Help Me Choose A Federal Tyre

[NYTSKY]

Hi all,

Im trying to pick a tyre from the Federal range. I have two options:

Federal SS-595 255/40 R17 96W

* Low profile sidewalls for ultimate performance

* Excellent comfort characteristics

* Uni-directional tread patter

* Flange protector for alloy rims

* Affordable price

* ZR and VR speed rated

Federal 595 RS 235/40 ZR17 90W TW

New, semi-slick, sport competition 595RS - designed for exceptional traction and grip. Cutting-edge technological advances in design, construction, pattern and compounds. Best performance in its class - a street legal competition tire with the characteristics of a slick.

* Evenly dispersed block stiffness, same level of stiffness in the center and the shoulder for stronger grip and traction, prevents irregular wear

* Uni-directional V-shaped main groove enhances streamline form and also improves aquaplaning ability at high speeds. Wide-angled grooves increase block stiffness, further enhancing tire's grip and traction

* Engraved pattern name along the groove creates an exquisite product image

* Sub-grooves on the shoulder disperse block stiffness, improving ride comfort, grip and traction

* Complete block stiffness provides excellent lateral stability in cornering

Now the SS-595 is a high performance street tyre with a width of 255. While the 595RS is a semi slick but with a width of only 235.

Would the extra width of the SS be better than getting the RS?

They will be going on a set of 17x8.5 wheels for the track.

[br3ndan]

take the RS if ur doing track

Im running 595 ss on my r33 gts t. only 6 or 7 months old... and they are shit for grip. especially in the wet.

Im running 235 at front and 255 at back, even with the extra width fails to hold under high load/revving/boost.

Cant imagine running SS on track... waste ur time and fuel.

Not sure on RS never used them b4, but i have heard good things.

Edited June 18, 2008 by br3ndan

[mesmerized]

just bought a full set of federal RS 235/45/17 for my r33 gtst. so far so good, traction isn't an issue with 280rwkw. taking it to the wakie track day this saturday, i'll let you know how they perform there shortly

[NYTSKY]

That would be great. Can you tell me how much you paid for the set and where you got them?

PM me if you like.

[Beer Baron]

why does it have to be federals? there are plenty of other tyre options out there, and to be honest the federals haven't impressed me all that much, except that they are dirt cheap.

[mesmerized]

That would be great. Can you tell me how much you paid for the set and where you got them?

PM me if you like.

PM sent

[NYTSKY]

why does it have to be federals? there are plenty of other tyre options out there, and to be honest the federals haven't impressed me all that much, except that they are dirt cheap.

Cheap,yes they are. just wanted to get peoples opinions of them,especially the RS ones.

[FineLine]

I've been using the R's for quite some time now and IMO they rok. No they are not capable of the same lap times as some of the more fancied semi's available but they are unpteen times more durable and are still streets ahead of any street tyre for grip.

I would rate them in between good street rubber and high end semi's for grip And with 16000 kays, several track days and other sheanigans on board mine are still going strong.

Definitely one of the better compromise tyres out there considering the cost versus performance versus durability.

[BHDave]

The 235/45-17 rs cost almost as much as a 235/45-17 RE55. If you have a set of track only rims you will be a lot happier with the re55 (as in once you figure out how to drive around wakefield properly about 3 seconds a lap happier)

I have 225 RS's on the front of mine for street duty and the occasional wet track day where they are excellent but as soon as the dry line appears the re55's go on as they are that much grippier.

Another thing worth considering is the deeper tread depth of the street tyre, smaller tread blocks and softer sidewall don't feel very nice when you are really pushing and you tend to melt/feather the edges of the blocks a lot easier too. You will probably overheat the tyre so grip falls away further, it will happen sooner in the street tyre than the proper semi.

i wouldn't even consider the SS for anything other than street duties.