sorta off topic, but since we are talking abt tires, maybe someone can help...
about the avons mentioned, are they R compounds?
>>>This sort of question really should be posed within the context of a new thread, rather than randomly dropped in here. That's because in the future, it will be very difficult to look back with the search function and find what might be said here about this unrelated topic, and also because people who may have valuable input for you might not be reading this particular thread.
Having said that, with respect to your question, they are dedicated vintage race tires that happen to be nominally road-legal. "R compound" sounds like marketing hype; you know how in the past few years, whenever a ricer manufacturer wants to impress the kids, he slaps an "R" onto whatever he's selling, i.e. the Honda Civic Type R, and so forth. If you are thinking along those same lines with respect to tires, then yes, one could say that the Avons are an "R compound".
also, im thinking of going to 17" wheels with pilot sports, 335 in the rears and 275s up front. will this setup grip better than the avons or no?
>>>In a word, no. However, the tires you are talking about may be optimized for dry weather work, but they are at least functional in the wet. By all reports, the Avons are downright frightening in the wet.
(im thinking if the avons are R compounds they may grip better despite the narrower size.)
thanks
Without having experienced them directly, I can't say for sure, but I'd be shocked if the Avons weren't substantially better than high-performance but 'ordinary' road tires under dry weather conditions--probably just a few hairs down from pure racing slicks.