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Nitto DR's in the rain?

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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 08:41 AM
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Default Nitto DR's in the rain?

Heres the skinny. Stockish (cold air, tune) seldom drove C5. I drive it weekends to play. How smart/ safe is it to put Nitto dr's on it for daily driving. The only time it would be in wet weather is if I get caught out when the weather changes (happened twice in the last 6 months). I ask about Nitto's because from all I've read they are more "street" then strip. I like taking it to the local 1/8th every few weeks to play as well. If I'm out on date night with the wife and it rains will the dr's become undrivable? If I could get away with it I'd love to have the extra grip whenever I want or need it. Anyone have any advice on this or has anyone tried this and got caught out in the rain? Thanks.

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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Nightstick
Heres the skinny. Stockish (cold air, tune) seldom drove C5. I drive it weekends to play. How smart/ safe is it to put Nitto dr's on it for daily driving. The only time it would be in wet weather is if I get caught out when the weather changes (happened twice in the last 6 months). I ask about Nitto's because from all I've read they are more "street" then strip. I like taking it to the local 1/8th every few weeks to play as well. If I'm out on date night with the wife and it rains will the dr's become undrivable? If I could get away with it I'd love to have the extra grip whenever I want or need it. Anyone have any advice on this or has anyone tried this and got caught out in the rain? Thanks.

DRs and any rain is a recipe for disaster.

If you do get caught in the rain try to pull over someplace safe and wait it out or drive very very carefully at a lower speed
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 08:50 AM
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i had had DR's on my low 11 sec buick ttype...it was like ice skating..my back end would wag around (hydroplane) going down the highway at 50-60 mph (off boost). the tires dont wick water away worth a turd. if you must have them on your car and get cought in the rain i suggest staying in the right lane and keeping speeds down...but most of all stay out of the torque curve and feed gas to the car as if your right foot is on an egg.

Last edited by 9secondflat; Mar 20, 2009 at 02:25 PM.
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 08:53 AM
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I've been caught in the rain with my nitto drag radials before. I made it through ok, but like posted above you need to be really careful. I wouldn't worry about it too much if you don't make a habit of driving in the rain.
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 08:59 AM
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I've been caught in an absolute downpour with mine in the rain before. While not confidence inspiring, they are driveable. I couldn't surpass 50 MPH on the highway in the downpour before I started skating though.
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 09:09 AM
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Ya'll are making me hopefull . Anyone else have any experience with this?

Last edited by Nightstick; Mar 20, 2009 at 09:23 AM.
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 11:30 AM
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Had mine up to 60 MPH on I-95 2 days ago in a monsoon. Wouldn't go any faster than that though. Had absolutely no problems. I should note that I have Sumitomo HTR ZIIIs on the front, which probably makes a huge difference.
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 12:44 PM
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You should check out the price difference between the Nitto and the Mickey Thompson unless you're dead set on the Nittos
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by TheDingo
You should check out the price difference between the Nitto and the Mickey Thompson unless you're dead set on the Nittos
I wouldn't even thing about the MT's if you have a chance of ending up in inclement weather. They're GREAT in dry weather, but you stand no chance in about 80% humidity and above (Yes, I imbelished there).
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Fastbird@FastbirdPerf.com
I've been caught in an absolute downpour with mine in the rain before. While not confidence inspiring, they are driveable. I couldn't surpass 50 MPH on the highway in the downpour before I started skating though.


Same here just have to take it real easy low 11s here with 410 gears so it likes to spin the tires. I went back to running 19" wheels and just put the DR on if I am goint to the track or trolling for ricers
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 04:22 PM
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You guys are crazy, I used to get a good 8 months out of my nitto drag radials and drove everyday in the summer florida monsoons. Even on the highway at 70 mph in a complete downpour they felt planted. Once the centers start to wear out and your only left with the tread on the side, its time to slow down in the rain.
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Old Mar 20, 2009 | 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 1sickz51vette
You guys are crazy, I used to get a good 8 months out of my nitto drag radials and drove everyday in the summer florida monsoons. Even on the highway at 70 mph in a complete downpour they felt planted. Once the centers start to wear out and your only left with the tread on the side, its time to slow down in the rain.
Mine were skating and they'd been on the car for MAYBE 500 miles. They were almost brand new, hadn't even seen a dragstrip pass.
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Old Mar 25, 2009 | 05:03 PM
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I think it honestly depends on the road surface, I'd drive the nitto's in the rain anyday. Its just the cost of them compared to life is like 4x more than other tires!
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