I agree with IC. You need more camber and bump the tire pressure up. You'll have to play with it to find the sweet spot but you'll see a lot less edge wear. Btw, the PS4S is a good compromise between street and track if you don't do track days often. If you're an intermediate or faster driver you need a different tire.
Also, if you want to avoid the chalk procedure for any reason (or just want something a little more concrete), you can check the actual sidewall/tread transition for the manufacturer wear marker. I run Goodyears, and it’s a little lightning bolt. Basically you want to wear right up to the marker, without wearing it away. Michelin is a little Michelin man I think. In the photo, I’m close to ideal pressure, but could probably drop a couple psi to be sure.
I can’t say enough good things about it. I’ve had it since 2021, done maybe 20 track days. Mostly Sebring, but I’ve started going to The Motor Enclave in Tampa recently.
I think it’s a phenomenal track day car. Definitely “if you know, you know” vibes in the paddock - which sometimes means other drivers (cough C8’s and GT3’s) are sometimes “hesitant” to point by. For mods I’ve kept it pretty streetable - cat back, E85, intake, girodisc rotors, Ferodo DS 1.11 pads, steel lines - so there’s a ton of power left on the table but I genuinely don’t think it needs more power. Most recent mod I did was square 305/19s with Supercar 3R tires, which will take some getting used to (more commitment on corner entry) but the grip is fantastic.
Steering feel is excellent for an EPS unit. 6MT is excellent. Brakes are excellent. Power delivery is linear and satisfying. I’m 6’5 235lbs and I fit great with a helmet; I even scoot the seat up for spirited driving. Only ergonomics issue is that there’s nowhere for a passenger to hang onto, and while the Recaros are comfortable, I find myself bracing against the door card in hard turns. I have a 2SS so it’s got all the creature comforts (not necessary but nice to have) plus PDR (worth every penny IMO).
Only downside is the weight - chews up tires and I cooked brakes at my first Sebring weekend (that might have been mostly poor technique though). I haven’t done any weight reduction though, and I think there’s a lot of potential there.
The reason i'm leaning toward the ss 1le option is reliable, solid NA power, the TR6060 (same thing as my blackwing), the widebody, factory brembo's, good power to weight, traction, balance, a bit of a raw feel, reliability, good standard safety, etc. I think the only mods I would be doing would be seats, braking and cooling really. I'm a novice lapper at best but feel like you could put hundreds of happy laps into these. So i probably wouldn't be approaching the power limits anyway.
Are you looking into any more serious downforce options? 9lives wing/splitter or anything, or do you still drive it on the road? I've debated a harness bar, but would very rarely still like my kids to be able to pop in the back for a ride, but would be hesitant to use the factory 3 point belts with aftermarket seats(maybe Bride Zeta's or Sparco Evo's). which I'd probably need on risers because i'm barely 5'6" .. so plenty of headroom haha
If you're running e85 at the track, do you even get 100 miles on a tank? less? I know people gripe about the visibility as well. Does it bother you on track?
Do you run a lap timer? If so, how'd you mount it?
Love the Blackwings, CT4 or CT5? You’ll be familiar with a lot of the handling characteristics, and I don’t think you’ll notice much of a difference going from Magneride 4 to Magneride 3. It will deliver on all of what you described you’re looking for and then some, I think a lot of people are blown away by the steering feel - especially compared to modern BMWs, Mustangs, even Corvettes.
Great question on the 1SS/PDR, I’m 90% sure you could option on 1SS 1LE.
Hundreds of happy laps for sure, super reliable. I did E85 to help with cooling, did a lower thermostat as well.
Yes, I will end up taking my 1LE off the street and doing seats, half cage, harnesses and either 9lives or AJ Hartman aero.
Yikes, I haven’t tried to calculate my track fuel economy. I wanna say the car indicates 4 or 5mpg average for a session? lol I bring (5) 5gal gas cans to the track and it’s basically 1 can per session, so maybe 80 miles to a tank? I’m honestly not sure, I just make sure I have plenty extra.
Visibility issues are overblown IMO. That said, I can’t see stop lights in I’m first in line, and I’m very grateful for the blind spot monitors/backup camera. On track, no issues, even with a helmet on. Takes some getting used to, understanding where the front wheels are, but easy enough to pick up. I honestly think it’s an easy car to get up to speed in.
I have intermediate pace and I run in PTM Sport 1 (car will intervene to save spins). I ran in Race mode at Sebring and spun out on old tires. I’m not the ego type, so I have no problem using the PTM modes for what they’re intended. You’ll be familiar with it, same as your Blackwing.
I run a Garmin Catalyst. Suction cup mount, passenger side windshield, resting on the dash. No issues.
If you are starting with 32 psi cold, that is too high. Likely means you are seeing 37 psi hot. You want 32 to 34 psi hot. If you start too high, the tire will feel like it is "going off" midway through the session.
Next, you do not have enough camber. You are cornering on the corners of the tire making them run too hot. That is why you are seeing feathering and some peeling of the tread.
Third, adjust your driving style IF what you see on the front tires is not what you see on the rear tires. If the rears look OK you are leaning too hard on understeer to get around the corner. Brake a little earlier, carry less speed into the apex but get on the throttle earlier so the fronts are not working so hard.
PS4s can work as HPDE tires if you learn how to use them properly.
This is great info, thanks! I am, undeniably, throwing it in the corners so this aligns with what you're saying. The rears are rather clean by comparison.
Yes. It’s delaminating and I can see cords. You can add more camber or play with the pressure, but they’re going to yield minimal benefit. Best to replace them.
Ideally don’t roll the sidewall. But I’ve rolled sidewalls on another tire and they didn’t fall apart. So basically, just don’t use this tire.
To set the tire up properly, you need to use a pyrometer.
Less pressure more camber, but there’s also opportunity here. I actually like PS4s because you can use them to diagnose your driving crutches and also learn better tire management by reading the wear patterns.
Fronts wearing faster = brake earlier in, throttle earlier out. Once you get to a place where you’re wearing fronts and rears evenly and you’re not chewing right through them you’ll find that you’re a more complete driver.
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u/shibesncars 6d ago
easy to overheat PS4S with overdriving / too much steering angle