Falken RT660: recommendations for 18x11 Apex wheels

[palsmith]

I track a 2013 Brembo GT; remounted a set of 295/40-18 Falken RT660 tires on Apex 18x11 wheels in 2023. I have another set of identical wheel with 305 Pirelli slicks. The 295/40 tires match the diameter of the slicks and give a little more ground clearance on the street. My question for the group is if I went to a 315/30-18 tire, is that a significant improvement in grip on the same size wheel? They are 25.6" diameter vs the 27.4" diameter of the 295/40 tires.

thanks

 

[xr7]

I track a 2013 Brembo GT; remounted a set of 295/40-18 Falken RT660 tires on Apex 18x11 wheels in 2023. I have another set of identical wheel with 305 Pirelli slicks. The 295/40 tires match the diameter of the slicks and give a little more ground clearance on the street. My question for the group is if I went to a 315/30-18 tire, is that a significant improvement in grip on the same size wheel? They are 25.6" diameter vs the 27.4" diameter of the 295/40 tires.

thanks

I'm going to be testing that combo soon. I've been running 295/40-18's, Falken 615's and 660's on Apex 18 x 11's. Getting 315/30-18's installed Thursday. It will be interesting to see what the results will be. I run autocross. Fit and clearance to be determined. Biggest issue I think I'm going to be dealing with is additional gear changes. Probably going to lose about 4 mph off the top of second gear. May need additional negative camber to keep the tires clear of the fenders out front and curious to see how tight the rear fender clearance will be.

 

[Duane Black]

I had about 2-3 seconds a lap improvement over a 3 mile track with a proper Michelin TCR take off slick vs. 200 TW Bridgestone RE71R or most any other 200 tw tire I ever threw at the car. I'm not sure if your Pirelli is a like a slick marketed to the public or the racecar slick

 

[palsmith]

Sorry I think my post was confusing. I need to buy a new set of street tires and I am leaning towards the Falken RT660. Just wondering if a 315/30 is a significant difference over a 295/40 for my 18x11 wheels.

 

[Duane Black]

Google "rt660 delamination issues" before you buy one.... its kind of a "play stupid game, get stupid prize" thing at this point

 

[Bill Pemberton]

This was reported 3-4 years back, but there does not seem to be an issue anymore with the RT660s. Watching Jonathan Blevins hammer his GT 500 around the track in Hastings ( MPH ) at the Mustang Roundup , he seems to run with right with guys who have used race rubber. Oh, yeh, I forgot that his Ultimate Street Car winning beast is boasting 700-800 HP so that might help also.

Used race rubber ( Michelin or Pirelli ) is super quick and easily on par or even a little quicker than a set of A7s.

 

[Duane Black]

This was reported 3-4 years back, but there does not seem to be an issue anymore with the RT660s. Watching Jonathan Blevins hammer his GT 500 around the track in Hastings ( MPH ) at the Mustang Roundup , he seems to run with right with guys who have used race rubber. Oh, yeh, I forgot that his Ultimate Street Car winning beast is boasting 700-800 HP so that might help also.

Used race rubber ( Michelin or Pirelli ) is super quick and easily on par or even a little quicker than a set of A7s.

I have eye-witness accounts going back to as short as late last year of tires that weren't older runs....

Play a stupid game, get a stupid prize as far as I'm concerned....

I'd look at the Continental Extreme Contact Sport or the Kumho V730(?) long before I look into buying a Falken.....

 

[Bill Pemberton]

No need to be rude Mr. Black. If the individual is looking for a competitive tire he might want to simply go to TireRack and peruse the 11 tire tests for his needs, as well as the tires that fit his wheels. Mr. Blevins and Sam Strano seem to have done fairly well using Falkens for a small example. After 42 years playing on tracks and autocrossing, and having been sponsored at times by BFG, Yokohama, Hoosier , Michelin, and Toyo, I could list issues almost all of them have incurred and in virtually all cases the concerns were addressed, though maybe not as quick as consumers/racers would want.

 

[Duane Black]

Falken is also, I think, the only company with a contingency. They've also been spotty about everything from replacing the tire, no questions, to blaming it on you for running too low PSI. I dont intend to be rude. Its just a "caveat emptor." It seems like every month in racing season, someone who didn't know the issues buys the tires and posts how shocked they are it came apart.

 

[Bugs]

Just one more data point regarding the Falken RT660's. Last month, I installed my second set of RT660's for a two day event at Laguna Seca. I have seen no issues with either set (so far).

 

[Tim.ocon]

I'm going to be testing that combo soon. I've been running 295/40-18's, Falken 615's and 660's on Apex 18 x 11's. Getting 315/30-18's installed Thursday. It will be interesting to see what the results will be. I run autocross. Fit and clearance to be determined. Biggest issue I think I'm going to be dealing with is additional gear changes. Probably going to lose about 4 mph off the top of second gear. May need additional negative camber to keep the tires clear of the fenders out front and curious to see how tight the rear fender clearance will be.

How did you like the RT660s vs the RT615s. I’m considering both of them for a autoX and HPD tire

 

[Duane Black]

its in every way superior to the 615 series

 

[Bill Pemberton]

Back to Black ..................for AC ( autocross ) to DC ( daytime cruising ) Duane is correct the RT 660 is the way to go , huge improvement over the 615 in my estimation.

 

[Tim.ocon]

Back to Black ..................for AC ( autocross ) to DC ( daytime cruising ) Duane is correct the RT 660 is the way to go , huge improvement over the 615 in my estimation.

And when comparing the RT660 to something like the Kumho V730 and the BFG G-Force Rival 1.5s how would you say they hold up. I really want something that won’t be eaten up by a few track days

 

[xr7]

How did you like the RT660s vs the RT615s. I’m considering both of them for a autoX and HPD tire

660's are definitely better then the 615's, one minor benefit is the 615 is non directional so I got a lot of use out them by rotating after every event.
Haven't had a chance to run the 315-30-18's yet, this coming Sunday if my back settles down.

 

[Tim.ocon]

660's are definitely better then the 615's, one minor benefit is the 615 is non directional so I got a lot of use out them by rotating after every event.
Haven't had a chance to run the 315-30-18's yet, this coming Sunday if my back settles down.

Would you say that being able to rotate the 615 would make it last longer. I am at the point that tires are not the limiting factor on lap times

edit : longer then the 660s

 

[xr7]

Would you say that being able to rotate the 615 would make it last longer. I am at the point that tires are not the limiting factor on lap times

edit : longer then the 660s

Hard to say, I did run the 615's for four years, the last year was too long. I run autocross only and very limited street mileage. 8-12 events a year. One place we run at is really hard on tires.
I only got two seasons out of the 660's. Unfortunately its hard to gage tire performance, no two layouts are the same so comparing times is worthless. My main gage of performance is time difference between me and class leader. I run in CAM C.

 

[Tim.ocon]

Hard to say, I did run the 615's for four years, the last year was too long. I run autocross only and very limited street mileage. 8-12 events a year. One place we run at is really hard on tires.
I only got two seasons out of the 660's. Unfortunately its hard to gage tire performance, no two layouts are the same so comparing times is worthless. My main gage of performance is time difference between me and class leader. I run in CAM C.

I started this season running STU and I think I’m going to switch to CAM C. In my area autocross is very limited so I’m probably not going to get more then 5 events a year. I’ve talked to a few people locally who have run the 660 and have had all good things to say about it

 

[xr7]

I started this season running STU and I think I’m going to switch to CAM C. In my area autocross is very limited so I’m probably not going to get more then 5 events a year. I’ve talked to a few people locally who have run the 660 and have had all good things to say about it

My tire guy thinks rotating the 660's would be OK as long as you don't run them in the reverse direction if rain is a possibility.

 

[Tim.ocon]

My tire guy thinks rotating the 660's would be OK as long as you don't run them in the reverse direction if rain is a possibility.

I had considered flipping them on the rim just because what I’ve heard they don’t like being run backwards but I also haven’t tried it myself