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So I have had my 08 C6 Z51 package vette for a little over a month now. It is getting Texas Speed Headers and Catless Pipes while leaving the stock mufflers(with mild to wild switch) in place, Vararam Snake Charmer II CAI, and a street tune. I should be getting it back today and it won't be put on a dyno, but mechanic says should be pushing right around 500hp(flywheel). In the process, my mechanic found blown motor mounts so they are being replaced as well. The rear tires still have decent tread and the front are at the end of their tread. They are 4-5 years old and since I bought the car, I have had a very hard time getting it to stick. They are Michelin Pilot SS run flats, which after researching Tire Rack are great tires for the car, not necessarily the Run Flats......and I don't care about having a runflat. I had a Vette friend recommend getting Nitto NT01, said they are a little cheaper and will stick much better, but the trade off is a shorter lifespan. Also, if anyone has any input on a different size rear tire helping or not. I will be keeping the stock rims. This is not my daily driver, but I will be driving it 2-3 days a week. Will not be tracking the car, but love Light to Light Racing. Just looking for informed opinions on my very soon to be tire decision.
lots of tire threads out there, do a search. You'll need to decide what you want (tread life vs. sticky) and then decide if you want a premium brand or not (premium brands = best version of that tire at a premium price)
Generally speaking tire choices will be answered with two questions; grip vs. tire life and runflat vs non-runflat
200tw and lower = tires designed for use at the track, autocross, etc. Best performance but shortest life (no run flat options in this category)
320tw summer only tires = good in the dry, wet, good traction but not as good as the 200tw tires, most popular tires for non-tracked cars and even for beginners on the track these will usually work.
all season UHP tires = good in the wet, great for colder drives when summer tires are not recommended. Will probably provide the longest life.
The easy button is generally Michelin, they make a great summer only tire, a great summer only run flat tire, and even make a really good all-season tire. They are the most expensive. The other popular options are Goodyear, Hankook, Firestone, and Nitto and each have pros/cons.
I've had good luck with the Pilot Super Sports, Pilot 4s, and the Pole Position S-04 (which is the cheapest). The Pilot Super Sport can be ordered in a 305-width that worked fine with the stock size front tire, the Pilot 4S doesn't come in the correct sidewall height and it would be better to run a wider front tire, too, to avoid traction control issues.
Do you ever drive in the rain or cold weather? If not Toyo R888R are pretty awesome tires(not good in wet weather). Michelin PS 4s are pretty good street tires too, but don't grip as well as the Toyo. However most high performance tires should not be stored or used in temps below 40 degrees. So if you drive the car in cold weather you will be limited to all seasons which are not the stickiest tires for stop light to stop light use.
Firestone run flats. $1100 for 4, A little noisy but so far they have served me well after 12000 miles on my 05 C6. Much better than the original Goodyears.
I had a set of the Michelin RFs on my 15 Z51 C7 and with 22k on the clock put a set of Michelin Pilot AS3s non-run flats on it and the difference was incredible. Much less road noise, improved the ride a lot, and all but eliminated the front wheel chatter that started with the C6 (Ackerman Effect).
I bought my 09 Z51 C6 about a year ago and I'm replacing the Goodyear RFs with the Michelins as soon as I wear a little more tread off of them. No comparison in my book from the Goodyears to the Michelins. Michelins are much better and the way you describe how you will be driving the car that would be my pick just based on my experience.
Thanks for all the input guys, and I live in southern Alabama so not much cold weather here, and won't be driving in the rain if I can help it.
I got my car back from getting the work done and holy crap it is fast!!!!!
I am getting a price on the Nitto NT01's and probably gonna give them a try next week. Will post which way I go.
A good choice depends on your discernment there buddy..... But first you gotta know what kinda drive are you looking for....price driven?.. Poke along, commute, week ends only, cruze , high speed,....... Sitting in the parking lot at a show once a month... Or do you drive back and forth from New England to the Gulf once a year? Answer please.
I put a set of Kumho Ecsta sr91 on my car. High performance summer tires. Non run flat. Fantastic grip when warm. Only $700 installed in stock sizes.
It depends on what you want or need. Kumho Ecsta are great (awesome) tires. I had them and wish I still do.
I bought Continential Extreme Contact DWS which is also great tires with twice the treadwear. The only difference I notice is in the steering input of the Kumho's. They seem just a bit faster (quicker to respond) to steering inputs. Since my car is a garage queen that I only drive on nice days, I don't really need the "DWS" of the Continental tires. On the other hand, I did not like how quickly the Kumho tires wore out.
Light to Light racing eh'. Well then put a sticky tire on the back. Bridgestone Potenza RE 71 R. Threadwear is only 200, but they stick like glue. Not an all season tire, but they are alright in the wet. Just dont get stupid. Then theres the S-04 Pole Position tires. They are a good all around tire also......
Firestone run flats. $1100 for 4, A little noisy but so far they have served me well after 12000 miles on my 05 C6. Much better than the original Goodyears.
I may be wrong but I was under the impression that Firestone no longer makes run flats for the C6.
10-23-2020, 12:21 PM
Choice of tires for my c6
