Traction Issues
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
From: Green Lane Pennsylvania
Traction Issues
I'm looking to try to solve my traction problem and am wondering what some of you FI and Nitrous guys with the real big horse power have done to deal with the traction issue???
My Vette is only putting out 456 rwhp. I got tubbed and put 345x30zrx19 Michelin Pilot Sports on the rear and am dissapointed in the tires performance. If first gear they break loose from a roll whack second and forget it, your sliding around like a buffalo on ice skates to the point where nailing it in low gears on a public highway is not a sane thing to do.
My Vette is only putting out 456 rwhp. I got tubbed and put 345x30zrx19 Michelin Pilot Sports on the rear and am dissapointed in the tires performance. If first gear they break loose from a roll whack second and forget it, your sliding around like a buffalo on ice skates to the point where nailing it in low gears on a public highway is not a sane thing to do.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
From: Green Lane Pennsylvania
Originally Posted by drcoffee
I thought I have seen folks say that 3.42s were preferred on FI applications. Your 3.90 gears may be too tall.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 2
Go with the nitto RII street/track tire. And the 3.90 gear set is pretty low, especially if you have the Z06 MN12.
I can lay down almost all 425+ RWHP in first gear on 80 degree+ days with my 335/30 18's Michelins Pilots. Second gear is locked down tight from a punch always. Stock gears and MN6-speed.
Thinking of upgrading for the cooler weather and future blower applications to the Nitto's though. Avoid DR's as they can be nasty at high speeds...
I can lay down almost all 425+ RWHP in first gear on 80 degree+ days with my 335/30 18's Michelins Pilots. Second gear is locked down tight from a punch always. Stock gears and MN6-speed.
Thinking of upgrading for the cooler weather and future blower applications to the Nitto's though. Avoid DR's as they can be nasty at high speeds...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Henderson NV
Nitto's vs Pilot Sport Cups
I'm in the same boat, but am at 470 rwhp. I'm currenlty deciding between the Nitto 555R Drag Radial (pretty sticky, somewhat flexible sidewall which will help tire flex during acceleration) or the Pilot Sport Cups (sticky R compound but at 80 treadwear should last similarly to nitto's), and supposedly a really good tire for dusty roads which I have in Las Vegas. The cups are also an autox tire, so handling will probably improve.
I'm trying to find someone that has experience with the Pilot Sport Cups, but currently no dice on this forum.
I'm trying to find someone that has experience with the Pilot Sport Cups, but currently no dice on this forum.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,221
Likes: 899
From: CA
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by Blue Lightening
Your correct, the 390 gears are a blast to drive but they are too tall...but still I see these posts where some of these guys have 600 & 700 rwhp. My Vette is slippery with just 456, so what have they done to the car to handle that, or they just plain crazy???
Now of course I can ice skate all day, which is fun once in a while, but not condusive to good excelaration..
I've also been called crazy once or twice...
JB
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
From: Green Lane Pennsylvania
How much handling do you sacrifice do you loose when you switch those nitto RII street/track tire and or BFG G-Force KDs????
I sometimes think I expect too much. I wanted the power, now that I got it, I'm bitching about not having traction and I guess I'll be doing the same thing if I have power and traction but loose handling and am looking for the best of all three worlds.
I sometimes think I expect too much. I wanted the power, now that I got it, I'm bitching about not having traction and I guess I'll be doing the same thing if I have power and traction but loose handling and am looking for the best of all three worlds.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,935
Likes: 26
From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
Virginia Events Coordinator
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
NCM Ambassador
I have Expedia S0-1s 345/35/18s on my 97' for street driving and get 1.75 60's in the 1/4.......they have a 140 tread rating and hook pretty good on the street.......and do fine in wet weather & auto xing. Short of the 345/30/18 drs at 1.52 60's 
I don't think I can find a better 345/35 to use on the rear for street/strip duty.
Only thing for sale new now is SO-3s in smaller sizes.
Good luck, the tread rating will need to be soft for the HP to hook on the street
I don't think I can find a better 345/35 to use on the rear for street/strip duty. Only thing for sale new now is SO-3s in smaller sizes.
Good luck, the tread rating will need to be soft for the HP to hook on the street
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 797
Likes: 1
From: Sunny Earthquake Country, USA On the Left Coast (which is becoming more Right!)
I'm crazy too!
Originally Posted by jbsblownc5
I run 295 BFG G-Force KDs on my HREs. I'm lowered a bit with C5R Spings, QA-1 shocks, and T-1 Bars. After they are warm, with a bit of throttle control, I can put down most of my power on the street once I get going in second. I can actually use quite a bit of first as well.
Now of course I can ice skate all day, which is fun once in a while, but not condusive to good excelaration..
I've also been called crazy once or twice...
JB
Now of course I can ice skate all day, which is fun once in a while, but not condusive to good excelaration..
I've also been called crazy once or twice...
JB
I have a coupe ('97) and my overall ratio (trans x rear end) in 1st gear is about the same as a ZO6!...Check for yourself!
As JB says, a little throttle control is necessary!
And for some of us that may be as hard as learning to play the violin, most of us would be hard pressed to play the harmonica!
Roy
