sticky tires in 305-315/20 for street use?

[zimm17]

I'm going to send out my SVTPP wheels to be widened to 20x11. Fronts are 19x9.5.

Looking for sticky rear tires for street use to hopefully allow full throttle in 1st gear with 580 wrhp.

Options I'm looking at: Toyo R888, NT555R, NT05, NT05R

Fronts will remain the stock G2 tires until they wear out. NT05 makes a 275/35/19 that will work on the front, or NT555...

Okay with 10,000 miles of wear. Need to handle a rain storm without killing me.

 

[Matt@DTD]

Thank you for the post.

For what you are looking for out of your rear pair of tires, I would give the 305/35-20 NT555R a close look. This Drag Radial is street geared and typically lasts 5k to 10K miles. If driven on carefully, the 555R will get you home if the weather turns on you.

It's hard to plant 580 wrhp in 1st gear (full throttle) on DOT approved tires. If you are whiling to give up some life, the 315/35-20 NT05R would be a great option. This model is rated for up to 5K miles and will hook better off-the-line when compared to the 555R. Wet traction is similar to the 555R.

Here are the links with more details:

NT555R: http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...40450&tmn=NT+555R+Drag+Radial&typ=Competition

NT05R: http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...n=NT05R+Drag+Radial&typ=Passenger/Performance

 

[zimm17]

Thanks Matt,

The other option is to keep my wheels stock size- 9.5" wide and maybe run a 275/285 tire. Is there much difference in traction? I'd save $600 by not widening the wheels. I know the Toyo R888 is available as a 285 or 315- which work on 9.5 and 11" wheels.

 

[Matt@DTD]

Thanks Matt,

The other option is to keep my wheels stock size- 9.5" wide and maybe run a 275/285 tire. Is there much difference in traction? I'd save $600 by not widening the wheels. I know the Toyo R888 is available as a 285 or 315- which work on 9.5 and 11" wheels.

Wider wheels and wider tires will certainly help with grip, especially under straight line acceleration.

The R888 is a road race tire so it sticks well under hard cornering but is not ideal for hard launching in first gear like a drag radial. This is because road race tires have stiff sidewalls for quick steering response and improved handling.

 

[zimm17]

Matt,

I'm still stuck between the NT05 and 555R.... I don't actively look for rain storms to drive in, but I have a 50 mile a day commute until June- then I'm switching jobs were I'll take a commuter bus and the car will only be for fun. If it's raining in the AM- I take the 4runner, but if I'm at work, and get struck in the rain- I don't need to be scared crap-less running 72mph on the interstate if it's wet.

I also don't have to have the extra tread life of the 555R's, so if the wet performance is the same, I'd go 05R. But Nitto's wetsite says the 555R's have more wet traction, and the 05's fat rubber strip with no sipes looks worrisome (and cool at the same time).

I'll only go the track maybe twice a year, the rest is street driving with some stop light action and highway roll-ons.

So... with all that typing- 05R or 555r?

 

[Matt@DTD]

Thank you for the post zimm17.

Since the car will mainly be driven on the street the NT555R would be the most ideal option for what you are looking for. This models hooks well when heated up and typically lasts 5K to 10K miles. It will also get you through wet roads (driving with caution).

 

[zimm17]

Great, I'll be calling you for a set when my wheels get back from being widened.

 

[Matt@DTD]

^
Sounds good. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

[Kenneth]

The 305/35/20 555R's will fit the stock rims without widening them.

 

[zimm17]

The 305/35/20 555R's will fit the stock rims without widening them.

Seriously? I have my rims boxed up and about send them in to be pushed out to 11"......

Here's the specs: You sure you not talking about the 275? It shows 11.0 recommended for the 305...

275/40R20 102V 180-730 5.0 28.82 10.67 9.0-(9.5)-11.0 1874@44
305/35R20 104V 180-830 5.0 28.58 12.17 10.0-(11.0)-12.0 1984@44

 

[zimm17]

^
Sounds good. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Tires ordered- did it on the website. Thanks for the help and links.

 

[Matt@DTD]

Tires ordered- did it on the website. Thanks for the help and links.

Anytime! Thank you for your support.

 

[Kenneth]

Seriously? I have my rims boxed up and about send them in to be pushed out to 11"......

Here's the specs: You sure you not talking about the 275? It shows 11.0 recommended for the 305...

275/40R20 102V 180-730 5.0 28.82 10.67 9.0-(9.5)-11.0 1874@44
305/35R20 104V 180-830 5.0 28.58 12.17 10.0-(11.0)-12.0 1984@44

Yep, they fit.

That's also the tires I will be running when I finish off the Goodyears.
(these pics are not my car)

 

[zimm17]

Thanks for the pics. I sent my wheels off yesterday though- so we'll see how they fit on 11" wheels. It'll be interesting to compare photos when you get yours.

 

[dataangel]

I put a set of Toyo R888s (stock size) on my SVTPP rears. Night and day. Can hook all of 2nd WOT with a TVS once they're a little warm. I drive a lot of MT Drag Radial cars (best tire available IMHO) and these aren't too far behind them for straight line street traction. I live in Seattle and drive in the rain all the time - they work great. Much better than the Nitto drag radials (I had those on my 2011 392 Challenger this summer - got caught in a rain storm - hydroplaned at 60mph on the highway and sent me sideways into a Hummer - won't be running those again. )

Just my $.02.

 

[zimm17]

So the R888's do well in the rain? The nittos that hyrdoplaned- 555r or NT05R?

 

[dataangel]

So the R888's do well in the rain? The nittos that hyrdoplaned- 555r or NT05R?

Well, they do okay. I wouldn't say they do well, but they're a mile better than the stockers. The Nittos were 555r.

 

[Matt@DTD]

It's important to remember that any DOT approved competition tire run in wet conditions needs to be driven on with extreme caution. Dry grip is typically the primary focus on these type of tires.