Tuning Performance Tyres - need your advice / experiences

[loveshandbags]

Interesting. As it's the one variant of the 500 I haven't driven, it's illuminating to hear what it's like in comparison to my TA. I have a feeling the 105hp TA (if FIAT ever bother), would make quite a fun car.

The TA feels fast off the blocks...

Stats below came from here and it shows that the TA is fast off the blocks. Thought I put the 1.2 in there for comparison. Tests were probably done on 15s. If one used a light tyre like the Conti 5 it might make a difference.

 

[bgunn]

Which fits, really.

It has strong torque low down, but is a little breathless higher up like most standard turbocharged engines. That's why it's such a hoot to drive around towns and cities, as you don't need to work it tremendously hard to get the jump on people and nip into gaps etc.

A properly executed remap to remove some of the safety margin built into the mapping coupled with a better exhaust manifold and turbo downpipe and I'm sure it be more than a rival for the 1.4 throughout the range.

 

[The Twins]

A properly executed remap to remove some of the safety margin built into the mapping coupled with a better exhaust manifold and turbo downpipe and I'm sure it be more than a rival for the 1.4 throughout the range.[/QUOTE]

Bgunn, what is your view of the MM or TCM tuning module vs remap? The tuning module plugs into a few sensors so it more than just a 'resistor' type of tuning box I guess?
They are also switchable so you can still run standard ecu settings too.

 

[bgunn]

Bgunn, what is your view of the MM or TCM tuning module vs remap? The tuning module plugs into a few sensors so it more than just a 'resistor' type of tuning box I guess?
They are also switchable so you can still run standard ecu settings too.

I think, at best, they're a bodge.

 

[The Twins]

I think, at best, they're a bodge.

It's knowing who to trust to do a good remap. A lot just guess the parameters and not tested on rolling road.
At least with the box it was developed by MM who are Fiat owned so should know a thing or two.

 

[bgunn]

It's knowing who to trust to do a good remap. A lot just guess the parameters and not tested on rolling road.

A rolling road with a good (accurate) wideband and a set of det cans, and an operator experienced with them is all you need.

At least with the box it was developed by MM who are Fiat owned so should know a thing or two.

You keep saying that, but being under the umbrella of FGA doesn't mean the product was developed properly. Given the workmanship seen on their exhausts, they are either shockingly bad at making things or (more likely) farming out their work to companies that do it cheaply. Clearly the OEM side of Marelli make things to a certain quality level, as our cars are full of their parts.

 

[The Twins]

Ok you got me there.

 

[Caravadossi]

maybe they haven't come over here and tested them, they are like glue though. they maybe an unknow tyre to some who don't know much but many of them that do know them swear by them, seems only jason has tried them on a 500 and he drives his car like he stole it.

Toyo T1R
Tragic really – when those that “swear by them” actually believe that’s all there is to it.

Toyo submit their wet grip rating for the T1R to be Class-E (1.10 ≤ G ≤ 1.24) within the EU system. That equates to Class-D (1.10 ≤ G ≤ 1.24) within the JATMA system - although I’ve yet to catch sight of a T1R JATMA label (anyone?). Class-D being the lowest JATMA wet grip class.

130423

 

[dave]

Toyo T1R
Tragic really – when those that “swear by them” actually believe that’s all there is to it.

Toyo submit their wet grip rating for the T1R to be Class-E (1.10 ≤ G ≤ 1.24) within the EU system. That equates to Class-D (1.10 ≤ G ≤ 1.24) within the JATMA system - although I’ve yet to catch sight of a T1R JATMA label (anyone?). Class-D being the lowest JATMA wet grip class.

130423

what is more scary is the well known brands are rating their tyres better in wet than a t1r when real life driving you find they are worse

 

[loveshandbags]

Ok you got me there.

A relevant post from the Abarth side from across the pond (Click here). The switchable one is pricey. The TMC one is 'tried and tested'.

One of the benefits if you did decide to fit one might be an improvement in mpg. There is a dial on the Tuning box so if it is being borrowed you could turn the dial down to nothing.

I did toy wirth the idea of fitting one on the 155TB but the M32 has a chequered history. With the 500L I was surprised that it used the C510 gearbox which appears to be the same as the TA so maybe it's 'up for it'.

If I had to have more power on a TA I would opt for a Tuning box. A re-map is ideally better but there are downsides with it being an obvious warranty breech. Tuning box can be taken off and re-used on another car or sold. If I had a secondhand A500 I would prefer to pick up a spare ECU (these not as commonplace now) and get that flashed replacing the original one.

 

[loveshandbags]

To get back to tyres...

:yeahthat:

I was looking at a set of Semperit Speed-Life from Camskills and noticed that the Conti 5s were 'cheap' at £62.30 compared with mytyres at £78. The Conti 5s have been coming at the top of the ADAC tests and are unbeaten in the wet. Shame they are not available at that price in the size that I'm looking for. The Contis might just be the best all round tyre if you were not prepared to plum for a eco tyre or a T1R type.

I thought this US test was interesting - although it's in the wrong sizes - it touched on a few of the makes covered to-date. Surprised at the results of the RE050. Price was an issue on the Pilots and the Cont got a 2nd but did not feel like a winner.

 

[306maxi]

Although.., if when purchasing your 500 TA you could have 85bhp or 100bhp for £300 difference, which would you go for?

I wouldn't try to go the cheaters way about it

 

[306maxi]

Toyo T1R
Tragic really – when those that “swear by them” actually believe that’s all there is to it.

Toyo submit their wet grip rating for the T1R to be Class-E (1.10 ≤ G ≤ 1.24) within the EU system. That equates to Class-D (1.10 ≤ G ≤ 1.24) within the JATMA system - although I’ve yet to catch sight of a T1R JATMA label (anyone?). Class-D being the lowest JATMA wet grip class.

130423

Perhaps some people make their decisions based on more than wet grip ratings? Personally I wouldn't put T1-R's on my 500 because of the load rating being wrong, but if Jason is happy with them then that says a lot about them, more than the opinion of someone whose only opinion of the T1-R is garnered from google.....


2315326415641562132156545645632132156416x213631516156=lots

 

[306maxi]

Which fits, really.

It has strong torque low down, but is a little breathless higher up like most standard turbocharged engines. That's why it's such a hoot to drive around towns and cities, as you don't need to work it tremendously hard to get the jump on people and nip into gaps etc.

I tell you what's even better, a Panda 4x4, no need to worry about wheelspin, you can pull out into the smallest of gaps

 

[Andy Monty]

what is more scary is the well known brands are rating their tyres better in wet than a t1r when real life driving you find they are worse

Ive wondered what the official test is for this.....

as things like the cars weight / distribution / suspension set up can all affect braking in general ... Is there a international standardised test for these charts.. Or is it like the Emissions rating which is prone to been err Nobbled

 

[306maxi]

Ive wondered what the official test is for this.....

as things like the cars weight / distribution / suspension set up can all affect braking in general ... Is there a international standardised test for these charts.. Or is it like the Emissions rating which is prone to been err Nobbled

I suspect that it's less in tyre manufacturers interests to cheat, because they're better off just making a good tyre and getting you to come back time and time again for tyres than.

 

[dave]

Ive wondered what the official test is for this.....

as things like the cars weight / distribution / suspension set up can all affect braking in general ... Is there a international standardised test for these charts.. Or is it like the Emissions rating which is prone to been err Nobbled

it seems to be put what you like and hope not to be sued


Bridgestone, Kumho, Goodyear, Continental and the European Commission are saying the cloud of rain bit is for wet grip, michelin, pirelli are saying its for wet braking. the 2 things are not the same a tyre that stops in the wet in a straight line wont always go the way you want it to cornering or on a roundabout.

 

[Andy Monty]

I suspect that it's less in tyre manufacturers interests to cheat, because they're better off just making a good tyre and getting you to come back time and time again for tyres than.

Think that doesn't happen any-more or at least not as much I'd take a random guess that the biggest factor for a good 75% of motorists stood at the desk in kwickfit is "whats the cheapest tyre that you have that will fit"



Another bug is these "eco" tyres........


My evo was supplied with "Eco tyres" look at the fuel rating ... They are able to emboss what ever clap trap they want on the side walls.....

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rs..._pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=So


And it also explains why they offer no confidence in the wet

 

[Caravadossi]

Perhaps some people make their decisions based on more than wet grip ratings? Personally I wouldn't put T1-R's on my 500 because of the load rating being wrong, but if Jason is happy with them then that says a lot about them, more than the opinion of someone whose only opinion of the T1-R is garnered from google.....


2315326415641562132156545645632132156416x213631516156=lots

Clearly in all the excitement of taking a pot-shot you’ve failed to grasp the important opinion point.

The opinion held by those who “swear by” the T1R is in contrast to that held by … (wait-for-it) … the manufacturer, Toyo!

130424

 

[306maxi]

And you've failed to grasp that no one competent is saying that the Toyo's are the nearest tyre in the wet

16484726374994938262561884847473937363838