Quickshift_C5

I'm in a bind for tires to get ready for the upcoming 1/2 Mile event in a month. I've been using Toyo R888 for many years, but they are now discontinued. That's fine, but the R888R is on backorder with an esimated 2-3mo lead time per a TireRack advisor. I've thought about going to the NT05R, but I don't have a tire trailer and they are horrendous in rain.

So here are the two options I've come up with.

Nitto NT01: This is a road course tire like the R888/R888R, but still very grippy. I actually use these on my 01Z track only car. I may swap them over one night if I get time and give it hell to see if they'll grip. Has anyone used these on a high horsepower car and can tell me what the straight line grip is like?

Nitto NT555R Drag Radial: I used the 555R-II for a while, which is the road course version. I don't think I ever used them with the supercharged power I've been running since 2012 though. Anyone used these with high horsepower? The R-II version did just fine in the rain, so I'm not worried about that. The tread pattern evacuates water much better than the wider block NT05R does.

NT05R: I would REALLY like to use these...but the rain is a little worrisome. Maybe I could fit them in the cabin somehow? Open to thoughts besides the obvious tire trailer. I have aftermarket exhaust and other obligations, no way to get that done in time.


Open to thoughts and other recommendations. One month to go. Thanks guys!!

INSTIG8R

I don't have firsthand experience with the NT-01, but I can say the 555R drag radial doesn't compare to other drag radials as far as traction. It's a stiffer construction and the compound has never seemed to hook as well as everyone has wished. The NT-05R would be my vote due to having much better traction than the 555R, but also not being TOO terrible in rain if you take it easy. I've seen good enough results out of them to justify them from the standpoint of why they were purchased, which is to hook up in a straight line. The 555R doesn't fully satisfy that

Quickshift_C5

I'm really leaning toward the NT05R, size 315/40/18. The taller tire would be nice to lengthen the gears and really sit in boost for a while to get more MPH in the 1/2 Mile. Rain does scare me a bit, but there is no rush getting there (its a 3hr drive) IF it even rains. If I go that route, I'll just be keeping the tires/wheels stored for 1/2 Mile and drag days. I'll grab another set of rear wheels and do a set of R888R for general use later on.

I've noticed some people using the Toyo TQ's 315/35/18 as well. Not as tall, but looks to be a better tread pattern for rain.

Anyone know if the 555R in a tall 305/40/18 would hold 650rwhp?

INSTIG8R

I have the Toyo TQ in that exact size on my car now. I've driven in rain a few times and they do ok, but standing water will still have them skating. The siphons just aren't very wide to channel a lot of water at once. They hook up well with some heat in them though.

StatmanRN

R888 discontinued? Dammit man! I fhad inally found a good combo.

I have run the NT05 DR in 305/40. They rub a bit as im lowerd on stock bolts. Hooked pretty well when newer, but wants to hunt a bit at lower PSI. THe read pattern is the sama s the reg NT05s, which were not bad in the rain

Fastbird

I have first hand experience with the NT555R and NT05R.

The NT555R's I had when the car was at 500 RWHP, and then at 760 RWHP, both setups were a 305/35-18 size. I absolutely loved them. At 760 they were getting close to their limit (I was making 760 Torque also) but still were wonderful. I drove on them year round so long as the roads were dry, and only once did I ever get caught in a hard enough rain storm that I had to slow down. It was an absolute downpour and I had to slow to 40 on the highway.

The NT05R's I now have are 305/35-19 and the last time the car drove it was making somewhere around 825 RWHP, maybe a little more. I replaced a set of 305/35-18 MT ET Street SS tires when I did new wheels. These tires are EXCELLENT with dry pavement and heat in them. I would NEVER chance driving them in the rain though. EVER.

If I was you, at 650, I'd do the NT555R. It's decent in inclement weather, and will get you around 10K miles on the street. Half of that for the NT05R.

Quickshift_C5

Thanks, I may go for the 555R. I ran the 555R-II for a while before I tossed the blower on. I had no issues at all driving them in the rain, and they're the same tire minus the stiffer sidewall construction. I didn't realize they would be able to hold that kind of power. Interesting.

I'm leaning toward a taller tire and going for the 305/40/18 though. My car is lowered on stock bolts. Pretty sure they would be fine, but anyone running those and can tell me about fitment?

What about the speed rating? Their site shows a V rating, which is 149mph. I'm seeing 164mph right now in the 1/2, and will be slightly faster with taller tires. Add a little more speed by the time I back out.

supertec

I am at 624 RWHP and just bought a set of 305/35/19 Nitto NT05R's and I am amazed at how well the hook and handle. I couldn't get traction in 3rd with my previous setup. Haven't had them in the rain, but I would most definitely recommend them. I still cant believe how much they changed my car.. Its like a new car being able to hook well in 2nd now.

StatmanRN

I ran the 305/40s. They will rub if you are lowered much on rough pavement. Good to drive to the track or on smooth surfaces

Quickshift_C5

What was your previous setup? At 650rwhp, I was fine from 2nd gear on using R888s.

supertec

I had the 295 Pilot Sports, so admittedly they weren't meant for that power. I just never thought the Nittos would make that big of a difference.. Glad to hear that about the R888's . I want to try that tire sometime. I have had many high horsepower cars and for me the NTO5R is by far the best tire at putting the power down. I dont have much time with them yet, so we will see how long they are this good.

sobe88

Coming from 650 rwhp and using Nitto NT05R, they do decent in rain actually. You just still have to keep in mind, at the end of the day they are drag radials... But from my experience they have been better in rain than ET Street S/S and R888R. Mine is a toy, but at the end of the day it's still a car and it gets driven and sometimes you get caught in the rain.

Quickshift_C5

I'd REALLY like to try out the NT05R, but a couple of things are keeping me away.

Rain is one, though I think I could probably manage it the 1 or 2 times a year it would ever be a problem (3hr drive to 1/2 mile). The other was the speed rating. It appears they are V-speed rated for 149mph. I run 164mph in the 1/2 as is, taller tires may be a little faster. I understand short blasts shouldn't get enough heat in the tires to matter. But, on my research of the tire at high speeds, a number of people were mentioning the rear end swaying a little above 150. Rated at 149, rear end sway, and running 20psi of pressure on a bumpy runway sounds like a recipe for disaster. The NT555R is the same case.

I'm leaning toward NT01 right now, the same tire I run on the other car, purely from a safety standpoint. Should be at least a lateral move from the R888/R888R from a straight line grip persepective.

If anyone has additional input on high speed runs with the Nitto 555R or NT05R...I'd love to hear it.

sobe88

I can't speak on the 555R or NT01 sadly, but in Mexico with bursts to 170~ are without issue. Some of my sway in the rear was fixed via DA coilovers. So far these tires have handled up to 192 without issue.

Peterz06

You should go with the Yokohama A052, nice in rain and a lot of grip doesnt overheat the same way as the 888´s.

/Peter Andersson
Sweden

Sorry was a Little to fast with my fingers, now I see that youre mostly into driving with the steering Wheel locked LOL.
The Yokohamas are more of a roadrace tire Sorry. So if you have problems with the grip its just the stickier the better but with that often comes not so good behaviour in bad weather.

Quickshift_C5

Still torn on which tires to get, super indecisive. Would really like to try out a drag radial. May just get the NT01 and be done with it.


On this car? Sort of. I haven't done anything to compromise the handling, so it can still turn. However, I do have another C5Z that is a dedicated road race car. So no, not into mostly driving with the wheel locked. I'm more into all the types of driving. Also, the AO52 wouldn't be a great choice for a car with 650rwhp. It would just blow the tires off.