Old Hoosiers cheap! and a question

[Surferjer]

Here's the link: http://www.rsracing.com/rscatalog/as...t-discount.asp

Great price. Sheesh. If I'd waited for four weeks I could have saved a bundle.

The question: If "flipping" the tires recommended? After say 1/2 the tire life, if I flip the tires on the wheels, can I wring a bunch more runs out of those outer edges before cording? Just trying to be smart about this stuff.

[ChrisB]

Originally Posted by Surferjer

Here's the link: http://www.rsracing.com/rscatalog/as...t-discount.asp

Great price. Sheesh. If I'd waited for four weeks I could have saved a bundle.

The question: If "flipping" the tires recommended? After say 1/2 the tire life, if I flip the tires on the wheels, can I wring a bunch more runs out of those outer edges before cording? Just trying to be smart about this stuff.

If by flipping you mean take the tire off of a wheel, rotate it 180, put it back on the same wheel on the same side of the car, that should not be done if the tires are radials. Radials take a set in the direction of rotation. Reversing the direction of rotation stresses the tire and often causes symptoms that feel like an out of balance or out of round tire.

What would accomplish your objective would be to take the tire off the left side of the car and, keeping the direction of rotation the same, mounting it on the right-side.

[RopaS2]

Originally Posted by Surferjer

The question: If "flipping" the tires recommended?

According to Hoosier, "flipping" S04s is acceptable. Since the S04 design is not a unidirectional one, there is no need to retain the original direction of rotation.

Practically speaking, the last bit of tire life you get this way is likely to be at noticeably suboptimal levels of grip.

[kverges]

While I have not tried Hoosiers, I flip tires on the wheels all the time and rotate from side to side all the time to manage tire wear.

[Robert Puertas]

Yes, flip the Hoosiers.
Probably around the 20-25 lap mark to maximize life

[Surferjer]

Since the Elise is so camber-challenged, it makes sense. I think if I flip early enough I should get pretty even wear. If you wait until the cords are nearly showing, I assume you won't see much benefit...

[Stan]

>>>Yes, flip the Hoosiers. Probably around the 20-25 lap mark to maximize life<<<

Wouldn't surface matter? Most East coast sites are on asphalt and runs tend to be about 30-50 seconds long. (Many west coast sites are concrete, which is grippier and presumably harder on rubber)

[Robert Puertas]

Not much concrete in SoCal for us to run on at the moment.

Atwater in NorCal is concrete - maybe that's what you're thinking of.

Our courses are indeed longer, but also higher speeds, and probably fewer tire destroying slow turns. I'd guess it balances out. Or at least falls within the 20% range I gave.

[brownsa5]

As an equal opportunity buyer, Hoosier Tom has them too.......

www.midatlanticmotorsport.com

[John Stimson]

ChrisB, as the other messages in this thread imply, reversing the direction of a radial tire is no longer a concern. Maybe at some time it caused problems, but lots of cars sold now indicate a cross-rotation pattern in the owners' manuals, and they all come standard with radial tires.

[z06fun]

I think you would only need to flip the fronts right? In the rear you can get optimum camber so they may wear really evenly there.

[Surferjer]

Good point. The fronts are the ones cording early. That will save some $.

[Eyelise]

boy, the R3S04 cost a heck of a lot more.

[Surferjer]

Undoubtedly because the R3S05s aren't out yet. Give it time...