C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

tires (again)....

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 10, 2008 | 02:59 PM
  #1  
1999 Vette's Avatar
1999 Vette
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: IL
Default tires (again)....

I think I decided to nix the RFs and go w/ street tires this time around. I know there are many choices and many opinions....but here is my situation....

99A4 w/ 400RWHP and 3.90 gears. I drive it almost daily 9+months a year in chicago so that incudes rain (but not in snow). Therefore, any advice on tires that provide the optimal mix of traction, longevity ( My RF firehawks last approx 1 1/2+ yrs), and all weather (rain) use????
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2008 | 03:21 PM
  #2  
1998whitecoupe-a4's Avatar
1998whitecoupe-a4
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 3
From: Roselle IL
Default

Originally Posted by 1999 Vette
I think I decided to nix the RFs and go w/ street tires this time around. I know there are many choices and many opinions....but here is my situation....

99A4 w/ 400RWHP and 3.90 gears. I drive it almost daily 9+months a year in chicago so that incudes rain (but not in snow). Therefore, any advice on tires that provide the optimal mix of traction, longevity ( My RF firehawks last approx 1 1/2+ yrs), and all weather (rain) use????
you are a brave soul driving on run flats with that kind of power & gears in Chicago

I hear good things about Nitto 555 ZR Extremes or Goodyear GS-D3's - non run flats of course.

But, you will get multiple opinions on this subject.

As for me, I'm getting drag radials but mine is not a daily driver.


Last edited by 1998whitecoupe-a4; Mar 11, 2008 at 08:27 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2008 | 03:35 PM
  #3  
1999 Vette's Avatar
1999 Vette
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: IL
Default brave soul....

yes, I know...but the RFs weren't that bad....but then again, having only RFs, I don't know what I am missing...thanks for your thoughts.
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2008 | 03:58 PM
  #4  
Russ K's Avatar
Russ K
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 968
Likes: 12
From: Regina Sask
Default

Michelin PS2's, not cheap but have great traction in the dry and ok in rain. Tread life is above average (burn outs will void tread life warranty!).

Russ Kemp
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2008 | 11:52 PM
  #5  
22vette's Avatar
22vette
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: San Diego Ca
Default

I just put on some BFG g- force ss all season. Tread not fancy looking,
but I like em. 440 wear rating. Paid $725 total at Discount for the set.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....4x032&code=yes
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2008 | 11:55 PM
  #6  
rws.1's Avatar
rws.1
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Default

GoodYear GS-D3s are the best rain tire on the market.
We have them on two of our Vettes and they will be on the 3rd when it is time for new tires.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2008 | 12:14 AM
  #7  
Sawbladz's Avatar
Sawbladz
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 266
Likes: 2
From: Alliston Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by 22vette
I just put on some BFG g- force ss all season. Tread not fancy looking,
but I like em. 440 wear rating. Paid $725 total at Discount for the set.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....4x032&code=yes
All season, 440 treadware rating tires should not be installed on a modded Vette.

I suggest BF Goodrich G-force KD's. They are amazing in the dry and acceptable in the wet. If you want great wet traction too, go with the KDW's. The Goodyear GS-D3's are also a great tire.

EDIT: Also look into the Kuhmo Ecsta MX.

Last edited by Sawbladz; Mar 11, 2008 at 12:18 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2008 | 12:35 AM
  #8  
22vette's Avatar
22vette
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: San Diego Ca
Default

Originally Posted by Sawbladz
All season, 440 treadware rating tires should not be installed on a modded Vette.

I suggest BF Goodrich G-force KD's. They are amazing in the dry and acceptable in the wet. If you want great wet traction too, go with the KDW's. The Goodyear GS-D3's are also a great tire.

EDIT: Also look into the Kuhmo Ecsta MX.
My car is stock C5.

I was wondering how wear rating correlates to durometer/ rubber compound.

Are you saying 440 is a hard compound ; and won't hookup well on a modded car ?

Also; I heard all tire mfgs have their own values for wear rating numbers.

thanks for the info.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To tires (again)....

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:13 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE