Tyre Differences

[timmo]

OK, now we all know that Roccos are relatively light on the rear axle. So, this means the design of the car's suspension is to be higher and softer on the front than the back to produce understeer and reduce the chance of the fun but rather unnerving (if you're not ready for it) lift-off oversteer. (Am I right??)
SO...
With lowered and harder springs (which by my reckoning are lower on the front than the back) it gives great handling going into corners. But, and with the occasional incompetent booking it into a corner, this gives me some very amusing (and significant) lift-off oversteer!

yet...?

Great stuff, but this got me thinking. What design of tyre would be best to reduce this? OK, obviously any decent and well handling tyre should reduce it. BUT bearing in mind this happens more in the wet (for me at least), should one be looking into wet weather performance tyres specifically for the rear?

Perhaps I should just stop thinking about it and keep my foot on the floor through corners, but I thought it could possibly be interesting none the less.

[stu.gtx]

Hi,

I'd have thought that the spring rate would be higher on the front to cope with the weight of the engine.

If your car gets tail happy in the wet then it's probably because you have crap tyres on the back or your rear shocks aren't performing as they should (or both). Do you have uprated shock absorbers to go with your uprated springs?

[Nate]

what make/model tyre are you currently running?

[timmo]

hm, these are all good points. The springs -although new- weren't the most expensive in the world, and are on new Gabriel OEM type shocks. They seem to perform ok for the price, but perhaps the springs aren't weighted appropriately for the vehicle. It does seem to handle much better with a bit of weight in the boot.

Tyres on the back are Goodyear NCT5s, probably nearing the end of their life too. hmm.

Got some nice new Toyos on BBSs to fit soon so maybe this will help!