The NT01 also has a few features that differentiate it from other DOT race tires. The body plies of the tire are made of rayon instead of the usual polyester. Rayon is a lot more heat resistant than polyester but is perhaps a little less durable in long-term use as it is sensitive to water infiltration. Long-term use is usually not as important in a race tire.
On top of the body plies, the NT01 has two steel belts for tread stability; their stiffness helps keep the tread flat on the road. An aramid cap ply is also used over the steel to control growth at high speeds helping to reduce heat buildup. The NT01 also has stiff sidewalls with a long turn up reinforced with steel to help response and for cooler running.
The NT01 is nearly treadless so it is not so great at all-weather performance but we have done pretty well racing it in the rain at full tread depth. Take note that this tire is not really practical for climates other than our sunny Southern California and other sunbelt locations.
In the area of the outer shoulder, the tread blocks are super large, nearly a slick and the inner shoulder has smaller blocks which work to evacuate water. The tire can be shaved to 3/32’s of an inch for the best dry performance in which case it turns into nearly a slick with two grooves but we usually run this tire at full tread depth and it works fine with no chunking. Tire life is better at full tread depth.
Our new tires are much wider and slightly shorter than the stock tires. The wimpy stock wheel tire combo weights 33 lbs 7 oz, which is 1 lb 9 oz lighter than our new wheel tire combo that is 35 lbs. This weight difference isn’t bad considering that our new tire is almost 2 inches wider than stock and our new wheels are a full 2 inches wider.
Our 15″x8″ Gram Lights 57Transcend and 225/45 Nitto NT01 combo fully fills out our wheel wells as you can see here. Fortunately, there was not one bit of rubbing even with our lowered suspension and we didn’t need to roll our fenders. We were really impressed with the fitment of this wheel tire combo.
11 comments
I always say: Always opt for the smallest wheels you can get away with. As long as they fit snuggly over the brakes its good.
And I also always say: Fit a brake size as small as possible so long as it fits inside a wheel.
So I can dig smaller rims and larger tires. On a integra 15″ is just fine. Going bigger will only slow you down. Besides: Sidewalls are tunable where a rim is not
Especially with moderate power levels where you don’t need huge brakes!
Absolutely right. Even with way more power it’s still the case. Sure, heavier vehicles are a concern, but most big brakes aren’t really needed to begin with. It’s all about temps, and to a lesser degree speed. But not about power. Most people think they need bigger brakes (or wheels for that matter). Just apply some temp paint or stickers and most of them will realise that they hardly come up to temp to begin with.
Only off-roaders need to have bigger tyres/wheels, but that’s just to be more comfy in terrain, and to climb bigger obstacles.
Didn’t reply in time on SH, regarding power limits for modified vehicles in Sweden.
If no limit is guaranteed by the manufacturer, the acceptable maximum power is 15 kW/100 kg car weight . You can file for special permit to get it up to 20kW/100 kg, as in a 1600 kg car may be allowed to have 320 kW (16*20).
This is only for modified vehicles.
So the porche 911 you used as an example would never be allowed to legaly increase the power output (unless you installed something extremely heavy to get below the accepted limit.
Power isn’t measured during the annual check-up, but they can fail you for obvious modifications. The police can impound the car and test it if they suspect something when you are out driving it too. Not to mention insurance won’t cover shit if it’s illegaly modified… So yeah, most of us do what I’ve done the last years, just hope that noone will notice anything.
When this is over for me, I will have a legal increase of 36%, not too far off from your allowed 40%. Just a bit more hassle to get it accepted.
The vibes is good for all Integra fans
Keep it going reply ing
I’ve been following this project closely. I have a 95 DB8 (also white) that is all stock and has been well kept by the original owner for 20 years. I upgraded/replaced the stock shocks with Bilstein HDs, replaced worn out RTA bushings. Anyways, keep it up! Love the integra GSR love! Are you guys eventually going to hookup a Hondata and squeeze what you can out of it?
We think we are going to do a moderate NA engine build, not decided on the engine management yet.
Great job keeping the DC2 spirit going!I would have kept mine but I grew tired of putting a quart of oil in every 2 weeks.
I assume the size of the tires is a typo: 225/50r15 would be almost half an inch taller than stock, so the tires you guys put on must be 225/45r15 right?
You are correct sir, good catch.
What alignment settings are you running? I’m trying to put together a similar wheel and tire combo and I want to know what degree of camber you’re running. I’m hoping to not go past -2.5 front and 2.0 rear for the recommended settings of my honed developments geometry correction kit. Thanks in advance