NITTO Drag Radials
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Enterprise AL
NITTO Drag Radials
My 88 is slightly modified and runs decent numbers 0-60 and 1/4. The problem is the launch. It's really hard to get it to hook up with any RPM at all. I am about to do some serious power mods and I would like to address this problem now. A friend suggested I go with a set of NITTO Drag radials, but I have seen very little feedback...so it's up to the forum now to offer some guidance or suggestions. This is an automatic car with a shift kit.
I am currently running 255/50ZR16 but would like to put a little more rubber on the ground. Will a 275 fit in the wheel well of an 88 with no scrubbing? :confused:
I am currently running 255/50ZR16 but would like to put a little more rubber on the ground. Will a 275 fit in the wheel well of an 88 with no scrubbing? :confused:
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 228
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From: SoCal
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (afree)
If the drag radials will only be used at the track get the BFG's. If you plan to drive them on the street the Nittos are a better choice. They hook well and you will get 10-15,000 miles out fo them. I'm on my fourth set of Nittos (street use only), but I use ET Drags at the track.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 21
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From: Enterprise AL
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (emsrescu)
Thanks to everyone for the advice. Since I do use the car on the street as well I think I am going stuff the biggest NITTO drag radials I can get into the wheel wells on it.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16
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From: Liberty Mo.
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (afree)
I had BFG G-force ta's 275 17's wen't 12.74 Wen't to Nitto's275's and wen't12.02 and cause I could rev harder on the take off picked up a mph to boot typical leave at 4k to 4500rpm they handle good on the street and last well also.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (afree)
No problem with the 275s or bigger and get those Nittos hot and they'll hook!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 4
From: Middle River MD
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (afree)
I had very poor traction with street tires. I switched to Nitto drags on the rear and it was a huge improvement. I will always have them on the rear of my Vette from now on.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16
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From: Liberty Mo.
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (afree)
Something else to consider is it takes more hp and torque to turn a tire with more mass like the 315's compared to the 275's so if the lowest et is what your after go smaller if it's the look your after and you'll give up a tenth go big!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (Red Hot 916spd)
I put a set of BFG Drag Radials 255/50 16" under the back of my 87 on stock 16x9.5" rims. Good traction footprint, hook hard with minimal heat. So far got a 1.86, but that was with 20psi in the tires with the burnout in my sig.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 744
Likes: 1
From: Houston Tx
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (4DRSS)
If the drag radials will only be used at the track get the BFG's. If you plan to drive them on the street the Nittos are a better choice. They hook well and you will get 10-15,000 miles out fo them. I'm on my fourth set of Nittos (street use only), but I use ET Drags at the track.
Excellent advice 4DRSS .... I run Nitto Drag radials all around (though my car is a weekender only, not a daily driver ) and they are superb street tires (although mine almost never see rain, they are not the best choice in the wet). Because of their soft sidewalls , they offer a good ride, offer very predictable forgiving handling characteristics , and the traction is EXCELLENT.
Excellent advice 4DRSS .... I run Nitto Drag radials all around (though my car is a weekender only, not a daily driver ) and they are superb street tires (although mine almost never see rain, they are not the best choice in the wet). Because of their soft sidewalls , they offer a good ride, offer very predictable forgiving handling characteristics , and the traction is EXCELLENT.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (Shriker)
Excellent advice 4DRSS .... I run Nitto Drag radials all around (though my car is a weekender only, not a daily driver ) and they are superb street tires (although mine almost never see rain, they are not the best choice in the wet). Because of their soft sidewalls , they offer a good ride, offer very predictable forgiving handling characteristics , and the traction is EXCELLENT.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,484
Likes: 1
From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (-=Jeff=-)
OK, let's expand the question just a bit.
I have heard a number of folks say the Nittos are a better every day tire than the BFG. However, I also do a little bit of auto-x. As such, I have been looking for a set of wheels just to mount BFGs on for trips to the strip.
Will the Nittos work decent for auto-x too???
I have heard a number of folks say the Nittos are a better every day tire than the BFG. However, I also do a little bit of auto-x. As such, I have been looking for a set of wheels just to mount BFGs on for trips to the strip.
Will the Nittos work decent for auto-x too???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (LT-4 CE)
I got my new Nitto 555R drags last year and I love them. They feel liek normal tires on the street, but after you heat them up a bit, even on the street they grip a LOT better.
I've been spinning them at the track, so the best 60foot I got was 1.77 with them last year, but that was with a 'weak' launch (low rpm launch).
I think i have to heat them up a bit more and lower the air pressure more..
We'll see what this year will bring.
For Autox there is a special Nitto Racing tire. 555R-2 I believe. Check with nitto.com to make sure though.
I've been spinning them at the track, so the best 60foot I got was 1.77 with them last year, but that was with a 'weak' launch (low rpm launch).
I think i have to heat them up a bit more and lower the air pressure more..
We'll see what this year will bring.
For Autox there is a special Nitto Racing tire. 555R-2 I believe. Check with nitto.com to make sure though.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,167
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From: What did the 5 fingers say to the face? SLAP!!
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (MrNuke)
. Check with nitto.com to make sure though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 9
Re: NITTO Drag Radials (-=Jeff=-)
Excellent advice 4DRSS .... I run Nitto Drag radials all around (though my car is a weekender only, not a daily driver ) and they are superb street tires (although mine almost never see rain, they are not the best choice in the wet). Because of their soft sidewalls , they offer a good ride, offer very predictable forgiving handling characteristics , and the traction is EXCELLENT.
I was thinking about this myself, since I am goignt o 315s in the back, I was wondering if I could move the 275 Nittos to the front.
I also tend to only drive my car on dry days. The nitto tread compound sticks great on wet roads at low speeds, but I'm sure that the limited grooves would make them likely to hydroplane at higher speeds.
