don't want the isssues associated with larger front tires and hood clearance. Who has run these tires in all four positions? No, I don't want to run Kumo's so please don't mention them. I would prefer Michelin's in a balanced combo.

If it seems that they produce unbalanced handling issues or other problems, then I will just stick with Pilot Sports. Please no guess work here, just actual users. Thanks

 

[Russ M]

Get Kumho's...

They are every bit as good of a tire and 1/2 the cost, why not buy them?

Besides that the 285's will be closest to stock, while the 315's will cause slight hood clearance problems when opening and closing.

 

[GR8_ASP]

These are what I am running:
295/30 YR18 front and 345/30 YR18 rear.

This is on a Gen III so the hood does not come into play. Overall I have been satisfied with the performance. The combination of 295 front, sport cup and stock alignment provides much more bump steer/trammeling than stock tires. On the track that is not an issue. On the street it can be a handful.

 

[GTSnake]

These are what I am running:
295/30 YR18 front and 345/30 YR18 rear.

This is on a Gen III so the hood does not come into play. Overall I have been satisfied with the performance. The combination of 295 front, sport cup and stock alignment provides much more bump steer/trammeling than stock tires. On the track that is not an issue. On the street it can be a handful.

So Ron do you carry a can of fix a flat?

 

[AJT]

I run Michelin Pilot sport cups on my Gen II.

Front 295/30ZR18
Rear 345/30ZR18

ANdy

 

[kcobean]

Ok, after being on hold for one hour with Michelin, I was told that Pilot Sport Cups are not to be installed on the Viper. This was with someone in their racing tech dept. So now that I'm passed that. Who has actual experience with those tires. I'm a little concerned about the lack of exact sizing for the fronts. I would like to run the 345/30 18 in the rear, but not sure about the fronts? Available are 265/35 18 with an O.D. of 25.2" or 285/30 18 with an O.D. of 25.1" the factory pilot 275/30 18 has an O.D. of 25.7" . Larger sizes are available which come closer to the factory O.D., like 315/30 18. I just don't want the isssues associated with larger front tires and hood clearance. Who has run these tires in all four positions? No, I don't want to run Kumo's so please don't mention them. I would prefer Michelin's in a balanced combo.

If it seems that they produce unbalanced handling issues or other problems, then I will just stick with Pilot Sports. Please no guess work here, just actual users. Thanks

Did he say why they aren't supposed to be installed on the Viper?

 

[GR8_ASP]

So Ron do you carry a can of fix a flat?

No, but I would on a longer trip. I do check pressures quite frequently. Also, I have had them on the car only a month at a time as anytime I expect long distance travels I put on the stock wheels with Pilots (rears are also non run flats but they have LOTS more tread).

Sport Cups keep excessive tire spin in check when warm and the recent 90 degree + days have provided that and then some. Kind of a controlled spin in second now whereas stock tires just flare to fuel shut-off in 1st and 2nd and sometime 3rd.

 

[Camfab]

kcobean, they said not to use them, because they do not make the factory sizes.

AJT, what if any changes did you notice with the 295/30 18. According to the Tire Rack spec sheet that tire is .4" shorter in O.D.. Are you experiencing excessive trammeling as GR8 ASP describes?

My ACR with it's stiff suspension already has major bump steer.

Russ, I know Kumo's are cheap and I'm sure they're great but I prefer Michelin.

 

[LETHAL GTS]

My ACR with it's stiff suspension already has major bump steer.

All cars with any sort of front suspension HAS bump steer.
That is a term used to describe the effect that the suspensions range of travel has on the toe in or out.

 

[Camfab]

Lethal, call it what you will, but my car as GR8 ASP describes, has those same characteristics. Hit the railroad tracks or a small *** hole at any speed and you're in the next lane. I'm sure you meant "HAVE bump steer".

Anyway back to my original question, anyone out there using these tires on the street in a GEN II? If yes any comments.

 

[AJT]

AJT, what if any changes did you notice with the 295/30 18. According to the Tire Rack spec sheet that tire is .4" shorter in O.D.. Are you experiencing excessive trammeling as GR8 ASP describes?



What is trammeling? Following road lines?

If I get in a rut in the road, they will follow the rut some. Its not really been a problem that I even think about.

I really do not notice any driving diff. than stock. I used them on Texas World speedway at VOI & the grip was great, altough that is the first time on a track ever.

I mainly got them for traction. In my opinion they are a great tire if you have a lot of power. BFGs may be a little stickier, I have never used them, but these you can drive in the rain & around corners.

my .02

 

[Camfab]

AJT, thank you. One last set of questions, do you have issues with the tires rubbing at any point while driving, (turning, bumps)? Last but not least, any interfernce with the hood (while opening or closing the hood)?

 

[Bob K]

I have 315's on the front and 345's on the rear. I have been on the drag strip, the Texas Motor Speedway (VOI8) and the street with them. On the drag strip I sucked because I haven't learned how to launch but did a 12.4 even though I hit the rev limiter in both first and second gear. On the Speedway they provided great traction and are my tire of choice for that venue. I do feel the ruts more on the highway but this is probably becaause of the size of the rubber up front. I have had no problems with rubbing. I will replace these with cups again but go smaller on the front (they look a little weird because they over hang the rim so much). Hope this helps.

Bob K

 

[AJT]

AJT, thank you. One last set of questions, do you have issues with the tires rubbing at any point while driving, (turning, bumps)? Last but not least, any interfernce with the hood (while opening or closing the hood)?

Mine did rub a tiny spot about the size of your pinky fingernail when opening the hood. None while turning or bumps. But with 857 rwhp & 799 rwtrq, I need something better than just sports.

 

[Camfab]

Thanks guys, I think I'm going to go with the 285/30 18 up front, as this has the shortest profile of all.