This post is a bit tricky to me due to the fact it has specifically to do with performance and handling and suspension, but is really about tires. So, if it needs to be moved I leave that to the infinite wisdom of our mods.

Not sure how many have heard about these. New "style design" of tires which specifically incorperates camber into the manufacturing. My understanding is that currently, the camber is limited to approximately 2 degrees. There is indication this may be something that can be altered/specified in the future when ordering a set for you vehicle. I sent a basic inquiry to Optima about a set of 18" tires and got an email from the owner, John Scott as follows.

"John Scott here & thankyou for your interest in the future of tires! Your size request is one we DO make : ) However we have limited quantities on hand and magazines are eating them up quick! We are doing a production run soon and I would love to have you on them and really thankyou for your feedback which we do infact want! We already know what your feedback will be but every single customer we get on them is more excellent first hand word of mouth to help spread the word. The Retail pricing is $300 each in that size and two different compounds are available.

YES, your alignment MUST be adjusted!!! Add the amount of additional camber that these tires give and remove the toe in and your set!

Thnx John Scott"

Here is the address for their current website: www.cambertire.com

I do want to be clear, I am not advocating, soliciting, or trying to advertise for these tires. I believed posting this would envoke some great discussion about impressions and thoughts. My initial thought....WAY outta my price range!

Additionally, one of the reasons I included the email I recieved is because it has some information about what a person needs to do differently when having their vehicle aligned with these tires. That was the only question I could come up with....I'm sure others who are more performance and suspension minded will have droves more......SO LET'S HEAR IT.

 

$300 each

 

Camber tires are hella flush approved.

 

I take it these would just be for autocross? I'm sure the DOT would not approve them.......?

 

Optima Sports was VERY clear that these ARE DOT approved. They go so far as bragging that they got the tires approved the first time....further stating that even senior manufacturers of new tires sometime do not get their tires DOT approved the first time.

There was a video somewhere featuring a late night talk show host....not David Letterman...the other guy! They showed the tires being run on a new Mitsibishi all over city streets. Suppose they could only do that with DOT approved tires?

They claim that these tires are more comfortable and more stable then standard "90* tires." Of course it's a marketing and investor ploy, but they claim that these tires will be standard on all vehicles. I also read (I think on their website) they are developing a 3" wide camber tire for a zero emmisions vehicle or something.....to reduce rolling resistance while improving ride quality as well as stability.

Assuming proper alignment, these tires are "supposed" to wear just like normal tires due to their design.

 

Hmm. Interesting concept. Awaiting more objective results...

...but part of me wonders if you want some camber just dial it into your alignment?

 

SCCA requires DOT approval (at least for *S, ST* & *SP classes), so that shouldn't be surprising.

I think the best part of their argument is:


For further reading: http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/410825.aspx

 

Nice find.

I still find myself scratching my head though about what one is to do if you cannot adjust camber on a car (either front or rear or both) in order to run these tires? Does that equal uneven wear on the tire, stress on the suspension, or both? (Insert >>HERE<< fact I have little to no knowledge about suspensions geometry and stuff.)