11psiGSR

Hi Guys,

I promised I would post my impressions of the Nitto NT05's I had installed on Friday, so here goes. I will try to be as detailed as possible.

Note that my previous tires were the stock GY F1 SC's. I am unsure how many miles were on this set of tires since I bought the car with 34k used in November 2008.

Also note that I had a extremely detailed alignment and on-car high speed balancing done by Gran Turismo East here in Atlanta. Anyone who has let Jeff touch their C5 or any other vehicle knows this guy is a true expert in setting up a car for the track. If you want your car setup right and you are within reasonable distance to Atlanta... DO NOT SKIMP. Take your car to these guys.

Weather in Atlanta was dry on Friday, so I did get some opportunity to "play". Unfortunately the weather on Saturday here was quite rainy. On the positive side, this really gave me a chance to try them in different rain scenarios as I put almost 200 miles on the car around town yesterday alone.

As a quick background, I bought my Z06 for the track. It will see anywhere from 4-6 HPDE's a year. I have another track vehicle that I use NT01's and I have been very happy with them. I bought the NT05's with the intention of using them both as a street tire and a track tire... something not possible with NT01's. I don't expect more than 10k or 15k miles before I replace the NT05's again. My first track event with these tires will be at Roebling Road the first weekend of May. In my mind, this will be the true test.

Here goes...

Vehicle: 2002 Z06
Current Mileage: 37k
Previous Tires: Goodyear F1 SC (265/40-17 and 295/35-18 - Stock Sizes) Mileage Unknown
New Tires: Nitto NT05 (275/40-17 and 295/35-18)
Driveout Price: $850 +/-

The Positive
- NT05's are noticeably quieter than GY F1 SC's at highway speeds (80mph).
- NT05's tend to track (follow pavement grooves) less than GY F1 SC's at highway speeds. One of my biggest complaints.
- Wet weather performance is AT LEAST equal to the GY F1 SC's. I feel like they are better, but to be honest I had only driven in the heavy rain with the GY's once or twice. The NT05's seem to channel water away very well, despite their appearance. Reading a few posts in other non-C5 forums seems to confirm my thoughts.
- Stability seems very good, with very responsive turn in. This is without them being heat cycled in any way.
- Appearance is very aggressive.

The Negative
- NT05's appear slightly less wide than the GY's (see images). This is likely due, in part to my alignment. The camber on the GY's was -.7 front and -.3 rear. The image shown with the NT05's has the car at -1.2 front and -1.1 rear. This will affect the contact patch slightly and puts the NT05's at a slight disadvantage. The NT05's are also new and likely have not settled in.
- The NT05's are probably not for the faint. With a 200 treadwear and tread depth of just over 6/32, they are probably not for someone looking for long life.


Front - Goodyear F1 Supercar (265/40-17)


Front - Nitto NT05 (275/40-17)


Rear - Goodyear F1 Supercar (295/35-18)


Rear - Nitto NT05 (295/35-18)


Rear of car - Nitto NT05

I will try to get better shots of the car when the weather here improves.

Overall I am very impressed. I never cared for the GY's and felt as though the Firestone's and Michelins would not be a great choice for my needs. Hopefully in the coming month's my impressions will continue to be positive at the track.

My rating so far...

Let me know if you have any questions.

Torch FRC

Nice write up, should be good for the track

QUIKSILVERZ

thanks for the update. should be ordering mine in 2-3wks

Bills Z06

Good info - thanks for the post!

briann510

I use NT-01's on the street full time and love them. I hammer back road twisties very hard with them every afternoon its nice out and do many WOT runs in them as well all the way through 5th gear and they handle it all quite well.

What do you mean by your comment above using NT-01's as a track and street tire is not possible with them other than maybe you mean not being able to use them in the rain which I never do.
You need to heat cycle them for sure if they are going to be a street only tire.

PA Z06

I ordered a set a week ago, and I am still waiting on the fronts to arrive.

11psiGSR

That is exactly what I mean. My Z06 is my daily driver (to and from airport). Driving it in the rain is the exception, but it does happen.

I still have my NT01's installed on my other car (Integra), but that car is my toy and NEVER sees the rain. I would be concerned about the NT01's ability to disperse water. Other than that... I love the NT01's.

The NT05's seem to be a great compromise between a dedicated track tire and and a daily driver. Leaning more towards the track tire in many performance area's I hope.

03blackZ06

your integra is your toy that never sees rain? it should be the other way around. nice write up none the less

Jameel

Hahahaha... I was gonna write the same thing.

The Integra is the toy car and the C5Z06 is the daily driver, I'm confused?

Zidane

Good write up. I'll have to stop by Gran Turismo sometime.

11psiGSR

The Integra is modified to a level that makes it barely streetable and certainly not a daily driver material like the Z06. I built it largely to be a track car.

I am a car guy. I appreciate all forms of power, speed and handling. Don't be hatin' now.

11psiGSR

Talk to Kieren.

Although they happened to be the cheapest I could find in this case, don't go to them based solely on price. Go to them because they are the best. I have never regretted it. They are weekend racers and truly know cars inside and out.

You could tell Jeff (alignment specialist) had setup MANY C5 Z06's for the track. He actually knew the alignment specs for his Z06 track cars off the top of his head!

PA Z06

HAHA I too came from a modded gsr, pm me some pics or just post them here.Sorry the only picture I have at work

11psiGSR

Awesome! I still have mine. My wife thinks she will be burying me in it.

Built B18C1 ENDYN motor with Full Race Stage 2 GT turbo kit (GT3071R Turbo). 423whp / 320ft lbs at 18lbs with a very conservative tune. It's waaay faster than my Z... but lacks the refinement.

In the end they are VERY different cars, but I appreciate them both for different reasons.

PA Z06

not to thread jack anymore, but I wish I kept mine, Had Hondata stand alone, skunk h/I/C. Truly miss that car

Jameel

It seems that people who have/had Integras love them.

With that kind of wheel HP/torque how the hell do you keep from getting massive torque-steer?

11psiGSR

Quiafe LSD and Nitto NT01 tires. That's about all you can do. Front wheel drive sucks when it comes to high horsepower. Nonetheless, it's still fun.

In a straight line, it will destroy my Z06. The overall experience of the Z06 is superior, however. The Z is a much more balanced track car.

I love my Integra... but no matter how much I do to it, it is still a glorified Civic. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

11psiGSR

I hear that constantly. It is the reason I have never gotten rid of it. Besides, nobody would ever give me what it is worth to me. Too much sentimental value.

QUIKSILVERZ

ANY CHANCE OF A SIDE PROFILE SHOT? LOVE TO SEE HOW THE 275s LOOK COMPARED TO THE 295s ON THE REAR.

11psiGSR

Sure thing. Weather in Atlanta is nice this weekend. I should be able to get to it sometime tomorrow.