Anyone tried them yet? I've got some Victoracers on order, but it's not too late to switch... One thing I noticed on the spec sheet was that the minimum rim width requirement for the 225/45/15 is 7". Has anyone managed to squeeze them onto a 6" with good results?

Thanks,
Larry

 

I've got them on some 15x6 millenia rims... I'm still undecided on whether or not I like them. They seem to be much more finicky about tire pressure than the victoracers. I've only run a couple of events on them so they really haven't started to get ultra sticky quite yet... I'll be running a practice day this weekend and should have a better idea what they're like after some more extensive seat time hit me up on IM early next week and I'll let you know what the results were.

 

Matt Grainger (a perennial autocrosser) with HT username "ITRW41" was reported to be using the new Kumho's on his 97 ITR in DS, by Jean Kinser and it appears he liked them. I believe his email address is listed in his profile, so you may wish to email him directly and post his comments to the board on this question.

 

Not that this helps, but I am going to try this size on my 15x7 TE37s. I have been told I need a 5mm spacer in the rear.

Bryan

 

I'm running a set of the 225/45-15 Escta V700's (aka new Kuhmo's) on my Celica. That is on a 15x6.5 inch wheel.

So far I've not been very impressed with them, they aren't wearing as well as the old Kuhmo's and don't seem to grip as well either. The better gearing and light weight is nice.

I've not had a chance to run them on a warm day yet (though they are half worn out). Full tread on a gritty surface (warmer day) they were good, but any full tread tire was better on the gritty surface.

The 225/45-15 new Kuhmo is about 0.5 inches thinner than the 225/50-15 "old" kuhmo, and not appreciably wider than a 205/50-15 Hoosier.

I did compare the 225/45-15 and 205/50-15 new Kuhmo's and I didn't see a 2 cm difference in tread width, personally, I'd go with the skinnier one anyhow...

Scott

 

I don't like what I 'm hearing about the new V700 so I just ordered the good ol' Victoracers that I used last year.
I also saw an ex- National Champ auto-x on them last November when they first came out. He did 2 events on those tires and I noticed his times were lower than usual and I even managed to come in within .5s of his times which I was never able to do before. And the steel belts were showing on my Victoracers! Now I hear these Ecsas wear fast. My 205-50-15 Victoracers lasted 21 auto-x events last year and I drove with them on to all the events for the whole season which is at least 7mos. So I 'm sticking with them unless I see an overwhelming response of how good or sticky these tires are..

 

I'm not sure I like all of this either. I ran an Evolution phase 1 school at the beginning of last year on full tread Victoracers, and 6 or 7 events after that. They're still in good shape, so I guess if it ain't broke...

-Larry
'00 ITR

 

Just wanted to bring this back up. I was about to start a new thread, but figured this would be fine.

I am really interested in ordering this tire, mostly because I want to give the 225's a try, and not have to pay $175ea for the hoosiers. I keep reading mixed feelings, these will replace my old AO32Rs in 205-50's. Wanted to try to get a little more feedback.

I will be using these on 15x7 TE37s with 43mm offset. Should I run spacers all the way around? or just on the rear?

Thanks!

Bryan


[Modified by BryanSprinkel, 10:37 AM 3/13/2002]

 

Has anyone here TRACKED the new Kumhos? compared to the old ones?? I LOVE my old victoracers, but want to give the new ecsta a try, mainly because I can get it in 225/45, instead of 225/50, so I would get a lowergearing, and lighterweight.. BUT, do they grip?????????

 

Hey kid. I've used the 225-50/14 on the CRX. Not a good comparison since I used the 205-55's, but they grip better and have phenominal wear. 4 VIR full and 1 Lowes nee Charlotte on them and they are almost to the wear bars. Now if you can find the 225-45's; I've had 12 on order since early Jan., maybe next month!

 

Back order everywhere. Tire Rack says ship date will be April 2nd. I guess I better get on the list.

Bryan

 

on the ITR, you can fit the 225/50 on the 15x6 rim, but you'll need 5mm spacers up front, and I don't think you can get away with them on the rear without spacers/modifications to avoid rubbing.

 

OK... I got some more seat time with the new Ecsta's and here are my impressions:

They take way more runs to get broken in and sticky than the Victo's but once they start to get sticky they have comparable grip. There is no rub at all when using the 225/45's on stock size rims. Tire pressure is even more important on them than the Victo's... 2 psi extra was enough to make the car go from neutral to understeering. I ended up running 39psi in the fronts and by the end of a run would be at about 40.5-41psi on a 60 second course.

I think that the Ecsta's like more temp in them also so I think that they might be better at the track and not quite as good for autoX... especially if you tend to run on short courses where you can't get much heat into them.

I spoke with a few other drivers who were also running Ecsta's and we all agreed that they take much more time to break in then the Victo's. I don't have enough runs on them to comment on wear rate but it doesn't look to be any worse than the Victo's.


[Modified by Xian, 3:13 PM 3/13/2002]

 

Thanks for taking the time to post again. The info is appreciated!!!

Bryan

 

anytime!

 

What happened to your "old" victos Christian?

 

I heard that Kevin McCormick is using the Ecsta V700s. I would not be surprised to see his car shod with 225-45f/205-50r. I'll have to confirm (tires and size) the next time I see him.


-allen

 

Hmmm. I don't know Kevin except by reputation. I wonder if he's figured out how to make them stick, or if he's just running them locally, and switching to Hoosiers when it counts. Do you know him well enough to find out?

-Larry



[Modified by LIS, 3:35 AM 3/14/2002]

 

I'll ask him the next time I see him. Might be a while though. Don't know him that well but he's a nice guy.

-allen

 

I'm running my 205/50 Victo's on the back... trying to get all the rotation I can for autoX