How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing?
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From: Central Florida
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St. Jude Donor '03-'08
How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing?
I want to put some Nitto drags on my car, but I don't want to lose any of the handling that the Goodyear F1 Supercar tires offer (Keep in mind the Z06 does not use runcraps).
Question - I know that the drag radials should knock .2 - .4 time off my et, how much worse (if at all) are they for auto crossing than the stock F1 supercar tires?
Also - since the drag radials are only for the rear, does it really matter what I put on the front? I'd like to have a matching set all the way around but if the Nitto fronts are worse than some other tire I'm willing to sacrifice conformity for performance.
Yes, I know, I should get two sets of tires, I just don't have the garage space and I'm looking for the best all around tire setup.
Thanks.
Question - I know that the drag radials should knock .2 - .4 time off my et, how much worse (if at all) are they for auto crossing than the stock F1 supercar tires?
Also - since the drag radials are only for the rear, does it really matter what I put on the front? I'd like to have a matching set all the way around but if the Nitto fronts are worse than some other tire I'm willing to sacrifice conformity for performance.
Yes, I know, I should get two sets of tires, I just don't have the garage space and I'm looking for the best all around tire setup.
Thanks.
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From: God's Replica
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (joecooool)
Hmmm I have never autoX, but I would tend to believe that putting on DR for such an event would be a huge no-no. Those DR's do not have much tread and are of a different compound. Great for drags if you cannot go with slicks, but I think dangerous for autox. :cheers:
Drifting
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From: Allen TX
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (joecooool)
i wouldn't use nitto dr's for autocrossing they have soft sidewalls, ideal for drags but not for autox's, when you want a stiff sidewall. as far as tread, i am sure it would have enough but in turns i think you would get too much push and rollover. just my .02
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St. Jude Donor '03-'08
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (thefly)
So is there a tire out there thats good for both types of driving? One thats better than the stock tires?
Drifting
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From: SoCal
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (joecooool)
Hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of people use Nitto DR's on front and back for AutoX. They are an awesome tire and will grip like mad. I used Nitto DR's on my Camaro all around and my times improved by seconds (relative to others in the field I normally placed behind) over the Eagle F1's.
There are a few notes tho.
First, the nitto DR's have a little more sidewall flex. What this means in curves is that there is a small delay when you give your initial input on the steering wheel while the tire "flops over".....this is not too noticable with the fronts at 40-42psi tho, so its not too bad. HOWEVER, in autoX, the slalom will feel a little odd due to this. The raw grip still makes up for it tho and slalom times will be better than with normal street tires.
Second, make sure you put these drag radials on front AND back for AutoX use. If you just put them on the rear, your car will push into hard turns and will feel bad. If you want a balanced car, keep the same tires up front and back.
Finally, you should get 8-10k miles out of the set, but the last 4k miles I'd say the tires aren't rain worthy.
Needless to say, if they made Nitto DR's in stock C5 rim sizes, I'd be driving on some right now.
There are a few notes tho.
First, the nitto DR's have a little more sidewall flex. What this means in curves is that there is a small delay when you give your initial input on the steering wheel while the tire "flops over".....this is not too noticable with the fronts at 40-42psi tho, so its not too bad. HOWEVER, in autoX, the slalom will feel a little odd due to this. The raw grip still makes up for it tho and slalom times will be better than with normal street tires.
Second, make sure you put these drag radials on front AND back for AutoX use. If you just put them on the rear, your car will push into hard turns and will feel bad. If you want a balanced car, keep the same tires up front and back.
Finally, you should get 8-10k miles out of the set, but the last 4k miles I'd say the tires aren't rain worthy.
Needless to say, if they made Nitto DR's in stock C5 rim sizes, I'd be driving on some right now.
Will work for HPDE time.
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From: Orlando FL
How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing?
JoeCooool,
Coupla things...first, the DR's are great for stopping and going, as we all know, but their Indy-carlike stops and :eek: acceleration unfortunately turn into sidewall flex and unpredictable break points in apexes when driving "spiritedly" on a parking surface marked with pylons. I ran DR's front and back, and switched to Kumho's...now those are some serious tires...bad treadlife like all HP tires, awesome acceleration and braking, AND the ability to carry MONDO speed into the hairies!!!! If you like to drive at the limit on multiple surfaces, try these...just don't :U from tossing yourself about the cabin pulling all those G's!
Coupla things...first, the DR's are great for stopping and going, as we all know, but their Indy-carlike stops and :eek: acceleration unfortunately turn into sidewall flex and unpredictable break points in apexes when driving "spiritedly" on a parking surface marked with pylons. I ran DR's front and back, and switched to Kumho's...now those are some serious tires...bad treadlife like all HP tires, awesome acceleration and braking, AND the ability to carry MONDO speed into the hairies!!!! If you like to drive at the limit on multiple surfaces, try these...just don't :U from tossing yourself about the cabin pulling all those G's!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: SoCal
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (TNTC4VETTE)
JoeCooool,
Coupla things...first, the DR's are great for stopping and going, as we all know, but their Indy-carlike stops and :eek: acceleration unfortunately turn into sidewall flex and unpredictable break points in apexes when driving "spiritedly" on a parking surface marked with pylons. I ran DR's front and back, and switched to Kumho's...now those are some serious tires...bad treadlife like all HP tires, awesome acceleration and braking, AND the ability to carry MONDO speed into the hairies!!!! If you like to drive at the limit on multiple surfaces, try these...just don't :U from tossing yourself about the cabin pulling all those G's!
Coupla things...first, the DR's are great for stopping and going, as we all know, but their Indy-carlike stops and :eek: acceleration unfortunately turn into sidewall flex and unpredictable break points in apexes when driving "spiritedly" on a parking surface marked with pylons. I ran DR's front and back, and switched to Kumho's...now those are some serious tires...bad treadlife like all HP tires, awesome acceleration and braking, AND the ability to carry MONDO speed into the hairies!!!! If you like to drive at the limit on multiple surfaces, try these...just don't :U from tossing yourself about the cabin pulling all those G's!
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From: N Carolina 08 Z51 Coupe
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (joecooool)
I wouldn't even consider using DR for auto-X-ing. They aren't even good on the street for spirited driving.. These tires are designed for single purpose...
I had them for my Z28 and they were scary at times on the street.. but they do hook-up really well at the track.
mike :chevy
I had them for my Z28 and they were scary at times on the street.. but they do hook-up really well at the track.
mike :chevy
Drifting
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From: SoCal
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (C5~Missle)
I'd never use them on 16" rims for autoX'ing, but on 17's they are fine. If you haven't used them on all four corners AT AN AUTOX, then I dont think it really matters. No offense.
Melting Slicks
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From: Chicago
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (jmX)
I used the Nittos DR's on my 2000 SS Camaro for AutoX and they stuck like crazy! I was beating the times of some ZO6's (i know it was mostly drivers fault) but bottom line is I don't see any reason why you would not use them! They worked great for me. In fact GMHTP did a test on the nitto's and khumos(I believe) and they flat out said the nittos kicked the competions azz. The test was on a road coarse FYI on an LT1 Firebird.
:seeya
:seeya
Burning Brakes
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From: Atlanta GA
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (jschindler)
I've run about every performance tire there is. MXX3s, Nitto Drag radials, BFG drag radials, BFG G-force, Goodyear Supercars, Yoko A032Rs, Nitto road race tire.
Overall the ultimate setup in my opinion is Nitto drag radials in the rear and Nittos new autocross tire (275/40/17) in the front. I have those Nittos in the front on 17x9 HREs now and 295/35/18 G-force in the rear. Nice combination.
On my old blown trans am I had Yoko A032R (loud and sticky, 10k miles max) in the front and the Nitto DR in the rear, also a very nice comprimise between straight line traction and cornering grip.
Once Nitto comes out with a 3x5/35/18 drag radial I'll run it in the rear and the road race version in the front and will autocross it.
[Modified by cjones, 8:17 PM 6/7/2002]
Overall the ultimate setup in my opinion is Nitto drag radials in the rear and Nittos new autocross tire (275/40/17) in the front. I have those Nittos in the front on 17x9 HREs now and 295/35/18 G-force in the rear. Nice combination.
On my old blown trans am I had Yoko A032R (loud and sticky, 10k miles max) in the front and the Nitto DR in the rear, also a very nice comprimise between straight line traction and cornering grip.
Once Nitto comes out with a 3x5/35/18 drag radial I'll run it in the rear and the road race version in the front and will autocross it.
[Modified by cjones, 8:17 PM 6/7/2002]
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St. Jude Donor '03-'08
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (cjones)
Does the Nitto autocross tire have a specific name and will it fit on the stock 265 front rim?
Is the drag radial for the rear available in the 295 35 18 for the rear or will that be an off size too?
Is the drag radial for the rear available in the 295 35 18 for the rear or will that be an off size too?
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Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (joecooool)
My brother in law (forum member TennLee) and I autocross ALOT and he has the nitto's on his miata. It makes it push like nobodys business but they hook up great in the turns. Nitto makes a good road race tire that is supposed to be pretty good on the street and track. 555xx something or another. Troy did pretty well at the cruise in on his mich pilots too.
Melting Slicks
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Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (red90sixspeed)
I ran the last autocross in ETRSCCA on 260 treadwear M+S front tires and the 100 treadwear Nitto Drag Radials on the back. I was too lazy to get ready, as I do own a set of Kuhmo V700's for autocrossing. Last time I try that! The combo was :U ! Sure launched well, but was horribly imbalanced, as the rear stuck better than the front. I thought I was plowing corn...
Drifting
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From: SoCal
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (TennLee)
I ran the last autocross in ETRSCCA on 260 treadwear M+S front tires and the 100 treadwear Nitto Drag Radials on the back. I was too lazy to get ready, as I do own a set of Kuhmo V700's for autocrossing. Last time I try that! The combo was :U ! Sure launched well, but was horribly imbalanced, as the rear stuck better than the front. I thought I was plowing corn...
Drifting
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From: SoCal
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (jschindler)
I've seen a lot of strange answers on the forum, but seldom have I seen such opposing views :boxing
Strangly enough, the people that actually have run them in autoX knew what was up. :D
Burning Brakes
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From: Atlanta GA
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (jmX)
The 555R2 tire will fit on Z06 front wheels. In fact my HREs are a 1/2 inch narrower at 9" and they fit fine. 9.5" would be ideal.
No 18" Nitto drag radials that will work for the C5 yet. The 305/45/18 they have is too tale. Go email them and demand a 305/35/18 for the C5. Damn it!
No 18" Nitto drag radials that will work for the C5 yet. The 305/45/18 they have is too tale. Go email them and demand a 305/35/18 for the C5. Damn it!
Drifting
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From: SoCal
Re: How do drag radials effect performance for auto crossing? (cjones)
The 555R2 tire will fit on Z06 front wheels. In fact my HREs are a 1/2 inch narrower at 9" and they fit fine. 9.5" would be ideal.
No 18" Nitto drag radials that will work for the C5 yet. The 305/45/18 they have is too tale. Go email them and demand a 305/35/18 for the C5. Damn it!
No 18" Nitto drag radials that will work for the C5 yet. The 305/45/18 they have is too tale. Go email them and demand a 305/35/18 for the C5. Damn it!
Nitto needs to make those things in more sizes so we can use them on stock rims!
