Another Tire size Thread.. Dont shoot me!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Tomball Texas
Another Tire size Thread.. Dont shoot me!
I have searched and the results are all over the place. 
I am looking for the best drag radial, not concerned about wear only traction!
I want the widest tire I can fit on my stock 18x9.5 rear wheels.
I have been looking at ET street radial II's in 305/40, however on the fence as to fitment.
Looking for input from folks running an ET street or similar tire.
I am looking for the best drag radial, not concerned about wear only traction!
I want the widest tire I can fit on my stock 18x9.5 rear wheels.
I have been looking at ET street radial II's in 305/40, however on the fence as to fitment.
Looking for input from folks running an ET street or similar tire.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 2
From: Bardstown Kentucky
I have had experience with a few...
One thing to keep in mind is the size differences.. by that I mean the height of the tire.
The ET street performs best as far as traction from what I have seen but I believe it is taller than 26". The issue here is gearing, not sure if it would be enough to make a big difference but if you are looking to get everything out of the 1/4 you can then it could be an issue. The taller you go the more sidewall you get but at the same time you lose a little gear. I went to a 28" tire on my car and 60' was great but the ET and speed was down.
As far as driving on the street and track I like the bridgestone, a friend of mine has been running these for years. I tried them on my last corvette and I loved them. They perform well at the track and seem to have a lot of life in them. I also like the fact that the tread pattern is more like a street tire so you can match the fronts with something similar.
I also have ran Nittos and while they hooked good I didnt get much life out of them at all. I also found you had to get a lot of heat in them at the track.
As far as fitment I like the looks of the tire ballooning over the rim a little but thats just me. While I dont think it would be ideal I dont think you would have a problem putting that tire on. A 305/40/18 is going to be about 27.72 inches tall though.
One thing to keep in mind is the size differences.. by that I mean the height of the tire.
The ET street performs best as far as traction from what I have seen but I believe it is taller than 26". The issue here is gearing, not sure if it would be enough to make a big difference but if you are looking to get everything out of the 1/4 you can then it could be an issue. The taller you go the more sidewall you get but at the same time you lose a little gear. I went to a 28" tire on my car and 60' was great but the ET and speed was down.
As far as driving on the street and track I like the bridgestone, a friend of mine has been running these for years. I tried them on my last corvette and I loved them. They perform well at the track and seem to have a lot of life in them. I also like the fact that the tread pattern is more like a street tire so you can match the fronts with something similar.
I also have ran Nittos and while they hooked good I didnt get much life out of them at all. I also found you had to get a lot of heat in them at the track.
As far as fitment I like the looks of the tire ballooning over the rim a little but thats just me. While I dont think it would be ideal I dont think you would have a problem putting that tire on. A 305/40/18 is going to be about 27.72 inches tall though.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
I wouldn't do it... but it's been done.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...a-9-5-rim.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/drag...ve-got-em.html
Last edited by cdkcorvette7; Aug 25, 2011 at 01:16 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Tomball Texas
Yes, I have seen those threads. One says they will work with some bulge and the other just quotes the website saying the stock wheels are too narrow.
I like the look of the tire being slightly wide, so I think I will go with it. I hardly put 50-100 miles a month on the car, so I doubt I will have any issues.
I like the look of the tire being slightly wide, so I think I will go with it. I hardly put 50-100 miles a month on the car, so I doubt I will have any issues.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
Yes, I have seen those threads. One says they will work with some bulge and the other just quotes the website saying the stock wheels are too narrow.
I like the look of the tire being slightly wide, so I think I will go with it. I hardly put 50-100 miles a month on the car, so I doubt I will have any issues.
I like the look of the tire being slightly wide, so I think I will go with it. I hardly put 50-100 miles a month on the car, so I doubt I will have any issues.
BUT... You're looking at drag radials so I'm assuming you're not going to be driving Miss Daisy around town. Any time you're going to push your car to its limits you want good quality equipment that fits properly. Risking damage to your car or yourself because you like the APPEARANCE of a tire that is ~ 4/5 of an inch wider than one that would fit properly is
(a 285 tire will fit)JMHO... Your car do what you want. Like I said earlier: I wouldn't do it, but it's been done.
Last edited by cdkcorvette7; Aug 25, 2011 at 08:44 PM.
