Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

[Z06] C5 ZO6 tire choice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 12:33 PM
  #1  
98vettemann's Avatar
98vettemann
Thread Starter
Instructor
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 210
Likes: 5
From: Fenton,MI
Default C5 ZO6 tire choice

Suggestions needed on new set of tires for 03 ZO6. No driving in winter. Open road racing 2-3 events per year with driving to events anywhere from 1800-1400 miles each way. GY supercar/Michelins/Firestone/other? Current set is Michelin sports but tread is 5/32 and unsure if ever patched or not. Do not want to find out at 150 mph.

Many thanks fellow corvette owners!
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 12:39 PM
  #2  
sothpaw2's Avatar
sothpaw2
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
Default

That's a tough order. The issue w/the long drive is that you can't guarantee dry weather over that whole span 3 times per year, round trip. So if you start w/ Nitto R-II, a nice R-comp road tire, they only have barely 5/32" tread new. It won't be long before it would be dicy to drive them in the rain.

I'd try the GY Supercars for your needs. If you start to like tracking, look into a tire trailer.

Actually--1500 mi is so far--maybe look into just having your wheels shipped w/tires mounted to a tire store near the track. Maybe you could get a good deal on shipping. Or find a buddy w/ a trailer that can take your 4 track tires for you.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 03:25 PM
  #3  
z0650's Avatar
z0650
Pro
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 597
Likes: 10
From: MO
Default

I just bought a set of vredesteins. You might look them up online, I've read lots of good things about them.
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 08:50 PM
  #4  
dagon138's Avatar
dagon138
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 14
From: Honolulu, HI
Default

I really like the Nitto NT-05's

Previosly had numerous Stock Goodyear Supercars.
These NT05's are noticably quieter, and once broken in, better handling. Cheaper too!
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 08:54 PM
  #5  
Quick Silver Z's Avatar
Quick Silver Z
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,214
Likes: 2,133
From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
No-IL Events Coordinator
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (appearance mods)
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Default

I'm very satisfied with my Toyo Proxes in stock sizes, got caught in the rain with them a couple weeks ago and they held very well!
Reply
Old Jul 10, 2009 | 09:48 PM
  #6  
PR1AWRet's Avatar
PR1AWRet
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: San Diego/Imperial Beach Ca
Default

Goodyear Eagle 1 GS D3. Got mine for $1159 OTD this week.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2009 | 03:52 PM
  #7  
98vettemann's Avatar
98vettemann
Thread Starter
Instructor
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 210
Likes: 5
From: Fenton,MI
Default

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. Silver state classic, big bend, and sandhills open road events are the main venues--no tracking just high speed running on open roads with curves, sweepers, and hills. The GY D3 are great tires but I do not believe they come in stock sizes for ZO6. No one has mentioned the Firestone wide ovals-any experience with these?

thanks again!!
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2009 | 04:50 PM
  #8  
J Z06's Avatar
J Z06
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Default

Vredestein Sessanta's! They hook like the dickens...butter smooth ride quality and will NOT destroy your wallet.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jul 11, 2009 | 04:53 PM
  #9  
SCM_Crash's Avatar
SCM_Crash
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
Default

Originally Posted by dagon138
I really like the Nitto NT-05's

Previosly had numerous Stock Goodyear Supercars.
These NT05's are noticably quieter, and once broken in, better handling. Cheaper too!
+1

Or get some Nitto Invos.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2009 | 05:52 PM
  #10  
54greg's Avatar
54greg
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 46
From: So Cal
Default

My son runs the firestones on his 01 Z and loves the tires
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2009 | 05:54 PM
  #11  
69dodgecharger's Avatar
69dodgecharger
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 4
From: Oakley CA
Default

I love my NT05's! If you don't drive in heavy rain get Toya RA-1. I also have a set of them and they hook and handle great!!!
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2009 | 10:02 PM
  #12  
BobbyC3's Avatar
BobbyC3
Race Director
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,482
Likes: 0
From: Common courtesy and common sense are not common.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Default

Originally Posted by PR1AWRet
Goodyear Eagle 1 GS D3. Got mine for $1159 OTD this week.
I have had the Eagle 1 GS D3 on for over a year and love them. Done some track days on them and they are great. Not a good rain tire but they will get you home alive.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2009 | 11:07 PM
  #13  
PR1AWRet's Avatar
PR1AWRet
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: San Diego/Imperial Beach Ca
Default

Thr GY GS D3, the fronts are 275/40-17 vice 265/40-17. They fit on the front fine. There rears come stock, 295/35-18.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2009 | 11:23 PM
  #14  
BobbyC3's Avatar
BobbyC3
Race Director
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,482
Likes: 0
From: Common courtesy and common sense are not common.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Default

Originally Posted by PR1AWRet
Thr GY GS D3, the fronts are 275/40-17 vice 265/40-17. They fit on the front fine. There rears come stock, 295/35-18.
I like the big fronts


Reply
Old Jul 12, 2009 | 08:49 AM
  #15  
Bills Z06's Avatar
Bills Z06
Race Director
15 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 3
From: Cypress TX
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Default

I use the Nitto 555R2 and will be switching to the NT01 when these are gone. Very sticky when they get warmed up. Only downfall is that you're not going to get 20-30,000 miles out of them. It's a compromise - you either get a very track worthy sticky tire that won't give you a ton of milage, or you get a tire that gives you a lot of miles but is not the best when it comes to track days. Good luck with your decision
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2009 | 08:56 AM
  #16  
lar66BB's Avatar
lar66BB
Burning Brakes
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 52
From: Deltona Fl.
Default

Originally Posted by PR1AWRet
Goodyear Eagle 1 GS D3. Got mine for $1159 OTD this week.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2009 | 09:29 AM
  #17  
Stevo92z28's Avatar
Stevo92z28
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 4
From: Northern VA
Default

Originally Posted by Bills Z06
I use the Nitto 555R2 and will be switching to the NT01 when these are gone. Very sticky when they get warmed up. Only downfall is that you're not going to get 20-30,000 miles out of them. It's a compromise - you either get a very track worthy sticky tire that won't give you a ton of milage, or you get a tire that gives you a lot of miles but is not the best when it comes to track days. Good luck with your decision
Can't have your cake and eat it too. Seems to be the same with brake pads and pretty much everything else.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C5 ZO6 tire choice

Old Jul 12, 2009 | 05:33 PM
  #18  
z060-0's Avatar
z060-0
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: cobourg ont
Default

Originally Posted by Quick Silver Z
I'm very satisfied with my Toyo Proxes in stock sizes, got caught in the rain with them a couple weeks ago and they held very well!
I have these also. Seem really good so far. Only 1500 miles though.
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 10:47 AM
  #19  
98vettemann's Avatar
98vettemann
Thread Starter
Instructor
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 210
Likes: 5
From: Fenton,MI
Default

Any problem with not having the OEM "30" difference between 265/295 frt/rear with the GY D-3'S as far as handling and suspension?

thanks
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2009 | 01:43 PM
  #20  
iced98lx's Avatar
iced98lx
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 0
Default

I got a set of Invo's for the back at stock sizes but i'm not seeing any invo's for the front sizes, what size are you guys running for the invo's?
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:58 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE