Road Course tire selection help!
#1
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Road Course tire selection help!
Hello,
Well I am now addicted to HPDE's Anyways, I would rather not run on my 19/20 HREs at the track so I am thinking about getting some C6 Z replicas or something cheaper for the track when I go. I will be needing 19/19 to clear big brakes so I am looking for a tire that is made in 19". Basically I am not a pro, but want to have fun when I go. I am looking for a tire that I would have no issues driving to the track on, and then racing with. So maybe a more aggressive tire, but nothing strictly race. It will not be street driven other than to the track. Any suggestions? I was looking at the Nitto NT05 just as an idea... anything that might be better for my usage or maybe even more aggressive if you think I could get away with it driving on them there? Thanks!
-Jon
Well I am now addicted to HPDE's Anyways, I would rather not run on my 19/20 HREs at the track so I am thinking about getting some C6 Z replicas or something cheaper for the track when I go. I will be needing 19/19 to clear big brakes so I am looking for a tire that is made in 19". Basically I am not a pro, but want to have fun when I go. I am looking for a tire that I would have no issues driving to the track on, and then racing with. So maybe a more aggressive tire, but nothing strictly race. It will not be street driven other than to the track. Any suggestions? I was looking at the Nitto NT05 just as an idea... anything that might be better for my usage or maybe even more aggressive if you think I could get away with it driving on them there? Thanks!
-Jon
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes
on
25 Posts
if your looking for new wheels do 18 x 18s
18" tires are much cheaper and available.. 19" wheels you will find out are just too heavy
The Nito NT05 is a very good choice for a tire.
18" tires are much cheaper and available.. 19" wheels you will find out are just too heavy
The Nito NT05 is a very good choice for a tire.
#4
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Okay, I have decided a 14" rotor would be a better option.... So an 18" wheel is in the cards... Tires I am looking at are:
Nitto NT01s (too much tire?)
275/35/18 up front
275/40/18 out back
Nitto NT05's
275/35/18 up front
295/35/18 out back
Thoughts between those 2 choices? NT01's would be on 18x9.5s around, NT05s would be staggered 18x9.5 and 18x10.5
:cheered:
Nitto NT01s (too much tire?)
275/35/18 up front
275/40/18 out back
Nitto NT05's
275/35/18 up front
295/35/18 out back
Thoughts between those 2 choices? NT01's would be on 18x9.5s around, NT05s would be staggered 18x9.5 and 18x10.5
:cheered:
#5
Safety Car
After those you're in to street tires that survive on track rather than track tires that can deal with the street. Also, depending on which calipers you have you may be able to run 18x10.5 C5Z rear wheels all the way around. Measure twice, buy once.
#6
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
exactly what I was looking for! I am looking at tire sizes now and the only thing throwing me off is the need for vette to be a bit taller in out back than up front. Are you guys still applying this to racing tires or are you running the same 4 wheels/tires on all corners? Thanks!
#7
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2003
Location: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes
on
25 Posts
exactly what I was looking for! I am looking at tire sizes now and the only thing throwing me off is the need for vette to be a bit taller in out back than up front. Are you guys still applying this to racing tires or are you running the same 4 wheels/tires on all corners? Thanks!
Many guys run a square set up and turn the nannies off.
But a slightly wider rear tires does help
#8
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Well here is what I am seeing.
Nittos
-NT01's only offer a 315/30/18 which is going to be too short. They offer 275/35/18 which would be good for up front and also a 275/40.18 which would work out back. Not the widest, but would fill the staggered height bill..... ?
-555R2's- Make a 305/35/18 and a 285/35/18 which could work decent being slightly wider out back as well as slightly taller...
Toyo's
-R888. Offer the same 305/35/18 and the next closest is 275/35/18 and 275/40/18 so some mix of those....
-RA1. Same as above R888's. I think I would chose the R888 over the RA1.
Now my question is... would it be "too much" to run 305/35/18s on all 4's? Would i stress the crap out of my steering rack and would the front tires be "too tall?"
It seems with tire size options I can stagger front/rear widths and heights pretty easily, what might you suggest? Wheels I am going to run can be had in 18x9.5 and/or 18x10.5 so I can work with staggered or the same size front and rear..... Thanks!
Nittos
-NT01's only offer a 315/30/18 which is going to be too short. They offer 275/35/18 which would be good for up front and also a 275/40.18 which would work out back. Not the widest, but would fill the staggered height bill..... ?
-555R2's- Make a 305/35/18 and a 285/35/18 which could work decent being slightly wider out back as well as slightly taller...
Toyo's
-R888. Offer the same 305/35/18 and the next closest is 275/35/18 and 275/40/18 so some mix of those....
-RA1. Same as above R888's. I think I would chose the R888 over the RA1.
Now my question is... would it be "too much" to run 305/35/18s on all 4's? Would i stress the crap out of my steering rack and would the front tires be "too tall?"
It seems with tire size options I can stagger front/rear widths and heights pretty easily, what might you suggest? Wheels I am going to run can be had in 18x9.5 and/or 18x10.5 so I can work with staggered or the same size front and rear..... Thanks!
#9
Le Mans Master
The only thing to worry about with the wider tire up front is rubing.
I run 315 on all four sometimes on my 92 - I know not the same car, but has the same concern. With the 315's if I am at full lock I get a little rubing on the plastic.
Maybe someone near you can loan you a wheel/tire combo you can try??
If I had one of those C6's I'd probably run the NT01 or RA1 with a square setup.
Good Luck and welcome to the addiction!
I run 315 on all four sometimes on my 92 - I know not the same car, but has the same concern. With the 315's if I am at full lock I get a little rubing on the plastic.
Maybe someone near you can loan you a wheel/tire combo you can try??
If I had one of those C6's I'd probably run the NT01 or RA1 with a square setup.
Good Luck and welcome to the addiction!
#11
CF Senior Member
Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: Tucson Arizona
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes
on
18 Posts
If you're getting serious about the sport (and you've got experience running on your street tires) I suggest you go to 'real' track tires. I know there can be logistical problems getting your track tires to the track but at some point you'll find out 'compromise' tires just don't cut it. Ultimately, you'll probably end-up trailering your car to the track.
Definitely 18" wheels all-around for a number of reasons. I like the CCW C10 wheels...they fit my big AP Racing brakes just fine (14.25" rotor I believe). As for tires I'd suggest Hoosier's or Kumho 710's. Good luck whatever you decide on.
Definitely 18" wheels all-around for a number of reasons. I like the CCW C10 wheels...they fit my big AP Racing brakes just fine (14.25" rotor I believe). As for tires I'd suggest Hoosier's or Kumho 710's. Good luck whatever you decide on.
#15
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
have you read this sticky in this section yet? look at the tires and rims section:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...e-learned.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...e-learned.html
-Jon
#16
Terminal Vette Addict
Good read! Sounds like you like the 555r2's I am still up in the air if I want staggered or square... I see the logic if you mess one up you only need 1 spare for a square set-up, but I like the idea of the extra meat out back. I think I'm leaning towards 18x9.5 and 18x10.5 out back with 285/35/18 555r2's up front and 305/35/18 555r2's out back What do ya think?
-Jon
-Jon
#17
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Sounds good! So you think that combo would fit my bill pretty good then? Last concern is actual tire. Both toyo ra1 and 888s are available in pretty much the same siZes so which actual tire might you recommend based off personal experience? Big thanks!
#18
Drifting
Good read! Sounds like you like the 555r2's I am still up in the air if I want staggered or square... I see the logic if you mess one up you only need 1 spare for a square set-up, but I like the idea of the extra meat out back. I think I'm leaning towards 18x9.5 and 18x10.5 out back with 285/35/18 555r2's up front and 305/35/18 555r2's out back What do ya think?
-Jon
-Jon
I ran that setup for several years with my 2000, except I used R888s with 275/35-18 in front and 305/35-18 in back. The car had a slight understeer that I could change to slight oversteer with the throttle. In other words, it had Very Balanced handling charateristics. You should get the same handling balance with the 555R2s.