[sjj31]

Hey guys, now that I am tracking more, trying to figure out the ultimate track strategy to keep costs in check. Right now I have been replacing each set after 4 days (rotate fronts side to side after 2). However when I replace I am noticing my fronts at 4/32 (with camber wear, but equal due to side to side) and rears still look great at 6/32 (no camber wear noticable). This means a set of rears should last the equivalent of two sets of fronts. Since I am not running a square setup is it ok to change the fronts only (new) and keep the rears at 6/32. This would allow me to save buying a set of rears. Let me know your thoughts (ie does this create too much grip in the front if the rears are older)?

 

[MC]

Yes you can this is what I've done before and plan to do again this winter with mine...... my fronts are in bad shape

 

[Jon H]

Not recommended if you're tracking as it could create an unstable balance with the car since the rears have more heat cycles. Did this once before, fresh fronts and kept the older rears and the rears had shit for grip.. it was ridiculous. Fun, but not good for running a fast time.

Perfectly fine for the street, which is what I hope MC is suggesting. For the track, it's no bueno.

 

[MC]

yeah i tracked after swapping just fronts.. ( the rears wernt totally worn out or anything maybe 5-6 32nd left and you could tell a very slight difference in the fact that it oversteered just a bit more... nothing extreme at all.. felt a little more like a RWD car

at the rate the fronts wear .....after the first event the fronts where worn in and from there on out it felt the same....

it might not be 100% idea and i see what your saying if i had a track day the next day after doing it and i wanted to set time or something..... but atleast in my case it was not something that felt dangerous or adversely affected handling to a degree where it didnt outweigh staggering the cost of replacing 4 tires..... i swapped the fronts drove on the street broke them in at a autoX or 2 they evened out pretty much

like right now my rears are pretty good shape and my fronts are cooked at 3K miles.. i plan on swapping fronts in a month or so

 

[shawnhayes]

This is somewhat tire dependant. Street tires are less sensitive to "heat cycling", and handle this much better. In general, not a good idea, but experienced drivers can handle it pretty well, but the "oversteery" car can be dodgy, especially on track.

I haven't tried any of the stock GT-R tires with this trick, but I've seen piman do it with R888's with variable success, but he's a VERY good driver on course.

Shawn

 

[DocNrock]

Another thought is to think of going to a 285 square setup. As you probably know, the OEM rear 285 tires will fit just fine on the OEM front rims, as 9.5" is the minimum width for a 285 tire. I have been running this since January. Not only has it markedly improved track performance, it has dramatically improved front tire life. Most of the tire wear occurs because the tire gets hot. With a 285 tire, there is more rubber, hence a larger heat sink, which is why I think the 285 fronts are wearing so much better than the 255's.