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Old Mar 15, 2010 | 11:13 PM
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Default Drag radials

I have been running BFG 295/35/18 drag Radials and at higher speeds it seems a bit wobbly. Are the MT drag radials the same at higher speeds ? I am thinking of going with either them or the Nittos. The car is a low 11 sec car and not my daily driver, i just didnt like the way bfg's handle at higher speeds and general handling. I need drag radials that hook as good as bfg's but with a stronger sidwall. Also, i have 18x10 in the back and my C5 is lowered. The bgf 295/35/18 tires fit no problem, but wit the 305/35/18 fit as well or will they rub? The car is lowered. Thanks.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 06:09 PM
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I just put the 285-40-18 Nitto Nt05r's on mine, my vet is 414 at the rear wheels. I tried them on the street and they hooked great. I put them on my g8gt and went to the track and it went 2 tenths quicker. I hope to get to the track with the vet in 2 weeks. They are 27.09 tall and I have them on a 9.5 vet wheel. I think you would like them, my g8 runs just a little shy of 107 at the track, it felt just like a high speed street radial. The side walls are a little stiffer I think. I'm happy so far.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 07:11 PM
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street or track duty?
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 07:19 PM
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i have had my m/t drag radials up to about 135, and they felt fine.
295-45-17
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 09:49 PM
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To me Nitto 555r's drag radials feel like a street tire when inflated to normal levels. They won't hook as good as the MT's or BFG's, but last longer and feel more solid during agressive cornering. I've noticed the Toyo tq's seem to be like nittos from what I've read, but lack enough input from people to say for sure.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 10:19 PM
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The NT05r's are new to the game, didn't feel any instability on the street or track. I was running about 25 on the street and 22 at the track. My g8 weighs about 700 lbs more and has 100 less rwhp. I just had my clutch adjusted again and I'm putting them back on the vet thursday for a little more testing. So, I might have a little more input in a couple days.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by USAFZ06
street or track duty?
Street Duty. I put maybe 3K miles a year on the car. The vette is auto with 3.90 gears and yank 3600 converter so i have traction problems.I am leaning on mt's they seem to hook better from what i have read but are the sidewalls wobbly like the bfg's?
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 10:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 99vetteran
The NT05r's are new to the game, didn't feel any instability on the street or track. I was running about 25 on the street and 22 at the track. My g8 weighs about 700 lbs more and has 100 less rwhp. I just had my clutch adjusted again and I'm putting them back on the vet thursday for a little more testing. So, I might have a little more input in a couple days.
Thanks for the info. Please keep me updated.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by corvette8189
i have had my m/t drag radials up to about 135, and they felt fine.
295-45-17
How do they feel when cornering? Thanks.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 10:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 99vetteran
I just put the 285-40-18 Nitto Nt05r's on mine, my vet is 414 at the rear wheels. I tried them on the street and they hooked great. I put them on my g8gt and went to the track and it went 2 tenths quicker. I hope to get to the track with the vet in 2 weeks. They are 27.09 tall and I have them on a 9.5 vet wheel. I think you would like them, my g8 runs just a little shy of 107 at the track, it felt just like a high speed street radial. The side walls are a little stiffer I think. I'm happy so far.
I just put on the NT05R in the 305/45-18 Flavor. Had to clearance the liner a little.

Big freakin tire. They do hook on the street.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 11:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Silvervette73
How do they feel when cornering? Thanks.
only using when drag racing, so no help here
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 01:11 AM
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i just ordered the mickey thompson in a 305/35/18. i've heard the m/t drags are way stickier than the nittos, but suffer on mileage and wet weather
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 06:31 AM
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Originally Posted by spoolin7
i just ordered the mickey thompson in a 305/35/18. i've heard the m/t drags are way stickier than the nittos, but suffer on mileage and wet weather
Not stickier than the new NT05Rs.

Hey Spoolin whats up? This is Z0SICKS from 502streetscene.
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 07:54 PM
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Wow, 45 series is a biggin. Must be 28" tall.
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 09:28 PM
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Nitto 555R handles very good in the twisties and rides good too - 30 PSI cold. They go on when spring hits & stay on till fall/winter. Depending on gears and HP they can hook very well to awful at the drags. Best I could do with close to 500 at the wheels was a 1.8 60' foot T&T, but track prep was lousey. Guys with auto and stall get better drag results on the 555s.

Haven't tried the NT05R yet.
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 02:41 AM
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Originally Posted by SargeZ06
Not stickier than the new NT05Rs.

Hey Spoolin whats up? This is Z0SICKS from 502streetscene.
what's up? shoulda known you'd be on here too. i seriously ordered those mickey thompsons like 4 hours before you replied to this, lol. oh well they should still hook good from what i've read. i pulled a 1.6 60ft on some 555Rs back in the day in my old car. mostly 1.7 and 1.8s. i just hope to be in the 1.7 range with the vette
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 06:20 AM
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for street duty do a Nitto 555R or 555R2 hands down...the MTs and BGFs will wear much faster. I had MT DRs on briefly and couldnt get traction in first or second gear...I think nittos hook better on the street...at the track get the MTs hot and they hook much better...but since you say street duty stick with the Nitto
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 06:43 AM
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Originally Posted by USAFZ06
for street duty do a Nitto 555R or 555R2 hands down...the MTs and BGFs will wear much faster. I had MT DRs on briefly and couldnt get traction in first or second gear...I think nittos hook better on the street...at the track get the MTs hot and they hook much better...but since you say street duty stick with the Nitto
I agree. I have 555R2's on my Z and they are perfect for the street and spirited driving...straight or twisties!
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Old Mar 19, 2010 | 03:11 AM
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if i had to do double duty, it'd be the 555Rs for sure. i have a second set of rims coming just for the mickey thompsons
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