[Z06] Tires ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Lake West virginia
Tires ?
Ok so I am running stock 295 35 18 size fire hawk wide ovals on my 03 z! So my ? Is what size can I safely run on a car that I do not race I don't want to rub but would like to fill my fender wells up! Also what brand do you recommend for better traction and still a good life span because I do use my car on trips sometimes?
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
Nitto NT05's are very popular street/track tires. I'm running them up front in 275/40/17 but have a set of Goodyear emts out back that came with the car. I want to get a set of NT for the rear to match soon. The NT is available in a 305/35/18 which fit no problem, that's what I'll get. Guys run 315's without issue, that's about as big as you want to go without running into issues with them rubbing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 924
Likes: 11
From: Rack City
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
I can't comment much on tires that offer longevity (I run R888s and R6s on the street), but I would very much suggest going with a 305/35/18 on the back.
I feel like this is the optimal size on Z06 wheels. They run wider than the stock wheel, and have a nice amount of sidewall which I find is both more visually appealing and better for traction (which you lose if you opt for the 315/30).
I ran these when I had Z06 wheels and was quite content.
I feel like this is the optimal size on Z06 wheels. They run wider than the stock wheel, and have a nice amount of sidewall which I find is both more visually appealing and better for traction (which you lose if you opt for the 315/30).
I ran these when I had Z06 wheels and was quite content.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 924
Likes: 11
From: Rack City
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 3
From: Mukilteo Washington
Hey I'm just keepin the stock size on my 01'Z for now. Any good replacements for the OE? They're pretty expensive but I will pay for them if I'm gonna sacrifice any performance. I'm up in the NW so I gotta keep wet roads in mind. 
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
Tires
If you are in the North West you need to buy Vredesteins! They have great traction in the dry and the very best traction in WET! I lived in the Seattle area for 5 years with my 02 as a daily driver and ran them and had 0 problems on I5 no matter what kind of rain was falling never ever hydroplaned.
Another great thing about the Vredesteins are they are not expensive and I put 55,000 miles on my rears before replacing and the fronts now are at 60,000 with more to go.
DON'T BUY ANYTHING ELSE!
Another great thing about the Vredesteins are they are not expensive and I put 55,000 miles on my rears before replacing and the fronts now are at 60,000 with more to go.
DON'T BUY ANYTHING ELSE!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 3
From: Mukilteo Washington
If you are in the North West you need to buy Vredesteins! They have great traction in the dry and the very best traction in WET! I lived in the Seattle area for 5 years with my 02 as a daily driver and ran them and had 0 problems on I5 no matter what kind of rain was falling never ever hydroplaned.
Another great thing about the Vredesteins are they are not expensive and I put 55,000 miles on my rears before replacing and the fronts now are at 60,000 with more to go.
DON'T BUY ANYTHING ELSE!
Another great thing about the Vredesteins are they are not expensive and I put 55,000 miles on my rears before replacing and the fronts now are at 60,000 with more to go.
DON'T BUY ANYTHING ELSE!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,438
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From: Always in my lane.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 325
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From: De Soto Illinois
St. Jude Donor '12
Nitto NT05's are very popular street/track tires. I'm running them up front in 275/40/17 but have a set of Goodyear emts out back that came with the car. I want to get a set of NT for the rear to match soon. The NT is available in a 305/35/18 which fit no problem, that's what I'll get. Guys run 315's without issue, that's about as big as you want to go without running into issues with them rubbing.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: Lake West virginia
From what I can tell the nto5s are just a drag radial I drive My car on several 3 to 4 hr trips and occasionally on 8 to 10 hr trip I don't know if these would hold up to several thousand miles and if I get caught in the rain! Is there a better option of a street tire that I can use and still get good traction if I want to run the car hard occasionally?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 311
Likes: 14
From: Eagle Pass Texas
From what I can tell the nto5s are just a drag radial I drive My car on several 3 to 4 hr trips and occasionally on 8 to 10 hr trip I don't know if these would hold up to several thousand miles and if I get caught in the rain! Is there a better option of a street tire that I can use and still get good traction if I want to run the car hard occasionally?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
tires
You have made a wise choice! When I bought my Z it had the stock Goodyears and they were flat dangerous in the rain. With the Vredesteins you can actually stand on it a little in the rain and not crash! I was totally amazed on how long they lasted but found out when I found a local tire company here that carried them in Phoenix that it is normal for this tire if not tracked.