The internal construction consists of robust two-ply polyester casing for precise handling and twin steel belts provide durability and high-speed capability. The single polyamide cap ply increases footprint control during heavy loading conditions.
To avoid cracking, the tires should not be exposed to less than 20*F, and if they are, they should be gradually returned to temperatures of >40*F for 24 hours before being driven or even adjusting the tire pressures. This is a common problem for many super-aggressive compounds designed to thrive in high temp track conditions, again, showing how track-focused this tire is.
This 255/40-17 Extremecontact Sport tire weighed in at 24lbs on our scales, to TireRack.com’s 23lb quote. That’s also in line with the ~1lb wheel difference from Titan 7’s published numbers.
I’ve won a lot of races on the Hoosier (later turned Continental) in the Grand-Am Cup/Koni Challenge/Conti Challenge series. I’ve also been a big fan of their Extremcontact DW and the newer SPORT tire for many years. Due to how well-rounded it is in terms of performance, wet and dry grip, how quiet it is, and it’s driving dynamics and price point, I have used them on many of my daily drivers, including MotoIQ’s Project E90 M3. I was really looking forward to how this more track-focused FORCE tire performed.
The factory OEM RX-7 wheels are 16×8 +50 and are fitted with 225/50-16 tires. This particular car had a larger diameter 225/55-16 Toyo Proxes 4.
Our new 17×9.5+51 Titan 7 T-D6 wheels and 255/40-17 Continental Extremecontact Force tires have the proper diameter for the RX-7, and are noticeably wider.
9 comments
Great article. I can’t wait for the track test. I am also looking at some Titan 7 made wheels for my 08 Miata. Evasive Motorsports has a custom line made for them by Titan. 17×10 +47 EVS Tuning 52R, which should need just a 3-5mm spacer to fit the NC properly. They are meant for S2000’s, but luckily that offset is very close to what the NC’s need, too.
Where are the Titan’s made?
Minor correction: the reinforced wheel is on the left, unreinforced on the right.
Valve stems are placed where they are most aesthetic on modern aluminum wheels, not on the heavy spot of the wheel. It’s nice to be consistent about aligning the dot on the tire with the valve stem but it really means nothing.
That’s all well and good but the author didn’t even mention the dot.
I think he was just saying that on pro race cars, they make a mark on the tire at the valve stem to keep an eye on slip.
Correct, it’s easy to make a small line with a paint pen to mark the valve stem position to monitor tire slippage on the wheel.
Why didn’t you use 265/35 tires? That would be much closer to stock diameter and would not be stretched over the 9.5″ wheel. Were you concerned about rubbing on the front fender? With a +51 offset, I would think a 265 would have plenty of clearance.
The Titan 7 T-D6 wheel is only available for the S2000/FD RX-7 (which have the same fitment) in 17×9.5 5×114.3 +51 square. This fitment makes the 255/40-17 an ideal tire for that wheel due to its 25.0″ OD, which is right in between the stock FD’s 24.9″ 225/50-16 front tire and 25.3″ 235/45-17 rear tire. I am assuming you are referring to a 265/35-18 tire size with it’s 25.3″ OD that matches the stock FD’s rear tire. For an 18″ wheel, the Titan 7 T-R10 18×10.5 5×114.3 +51 would be more preferable with a 285/30-18 tire.
Thanks for the reply. Yes I was referring to an 18″ wheel. You are correct, a 255/40-17 is closer to stock diameter than a 265/35-17.
I don’t love the T-R10 style as much, and 10.5″ even at +51 would need some camber, stretch or fender work to fit the front.
If I go to Titan 7’s site, they don’t let you view the wheels by size, only by fitment. It seems like there would be other fitments you could use with a stagger, but their site makes that very difficult to find.