BillY2KFRC

Hi, does anyone happen to know anyplace that has Toyo R888 275/35ZR18 in stock? They are on national backorder with no ETA from Toyo. I've tried calling every tire place I could find on Google with no luck. I need a brand new non-scrubbed set as they are for a 95% street driven car.

As an aside, if I cannot get these, I am also considering the BFG Rival S in 275/35/18 & 315/30/18. I know this is the racing section, but I figured more people here would have experience with these two tires than anyplace else on the forum. I put 3-5k miles/year on my car, dry weather unless I get caught out in the wet by mistake. Drives to work (15 miles highway, 15 miles backroads), 1-2 track days a year and mostly want something that will work well in the turns, while allowing the car to at least hook in 2nd.

My car is a 560rwhp NA LS7 setup in a C5Z, currently on PS2s and spin through 3rd, unless it's a hot day, then I only spin through 2nd.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated!

Bill

Ludeaem

I am going to sound like a sponsor from Federal Tires but I promise I wasn't paid haha.

What about 275/35's in the RS-RR? Super cheap compared to the rest and should deal with what you're wanting.

http://www.federaltire.com/en/produc...s_detail_sn=36

BillY2KFRC

Looks like an interesting tire, but I need something that also has either a 305/35/18 or 315/30/18 size I can use for the rear. Thanks.

Tomswheels

Bill the Rival S is way stickier than the PS2, and they actually ride nicely and are surprisingly quiet. The only downside is they wear rather quickly. You may be looking at two years out of them at your described usage.

v10climber

The 315 Rival S is a great tire and of the "street" tires you're looking at is probably the best option. Why not run the 335 in the rear?

Also, Even as sticky as the Rival S is at almost 600whp it's going to be wheelspin on command in 1st or 2nd especially on typical asphalt roads.

Suns_PSD

Because they are being fazed out for the R888R which is available in the size you desire.

BillY2KFRC

The quiet part sounds nice, that's the one negative some people have commented on the R888. My car is rather loud, but I kind of like things quiet and relaxed at highway speeds.

Do you think the R888 will provide better traction in 2nd because of it's lower 100 treadwear rating? I would assume that means a softer compound, but I know that ratings aren't always to be trusted.

My rear wheels are 18x11.5 and I'm not tubbed, so 335 is too wide for me.

That's what I'm afraid of. And since they don't make a rear R888R for me yet, I don't want to run a mis-matched set. The tread patterns look very different.

v10climber

I've driven a 600whp C6z with R888 rears and could easily light them up in 2nd on asphalt. I would think the Rival S would put power down just as well as the R888 and have better street manners.

Also, I'm pretty sure the 335 fits in the rear under stock c5 bodywork. Just takes the correct wheel offsets. But for something that is just a fun street car the 315 will be fine.

wtb-z

Weirdly I think the R888 compound is a bit better when cool, and thus a better street tire compound (even if the rest of the tire isn't so great for the street in terms of road noise or lack of tread).

But there isn't much space between the R888 and Rival S. Don't worry about the treadwear ratings. Both choices are similar in terms of grip and much better than a PS2.

BillY2KFRC

Thank you both for the solid advice, really appreciate it. I was not aware the Rival S compound was so close in grip to the R888, that's great to hear. I'm leaning towards the Rival S for the improved street manors now.

Any feedback on sidewall stiffness/steering response between the two? I tend to prefer a stiffer sidewall.

Kubs

Just a tip on how the Treadwear rating works. The UTQG ratings are implemented in conjunction with a wear warranty. If a tire is rated to go 50K miles, it has a UTQG treadwear of 540 (or something). The tire has to pass a test to be marked at least 540 (or whatever the intended rating is). Tire manufactures can put anything they want there as long as it does not contradict the test results. If a tire did not meet that 540 mark they cannot rate it as a 540. If it did then they can put 540 on it or 300 or 450 if they want.

Before the big 200TW battle began a lot of performance tires were marked lower because people thought it meant grip. It just means it will wear out faster than something with a higher number, but it at least meets the wear target for a 200 number. Just because a tire has a lower number does not mean it has more grip or a softer compound. Many things factor into wear like; tread profile, footprint shape, pattern design, etc.

wtb-z

To be clear, on a road course, I would expect the Rival S to be a faster than a R888, except maybe for the R888's golden second heat cycle (just my opinion...R888 performance is a controversial subject).

I don't think either is a clear winner in terms of subjective driving experience. The R888 is sort of like a warm marshmellow when fresh, but it is sort of stiff. It's hard to explain. The Rival S is more straightforwardly vague and sloppy. But those are limit handling comments that won't matter on the street that much.