Clint's C3

Bad news: After wearing out my BFGs in ~30 trips to the strip and few hundred road miles, I wanted to see if I could get better wear from Nittos 555Rs.

I had read a few posts advising they did not hook like BFGs but I was hoping they would hold my somewhere around 400-450 HP. However, in at least 6 passes I never got them to hook without some slippage a singe time. I tried different levels of burnout and ran pressures from 15 to 25 lbs. My 60 fts went from 1.6s on the BFGs to anywhere from 1.7s to 2s on the Nittos.

Good news: The Discout Tire manager is going to give me credit for the Nittos and ordered me some BFGs.

I guess if you are not happy with a Discount tire you really can bring it back. He asked me to please not break his window though...

WEB AIR

A Nitto rep stopped and talked to me at PBIR. He wanted to know what tire I was running, air pressure........... He said they were coming out with a new tire in the spring. Compound more like BFG than 555.

freakshow346

IM RUNNING NITTO 555RS 305 35 18S 750 RWHP 10.3 134 1.55 60 NO PROBS IM TOLD MICKEY TZ R THE BEST

REDGAR

Good deal they are swapping them for you. Sometimes we just gotta try things on our own and luckily you did not lose out.


Freakshow, while you might feel there are no problems, and that might be fine for you, but your level power could be in the 1.3 short times.

d555

Clint, when you get a chance try the M/T ET Streets, by far the best Drag radial I've used.

My BFG's wore out quickly like yours and traction was sometimes just Ok at best. Put the M/T's on WOW! Very consistant with very little burnout needed. At our track it's the only DR that you will see being used.

I run a fair amount of power with a large BBC Runs 1.50 60's with 3.08 gears and IRS leaving off the foot brake. Ran 9.98 @ 136+ this last weekend, hooked well.

Needless to say I LOVE my Mickeys! Try Em.

LS1LT1

1.55 short times in a 750rwhp car, though somewhat impressive for an 18" Nitto, is not exactly something to write home about LOL.
I've cut a 1.60 in my Vette with only 379rwhp on 17" M/Ts and even a 1.58 in my Z28 with only 335rwhp on 16" M/Ts.

freakshow346

its harder to do with more power thats the point im trying to make people r saying they cant hook up with 400 hp and 2.0 60 ft they 18s also low profile if i use your 17s ill run 10.0 if i use the drag pack 9.6 9.7 higher mph and so on and so on

freakshow346

whats up i no what the car can do but its alot more fun to drive there let a little air out and run those #s all day and just drive back home wihout hurting the car chris and doug always offer to give me the good tires and i always say no i understand what people r saying but it seems they dont really understand what they r saying

LS1LT1

Fair enough and I hear what you're saying. It is pretty cool to be able to drive to the track on the very same tires ya race on and then drive home again on them with only a pressure change (especially on those super hot days).
That's the only way I will ever do it as well (trailers/tow vehicles come with their own set of hassles).

goinbroke

Clint, sorry to hear about the troubles with the new tires. From where I/we were watching it looked like you were doing a mighty fine job of driving that beast.
Don't know if you remember....we stopped by pits and visited for a few minutes....I'm the Motorplex employee (my retirement job) with the 74 parked by pit gate. The couple with me were my friends who live in Arlington, but recently moved here from Scotland.
That was the first time for them to see a drag race and it was a thrill for them to watch your runs.
We all enjoyed you taking the time to visit and talk vettes for a few minutes. Really nice of you.
Take care and look forward to seeing you again.

tail_lights

Nittos have way better life than the BFGs but those BFGs are soft!!! I too am a fan of the Mickeys, can't wait to get a set to put on my car.

timbradley26

i have a set of mts 315x 35 x17 on my 400 rwhp 90 zr1 and cant get below a 1.95 60 ft .i have tried evrything tire pressures from 14-21 and every rpm from idle to 3500 and no luck .dont mean to hi jack but anyone have some suggestions. car has run a best 0f 12.10@119.85

RacerX70CC

Add me to another of the MT faithful... 1.43 short times and dead hooked at 11 flat

tluck

Ran a 9.65 @ 141 MPH, 1.3947 60' on M&H 325X45X17 drag radials at the Fayetteville, N.C. 1/4 track. My local 1/8 track is in sub-par condition and no traction with my Hoosier 16x50x14.2 or the M&H tires. I ran there for the last time yesterday. WHAT ARE THE BEST TIRES FOR 1/4 RUNS ABOVE 150 MPH? Next year the car will have a 440" LSX with an 88 MM turbo, 4L80 trans, and a built Z06 3.42 rear.

Clint's C3

I absolutely do remember you. It was a pleasure to talk with a fellow C3 driver or any Corvette fanatic for that matter!

If you like watching classic muscle cars, and quite a few late models, race check out one of the Texas Muscle Car Club Challenge events. Schedule and car pictures are on this website tmccc.org. we will be racing at the Motorplex agin this fall so will see you then!

Thanks everyone for all the feedback. I will definitely try the MTs after I wear out the BFGs which probably won't be long!

LS1LT1

That size is decent for a lower powered car or an automatic of moderate power but many have actually found the smaller sized drag radials (295-35-18s, 275-40-17s etc.) to work better. They might not look quite as cool as the 315s but they could hook better.

tail_lights

What width are the rear rims? Do you actually spin them a bit?

LS1LT1

That's a good question as well, I've seen people put 315s on a 9" wide rim and while it can work on some cars that generally is too narrow of a rim for that tire.
315s really need at least a 10.5" wide rim (11" is ideal I believe).

tail_lights

Especially Mickeys, those tires are wide

I think the ZR-1 comes with an 11" wide rear but not 100% sure.

A friend who has the bigger is better mindset dropped some 315 Drag Nittos on a set of 9" rims. When I borrowed them I did get better 60's but from 330' on out I managed worse times than with my 275 street tire Potenzas (11.9 on the Bridgestones best of 2 total runs to 12.3 on the Nittos best of 6 or 7 runs).

REDC4CORVETTE

I never had problems with the Nitto 315 until last weekend.
WE have the new VHT on the track.I used my Nittos with the irs and went 9.70's with them 141mph but they are not ZR rated.I tried to use the Nittos on friday with my 12 bolt and wtf.The tires bounced so bad I had to let out of every gear.The tire shake was unbelieveable.Lucky I had 4 guys with me to change tires before the next round ,I put the MT drag slicks back on.If you can't get the 60 ' down try changing the shocks to the Eldebrock ones they helped my 60 with the irs in the car.