[Z06] Wide Ovals work for me !
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: Providence Forge Virginia
Wide Ovals work for me !
Monday I drove the '01 390 miles up I95 from South Carolina to Richmond Va. with several side trips on a new set of wide ovals. Guys...they may be cheaper in price and I can't say yet how "strip grip " might be but
in the rain...I loved them ! Never a slip, no sign of hydroplaneing and I got a decent ride too. I pushed them several times and MUCH safer than my '96 Z28.
in the rain...I loved them ! Never a slip, no sign of hydroplaneing and I got a decent ride too. I pushed them several times and MUCH safer than my '96 Z28.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Acworth Georgia
Lousy grip for me. Half throttle on a nearly stock 03 Z06 and they break loose so bad I gotta get out of the throttle to keep the traction control from self destructing. I plan to switch up to some better rubber in the next year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 13
From: Anywhere where Cones need hit
Cruise-In 9-10 Veteran
CI-X Auto-X Champ (race tires)
St. Jude Donor '07-'09
I've been thinking about these or the NT05s and as far as the 'footprint' they give off... I'm not too worried about as I mainly want to get from the house to the track and back on them. I'll have the big meats on the tire trailer.
Really can't argue with the $$ of them, either, escpecially if you plan on being out in the rain from what I'm hearing.
We'll see.. I'm a few months from buying.
Really can't argue with the $$ of them, either, escpecially if you plan on being out in the rain from what I'm hearing.
We'll see.. I'm a few months from buying.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Burbank CA
For those of you in much colder climates I can see you complaining about traction. Here in SoCal it's not really a problem, I leave for work at 5 a.m. and sometimes during the winter we get mid 30's and the tires(wide ovals) are rocks until you get a few miles down the road. However in 75-95 degree weather they grip just fine. I just put black coated wheels on my car last week that came with Kumho Ecsta MX's, that so far have had great grip cold or hot.
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Acworth GA
Wide Ovals are good for what they are intended. Reasonable cost, great wet traction, long life.
They are not traction kings, especially in the cold, but are acceptable. I use my Z06 as a daily driver and they meet the need. When the tire is cold or outside temp is cold, traction at full throttle (in first) is interesting to say the least. After about two years, tread wear is very good and still drive great in the rain.
If I had the coin, I would choose sticker tires. I can live with the trade off.
They are not traction kings, especially in the cold, but are acceptable. I use my Z06 as a daily driver and they meet the need. When the tire is cold or outside temp is cold, traction at full throttle (in first) is interesting to say the least. After about two years, tread wear is very good and still drive great in the rain.
If I had the coin, I would choose sticker tires. I can live with the trade off.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Panama City Beach Florida
Had Firestone "Wide" Ovals, currently on Goodyear F1 GSD3's, gonna try the new Nitto NT 05's in a few months. The Firestones flat sucked in all conditions, and I will NEVER put another set on my Z. But to their credit, the treadlife and price is awesome. The Goodyears are way better performers in ALL conditions, but the wear isn't nearly as good, and the price is steeper. I'm hoping that the new Nitto's are a better-performing alternative to the Firestones.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: Providence Forge Virginia
Price sounds good... for all 4 right ? What I hated was down here the install w/HS balance and stems was abt. $ 43-44 per tire for the delicate, soft touch I required !
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 401
Likes: 85
From: Terre Haute Indiana
Can't forget the road noise they put out...good lord are they loud compared to my INVO's I just put on. I also agree with the other posters...in cold weather, they are completely unreliable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 52
From: Largo,Fl fl
$849 from Firestone online plus tax 0r $938 including tax from Tires2U. They come to your house or business and install from their truck and fill the tires with nitrogen. No waiting in some store.
Last edited by cuspid; Mar 25, 2009 at 04:34 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,680
Likes: 1,180
From: Raleigh
I have driven on them at temps to -3 degrees and as long as you are careful they dont have any issues. I dont know that any tires for this car are much good below 30 but I am sure not going full throttle in freezing temps with any of them. As for rain they are great. Noise I dont notice any more noise with them after I changed over from the GY tires.
They are fine for what they are ...a decent daily driver tire.
They are fine for what they are ...a decent daily driver tire.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,055
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I have driven on them at temps to -3 degrees and as long as you are careful they dont have any issues. I dont know that any tires for this car are much good below 30 but I am sure not going full throttle in freezing temps with any of them. As for rain they are great. Noise I dont notice any more noise with them after I changed over from the GY tires.
They are fine for what they are ...a decent daily driver tire.
They are fine for what they are ...a decent daily driver tire.
Bill