[Z06] DOT Drag Radials
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DOT Drag Radials
Am interested in putting a set of Street Drag Radials on my '02 Z06, could use some info and suggestions. Have done a little research on Nitto's and BF Goodrich T/A's. Currently have F1's(295/35-18's) can't find a match in the Nitto's but did find the same size in the T/A's.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Meriden Ct
Well i've done some research on the forum as well as had some real world experience. The bfg's hook alot better, but aren't for every day driving. The sidewall's are softer than the nitto's and the car not only sways at higher speeds, but also loses alot of its cornering. The nitto's hook well, are z rated, with a stiffer sidewall. I had a s/c 98 cobra with the nitto's and loved them. I'm gonna be ordering a set of nitto's this week for my soon to be blown z.
Chris
Chris
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,236
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From: Glendora CA
I just got a set of Nittos 305 18s they work well enought for me going around corners. I just got back from a Corvette forum run to Laughlin and i kept up well enought in the corners the active handeling never came on once. They seem to do great in the light rain we have been getting here in So Calif. This Thursday night I well be at the local 1/8 mile track and can let you know how well they hook.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,847
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From: Bartlett, IL
Cruise-In XI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
The Nitto Drag Radials are the best hands down if you plan to use them for any kind of normal commuting, they are a full tread depth tire, provide good rain traction, wear well and hook great. I believe the BFG's are stickier and will likely net you a better 60' but they wear very quickly and god forbid you get caught in the rain once they wear a bit.....good luck. You will give up a bit in the handling department compared to the GY SC's. If you dont want to give up handling and are will to compromise a bit of straight line traction for better handling then you may want to look at the Nitto RII's they are the same tread pattern but less tread depth, they have a stiffer sidewall than the Drag Radials but use a soft compound just the same.
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Thanks for the info, it looks like a set of Nitto 305 18's are what I am looking for, I do quite a bit of country running and some rolling runs. I assume the Nitto's will fit my present rims with no problems. Time to get some $$$$. Thanks again.. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,233
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From: Monroe WA
i have run nitto Rs, R2s, and now BFGs. my opinion is all three are pretty useless in the rain. nittos are ok when they're new, but once you start wearing them down they're terrible in the rain. on my way to LA i got caught in the rain with the R2s and i had to slow down to ~30 on the freeway and it was still trying to go sideways on me. i was about to just pull off and get a hotel, but then the rain let up. i bought an extra set of rear wheels to mount the BFGs so i can swap them on and off at will.
after running all three of these tires my choice is for the BFGs. they're the best at what they're intended for which is a drag tire.
after running all three of these tires my choice is for the BFGs. they're the best at what they're intended for which is a drag tire.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 450
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From: Winter Garden FL
Have you thought about the MT ET drag radials?
I just put a set of MT 275 40 17's on the rear mounted on chrome 17X9.5 ZO6 rims.
They drive great on the street, even with them aired up to 29 lbs I can't spin them on the street. If I dump the clutch at 2000 RPM they only chirp once and then it's like being launched out of a sling shot.
I'm heading to the track tonight, I'll post my results.
I just put a set of MT 275 40 17's on the rear mounted on chrome 17X9.5 ZO6 rims.
They drive great on the street, even with them aired up to 29 lbs I can't spin them on the street. If I dump the clutch at 2000 RPM they only chirp once and then it's like being launched out of a sling shot.
I'm heading to the track tonight, I'll post my results.
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Forgive my ignorance but who makes MT drag radials? I have priced the Nitto 555R and they are just a little tooooo high for me, $800+ for 2. I was hoping to find something in the $220/250 range(2), i could be dreaming..
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by ROADTRIPR
Am interested in putting a set of Street Drag Radials on my '02 Z06, could use some info and suggestions. Have done a little research on Nitto's and BF Goodrich T/A's. Currently have F1's(295/35-18's) can't find a match in the Nitto's but did find the same size in the T/A's.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,921
Likes: 1
From: Minburn Ia
The Nitto 555ZR's are the true street tire. For those that only occasionally go to the track, and drive in the rain. Also wear better than the others. I think I gave 200 a tire last year on set of 4.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 450
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From: Winter Garden FL
Originally Posted by ROADTRIPR
Forgive my ignorance but who makes MT drag radials? I have priced the Nitto 555R and they are just a little tooooo high for me, $800+ for 2. I was hoping to find something in the $220/250 range(2), i could be dreaming..
MT= Mickey Thompson.
The rims cost $249.99 X2 +shipping from Corvette Garage
The Drag Radials were $160.99 X2
So for about $900.00 you could have a great strip set up.
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
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From: Halfway Mo.
Originally Posted by 02bpdz06
Well i've done some research on the forum as well as had some real world experience. The bfg's hook alot better, but aren't for every day driving. The sidewall's are softer than the nitto's and the car not only sways at higher speeds, but also loses alot of its cornering. The nitto's hook well, are z rated, with a stiffer sidewall. I had a s/c 98 cobra with the nitto's and loved them. I'm gonna be ordering a set of nitto's this week for my soon to be blown z.
Chris
Chris
BobA (Now in Mo.)
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Originally Posted by Richie Carbone
Have you thought about the MT ET drag radials?
I just put a set of MT 275 40 17's on the rear mounted on chrome 17X9.5 ZO6 rims.
They drive great on the street, even with them aired up to 29 lbs I can't spin them on the street. If I dump the clutch at 2000 RPM they only chirp once and then it's like being launched out of a sling shot....
I just put a set of MT 275 40 17's on the rear mounted on chrome 17X9.5 ZO6 rims.
They drive great on the street, even with them aired up to 29 lbs I can't spin them on the street. If I dump the clutch at 2000 RPM they only chirp once and then it's like being launched out of a sling shot....
But, while MT ET Street Radials are great at the drag strip, they are, to me, a very risky street tire. They are
(1) treacherous on wet streets
(2) so soft of compound that they track every nuance of the road, meaning they NEVER settle down, and
(3) unstable on turn and off-ramp (at 35 they set off active handling on off-ramps I normally take at 58 with BFG DRs).
I drove to and from the track with the MT radials mounted but was always extremely cautious.
In contrast I put about 8K miles on a pair of BFG 315.35.17s when I was racing nearly every weekend in the fall of 2002. Very stable and predictable behavior at speeds to 160. Off-ramp speeds not that far off F1SCs. But gotta be very careful with them on wet streets.
Ranger
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
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From: Halfway Mo.
Originally Posted by Ranger
Risk tolerance is for each owner to decide.
But, while MT ET Street Radials are great at the drag strip, they are, to me, a very risky street tire. They are
(1) treacherous on wet streets
(2) so soft of compound that they track every nuance of the road, meaning they NEVER settle down, and
(3) unstable on turn and off-ramp (at 35 they set off active handling on off-ramps I normally take at 58 with BFG DRs).
I drove to and from the track with the MT radials mounted but was always extremely cautious.
In contrast I put about 8K miles on a pair of BFG 315.35.17s when I was racing nearly every weekend in the fall of 2002. Very stable and predictable behavior at speeds to 160. Off-ramp speeds not that far off F1SCs. But gotta be very careful with them on wet streets.
Ranger
But, while MT ET Street Radials are great at the drag strip, they are, to me, a very risky street tire. They are
(1) treacherous on wet streets
(2) so soft of compound that they track every nuance of the road, meaning they NEVER settle down, and
(3) unstable on turn and off-ramp (at 35 they set off active handling on off-ramps I normally take at 58 with BFG DRs).
I drove to and from the track with the MT radials mounted but was always extremely cautious.
In contrast I put about 8K miles on a pair of BFG 315.35.17s when I was racing nearly every weekend in the fall of 2002. Very stable and predictable behavior at speeds to 160. Off-ramp speeds not that far off F1SCs. But gotta be very careful with them on wet streets.
Ranger
BobA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,859
Likes: 4
From: Greensboro NC
I went with Mickey Thompsons 275 40 17's on the rear mounted on my stock front 17X9.5 ZO6 rims. They are great for the track but I only run them to and from the drag strip. If you want sticky there the way to go. If you want a good daily driver street radial I would go with the BFGs.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Littlefield TX
St. Jude Donor '06
Aye, MT drag radials are super sticky but I wouldn't suggest driving daily with them. Get a good set of street tires that corner well and just get another 2 rims with the drag radials mounted on for when your headed to the track. They will drive just fine to and from the track and that is what they were meant for anyway.
That way you don't tear up your street tires at the strip and you don't compromise traction either.
That way you don't tear up your street tires at the strip and you don't compromise traction either.