Quite agree. Len and I were bleeding them to see if the pressure was too high but I still didn't notice much more grip. Maybe I just didn't let them down enough, who knows?

I guess my thoughts are not whether I can get these worn semi's to perform or not but whether I could be bothered mucking around with all that stuff when there's so much to be gained from working on my driving instead...

Of course, I am speaking for myself here and if others wish to pursue some laptime gains by fitting semi's, good for them.

 

well, you have to feel confident with your set up really, before you can improve your driving. If you had no confidence then ditch 'em!

 

Exactly.

I found the KU36's very good to drive around, whereas I think I'd be second guessing the semi's too much to really push hard...fresh semi's might be a good idea down the track when I think I've maxed out improvement on the street rubber...

 

Dave

I am planning on having semi slicks for the Nationals so if time and opportunity permits you are welcome to have a drive. They will be a bit newer than the ones you were trying on Sunday

Tony

 

I agree with your approach of getting your driving skills up. I pretty much did the same as I went to the track with a complete factory set up for several years. I then used semi's for almost a year and once comfortable I have just upgraded to aftermarket coil overs. I am sure there will be a lot of experimenting before further upgrades are warranted.

skc

 

Thanks Tony - might take you up on that if there's time. You can have a bash in mine to compare the street tyres...

 

Just some more feedback on the Kumho KU36's.

The grip is very good. The car feels planted in wet or dry conditions.

They tramline at low speeds more than the Michelin PS2's I had previously and the steering feels heavier at speeds up to 70kms (yes, I had them balanced and wheel alignment done). It's not terrible but noticeable. Also a tad noisier.

So, no, they're not as good as PS2's but then again at near a quarter the price (!!!) I can live with the mild drawbacks.

 

It will be interesting to see how many km's we get out of the KU36's before they need replacing.

 

Dave, did you have the Castor adjusted between having the tyres fitted? are they the same width as the PS2's?

Cheers

Andrew

 

Hi Andrew,

No, just a wheel alignment.

The new tyres are exactly the same size as the PS2's.

Do you think castor is inducing the steering heaviness?

 

I am still on the faulkins from last nats...

I hope to go with some cheap Kumo's through a drifter mate... he reckons $700-750 for 4 .. If its true you will see me with new tyres.
if not i will be all over the place..

 

I think its possibly 2 things. First that the kumhos are probably a little wider than the PS2's and secondly that yes your castor is probably up in the high 6's or sevens causing the heavyness. Does your steerin come back to centre easily?

 

Hmmm, they're specced the same width (235) but I suppose it's possible.

As for castor, I didn't ask for anything like that kind of setting when the new tyres were fitted and wheel alignment done but who knows what some grease monkey there did...it centres relatively easily but as mentioned tramlines a bit at lower speeds...

 

There is a lot of variance between bands and models of tyre. Some 245 tyres I have seen have been wider than other 255s.

Also, I would say from what you have mentioned, you car has been setup to the factory setting which is quite a lot of +ve castor



Which will explain the heavyness. Its great on the track, but probably a little excessive on the street (personally I prefer it that way, especially at higher speeds).

Cheers

Andrew

 

Well the car did feel very planted on the track and the extra weight in the steering doesn't bother me - it's noticeable but not off putting, so I'm happy to leave as is...

thanks for the feedback and info...

And get your *** to the Nationals so we can have a beer...

 

No worries. Glad to help and I like talking about it as it keeps it clear in my head... You know what they say, use it or loose it!

As for Nats I am hoping worst case to get up there Sat evening.

Cheers

Andrew

 

Hahaha, my weekend's looking like this:

Drive to WPR Fri arvo, get on the juice with the crew. Track day Sat, hang for presentation dinner and then drive home. Run city to surf Sunday morning then hop a train to Newcastle to jump on a boat to sail it to Hamilton Island...**** me dead, I'm tired just thinking about it!

 

That sounds more like a work schedule than anything else!

 

Ha!You call that busy!Yesterday I had to drive to Mona Vale and pick up a modified BMW 335i that's running in the Motor magazine Tuner Challenge at Oran Park on Mon/Tue.
Took it to Oran Park today and after the Racing Driver's course today got Barton Mawer to run it for a couple of laps.Then drove it back to Frenchs Forest and picked up my car-110k round trip after Instructing all day.
Back to Oran Park tomorrow for day 2 of the Racing Drivers Course.
Thursday get the car serviced before flying to Brisbane to bring a 400bhp Audi S3 in convoy with a Porsche GT2 down for the Tuner Challenge.
Then Mon/Tues at Oran Park for the Tuner Challenge,followed by the drive back to Brisbane on Wednesday,and then fly back to Sydney on Thursday.
Then on Friday pick Don up and lob at Wakefield and do the Nats with you bunch of miscreants....
Thank Heaven I'm retired-wouldn't have time to hold a job too!
Cheers
Len

 

I wish I could have a quality whinge like you blokes

 

Cry me a river Timbo...you've just got back from 3 weeks in the south of France!

Ok Len, I'll give you props for that schedule but try doing it 4 hours on and 4 hours off 24 hours a day for a week - which will be my sleep pattern from the time I step on the boat Sunday evening. And at least the road isn't moving!

 

Well, after a few months, I thought I'd update feedback on the Kumho KU36's.

After some mild wear, I am beginning to think they are a one trick pony.

Grip in the dry remains very good, indeed excellent for the price. But in other depts they are deteriorating faster than I'd like.

Driving in the recent rain has been an eye-opener. They lose traction much faster than the PS2s with moderate throttle openings at low speed. I appreciate the roads have been a bit greasy after such a lack of rain but I really have lost confidence in them in the wet. I saw the DSC light come on more in one weekend than I have in 6 months. You also look a bit of a berk having the tail step out on a suburban roundabout when you're not even going for it.

Another thing that has gotten worse is the tyre roar. They are much noisier than my PS2's ever got, even near the end of their life. I'm also getting tired of the tramlining - the tugging at the steering wheel gets annoying when you're just cruising.

As ever, you get what you pay for and the same is true with tyres. They've proven themselves as a good track tyre but when they wear out I'll be stumping up again for a better all round quality choice.

Anyone else have similar feedback on the KU36?

 

Thats disappointing to hear Dave. Out of curiosity, what pressure are you running them at?

WIth my Proxes 4 I have to have them up around 38 PSI or else they are horrible. I know it sounds counter intuitive but I had them on 32/34 for months and they would constantly step out on me. bump them up to 38 and they are much more controlled around corners.

Cheers

Andrew

 

Sorry to hear about it Dave. Sure you miss the PS2. Mine is still sitting in the garage hehe..

No idea about Kumho mate. I am a trendy dude so I just go for Bridgestone, Dunlop and Yokos

 

I'm not surprised they are less than spectacular in the wet. they have very little in the way of groves to remove water. Once you wear them down the volume to remove water is further reduced. compared to a ps2 they are a slick in the wet.