[Z06] Tire size question (BFG Rivals backordered)
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,184
Likes: 1
From: CT
Tire size question (BFG Rivals backordered)
The 295-35-18 Rivals are backordered indefinitely. Tire Rack said 2-3 weeks AT BEST.
I really need tires sooner. It sounds like the Rivals are the best option on the market right now.
My 2 options are:
1. Hankook RS3 closer to stock size
2. BFG Rival 275-35-18's
Is 275-35-18's too small to run? Will it screw up active handling? It's a .5" difference.
I really need tires sooner. It sounds like the Rivals are the best option on the market right now.
My 2 options are:
1. Hankook RS3 closer to stock size
2. BFG Rival 275-35-18's
Is 275-35-18's too small to run? Will it screw up active handling? It's a .5" difference.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,184
Likes: 1
From: CT
The biggest problem with that would be the difference front to rear in width. 255 in front and 315 in rear is a pretty big gap, especially compared to stock. I'd be concerned about the over/understeer dynamics of that setup.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,184
Likes: 1
From: CT
Hmm, I'm a sucker for connected/direct steering. The 10 year old AVS Sport's I have on right now actually feel pretty good.
I'm also wondering if NT05's might not be a bad idea, considering I'm relatively new to the Z06 as a track car. Higher limits aren't necessarily better.
I'm also wondering if NT05's might not be a bad idea, considering I'm relatively new to the Z06 as a track car. Higher limits aren't necessarily better.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
nt05 is a good balance with the stock suspension, limits of the rs3 and rival are higher but you also get stuck with screwy sizes
as you hint at above, too sticky on stock suspension makes the car feel like the love boat
as you hint at above, too sticky on stock suspension makes the car feel like the love boat
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,184
Likes: 1
From: CT
it looks like 275-40-17/295-35-18 is best NT05 size for us?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 616
Likes: 53
From: LA
The Rival doesn't have enough heat capacity for the track imo. It is also constantly trying to kill its operator.
The RS3 takes some getting used to, since it is quiet, soft, and vague.
The NT05 runs small vs its specified size and is slower than the other two.
Choices are great
The RS3 takes some getting used to, since it is quiet, soft, and vague.
The NT05 runs small vs its specified size and is slower than the other two.
Choices are great
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
correct on the nt05 sizes
the r888 is also available if you want more bite. not sure how well they work with stock suspension though
the tire i really like is the michelin pss. if you run autocross or like a madman on the street and tire temps stay under 150 they are SO predictable and easy to drive at the limit. response is extremely good. all out grip when hot should be less than some of these softer tires but not by a lot, wouldn't be surprised if they ran with nt05s and did so with a better feel and longer life
the r888 is also available if you want more bite. not sure how well they work with stock suspension though
the tire i really like is the michelin pss. if you run autocross or like a madman on the street and tire temps stay under 150 they are SO predictable and easy to drive at the limit. response is extremely good. all out grip when hot should be less than some of these softer tires but not by a lot, wouldn't be surprised if they ran with nt05s and did so with a better feel and longer life
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 12
From: Ontario
I ran 888's on my Camaro on C5Z wheels - 275-40-17 front and 305-35-18 rear - just for the street. The grip is awesome when warm - not so much in the cool weather but I didn't drive mine in cool weather much so it did not matter to me. As a bonus they look really cool IMO.
I might run these on my Z when I get tires next. I'm not sure how they will work on a stock suspension Z either though. My Camaro was on stiffly sprung coilovers and fat sway bars.
I might run these on my Z when I get tires next. I'm not sure how they will work on a stock suspension Z either though. My Camaro was on stiffly sprung coilovers and fat sway bars.
Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 666
Likes: 30
From: Milwaukee WI
I can say that rivals definately work well imo they are worth waiting a month for if its possible. In comp mode I can regularly run 1.1g's on track with no ah intervention. on good lines 1.2 is possible but I'm not a great driver. Tire temps were in the 140's after half a cooldown lap and they stay sticky. I am on the 255/295 setup, they are plenty good tires.
My buddy is on pss and has reported that they do get slick when the get hot. We are mildly concerned they may be heat cycled out as he didn't have the issue the first 2 days of our weekend, and he ran pretty simmilar times with simmilar weather all 3 days. No way to tell till we run another track day. This is his 4th track day on the tires, same as me with my rivals.
Also rivals are at about 6.5/32 front 6/32 rear with 4 track days. I was cutting a number of 247-248 at ra with a stock zo6 so they are getting fairly roughly used and wearing very well imo.
No issues at all with turn-in or understeer losing 10mm up front. Like I say I'm not the fastest guy in the world, but the tires feel great. Though i am running a bit more camber up front to make up for the lost tire, wether it was necessary or not I don't know. but im at -1.5/-.7
My buddy is on pss and has reported that they do get slick when the get hot. We are mildly concerned they may be heat cycled out as he didn't have the issue the first 2 days of our weekend, and he ran pretty simmilar times with simmilar weather all 3 days. No way to tell till we run another track day. This is his 4th track day on the tires, same as me with my rivals.
Also rivals are at about 6.5/32 front 6/32 rear with 4 track days. I was cutting a number of 247-248 at ra with a stock zo6 so they are getting fairly roughly used and wearing very well imo.
No issues at all with turn-in or understeer losing 10mm up front. Like I say I'm not the fastest guy in the world, but the tires feel great. Though i am running a bit more camber up front to make up for the lost tire, wether it was necessary or not I don't know. but im at -1.5/-.7
Last edited by Socko; Jul 3, 2014 at 10:40 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,184
Likes: 1
From: CT
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 472
Likes: 12
From: Ontario
I can say that rivals definately work well imo they are worth waiting a month for if its possible. In comp mode I can regularly run 1.1g's on track with no ah intervention. on good lines 1.2 is possible but I'm not a great driver. Tire temps were in the 140's after half a cooldown lap and they stay sticky. I am on the 255/295 setup, they are plenty good tires.
My buddy is on pss and has reported that they do get slick when the get hot. We are mildly concerned they may be heat cycled out as he didn't have the issue the first 2 days of our weekend, and he ran pretty simmilar times with simmilar weather all 3 days. No way to tell till we run another track day. This is his 4th track day on the tires, same as me with my rivals.
Also rivals are at about 6.5/32 front 6/32 rear with 4 track days. I was cutting a number of 247-248 at ra with a stock zo6 so they are getting fairly roughly used and wearing very well imo.
No issues at all with turn-in or understeer losing 10mm up front. Like I say I'm not the fastest guy in the world, but the tires feel great. Though i am running a bit more camber up front to make up for the lost tire, wether it was necessary or not I don't know. but im at -1.5/-.7
My buddy is on pss and has reported that they do get slick when the get hot. We are mildly concerned they may be heat cycled out as he didn't have the issue the first 2 days of our weekend, and he ran pretty simmilar times with simmilar weather all 3 days. No way to tell till we run another track day. This is his 4th track day on the tires, same as me with my rivals.
Also rivals are at about 6.5/32 front 6/32 rear with 4 track days. I was cutting a number of 247-248 at ra with a stock zo6 so they are getting fairly roughly used and wearing very well imo.
No issues at all with turn-in or understeer losing 10mm up front. Like I say I'm not the fastest guy in the world, but the tires feel great. Though i am running a bit more camber up front to make up for the lost tire, wether it was necessary or not I don't know. but im at -1.5/-.7
Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 666
Likes: 30
From: Milwaukee WI
So cant get any as the trans is almost out of the car. I can say relative to the ps2's i had before the rears look a tiny bit wider and the fronts look a bit more narrow. I like my tires to appear flush-ish and they look nice imo. Rear looks really good, front is acceptable, if that makes any sense.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
I can say that rivals definately work well imo they are worth waiting a month for if its possible. In comp mode I can regularly run 1.1g's on track with no ah intervention. on good lines 1.2 is possible but I'm not a great driver. Tire temps were in the 140's after half a cooldown lap and they stay sticky. I am on the 255/295 setup, they are plenty good tires.
My buddy is on pss and has reported that they do get slick when the get hot. We are mildly concerned they may be heat cycled out as he didn't have the issue the first 2 days of our weekend, and he ran pretty simmilar times with simmilar weather all 3 days. No way to tell till we run another track day. This is his 4th track day on the tires, same as me with my rivals.
Also rivals are at about 6.5/32 front 6/32 rear with 4 track days. I was cutting a number of 247-248 at ra with a stock zo6 so they are getting fairly roughly used and wearing very well imo.
No issues at all with turn-in or understeer losing 10mm up front. Like I say I'm not the fastest guy in the world, but the tires feel great. Though i am running a bit more camber up front to make up for the lost tire, wether it was necessary or not I don't know. but im at -1.5/-.7
My buddy is on pss and has reported that they do get slick when the get hot. We are mildly concerned they may be heat cycled out as he didn't have the issue the first 2 days of our weekend, and he ran pretty simmilar times with simmilar weather all 3 days. No way to tell till we run another track day. This is his 4th track day on the tires, same as me with my rivals.
Also rivals are at about 6.5/32 front 6/32 rear with 4 track days. I was cutting a number of 247-248 at ra with a stock zo6 so they are getting fairly roughly used and wearing very well imo.
No issues at all with turn-in or understeer losing 10mm up front. Like I say I'm not the fastest guy in the world, but the tires feel great. Though i am running a bit more camber up front to make up for the lost tire, wether it was necessary or not I don't know. but im at -1.5/-.7
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 134
From: Bushkill Twp. PA
St. Jude Donor '17
I'm a novice with track events. I picked up a set of NT-05's and am very happy with them. I have 5 track days on them and they've been nice and consistent.
Only time they are just ok is in rain. I only use my car on the street on a nice weekend day. It's not really a practical DD car for me.
Only time they are just ok is in rain. I only use my car on the street on a nice weekend day. It's not really a practical DD car for me.