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Old 05-21-2015   #1
Halon
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Tire Options

Looking to invest in some better tires, possibly even an entire new wheel setup, for the SC300. I know theres some pretty tire savvy people here so looking for some feedback from the tire gurus.

The problem is i cant hook in 1st and 2nd that great. Im sure 3rd will be in the same boat once i add more power but that could be a year away. So basically, I want to hook.

Wheel setup right now is 17x8 front and 17x9.5 rear. I may potentially go with an 18x8.5 front and 18x10 rear. But despite that, here's my thoughts.

I dont do lots of turnsy stuff, im a pussy when it comes to hard turning stuff on the street. Mostly just like to punch it and go forward fast. So fronts i was thinking something like 245s, just a normal decent street tire like HTR-Z3's. Rear am looking at drag radials in the 265-285 width range. Mainly at NT555r, NT05r, or ET Street Radial. Car is mostly a weekend warrior, however I can definitely see myself getting caught in the rain a fee times a year. With that being said, the NT555r stands out to me as it seems to be the more "street/strip" version of the ones mentioned. However i wonder if ill be disappointed with them and still end up spinning a lot which would make it a waste of money. So then the NT05r and ET Street seem to be much stickier, but ive heard everything from "they arent so bad if u get stuck in a rain storm" to "flat out dangerous to go over 50 in the rain with them"

I want to find the best balance i can for this car. 99% street driven, 95% in nice weather. i plan to drive it a couple days per week to work on potential nice days, or on cruises, so guaranteed itll see a couple accidental rain storms every year. And also probably an occasional drag strip, say once a year. But i can always run a different tire/wheel at the strip.

Thoughts?
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Old 05-22-2015   #2
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Re: Tire Options

I know the nt05 is a bit different tread pattern than the 05r, but I drove those in the rain no problem. Heck I've even had the nt01 in the rain a few times on interstate, just not good in heavy rain. I think if you slow down and stay smart about throttle when it's raining hard you should be fine. I'd vote the 05r or ET street over the 555r. Losing some sidewall with an 18" might sacrifice a little off-the-line traction, but 18's do look nice.
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Old 05-22-2015   #3
Halon
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Re: Tire Options

Your drove the standard versions, or the R versions in the rain?
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1992 SC300 E85 - BW 84-75, Vlad Infinity, NA-T, 6spd Idle Vid 709hp Graph 709hp Vid 11.1@131 Vid
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Old 05-22-2015   #4
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Re: Tire Options

I had the regular NT05 version on the vette, not the R compound. Tread patterns are similar if you look at pics, one just has much stickier rubber.
But my NT01 are r-comps, and I've driven those in the rain.
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Old 05-22-2015   #5
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Re: Tire Options

I think the NT01R are more for lateral grip (stiffer sidewall), where-as the NT05R and NT555R are more for linear grip. Which is why I've been more focused on those.

None the less, you've driven your NT01R's in rain sounds like. Still feels safe to cruise with them down the highway? Basically the stories about NT05R's being "downright dangerous above 50 in the rain" are what have me concerned.
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1991 TSi AWD E85 - BEP S362, DSMLink V2, Built 2.0L Idle Vid 628hp Graph 541hp Vid 10.93@137 Vid
1992 SC300 E85 - BW 84-75, Vlad Infinity, NA-T, 6spd Idle Vid 709hp Graph 709hp Vid 11.1@131 Vid
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Old 05-22-2015   #6
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Re: Tire Options

It just depends on the amount of rain. Light rain I wouldn't be concerned. Heavy rain, standing water, etc, no way I'd feel comfortable driving over 50.

And yea I know you wouldn't want to look at the nt01, but it's an r comp from nitto with limited tread. Figured a rain comparo would be helpful.
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Old 05-22-2015   #7
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Re: Tire Options

Sure, yeah thanks for the compare. The other tire I'm reading a lot of good reviews on are the Toyo R888's.

So here's a few options I'm seeing if I were to just get new rears for my current wheels. (17x9.5)

NT05R 275-40-17 ($193/ea)
http://www.jegs.com/i/Nitto/726/4058...ductId=1352564

NT555R 275-40-17 ($180/ea)
http://www.jegs.com/i/Nitto/726/4013...oductId=752295

MT ET Street Radial 275-40-17 ($227/ea)
http://www.jegs.com/i/Mickey-Thompso...oductId=753925

MT ET Street Radial 2 295-45-17 ($261/ea)
http://www.jegs.com/i/Mickey+Thompso...3745R/10002/-1

Toyo R888 275-40-17 ($232/ea)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....R888&tab=Sizes


Also found this interesting. Marketed as pretty much a win/win mod. Improves grip, wet traction. Anyone ever tried this?
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/tireSiping.dos
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1992 SC300 E85 - BW 84-75, Vlad Infinity, NA-T, 6spd Idle Vid 709hp Graph 709hp Vid 11.1@131 Vid
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Old 05-22-2015   #8
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Re: Tire Options

Tire siping has been around for a long time. Not sure why they are marketing as something new. It does help with rain and winter situations. I would not do it to performance tires. Not because it wouldn't work, but because you are losing dry traction.. The whole reason for buying this sort of tire.

That being said, I'd personally choose between the nt05r and the et street. Its a tough choice between the two. Toss up really. Both will be good.

Rain, any tire worth your time is going to be some level of concern in anything other then light rain. I'd just consider hard rain a situation you just have to get through just like a hard snow. Drive conservatively and you'll be fine.
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Old 05-22-2015   #9
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Re: Tire Options

Good points. I think ill scratch the 555r's off the list for sure. Starting to lean toward NT05r since they seem to be a little more bang for the buck. Now whether or not to stick with these wheels, or go with some aftermarket 18s...
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1992 SC300 E85 - BW 84-75, Vlad Infinity, NA-T, 6spd Idle Vid 709hp Graph 709hp Vid 11.1@131 Vid
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Old 05-23-2015   #10
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Re: Tire Options

Nt05r rear, nt05 front. Perfect pair according to nitto haha. I would put the regular nt05 up against the sumitomos.
And yea, just treat hard rain as bad weather, drive slow and you'll make it. Sacrifices for sticky tires I guess.
Personally I'd stick with 17s for traction if you won't be road racing.

Also, the r888 is a road race tire like the nt01, don't get it for a drag radial. I was actually thinking of those for my next tire on the noble.

Last edited by asshanson; 05-23-2015 at 12:32 AM..
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Old 05-24-2015   #11
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Re: Tire Options

Yeah I realize the r888 isnt a drag radial. However ive been reading a lot of good reviews from supra guys saying they actually perform quite well in straight line traction while retaining handling performance as well.

Think ill just try out the NT05r on my current wheels. Keep the tires that are on the fronts on there for now. Maybe next year get some new wheels all together.
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1991 TSi AWD E85 - BEP S362, DSMLink V2, Built 2.0L Idle Vid 628hp Graph 541hp Vid 10.93@137 Vid
1992 SC300 E85 - BW 84-75, Vlad Infinity, NA-T, 6spd Idle Vid 709hp Graph 709hp Vid 11.1@131 Vid
2006 Bayliner 195 - Carbed 5.0 Top Speed Test
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Old 05-25-2015   #12
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Re: Tire Options

Pair of 275/40/17 NT05R's ordered ��
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1991 TSi AWD E85 - BEP S362, DSMLink V2, Built 2.0L Idle Vid 628hp Graph 541hp Vid 10.93@137 Vid
1992 SC300 E85 - BW 84-75, Vlad Infinity, NA-T, 6spd Idle Vid 709hp Graph 709hp Vid 11.1@131 Vid
2006 Bayliner 195 - Carbed 5.0 Top Speed Test
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Old 05-25-2015   #13
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Re: Tire Options

No M&H Racemaster recommendations?
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