Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available!
I couldn't just put on 17" DR's . I was really waiting for the manufacturers to come out with a 18"DR. Nitto did! the size is 305x45x18. They are $225 a piece and about $32 for shipping right to your door:D
Do you think they will shave .1....2..3 tenths off my times. Nitto say they are soft and you need to "prime" the tire with a hot burnout for best results.Anybody have experience with the Nitto DR?
Do you think they will shave .1....2..3 tenths off my times. Nitto say they are soft and you need to "prime" the tire with a hot burnout for best results.Anybody have experience with the Nitto DR?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (vstella)
Isn't it great when you hear a product is coming out, you patiently await its arrival and it happens? Kind of like how I feel with the PROCHARGER as I opted not to get the Z06 because I was confident that ATI's C5 SC work in progress would be done within the year and i wanted to keep a vert. Of course in my case, ARE also announced his TT which was even better.
But now I have a few stupid questions. Whats a drag radial (sounds like something you would not use in the street) and what is it used for? When should you not use it? Whats the diff between this and say Michellin Pilots designed for the street? BTW you have mail.
But now I have a few stupid questions. Whats a drag radial (sounds like something you would not use in the street) and what is it used for? When should you not use it? Whats the diff between this and say Michellin Pilots designed for the street? BTW you have mail.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,809
Likes: 344
From: Albuquerque NM
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (vstella)
Are you sure about the size? That's not only wider than stock (a good thing), but also taller because of the taller aspect ratio (45 Vs. 40). Using these would make a 3.42:1 feel like 3.16:1 gears. Now if the size was a 305/35-18 it would be great! I'd take two :cool:
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,762
Likes: 5
From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (6Speeder)
I'm sure the info Vince has provided is accurate. As a rule he KNOWS what he wants before he gets it. Read his past posts, full of details....
Bob
[Modified by 16Again, 12:58 AM 12/28/2001]
Bob
[Modified by 16Again, 12:58 AM 12/28/2001]
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 690
Likes: 1
From: Youngsville NC
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (16Again)
Ive had the nitto 555 dr's on 275/40/17 size. they are awesome tires. however compared to say the bfgoodrich dr they do require more "burnout" or "heat" to get them nice and tacky.ive had them both . i prefer the nittos.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,247
Likes: 0
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (vstella)
I hate to say this but I think these Nittos are really geared for the new Ford Lightnings, :mad as they are something like 28-29 inches tall. Correct me if I'm mistaken. I guess us Vette guys don't count :cuss
Mike
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 32
From: SoCal
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (Mikie C)
Yep... Lightning run 295/45/18 stock... so 305/45 is perfect.
And I thought the tires were not available yet... did you see them at a reseller... or just on the Nitto website.
And I thought the tires were not available yet... did you see them at a reseller... or just on the Nitto website.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 171
Likes: 4
From: Somerset ky
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (vstella)
They arn't at the Nitto site yet. They have them at discounttire.com
So if we put these on are C5s we will lose some bottom end pull right? Since it will raise our gears.
So if we put these on are C5s we will lose some bottom end pull right? Since it will raise our gears.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (Austrian Vette)
305/45/18 is too tall !!! :mad
Why don´t they make a 30 or 35 ?? :mad
Michael
Why don´t they make a 30 or 35 ?? :mad
Michael
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio tx
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (Scott01C5)
its actually 28.8 inches tall. the stock tire is 26.66 in tall. That is over 2 inches taller than stock. That will look really strange and will kill your gear ratio. If you have the 3.42 gear ratio, that will effectively change it to a 3.16. I wouldnt get these if I were you. Im looking at a bit shorter tire than stock to change the gear ratio the other way.(especially with the 2.73's that i have)
Daren
Daren
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (LovintheC5)
I'm told by by Brad at Discount Tire that the tires should fit. On the other hand I was not provided with any specs and for those of us that have lowered our cars this taller tire MAY be a problem. I'll post the info when I can !
P.S. This tire IS on the www.discounttire.comwebsite. You have to put in the size when asked for and it will come up as a unpopular tire size.I do have the 3.42 gears and the Pro Torque 2400. The car just smokes the Nitto 555's (275x40x17)and I was hoping for a little more traction on the launch.Even with a 1/4 throttle launch it's difficult not to spin the tires. I have to feather the car out and let the converter do the job.I haven't been to the track since October and I'm really anxious to test the mods(TPIS Headers,PowerloaderII,Transgo kit).Traction is definately a problem!.......Seems that somtimes it's just a win/lose situation. I'll figure it out.I always do.:D
P.S. This tire IS on the www.discounttire.comwebsite. You have to put in the size when asked for and it will come up as a unpopular tire size.I do have the 3.42 gears and the Pro Torque 2400. The car just smokes the Nitto 555's (275x40x17)and I was hoping for a little more traction on the launch.Even with a 1/4 throttle launch it's difficult not to spin the tires. I have to feather the car out and let the converter do the job.I haven't been to the track since October and I'm really anxious to test the mods(TPIS Headers,PowerloaderII,Transgo kit).Traction is definately a problem!.......Seems that somtimes it's just a win/lose situation. I'll figure it out.I always do.:D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,518
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (vstella)
I would love to see the price go to about $190, since you can get 17's in 315 size for $150 - right ? :confused:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 32
From: SoCal
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (z06bliss)
Owners are reporting an actual diameter of ~28.3" (dont know why they are made shorter than the 'theorectial" diameter of 28.8).
These things must be selling reall well...Price was $165 the first week of release (mid Dec)... it then jumped to $199... at the start of this thread is was $225... today it is $229!
Pics of the 305 Nitto DR's (unmounted):
[Modified by Dreamin, 11:28 AM 12/28/2001]
These things must be selling reall well...Price was $165 the first week of release (mid Dec)... it then jumped to $199... at the start of this thread is was $225... today it is $229!
Pics of the 305 Nitto DR's (unmounted):
[Modified by Dreamin, 11:28 AM 12/28/2001]
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 744
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island NY
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (vstella)
In order to get the sidewall to flex enough they made it taller! What's the big deal? Just get some 17x12 wheels from CCW and mount 315 35 17 and your off :D
[Modified by RonWhite, 3:42 PM 12/28/2001]
[Modified by RonWhite, 3:42 PM 12/28/2001]
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 1
From: Stockholm
Re: Nitto 555 18"Drag radials NOW available! (RonWhite)
Those of us with large brakes can't get anything smaller than 18" wheels in the rear. Now we just have to wait and hope for a 335 wide 18" Nitto dragradial :)
:seeya
:seeya