N Spec tyres

cbonetti · Aug 21, 2005

Hi
I was cleaning my car today in preperation for the festival next week and had a closer look at the spec of my tyres.
It is a 993 TTS and has Asimmetrico N2s at the front, with Asimmetrico N3s at the back.
From reading the Tech Articles I noticed that it said that the same spec should be used all round.
Does this mean I need to buy 2 new tyres to sync the specs? If that is the case should I upgrade the N2s to 3s or the other way round?

Mark_Bennett · Aug 22, 2005

-->This article<-- explains N-spec tyres as good as any. It may be the one you've read.

I thought the Pirellis Asimmetrico's were normally fitted to the back on Porsches, with Direzionale's fittted to the front (if you can still get them...)? This was known as the "P-Zero System".

This was certainly the case with post-993 models.

You can only get Direzionale (n-spec) patterns in 205/55 ZR16TL 91N3 is that the right size for your model?

-->Pirelli Tyres<--

38F3E1 · Aug 22, 2005

The P-Zero System was either Asimmetrico at the rear and Direzionale at the front or Asimetrico front and back.

Ian.

sailor · Aug 22, 2005

Check.
My 1997 tt has Assimetrico all round N2. Dont think it matters about the N2 or 3 so long as all four are the same tread.
JohnC
993 turbo

Taverner · Aug 22, 2005

Reply to cbonetti

Hi,

Some months ago I needed new rears, but the fronts were still well legal. Pirelli no longer make N2"˜s, so I had no choice but to go for N3 or N4. Chose N3 Asimmetrico for the rears since they are the Pirelli recommend by Porsche.

I know this is not the correct route and that you should have the same N number all round, but with quite a lot of tread on the front I thought I would keep them going a little longer.
After the change, i.e. N2 front N3 rear I have the feeling that the car has became a little less stable in a straight line, but is fine when the fronts are loaded when changing direction.

To my mind there are three reasons for this, maybe someone has more:
One: The different N numbers.
Two: The tracking and corner weighing needs to be checked and perhaps adjusted.
Three: Not only the different N numbers, but the front tyres are still the original. Before anyone takes me to task for this and age of tyres I have talked to many tyre suppliers on this very point and the general opinion seems to be, that provided there is NO damage to the tyre or tyre wall, then the tyre is OK. However my feeling now is that perhaps a tyre does degrade with age and becomes less pliable and therefore looses some of its performance and grip capability.

Even if still not legally required I will put new Pirellis N3's on the front and then have the tracking done. Should I fit Direczionale's or Assimetricos on the front? Originally had assimetricos all round.

Guest · Aug 22, 2005

ORIGINAL: Taverner

Even if still not legally required I will put new Pirellis N3's on the front and then have the tracking done. Should I fit Direczionale's or Assimetricos on the front? Originally had assimetricos all round.

I think it depends on the kind of driving and in what conditions. I would use Direczionales if you drive your car frequently in wet weather. They are designed to "clear a path" for the Assymetricos which were not designed with water evacuation as a priority. If dry weather use are the primary driving conditions, then Assimetricos will provide a stickier combination.

I run Direczionales + Assimetricos and find they are an excellent combination in varied road conditions - if not in ultimate dry weather adhesion. Assimetricos front and back will most likely provide much greater pure dry weather traction and less resulting understeer.