GS-D3's a preliminary report:
Let me start by saying this, why GM does not put these tires as standard equipment on the GXP or at least makes it an option is a bit concerning, specially since the GoodYear dealer tells me the price difference between the 2 is just $10.00 more for the GS-D3's, now for the report.
The car is back to the same feeling that I had with my 1st 1K with the GS-D3 on it, but better because of the GXP power.
Where the GS2's brake out and give you the feeling you are skipping on the pavement, the GS-D3's get themselves planted to where it shows the wear on the outside lip of the tire(the tire flexes), where the GS2's do not, either the construction of this tire(GS2's) is to stiff, or the compound on the GS-D3's is better, both tires were run at 29 psi.
In other words the GS2's give up where the GS-D3's keep on biting, also and maybe is me, but the car does not seem to experience as much body roll.
The GS2's maybe Ultra High performance Summer but they are no where near, what the GS-D3's on the same car can feel like, is like all of a sudden you are driving a different car.
Just like Krazed Kanary called them "Rockhard-Flintstone"
is the way I would describe our GS2's.
With the GS-D3's, it is back to that go cart feel, but with a lot more confident when applying more power.
I can imaging this car will feel even better with a set of autocross tires, when members start doing some solo runs.
Most of the testing was done using 90 degree turns, others applying power as you entered the turn, to see how far and at what speed into the turn the tires would brake loose.
PS: ALL the test were done with tracksion control off and ECS off.
__________________ Aggressive GXP at $25,995.00 shipping of $600, Manual Transmission.
Options:
Air, $960; Chrome Wheels, $545; PCQ, Premium Package (Leather), $525; Radio, 6-Disc with MP3, $495; Monsoon, $395; Premium Acoustic Headliner, $150; and Sport Metallic Pedals, $115; all totals $29,180.00. No XM/OnStar and NO Spoiler. MODS (RKSport/Magnaflow dual exit exhaust system, K&N filter, Ventureshield.
First 1000. Aggressive with everything, NO XM/OnStar. SOLD
~~~~~~~ NASSOA
Founding member
~~~~~~~
Last edited by LatinVenom : 01-25-2007 at 02:29 PM.
Thanks for the update, Uncle Sam will be buying mine (tax refund)
__________________ Red Bull Drift Team 2008
Solo Mach and High Flow Cat
Dejon Intercooler, Intake Elbow, BOV spring
Wester's Garage RACE tune II
JPM custom shifter.
Barney Juice with Militec-1
GM Auto-dimming mirror with OnStar and maplights
Rhys Millen Racing, RMR Style Bar. Peak RWHP 286.3, Peak Torque 313 ft/lbs.
SSR Type C wheels, Bridgestone Potenza RE-01's
DDM Works PINK Breastplate
Every available Option including On*Star
2.5" Stubby Black Antenna
Lil' Chromies
Solstice License Plate Frame (not really a mod)
Norms Fenders
Holes in front bumper from plate bracket (custom)
Solo Hi Flow Cat/ 3in dual exhaust
Kappa Intake
Having done an autocross on Hoosier A6's in my RL, I can tell you that the "stick" is AMAZING. But it also accentuates the inherent initial understeer that Kappas have. Some more front negative camber is in order - maybe another 1/2 to 3/4 degree.
__________________ Redline (pre-halt), Pearl, Black/Red
complete option list except auto, 3" MF cat-back,
painted calipers, owner installed power lock buttons
I have a NA Sol and have managed to spin the car three times (twice in the same corner) on the junk RSA’s. Problem is I don’t drive it that much and find it hard to take off tires with good tread to put on good rubber. Nobody wants to by these tires as take off’s so
it’s a real dilemma for me.
__________________
Future so bright I have to wear shades!!!
Mean GXP (VIN 117835 11/06 )
Name: Growler
Name: Growler (Vin #4878) Traded for Mean GXP 3/19/07
Mean, dark side, ebony leather w/red stiching, LSD, ABS, AC, Monsoon 6CD changer, mats , headliner, stability control, XM, power pkg., convenience pkg., chrome wheels, sport peddles, Fiam Air Horns, Magnaflow, De-badged, shortened waste gate rod mod.
Garage Mates: 2005 Yamaha FJR1300, 2003 Yukon w/K&N CAI, 2003 Honda CRV
Thanks Latin, I've been hoping you would report. I'm very happy to hear that they meet with your approval. We all know how important having correct tires is to you. Can't wait to get my go-cart back. I hate to waste rubber, but when the weather changes for the better up here in RI I will have to replace my factory rubber with them. What do you estimate for mileage for the life of the GS-D3's on our GXPs if used on the street only? -bird
Location: Wilds of Canada, or the Pac NW, or the Upper Penninsula of MI...
Not surprised at all, LV. I have found out (from experience) that the GS-2s on the GXP/RedLine get around in the snow very well (almost as good as the RS-A - which means there is more dry and wet grip that could have been gotten. My limited experience on GSD3s on a GXP and on a handful of base SKY/Solstices is similar to your extended experiences. Glad to see you found a tire to your liking.
The Bridgestone RE050A pole position is also another great tire, and tirerack has some great recommendations in addition.
I'm sure making it an option complicates things. Making it standard might turn off other customers that live in areas that get some snow. I understand the plant space utilized is small, and tuning things like ESC and ABS are usually done so they work properly with all the components of the system from the engine to the tires. Change the tires, and the poor guys tuning the active handling systems get more work...
Not surprised at all, LV. I have found out (from experience) that the GS-2s on the GXP/RedLine get around in the snow very well (almost as good as the RS-A
Which I believe is the real reason for the choice ....
__________________ #118042 11/18/06 GXP Mean Darkside loaded wo On-Star
MODS: ED IC Pipes, Dejon IC, Magnaflow Catback
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pontiac builds excitement... Saturn has rethought it's image...
The time has come for the enthusiasts... NASSOA
Founding Member - Recording Secretary - Northeast ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you recall, I had F1's put on my NA as soon as it came in (Goodyear dealer took the RSA's in trade). Just picked up my GXP a month ago and had them swap my F1s for the stock tire (only had 1003 miles on 'em). Your report is right on...the F1s are superior in every way, except snow (but who needs that here in Southwest Florida). Thanks for the report.
SM,
The GS2's are designated as Ultra peformance summer tire so I would think they do not do snow to well, and GoodYear has the ratings of 1 point different between the 2 tires when it comes to wet and dry but that is not realy the case.
Bird, for street driving I would think they would be somewhat similar to the GS2's.
__________________ Aggressive GXP at $25,995.00 shipping of $600, Manual Transmission.
Options:
Air, $960; Chrome Wheels, $545; PCQ, Premium Package (Leather), $525; Radio, 6-Disc with MP3, $495; Monsoon, $395; Premium Acoustic Headliner, $150; and Sport Metallic Pedals, $115; all totals $29,180.00. No XM/OnStar and NO Spoiler. MODS (RKSport/Magnaflow dual exit exhaust system, K&N filter, Ventureshield.
First 1000. Aggressive with everything, NO XM/OnStar. SOLD
~~~~~~~ NASSOA
Founding member
~~~~~~~
Location: Wilds of Canada, or the Pac NW, or the Upper Penninsula of MI...
Quote:
Originally Posted by LatinVenom
SM,
The GS2's are designated as Ultra peformance summer tire so I would think they do not do snow to well, and GoodYear has the ratings of 1 point different between the 2 tires when it comes to wet and dry but that is not realy the case.
Bird, for street driving I would think they would be somewhat similar to the GS2's.
That may be the designation, however, my firsthand experience is that I personally will have zero issue with leaving the GS-2 on my own car all year round, even up to 3" snow.
Which means that there is much more dry and wet handling available if it were redesigned.
The designation of "ultra" or "max" is somewhat arbitrary. The designation of "all-season" is also semi-arbitrary, and have little to do with actual measured traction or grip of the tire itself. In the US, "all-season" designation is simply based on an assessment of the compound components used for the tire and a check of the tread pattern. However, there is a "snowflake/mountain" stamp that uses acutal snow traction requirements so if you buy a winter tire with this stamp, you know it has a minimum level of cold weather grip.
There is no analogous, objective criteria to do same for dry and wet performance designations (like "ultra" or "max" or "summer"). I've driven crappy performing (in the snow) Mud+Snow tires with decent dry and wet performance, and the GS-2 is kinda the opposite - OK dry, OK wet - surprising snow traction for what it is. I'd estimate it is very similar in the snow to the RS-A, and far superior in the snow than the Michelin Pilot Preceda on the MX-5 or the S2000's or Z4's Bridgestone Potenzas.
You're a brave soul driving in snow with gs-2's, i remember when an inch of snow fell and i still had my summer tires on my talon... after a 100 yards i came back and put my winter tires on
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pontiac builds excitement... Saturn has rethought it's image...
The time has come for the enthusiasts... NASSOA
Founding Member - Recording Secretary - Northeast ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
