Tyre change to 225 40 18

[CGYorks]

I have some semi-slicks in 225 40 18 and wondered how this might affect handling and performance?

I believe it may change acceleration…

 

[MG Clive]

I think you need as much grip as you can get with the XPower, and I don't think slicks will provide it.

 

[siteguru]

I think you need as much grip as you can get with the XPower, and I don't think slicks will provide it.

I think F1 drivers would disagree with you (in dry weather).

 

[MG Clive]

I think F1 drivers would disagree with you (in dry weather).

We don't often get dry racetrack conditions on our roads around Thirsk.

 

[jamherber]

Standard XP suspension is way too soft for semi-slicks, for the extra grip they provide in the dry. In the wet, they are generally terrible at clearing standing water so could be borderline dangerous in these conditions.

I have a set of semi slicks (Toyo R888r) for the Elise that I only tend to use on trackdays or for road use when forecast is 100% dry. I have uprated spring rates and adjustable damping as even on the Elise with standard suspension, the extra grip they generate just forces the suspension onto its bump stops with the extra cornering load which is bad.

 

[CGYorks]

The tyres are to be used for a brief visit to the Nordschleife…

 

[jamherber]

The tyres are to be used for a brief visit to the Nordschleife…

Above advice still stands - often wet there. If you can get heat into them, then that will help but still think they’ll be too much for the standard suspension - traction will be much improved though.

Have they got chargers there now?

 

[Ian Key]

Have they got chargers there now?

They seem to have quite a few.

 

[CGYorks]

Will they change acceleration or energy consumption…

 

[jamherber]

Will they change acceleration or energy consumption…

Yes on both accounts - the XP is always scrabbling for grip when under full acceleration so they should improve standing starts noticeably, particularly once warmed up and traction when accelerating out of slower corners.

They will impact range to some degree as there will be more friction to overcome. Hard to say how big this impact will be though. If you look at the energy rating on most semi-slicks, they are all near the ‘bad’ end for this reason.

 

[Everest]

Have they got chargers there now?

They seem to have quite a few.

LOL - one of them is part way round the circuit - that will mess your lap time up!