Tires

[LS1 HP]

What tires are you guys running right now? Pros and cons of them on your Vette.

I'm about to pick some up, and as of now, I'm thinking of going with the BFGoodrich KDWs, because they seem like an all around decent tire. I really want something good in the rain, that's my main concern. I'm a Yoko fan, but I'm not particularly looking to put out $350 right now. :)

[dvandentop]

look for some slightly used stock sizes on ebay, good deals are to be had, i will never buy new tires again

[Patman]

I would never buy used tires for a Corvette. :nono:

[MillenniumVette]

Im running Goodyear GS D3's. I have been pretty impresed with them so far.

[dmtnt]

I just put on the Nitto 555RII's. Love the performance so far, but I don't expect too much mileage out of them.

[98C575k]

Try the Kumhos they are the best deal for the money, by far. An excellent tire and fairly inexpensive.

[dvandentop]

what sizes did u get dmnt?? they make then in z06 sizes?

[dmtnt]

Originally posted by dvandentop
what sizes did u get dmnt?? they make then in z06 sizes?

They are slightly larger than stock, 275/40/17 front, 305/35/18 rear, but they fit on the stock Z06 rims just fine. Ran them on the road course this past Saturday and they were absolutely great. Definitely stickier and more predictable than the stock F1's.

[dvandentop]

cost of tires man?

[dmtnt]

Originally posted by dvandentop
cost of tires man?

$970-something shipped for all 4. Discount Tire Direct is the only online reseller AFAIK.

[LS1 HP]

Thanks for the input. :)Originally posted by 98C575k
Try the Kumhos they are the best deal for the money, by far. An excellent tire and fairly inexpensive. I have Kumho Supras on the front...do they make them in 18s :think:

[XTrooper]

I've got the Kumho Ecsta MXs on my 'Vette now, but they're probably not the best choice if you're going to drive on wet roads. Stay away from the Yokohama AVS Sports. They are wicked on wet roads and my set barely lasted 12,000 miles. Ouch! :cry:

I think for a dry/wet tire, I'd go with your idea and get the BFG KDWs or the Goodyear GS-D3s, but they're probably more expensive than the Goodrichs.

[LS1 HP]

:2thumbs:

[McRat]

Kumho Ecsta MX's here. Very good tires for AutoX and mild drag duty.

But I'm going to switch to Nitto 555RII's soon.

[Blkout]

Originally posted by MillenniumVette
Im running Goodyear GS D3's. I have been pretty impresed with them so far.


Wish I could try those, but they don't make them in Z06 sizes. :(

[Blkout]

Originally posted by 98C575k
Try the Kumhos they are the best deal for the money, by far. An excellent tire and fairly inexpensive.


Not too good in the rain though, and they tend to howl as the tread gets low.

[MT Wallet]

I agree, tires is probably the one thing I would never buy "used."

They're the only parts that touch the road.


Having said that, that's why I don't have a vette. Can't afford the car itself nor the upkeep :(

[MagRedC5]

Originally posted by XTrooper
I've got the Kumho Ecsta MXs on my 'Vette now, but they're probably not the best choice if you're going to drive on wet roads.

Hello XTrooper, I've never had any trouble with the Kumho Ecsta MXs on my C5 in the rain. I've had them on my C5 for around 10K miles now and still lots of tread left, too.

However, I've been thinking about changing over to the Nitto 555R's or 555R2's once my tread gets too worn down. I'd appreciate any comments from those with the Nitto 555R's or Nitto 555R2's. I rarely drive my C5 in the rain but if I happen to be driving around and it rains I want to be safe.

[Troll Account]

Man, I like Michelins.

[MagRedC5]

Originally posted by Troll Account
Man, I like Michelins.

...but you have a Mustang
:jk:

[XTrooper]

Originally posted by MagRedC5
Hello XTrooper, I've never had any trouble with the Kumho Ecsta MXs on my C5 in the rain. I've had them on my C5 for around 10K miles now and still lots of tread left, too.

However, I've been thinking about changing over to the Nitto 555R's or 555R2's once my tread gets too worn down. I'd appreciate any comments from those with the Nitto 555R's or Nitto 555R2's. I rarely drive my C5 in the rain but if I happen to be driving around and it rains I want to be safe.

I had Nitto 555R drag radials (the R2s are road-racing tires) on my '99 SS and had them out in all kinds of weather including a torrential downpour I got caught in. They can be tricky in the wet, but if you drive with due caution, you won't have a problem. I found that they are at their worse in freezing temperatures as they get rock-hard and will spin with almost almost any amount of throttle.

P.S.- I didn't say the MXs were necessarily bad in in the rain, just that they are probably not the best choice as they are basically a dry-weather traction tire. :cool:

[MagRedC5]

Originally posted by XTrooper
I had Nitto 555R drag radials (the R2s are road-racing tires) on my '99 SS and had them out in all kinds of weather including a torrential downpour I got caught in. They can be tricky in the wet, but if you drive with due caution, you won't have a problem. I found that they are at their worse in freezing temperatures as they get rock-hard and will spin with almost almost any amount of throttle.

P.S.- I didn't say the MXs were necessarily bad in in the rain, just that they are probably not the best choice as they are basically a dry-weather traction tire. :cool:
No problem. Are you saying then, the Nitto 555Rs are stickier & safer in the rain than the Kumho MXs?
Do you think the Nitto
NT-555 "Extreme ZR" (http://www.nittotire.com/tires_555.asp) are stickier than the Kumho MXs? I suppose the 555 is not as sticky as the 555R.

[XTrooper]

Originally posted by MagRedC5
No problem. Are you saying then, the Nitto 555Rs are stickier & safer in the rain than the Kumho MXs?
Do you think the Nitto
NT-555 "Extreme ZR" (http://www.nittotire.com/tires_555.asp) are stickier than the Kumho MXs? I suppose the 555 is not as sticky as the 555R.

No, I'm not saying that. :D The Kumho MXs are better in the rain than the Nitto drag radials. I was just making the point that if you drive reasonably, you can safely do so with the Nittos.

I've no experience with the regular Nitto street tires, but I suspect that they aren't the tire that the Kumho MXs are.

With my 3.73 gears going in this week and with the new, bigger XTrooper Cam in the works, I'll likely be switching to a set of 295/35R18 BFG g-Force T/A drag radials in the rear. Tire Rack sells them for $210 apiece. :yup:

[MagRedC5]

Originally posted by XTrooper
...With my 3.73 gears going in this week and with the new, bigger XTrooper Cam in the works, I'll likely be switching to a set of 295/35R18 BFG g-Force T/A drag radials in the rear. Tire Rack sells them for $210 apiece. :yup:
Always appreciate your insight :cool:

Do you have the C5 or Z06 wheels? I looked on Tire Rack.com (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=BFGoodrich&model=g-Force+T%2FA+Drag+Radial) and noticed they don't have the 275/40-18, which is my rear C5 size. Can I go to a bigger size, like the 295/35R18 BFG g-Force T/A DR on my rear C5 wheel?

Which tires will you be running in the front with the ones in mentioned in the rear?

TIA,

[XTrooper]

Originally posted by MagRedC5
Always appreciate your insight :cool:

Do you have the C5 or Z06 wheels? I looked on Tire Rack.com (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=BFGoodrich&model=g-Force+T%2FA+Drag+Radial) and noticed they don't have the 275/40-18, which is my rear C5 size. Can I go to a bigger size, like the 295/35R18 BFG g-Force T/A DR on my rear C5 wheel?

Which tires will you be running in the front with the ones in mentioned in the rear?

TIA,

I have aftermarket chrome Z06-style wheels in the stock C5 sizes. The 295/35R18s will fit just fine on your stock rear C5 wheels and they have virtually the same overall diameter so you won't have any problems with your speedometer, shift points, etc. Gee, I wonder if that's a coincidence? :D

I'm keeping the Kumho MXs on the front for positive steering and braking. I had basically the same setup on my '99 SS except on it I had Michelin Pilot Sports up front and the Nitto drag radials on the rear. This combination worked out very well. :cool:

[MagRedC5]

Originally posted by XTrooper
I have aftermarket chrome Z06-style wheels in the stock C5 sizes. The 295/35R18s will fit just fine on your stock rear C5 wheels and they have virtually the same overall diameter so you won't have any problems with your speedometer, shift points, etc. Gee, I wonder if that's a coincidence? :D

I'm keeping the Kumho MXs on the front for positive steering and braking. I had basically the same setup on my '99 SS except on it I had Michelin Pilot Sports up front and the Nitto drag radials on the rear. This combination worked out very well. :cool:

:think: The 295/35R18s would provide a bigger patch than what I'm presently using. I like that idea. :)

The Kumho MXs on the front, are they 245/45-17?

TIA, again,

[XTrooper]

Originally posted by MagRedC5
:think: The 295/35R18s would provide a bigger patch than what I'm presently using. I like that idea. :)

The Kumho MXs on the front, are they 245/45-17?

TIA, again,

Yep. 245/45R17s on the front. I presently have stock C5 size wheels and tires. Going to the 295/35R18s will provide a wider patch and although they are taller their lower profile allows for the overall diameter to be virtually the same. :thumbup:

[XTrooper]

Kumho MX 275/40R18 overall diameter = 26.7"

BFG g-Force T/A DR 295/35R18 overall diameter = 26.2"

Your car will never know the difference. :D

[MagRedC5]

Originally posted by XTrooper
Kumho MX 275/40R18 overall diameter = 26.7"

BFG g-Force T/A DR 295/35R18 overall diameter = 26.2"

Your car will never know the difference. :D
Except on a hard launch. ;)

Thanks for all the scoop. I'll be visiting my local Discount Tire store real soon for a pair of BFG g-Force T/A DR 295/35R18.

:yourock:

[XTrooper]

Originally posted by MagRedC5
Thanks for all the scoop.


My pleasure, amigo. ;)

[Chief Pontiac]

Originally posted by Patman
I would never buy used tires for a Corvette. :nono: :stupid2: For a beater yes for a high performance car no.

[XTrooper]

Here's a photo of a 295/35R18 BFG g-Force T/A drag radial mounted on a BBS wheel that I took during last year's Hot Rod Power Tour. These babies should hook up! :crazy: :D



http://userweb.intergrafix.net/sps3936/BFG-DR.jpg

[Chief Pontiac]

Hey I see you put a little millage on them 1/4 at a time.:cool:

[XTrooper]

Originally posted by Chief Pontiac
Hey I see you put a little millage on them 1/4 at a time.:cool:

:D :D :D

[rbdplanes]

Kumhos here, if your looking for long lasting tires, I beleive these tires are the best for the money. Mine are rated for 40 thousand and I beleive 140mph. I have over 25 now and still have very little wear. They do have them for all weather! I for one can't pull myself to put out,, lets say $100.00 pr tire and only getting 20 to 25 thousand on them like I didnt with the stock ones, but if you got the funds.... who cares.;)

[roSSco]

Another vote for Kumho MXs. I had a set on my SS and can't wait to get some on the vette.

Also another vote AGAINST Yokohama AVS Sports. These were on my Z when I got ot it from Ahmad and they suck :(

[XTrooper]

Originally posted by roSSco
Another vote for Kumho MXs. I had a set on my SS and can't wait to get some on the vette.

Also another vote AGAINST Yokohama AVS Sports. These were on my Z when I got ot it from Ahmad and they suck :(

I have my own horror story regarding the Yokohama AVS Sports. I bought a set of the run-flat versions of them when my Goodyear run-flats were done, spent over $1400 for them, and I barely got 12,000 miles out of them before all four were completely used up. :cry: