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Old Jan 7, 2012 | 02:48 PM
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Default Maximum Street Traction

I'm sure this is a retread (pun intended) however, I am looking for the most traction I can get out of a street tire. I would even go to an "R" tire if it would be OK in the rain.

This will only be street driven but with 600hp I need all the traction I can get.

Your opinions would be appreciated.
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Old Jan 7, 2012 | 03:21 PM
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600 HP and In the Rain?

Mich new tires for Zr1 and Carbon Z06 should be out very soon.

other then that DRs.

"R"s are never and OPTION in the rain unless the are "R" rain tires, but they suck on dry pavement. and you will heat cycle them out in a few hundred miles.
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Old Jan 7, 2012 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by jpatrick636
I'm sure this is a retread (pun intended) however, I am looking for the most traction I can get out of a street tire. I would even go to an "R" tire if it would be OK in the rain.

This will only be street driven but with 600hp I need all the traction I can get.

Your opinions would be appreciated.
Unless you have an AWD vehicle, "traction in the rain" and "600 HP"...do not even belong in the same sentence.
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Old Jan 7, 2012 | 03:47 PM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
600 HP and In the Rain?

Mich new tires for Zr1 and Carbon Z06 should be out very soon.

other then that DRs.

"R"s are never and OPTION in the rain unless the are "R" rain tires, but they suck on dry pavement. and you will heat cycle them out in a few hundred miles.
Yes 600hp and I travel in the car. Did 3000 miles last fall. Rain just happens now and then.

I have read where some people use R tires on the street. I was just saying, I am open to anything.

Thanks for the input.
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Old Jan 7, 2012 | 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
Unless you have an AWD vehicle, "traction in the rain" and "600 HP"...do not even belong in the same sentence.
I understand what you are saying but there must be some differences between manufacturers and I'm looking for the one that has the best traction. Every little bit helps.
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Old Jan 7, 2012 | 06:22 PM
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Nitto 555r is what I would think is the best for what your looking for.
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Old Jan 7, 2012 | 06:33 PM
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Originally Posted by jpatrick636
I understand what you are saying but there must be some differences between manufacturers and I'm looking for the one that has the best traction. Every little bit helps.
Obviously, some tires are better than others.....but.....with 600 HP at your disposal.....controlling your right foot will yield the best results in the rain.
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Old Jan 7, 2012 | 11:03 PM
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Geeze, try reading the question. The OP didn't ask what tire to use to plant 600hp in the rain. He asked what tire to use to best plant 600hp that would still be safe to drive if he gets caught in the rain.

Obviously, when it does rain the OP will still be driving like there is an egg under the go pedal no matter what tire he gets...
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 08:01 AM
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Originally Posted by lionelhutz
Geeze, try reading the question. The OP didn't ask what tire to use to plant 600hp in the rain. He asked what tire to use to best plant 600hp that would still be safe to drive if he gets caught in the rain.

Obviously, when it does rain the OP will still be driving like there is an egg under the go pedal no matter what tire he gets...
Ya really. I have Michelin PS2's for the same reasons and we do get rain out of the clear blue around here. They are ok in the rain but I would like better dry traction, they were about the best I could do when I got them years back.

So what are the better options today, its a tough balance between dry and wet when I need it to get home safe.

Darion
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 08:06 AM
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Nitto 555R is gonna be the way to go.
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 11:05 AM
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You don't state your wheel size. I run 18" frt and 17" rear. The 17" rear allows the most side wall height for the most flex. I run 335x17 with a 12 & 1/2" rim but a 10 & 1/2 or 11" rear 17 with a drag radial will give you the most accelerating traction for the street you can get and fit under the car.. I run A6's and they have a stiff wall and don't give me nearly as much straight line traction as 315x17 drag radials. Of course your tire mileage will suffer compared to street tires but you stated "the most traction".
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 02:59 PM
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MT DR s best by far
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 03:28 PM
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True for the track, but would be sketchy in the rain.
Originally Posted by yyzmsp
MT DR s best by far
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by hardcore4sure
True for the track, but would be sketchy in the rain.
He is not looking for the best traction in the rain. He just wants a tire that would provide ok traction when occasionally driving normally in the rain. No one expects great acceleration traction in the rain with or without 600 hp.
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 04:12 PM
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Well I have driven mt in the rain and was thank full I made it home with out wrecking my car. If you have to drive in the rain at all get the nitto they are OK in the rain.
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by dgoetz
He is not looking for the best traction in the rain. He just wants a tire that would provide ok traction when occasionally driving normally in the rain. No one expects great acceleration traction in the rain with or without 600 hp.
M/T DRs are NOT ok for occasionally driving in the rain. I have had to do it a few times when I got caught out in the rain but they break loose without any warning if there is standing water even if you are easy on the gas. Now if I have time I just pull over if it starts raining.
I ran R-compound roadrace tires on my car back in the day when I lived in CA and drove the twisty roads around the ocean all the time. They are decent in the rain when new and hook fairly well in the dry but not as good as a drag radial and they have crazy stiff sidewalls so they give a pretty harsh ride. Most of the R-compounds only start out with 5/32" tread to begin with so after some miles they are no good in the rain either.
I would agree that the Nittos are the best compromise. They won't hook as good as M/T but they aren't so sketchy in the rain and they last a lot longer.

Last edited by FordDefector; Jan 8, 2012 at 05:14 PM.
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 05:33 PM
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Maybe have look at the Toyo R888's full tread depth. Won't last long....good fun though. This will be my next tire, 295 up front & 305 in the rear.

My tires are dead long before the tread is gone.
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 05:35 PM
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are Michelin PS2's not the best tire for all around driving conditions?

Sure they don't hook as good as Nitto but it's safer in the rain.
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 05:50 PM
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Nitto 555r2 or Toyo R888 are your best choices
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Old Jan 8, 2012 | 07:01 PM
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My Vette doesn't have near the HP as yours, (400), but last spring I got caught in one hell of a thunderstorm on the interstate,,,,the Nitto 555R's did well.



side note: not a prob with my Vararam either. They get a bum rep in rain.
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