Nitto NT555 Extreme Performance
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 34
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Nitto NT555 Extreme Performance
Began researching to purchase new tires about 2 months ago.
Previously running BF Goodrich KDW[2]--rear size 295-35-18.
Generally a good tire. Good at speed,turned well,fairly quiet but absolutely could not launch. My Motor has only minor improvements with mild 243 GM heads, a "baby" Lingenfelter cam and some bolt-on's.. If I wanted to thrill the kids in the neighborhood, the car could smoke the KDW tires like a pro mod. Even 1-2 shifts would get it skating.
LOVE the new Nitto's. Went to more sidewall and bought the rear 285-40-18.[10 inch rims] I think it even looks better with the beefier tires on it.
Launch now is phenomenal compared to the BFG.
I can control wheel spin depending upon clutch RPM selection and application. Acceleration is hard, straight and controllable.
No loss of traction on hard shifts to 2nd.
Don't know if I would prefer the Nitto over the BFG on a road course but like most guys I don't drive my car on a road course.
Do occasionally drive the car on a stop light course and some Sunday trips to the drags and for that purpose the Nitto's win hands down.
Would recommend these tires most highly.
Couldn't be happier.
{Front tires are 255-45-17}
Previously running BF Goodrich KDW[2]--rear size 295-35-18.
Generally a good tire. Good at speed,turned well,fairly quiet but absolutely could not launch. My Motor has only minor improvements with mild 243 GM heads, a "baby" Lingenfelter cam and some bolt-on's.. If I wanted to thrill the kids in the neighborhood, the car could smoke the KDW tires like a pro mod. Even 1-2 shifts would get it skating.
LOVE the new Nitto's. Went to more sidewall and bought the rear 285-40-18.[10 inch rims] I think it even looks better with the beefier tires on it.
Launch now is phenomenal compared to the BFG.
I can control wheel spin depending upon clutch RPM selection and application. Acceleration is hard, straight and controllable.
No loss of traction on hard shifts to 2nd.
Don't know if I would prefer the Nitto over the BFG on a road course but like most guys I don't drive my car on a road course.
Do occasionally drive the car on a stop light course and some Sunday trips to the drags and for that purpose the Nitto's win hands down.
Would recommend these tires most highly.
Couldn't be happier.
{Front tires are 255-45-17}
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 26,512
Likes: 351
From: ST. CHARLES IL
Another nice thing about the Nittos is they have three sets of NT555s. A street tire, a road race tire and a drag radial. They all have a similar aggressive tread pattern but do different things. Nice tire.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Acworth Georgia
Actually, having a tire that fits your rim properly is more important. If you put a tire that's too wide for your rim it won't hook as good as a narrower tire that is sized right for the rim. When a tire is squeezed onto a rim it will tend to bow out a bit and not sit flat on the street compared to a proper fit.
Another nice thing about the Nittos is they have three sets of NT555s. A street tire, a road race tire and a drag radial. They all have a similar aggressive tread pattern but do different things. Nice tire.
Another nice thing about the Nittos is they have three sets of NT555s. A street tire, a road race tire and a drag radial. They all have a similar aggressive tread pattern but do different things. Nice tire.
I'll keep that in mind if and when I replace my rears, as of right now my 2001 z06 I bought last month came with spankin' new Firestone Firehawk Wide Ovals @ 275/40/17 Fronts & 295/35/18 Rears. Probably not the best tire, but hey they're new!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 250
From: Orlando FL
These are tires I would have never considered, but my C5 had a brand new set on it when I bought it, so I figured I would run them for a bit. 38K miles later I purchased my second set. I have a little over 45K on this set, and will order new front's in the next week or two. They have been great in the wet and dry, quiet and affordable. We also put a set on the kid's C4, replacing a set of GY DS3's. We both liked the Nitto's better.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 1
From: prescott AZ
As long as the rim size is appropriate for the tire size then it comes down to tire pressure. A good trick is to run a line of chalk across the tread and see if the chalk wears evenly. If it gets worn in the center frist then too much pressure, if the sides of the chalk get worn off first too little pressure. When you find the chalk line gets worn off evenly and completely you have the right pressure for that rim size and tire size and the car will hook up much better. A wider tread SHOULD always hook up better assuming the tire pressure is right and the rubber compound is similar.
Last edited by skeet; Mar 26, 2012 at 11:16 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 656
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From: Midwest
St. Jude Donor '08
I just bought a set of Nitto 555R II Extreme DOT road race tires for my 2002 Z06. Mounted them on polished Z16 2004 stock Z06 rims (look great). 305/35/18 rear and 275/40/17 front. Great tires so far. I contacted Nitto while I was shopping because the 275/40/17 was suddenly removed from their website. Nitto responded by telling me that the 555RII Extreme was no longer being produced. Bought mine at DT. If you are considering these tires you shouldn't wait too long as supplies will soon dry up.
Silverbird
Silverbird
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 56
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From: San Antonio TX
I just bought a set of Nitto 555R II Extreme DOT road race tires for my 2002 Z06. Mounted them on polished Z16 2004 stock Z06 rims (look great). 305/35/18 rear and 275/40/17 front. Great tires so far. I contacted Nitto while I was shopping because the 275/40/17 was suddenly removed from their website. Nitto responded by telling me that the 555RII Extreme was no longer being produced. Bought mine at DT. If you are considering these tires you shouldn't wait too long as supplies will soon dry up.
Silverbird
Silverbird
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
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From: Lake Mary Florida
I ran the GSD3's on my '93, two sets. I would tend to disagree with the above comment having run the NT-555s now. Then again the D3's are no longer being made in C5 sizes so I suppose the point is now mute.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Yep. Twice as loud. (That's twice as loud as mostly worn out GSD3s... I can't fairly compare them to new GSD3 noise, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't hear the GSD3s at all when they were new)
3/4 as grippy in the dry, a quarter as grippy in the rain (So that's 1/2...)
Don't ride quite as nice. I can't really honestly say HALF as nice...
Though I hear they last forever. Unfortunately.
3/4 as grippy in the dry, a quarter as grippy in the rain (So that's 1/2...)
Don't ride quite as nice. I can't really honestly say HALF as nice...
Though I hear they last forever. Unfortunately.
Last edited by Kale; Mar 28, 2012 at 06:08 PM.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 656
Likes: 38
From: Midwest
St. Jude Donor '08
Yep. Twice as loud. (That's twice as loud as mostly worn out GSD3s... I can't fairly compare them to new GSD3 noise, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't hear the GSD3s at all when they were new)
3/4 as grippy in the dry, a quarter as grippy in the rain (So that's 1/2...)
Don't ride quite as nice. I can't really honestly say HALF as nice...
Though I hear they last forever. Unfortunately.
3/4 as grippy in the dry, a quarter as grippy in the rain (So that's 1/2...)
Don't ride quite as nice. I can't really honestly say HALF as nice...
Though I hear they last forever. Unfortunately.
Went thru 2 sets of the GSD3's. As a daily driver in the summer, I put many miles on them. Many 1/4 mile passes as well.............I believe I see things a bit different than you in the dry weather performance department. To me, the GSD3's were decent but not a great dry weather performer. Not really fair comparing the "R" compound Nitto road race tire to a Goodyear performance street tire. Apples and oranges as they say. Honestly, the GSD3 was the best tire I've ever driven in the rain on the street. (I'll give you that). That's why I went for a second set on my previous car.These Nitto's are suprisingly quiet and ride nice on the street. I really was not expecting that. Ride quality had nothing to do with why I bought them. These Nittos REALLY hook up either from a dig or a roll on a dry street.
My current Z doesn't see the rain, so lack of wet traction is not an issue for me.Silverbird
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 56
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From: San Antonio TX
I ran GSD3's on my previous car. Before the GSD3's I ran Goodyear F1's then Firestones. (loved the 'stones-cut consistant 1.9 60' times) Firestone discontinued them. Went thru 2 sets of the GSD3's. As a daily driver in the summer, I put many miles on them. Many 1/4 mile passes as well.............I believe I see things a bit different than you in the dry weather performance department. To me, the GSD3's were decent but not a great dry weather performer. Not really fair comparing the "R" compound Nitto road race tire to a Goodyear performance street tire. Apples and oranges as they say. Honestly, the GSD3 was the best tire I've ever driven in the rain on the street. (I'll give you that). That's why I went for a second set on my previous car.
These Nitto's are suprisingly quiet and ride nice on the street. I really was not expecting that. Ride quality had nothing to do with why I bought them. These Nittos REALLY hook up either from a dig or a roll on a dry street. My current Z doesn't see the rain, so lack of wet traction is not an issue for me.
Silverbird
Went thru 2 sets of the GSD3's. As a daily driver in the summer, I put many miles on them. Many 1/4 mile passes as well.............I believe I see things a bit different than you in the dry weather performance department. To me, the GSD3's were decent but not a great dry weather performer. Not really fair comparing the "R" compound Nitto road race tire to a Goodyear performance street tire. Apples and oranges as they say. Honestly, the GSD3 was the best tire I've ever driven in the rain on the street. (I'll give you that). That's why I went for a second set on my previous car.These Nitto's are suprisingly quiet and ride nice on the street. I really was not expecting that. Ride quality had nothing to do with why I bought them. These Nittos REALLY hook up either from a dig or a roll on a dry street.
My current Z doesn't see the rain, so lack of wet traction is not an issue for me.Silverbird
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 656
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From: Midwest
St. Jude Donor '08
