Sidewall compliance

[Less Moore]

I absolutely love the way my car handles with LSS and do not mind the sometimes harsh ride, but I am concerned with the abuse unavoidable 'obstacles' might cause the suspension. I would also like to keep the sticky tires fresh for some auto-X. Can anyone out there tell me if there is a tire that has decent grip and response, but has a more compliant/forgiving sidewall in the same sizes as LSS tires? Can I get a significant improvement in shock absorption without the handling going to crap? Thanks for any guidance available.

[Stan]

Just try for same or slightly larger tires...nice rides come from tires such as Toyo T1S (soon to be replaced by T1R), Goodyear GSD3 and some others...these two tires are noted because they are max perf. + come in many special sizes. So for example...195/50/16 & 225/45/17, 205/45/16 & 235,245/40/17 etc. Both of these tires also come in a 245/35/17 too.

On the compliance...consider high end shocks...they often can firm up the handling yet improve the ride. The Ohlins do this! Buy through Ohlins or one of their dealers. http://www.ohlinsusa.com/

[Rich]

Here's one thread I started a while ago with some options:

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8755

Since then, Hankook has come out with the R-S2s, which I have. They're about as close in grip as you can get to the A048s, but are vastly better in the rain and have a bit more softness on initial turn-in. I've finished 2nd of 11 and 3rd of 9 at local autocrosses on the Hankooks (my brother was 2nd of 9 in my car). They're also dirt cheap. I think I got all 4 for about $380 or so.

Here's my thread before I purchased them with lots of info on my thoughts on sizing. I went with tires that are a bit wider and a bit shorter.

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10939