Need advice on new tires
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 9
From: Plymouth Michigan
Need advice on new tires
I recently picked up my first Vette. 2003 silver Z06. She's a beast and I love her but the rear tires are ready to be replaced. I do not track the car so I am looking for a good street tire that can handle some aggressive driving from time to time. Don't want to break the bank either. Good tread wear is ideal and something that won't hydroplane if i get caught in the rain. I have the stock rims so 295/35/18 or possibly 305/35/18. Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys and gals.
Jim
Jim
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I recently picked up my first Vette. 2003 silver Z06. She's a beast and I love her but the rear tires are ready to be replaced. I do not track the car so I am looking for a good street tire that can handle some aggressive driving from time to time. Don't want to break the bank either. Good tread wear is ideal and something that won't hydroplane if i get caught in the rain. I have the stock rims so 295/35/18 or possibly 305/35/18. Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys and gals.
Jim
Jim
The WHICH TIRE IS BEST argument is a BIG ONE. If there are 20 different tires you will get 20 opinions on why each one is best.
There is NO ONE TIRE to take on ALL functions. An all season tire sort of sucks in the extreme uses area. Its doesn't do well in the performance aspect and it does OK as a winter snow tire.
We purchased a brand new 2011 C6 Grand Sport Vert. Took the Bowling Green Museum Delivery Option and drove it back to Connecticut. The East Coast had on of the worst rain storms during our ride back that I have seen in a long time. Needless to say, the OEM Stock tires SUCKED at heavy rain highway speeds and we experienced a LOT of hydroplaning.
Go to Tire Rack online and look at all the performance tires for your car. Read the reviews and get an idea on what tire suits your needs.
Then you have to decide if you want a RUN FLAT or NON RUN FLAT tire. I chose the NON RUN FLAT and made a emergency repair kit to fix minor issues (plug kit, compressor and tire slime) The non run flats are a little more compliant, a bit quitter and give a better ride (IMHO)
I too have to decide on what tires I want for the 11 Grand Sport (YES,, its that time ) I purchased some TOYO PROXS Tires for my 02 ZO6 (they no longer make them) and have been EXTREMELY happy with them. EXCELLENT traction and ride quality.
We will see.. Good luck on your selection.
By the time you research all the tires that you can purchase, you will have a DEGREE in tires for Corvette under your belt! 
Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Check out Hankook Tires:
The Ventus V12 evo2 (K120) is Hankook's Max Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and high performance sedans who want to express their personality and style. Designed to deliver impressive traction and handling, Ventus V12 evo2 tires offer comfort and control in warm dry and wet road conditions. However, like all summer tires, they are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.
The Ventus V12 evo2 radial's high-grip silica tread compound features an innovative functionalized styrene polymer that lowers tire rolling resistance to enhance vehicle fuel economy without surrendering dry and wet traction. This compound is molded into a directional tread design featuring notched shoulders and 3D intermediate ribs flanking a continuous center rib to promote dry handling and traction. Circumferential and Aqua jet lateral grooves promote efficient water evacuation from the center of the tire's contact patch to enhance hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. Grooves in the intermediate blocks feature stealth technology and a unique wing tip design that reduces noise.
The tire's internal structure includes two wide steel belts reinforced by two plies of spirally wrapped jointless nylon. High stiffness bead fillers sandwich hard rubber between the sidewall's polyester cord casing plies to improve handling response by resisting distortion at high speeds and while cornering.
The Ventus V12 evo2 (K120) is Hankook's Max Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and high performance sedans who want to express their personality and style. Designed to deliver impressive traction and handling, Ventus V12 evo2 tires offer comfort and control in warm dry and wet road conditions. However, like all summer tires, they are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.
The Ventus V12 evo2 radial's high-grip silica tread compound features an innovative functionalized styrene polymer that lowers tire rolling resistance to enhance vehicle fuel economy without surrendering dry and wet traction. This compound is molded into a directional tread design featuring notched shoulders and 3D intermediate ribs flanking a continuous center rib to promote dry handling and traction. Circumferential and Aqua jet lateral grooves promote efficient water evacuation from the center of the tire's contact patch to enhance hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. Grooves in the intermediate blocks feature stealth technology and a unique wing tip design that reduces noise.
The tire's internal structure includes two wide steel belts reinforced by two plies of spirally wrapped jointless nylon. High stiffness bead fillers sandwich hard rubber between the sidewall's polyester cord casing plies to improve handling response by resisting distortion at high speeds and while cornering.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 109
Likes: 2
From: Peachtree City Georgia
Check out Hankook Tires:
The Ventus V12 evo2 (K120) is Hankook's Max Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and high performance sedans who want to express their personality and style. Designed to deliver impressive traction and handling, Ventus V12 evo2 tires offer comfort and control in warm dry and wet road conditions. However, like all summer tires, they are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.
The Ventus V12 evo2 radial's high-grip silica tread compound features an innovative functionalized styrene polymer that lowers tire rolling resistance to enhance vehicle fuel economy without surrendering dry and wet traction. This compound is molded into a directional tread design featuring notched shoulders and 3D intermediate ribs flanking a continuous center rib to promote dry handling and traction. Circumferential and Aqua jet lateral grooves promote efficient water evacuation from the center of the tire's contact patch to enhance hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. Grooves in the intermediate blocks feature stealth technology and a unique wing tip design that reduces noise.
The tire's internal structure includes two wide steel belts reinforced by two plies of spirally wrapped jointless nylon. High stiffness bead fillers sandwich hard rubber between the sidewall's polyester cord casing plies to improve handling response by resisting distortion at high speeds and while cornering.
The Ventus V12 evo2 (K120) is Hankook's Max Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and high performance sedans who want to express their personality and style. Designed to deliver impressive traction and handling, Ventus V12 evo2 tires offer comfort and control in warm dry and wet road conditions. However, like all summer tires, they are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.
The Ventus V12 evo2 radial's high-grip silica tread compound features an innovative functionalized styrene polymer that lowers tire rolling resistance to enhance vehicle fuel economy without surrendering dry and wet traction. This compound is molded into a directional tread design featuring notched shoulders and 3D intermediate ribs flanking a continuous center rib to promote dry handling and traction. Circumferential and Aqua jet lateral grooves promote efficient water evacuation from the center of the tire's contact patch to enhance hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. Grooves in the intermediate blocks feature stealth technology and a unique wing tip design that reduces noise.
The tire's internal structure includes two wide steel belts reinforced by two plies of spirally wrapped jointless nylon. High stiffness bead fillers sandwich hard rubber between the sidewall's polyester cord casing plies to improve handling response by resisting distortion at high speeds and while cornering.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 9
From: Plymouth Michigan
Check out Hankook Tires:
The Ventus V12 evo2 (K120) is Hankook's Max Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and high performance sedans who want to express their personality and style. Designed to deliver impressive traction and handling, Ventus V12 evo2 tires offer comfort and control in warm dry and wet road conditions. However, like all summer tires, they are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.
The Ventus V12 evo2 radial's high-grip silica tread compound features an innovative functionalized styrene polymer that lowers tire rolling resistance to enhance vehicle fuel economy without surrendering dry and wet traction. This compound is molded into a directional tread design featuring notched shoulders and 3D intermediate ribs flanking a continuous center rib to promote dry handling and traction. Circumferential and Aqua jet lateral grooves promote efficient water evacuation from the center of the tire's contact patch to enhance hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. Grooves in the intermediate blocks feature stealth technology and a unique wing tip design that reduces noise.
The tire's internal structure includes two wide steel belts reinforced by two plies of spirally wrapped jointless nylon. High stiffness bead fillers sandwich hard rubber between the sidewall's polyester cord casing plies to improve handling response by resisting distortion at high speeds and while cornering.
The Ventus V12 evo2 (K120) is Hankook's Max Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and high performance sedans who want to express their personality and style. Designed to deliver impressive traction and handling, Ventus V12 evo2 tires offer comfort and control in warm dry and wet road conditions. However, like all summer tires, they are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.
The Ventus V12 evo2 radial's high-grip silica tread compound features an innovative functionalized styrene polymer that lowers tire rolling resistance to enhance vehicle fuel economy without surrendering dry and wet traction. This compound is molded into a directional tread design featuring notched shoulders and 3D intermediate ribs flanking a continuous center rib to promote dry handling and traction. Circumferential and Aqua jet lateral grooves promote efficient water evacuation from the center of the tire's contact patch to enhance hydroplaning resistance and wet traction. Grooves in the intermediate blocks feature stealth technology and a unique wing tip design that reduces noise.
The tire's internal structure includes two wide steel belts reinforced by two plies of spirally wrapped jointless nylon. High stiffness bead fillers sandwich hard rubber between the sidewall's polyester cord casing plies to improve handling response by resisting distortion at high speeds and while cornering.
A coworker told me to check out Bridgestone Potenza RE760 sport tires. He said they are a very solid all around tire and priced relatively well. Anybody have experience with these tires?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Great info Bill! Thank you, that's very helpful. Looks like I will be busy this weekend becoming a tire expert.
A coworker told me to check out Bridgestone Potenza RE760 sport tires. He said they are a very solid all around tire and priced relatively well. Anybody have experience with these tires?
A coworker told me to check out Bridgestone Potenza RE760 sport tires. He said they are a very solid all around tire and priced relatively well. Anybody have experience with these tires?
Also check out the Pilot Super Sport Tires
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
I recently picked up my first Vette. 2003 silver Z06. She's a beast and I love her but the rear tires are ready to be replaced. I do not track the car so I am looking for a good street tire that can handle some aggressive driving from time to time. Don't want to break the bank either. Good tread wear is ideal and something that won't hydroplane if i get caught in the rain. I have the stock rims so 295/35/18 or possibly 305/35/18. Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys and gals.
Jim
Jim
2 - What do you have on front? I personally don't like to mix...
3 - Have you read up on the valve spring concern?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 9
From: Plymouth Michigan
Thanks, it is very fun. I find every excuse possible to drive it.
Right now I have Nitto NT 555R extreme ZR in the front (275/40/17) and Nitto NT 555R extreme Drag in the rear (305/35/18)
These came on the car when I purchased it. I did not buy these nor do I like them. The front still have lots of tread left but the rear need to be replaced soon.
I am aware of the valve springs going bad in these. I plan to replace them this winter just to be on the safe side. How would I go about getting the build sheet/date on my car? I know there was a few month period in the production run where many cars received bad valve springs. Would hate to see my build date in that bad batch. Thanks guys, this forum rocks!
Right now I have Nitto NT 555R extreme ZR in the front (275/40/17) and Nitto NT 555R extreme Drag in the rear (305/35/18)
These came on the car when I purchased it. I did not buy these nor do I like them. The front still have lots of tread left but the rear need to be replaced soon.
I am aware of the valve springs going bad in these. I plan to replace them this winter just to be on the safe side. How would I go about getting the build sheet/date on my car? I know there was a few month period in the production run where many cars received bad valve springs. Would hate to see my build date in that bad batch. Thanks guys, this forum rocks!
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Ohio
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 259
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From: Summerville, SC
Bought Connental Extreme from Tirerack about 8 weeks ago. My goal, smooth, quiet good in rain. Not a speed racer but still like to drive fast. $1000 installed with all new sensors. Couldn't be happier.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 375
From: San Jose, CA
I have the hankooks. They have about 16k miles on them (5k mine), which means they're nearing the end of their life - but despite that they have tons of tread left.
It helps that high performance summer tires tend to have very little 'fancy' tread for expelling water, often just having relatively few deep grooves. That means they stand up to being used well past the point where they should be dumped pretty well!
I recommend hankooks to everyone who is looking for reasonable cost vs performance. They're not as good as michelin pilot super sports around corners, but they're probably 85% as good for like 50% of the price and last twice as long. Also the PSS sometimes die on the track due to heat in a way the hankooks don't, but that's a different story.
---
The problem with tires is that they're a classic "bike shed" problem, just like oil. There are so many different options, and they're such a basic part of a car, that everyone has an opinion. You ask three people which tires to put on your vette and you'll get four opinions. Relatively few of these are backed by any sort of lab testing, quantitative analysis, or careful consideration. You're rarely going to see spreadsheets tracking cost, reliability, longevity, eight different measures of performance, all measured in a laboratory setting by uninterested third parties... you're going to see opinions like "I use xxx and they work great" or "I didn't like yyy tire."
It helps that high performance summer tires tend to have very little 'fancy' tread for expelling water, often just having relatively few deep grooves. That means they stand up to being used well past the point where they should be dumped pretty well!
I recommend hankooks to everyone who is looking for reasonable cost vs performance. They're not as good as michelin pilot super sports around corners, but they're probably 85% as good for like 50% of the price and last twice as long. Also the PSS sometimes die on the track due to heat in a way the hankooks don't, but that's a different story.
---
The problem with tires is that they're a classic "bike shed" problem, just like oil. There are so many different options, and they're such a basic part of a car, that everyone has an opinion. You ask three people which tires to put on your vette and you'll get four opinions. Relatively few of these are backed by any sort of lab testing, quantitative analysis, or careful consideration. You're rarely going to see spreadsheets tracking cost, reliability, longevity, eight different measures of performance, all measured in a laboratory setting by uninterested third parties... you're going to see opinions like "I use xxx and they work great" or "I didn't like yyy tire."