Kumho Ecsta R's NEW MODEL V70A

[finboy]

Looks like Kumho has done some changes with the Ecsta V700's

the new model is called V70A

same tire? But a new compound
(old)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+V700

(new)
//www.tiretrends.com/catalog2.php3?tireID=364

anyone else got info?


finboy

[Marsh]

Damn it! Now I don't know what tire to buy again!

[GregR]

I'm pretty sure the name is different because of the country. I've noticed that the US suppliers call it the V700, whereas the Canadian suppliers call it the V70A. Sadly, I can't get into the Kumho Korea page (www.kumhotire.com) to find out what Asia gets.

[finboy]

Trent
Second gear
Member # 9056

posted 15. January 2003 13:59
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have had the opportunity to drive on both the Ecsta & Victo - at full tread depth, no doubt the Victo has sharper turn-in response. It's more a function of tread block design versus the slightily stiffer construction of the Ecsta in this case. If the "Ecsta" is shaved to 4/32nd (which is highily recomended by Kuhmo) the transitional response improves significantily.

Sidewinder is correct, the softer compound (KA6 molded on the sidewall) became available early last year.

Chris


this dude works for tirerack...

has anyone seen KA6 indicated on the new tires?

[GregR]

I though we were talking Ecsta V700 compared to Ecsta V70A. Yeah, the V700 branding alone is misleading since there's both an Ecsta V700 and Victoracer V700, and those two are definately different tires. I think we're trying to determine of the Ecsta V700 is the same thing as the Ecsta V70A. Oy, too many tires.

[finboy]

ok now i'm totally screw'd....

why do they say "new... coming this spring"


V70A Autocross/Road Race Tire
COMING THIS SPRING

The V70A is a DOT-approved Competition Racing tire that provides extreme traction and unequaled handling characteristics. The V70A outlasts other brands which makes it a great value.

1. ARC compounding technology for superior traction and handling.
2. Minimum tread grooving for ultimate cornering power.
3. Asymmetric tread pattern for efficient water evacuation on damp track surfaces.
4. Two durable nylon cap plies give high speed stability and resistance to centrifugal forces.
5. High ply turn-up and additional nylon reinforcement provides stiff sidewall construction.



Warranty: Manufacture's defects and materials


UTQG: 50 AA A

[Marsh]

Originally posted by finboy
ok now i'm totally screw'd....

why do they say "new... coming this spring"


V70A Autocross/Road Race Tire
COMING THIS SPRING

The V70A is a DOT-approved Competition Racing tire that provides extreme traction and unequaled handling characteristics. The V70A outlasts other brands which makes it a great value.

1. ARC compounding technology for superior traction and handling.
2. Minimum tread grooving for ultimate cornering power.
3. Asymmetric tread pattern for efficient water evacuation on damp track surfaces.
4. Two durable nylon cap plies give high speed stability and resistance to centrifugal forces.
5. High ply turn-up and additional nylon reinforcement provides stiff sidewall construction.
UTQG: 50 AA A

OK that sounds like a rebadged V700 Ecsta, which I found WAY too soft a construction. I thought you were saying that it was different than the V700 Ecsta from last year.

[Marsh]

Aha! I just checked my old tires. They are clearly stamped V70A, so they are the same tire. They are also stamped with K8A compound. My compound held up fine, it's the side wall that I hated.

[finboy]

Originally posted by Marsh
Aha! I just checked my old tires. They are clearly stamped V70A, so they are the same tire. They are also stamped with K8A compound. My compound held up fine, it's the side wall that I hated.

ok.. now that were all screw'd up... sorrry guys..

did you say K8A is stamped or K6A?

nothing like having similar names, now similar characters


dt

[Marsh]

Definitely K8A on mine.

[Dave Barker]

K8A is the old compound and K6A is the newer compound. On my heavy car ( 3500 lb Camaro) I much preferred and was faster on the Victoracers than the Ecstas, both in the older compound. It is very unlikely I will buy Ecstas again. Kind of reminds you of Yokohama with the 008 RS which was definitely faster than the newer 032 R Advan , so much so that one of the Canadian distributors ran 008s but sold 032s.

[Marsh]

Originally posted by Dave Barker
K8A is the old compound and K6A is the newer compound. On my heavy car ( 3500 lb Camaro) I much preferred and was faster on the Victoracers than the Ecstas, both in the older compound. It is very unlikely I will buy Ecstas again. Kind of reminds you of Yokohama with the 008 RS which was definitely faster than the newer 032 R Advan , so much so that one of the Canadian distributors ran 008s but sold 032s.

Same thing. With the 3000lb Prelude I just couldn't find the right settup, but some guys I know with 2000lb cars love the Ecsta. I'm going back to the Victoracer.

[finboy]

Originally posted by Dave Barker
K8A is the old compound and K6A is the newer compound.

Thanks Dave B

[rainman]

The Ecsta's are the worst I've ever used :mad:

Although I was posting similar times on the Ecstas vs. Victos, the Ecstas blistered like crazy on the outside shoulder, even with a lot of neg. camber and plenty tire pressure in a matter of no time. Needless to say I'll be back on the Victoracers this year.

[Bubblecar]

As a Solo sponsor - Kumho will always get my benefit of a doubt . . .

But - Last year many regional and club racers tried the Ecsta's - and many (myself included) were very disappointed with abnormal wear.

I was given explanations about camber, setup, heat cycling, pressures, etc, etc, - but the tires chunked and wore worse than any other brand I have ever tried.

I think there was some press last year about the Ecsta's using a different compound than they were designed for - and Kumho didn't admit this until countless drivers had spent (and perhaps wasted) a lot of time and money.

Notwithstanding my great appreciation of their Solo sponsorship - they really shot themselves in the foot. It will be a challenge for Kumho to regain their past popularity and trust.

(On a final note - I DO use and am happy with Kumho's on my 4 x 4 pickup truck - and they are a fine tire. So to support one of our sponsors, try their street tires as opposed to R compounds.)

[Marsh]

I thought that was narrowed down to an early season compound change. My Ecstas wore as well as the Victoracers I had. They did some weird things at the beginning that looked like they were going to fail, but they never did.

[finboy]

do you know if you guys were runing the 6 or the 8 compund?

Marshall was running on the K8A's... how bout you guys?

[Brent]

I used the Ecsta V700/V70a with the K8A compound for two solo1's and a bunch of solo2's. I did not have any wear problems and I drove on them to some of the solo2's. I changed suspension setups when I bought the Ecstas so I can't really compare them to the Victoracers that I had before.

[Marsh]

I believe there was another short lived compound before the K8A, because I remeber someone posting here about a way to determine the manufacture date of your tire. Anything made after Dec 2001 was supposed to be fine.

[GregR]

Not to beat a dead horse or anything, but does this cute little pic I found on Kumho-Europe's web page help? Looks like K6H is a way softer compound than the K8A, which may need a significantly higher pressure to work well.

Application
Pattern
Compound Choice

Forest Rally
R700
K7A MEDIUM > SOFT
K9A HARD

Tarmac Rally
V70A
K6H SOFT
K8A MEDIUM > HARD

CO3
K6J VERY SOFT
K6H SOFT
K8S MEDIUM > HARD

Circuit Racing
V70A
K8A MEDIUM > HARD (175/60HR13 only)
K9A HARD

S700 Slick
K7A MEDIUM > SOFT
K8A MEDIUM > HARD
K9E MEDIUM > HARD
K9A HARD


http://www.kumhomotorsport.com/images/graph_race_rally_comp.jpg

[Marsh]

The compound in questiong is KA6, not K6H.

[roooo]

but hey ... why can't we get those other compounds? poor Canada ...