Ludeaem

*updates below in this post*

So I've taken the plunge on these tires. The previous tire (595 RS-R) was a bit of a let down on the track but was a nice solution if you were just doing mild street duty. I know the sizes are very limited for most of you out there but I'll be running 275/35/18's squared on the stock C5 Z06 rears. Research shows these run wide so it is more of a 285. I was thinking of running 285 PSS's but at almost half the cost I wanted to take the plunge. Supposed to compete against other 200 treadwear tires but we'll see. I will be sure to update my street and track impressions. Keep in mind I will be coming from NT05's so hopefully someone down the line will find this useful.

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

Cheapest place I have found them - Ebay. $588 with no shipping or tax.




Street update with about 150 miles with pictures

Here are a few quick shots with -1.8 up front and -1 out back









So far I am really liking this set over NT05s. You can tell the limit is a good amount higher than the Nitto's on the street but at the cost of them being a lot louder. At the track with some heat will be a different story but having Dunlop StarSpecs (on a Civic Si) I feel these are on par grip wise. More updates to come with mileage and track impressions.

Tomswheels

Interested to see what you think, they should be a step up from the NT-05 in sidewall stiffness. Can you stick a tape measure across tread AFTER you mount them? I'd like to see treadwidth vs the 285 RE-71R on a 10.5 wheel....

firebirdfan

Seeing as how you were using NT05s, damn near anything is going to be an upgrade. Those tires are garbage. The only nice thing about them is they are absolutely dirt cheap.

I've not heard much about the Federals beyond that they've been re-designed recently to bring them on par with the other hot tires. I haven't seen any reviews either.

FASTFATBOY

Friend ran them and loved em

Ludeaem

I can do that not a problem. Will most likely be several months however.

Not as cheap as these! $147 a tire for the Federals and $203 (on Discount Tire Directs site) for NT05s. I thought the Nitto's were just 'ok'. It's the only set I've tracked on with the vette and ultimately yearned for more grip. Figured these tires are a good stepping point before r compounds and then maybe scrubs down the line if I ever get a trailer

FASTFATBOY

I loved the NT-05, great tire. If you start the tire pressure too high, they get greasy in a hurry.

They like 27 ish PSI start pressure.

firebirdfan

It's really not. Even the RE11 is a better tire in every aspect, and it's a full generation behind the current crop of 200tw tires. I think tire rack did a test a while back and the NT05 was something like 3 seconds slower on the same course, car, tire size, and driver than the RE11. The RE11 was already considered old at that point and was bested by every other summer tire in the competition. The only reason to run NT05s is if you plan on doing "mad drifts, yo."

Back on topic, I don't have a dog in this fight as I don't plan on running the federal (current plan is 315 rivals), but I am interested to see if it keeps up. The super low price point is concerning. Tires are one of the few items where you get what you pay for.

FASTFATBOY

Man you're all over the place aren't you?

So being slower and MUCH cheaper than the RE-11 automatically makes the NT-05 a "garbage tire"?

It's not a "garbage tire" it's a GREAT DE tire, great life and consistency over its life. It's grip is on par with a Michelin Pilot Super Sport for much less money.

Not everyone runs the Optima Battery Series.

STANG KILLA SS

i looked into these when i had my camaro, there was some folks having luck with them in AX, but not so much in RR.

your running a 275 on a 10.5" wheel?

froggy47

Ludeaem

Its within spec. Like i mentioned they are as wide as a 285. Not to mention its probably not fair to compare EVERYTHING to a Camaro but good to hear others feedback.

Tread width on the 275/35/18 595s - 10.1 inches.
Tread width on the 285/35/18 Michelin PSS - 10.2
285/30/18 RE71 - 10.3
275/35/18 PSS - 9.6

FASTFATBOY

Guys who run NASA Time Trial in C5 Z06's that are walking the rope between TT2 and TT3 run a 275 on a 10.5 wheel to bump them back into TT3.

conemark

Curious to hear the feedback on this new 200TW contender, even though I'm an SSR holdout.

Ludeaem

Threw the 275 RS-RR next to a 295 PS2 for giggles. PS2 has a wheel mounted and the Federal is bare.

froggy47

Thanks for that, I may try some for street tires.

conemark

There's running wide and then there's "really running wide"!

It looks like I could get away with the 255/40R17 in front and 275/35R18 as a poor man's wet tire on my C5Z.

kdm123

I have gone through many, many Federal RS-R 595!
I love them for what they are: cheap track day tires. They cost me $500 a set for 285/18s.
They do not like heat. A fun party trick is that you can smoke people on the warm up lap because they don't need any heat in them. However, after one lap they are overheated, and it's downhill from there.

I am curious to see how these new RS-RR or whatever they are called will compare.

I have run Hoosier R7s on my car and of course the difference is huge.

Best time at Willow for my mostly stock C5Z on the Federals: 1:31.4

kdm123

I should clarify that although they don't like heat, they will not chunk. They are not a race tire, but they are great for getting seat time. A set will last 3 track days of hard driving if you rotate them.

I just bought a set of the new RS-RR's. They were only $50 a set more than the RS-R. I'm looking forward to trying them since they are supposed to be an improvement over the RS-R's.

Ludeaem

Quick update.

I had these mounted today and first street impression. LOUD. I swore for the first time i hit 40mph Red Baron was trailing me. I guess this was expected due to that whacky tread pattern but compared to the NT05 they are much louder.

Grip - only in the mid 60's today and I did not take any corners too quickly. I do live in Indiana after all

I am going to get an alignment in the next few days so i'll snap some pictures for those interseted.

Supercharged111

Sub'd.