How Do You Hook?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 176
Likes: 35
How Do You Hook?
I've gotten a lot of useful info from CF members on how to force feed my C6 LS3 A6 for street use. Everybody seems to love the results, so you all must be moving successfully from point A to point B instead of just shredding tires and making smoke. How do you guys put all that added power to the ground? Not just from a standing start, but from a roll, cruising speed, or whatever? My '08 Z51 model won't take much more tire width that the stock 285's. I hate to run drag radials every day because it might rain. I've had big traction problems with a blown car in the past and my Vette will be putting way more HP down than my old car did. Any tips would be appreciated, and thanks.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 356
Likes: 15
From: Phoenix az
I run a Mickey Thompson 305/35/18s on my daily driver 2006 making about 600rwhp with a 2800 stall. I live in Phoenix so I dont need to worry too much about rain. It hooks pretty good but still need to roll into the pedal from a dig
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 176
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Evington VA
Toyo R888s in 305 are you best bet if you see rain. They will be a good mix between traction and do fine in the rain if you run them front and rear.
They are not quite as sticky as Nt05rs but they are a lot better in the twisties!
They are not quite as sticky as Nt05rs but they are a lot better in the twisties!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
RE-11, R-S3, and R888 are all meant for twisty roads. NT-05R is a drag radial that good at straight line only. I like to take corners, so I went with R-S3 tires. My next set will be RE-11's because they are a good bit cheaper than the R-S3's. I got a deal on the Hankooks this time around is why I'm running them. R888's would be the stickiest of the bunch at a 100 tread wear. The RE-11 is 180 or 200 and the R-S3 is 200.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 210
Likes: 2
From: So. Ill. Ill
Sinister runs a 345 Mickey Thompson 18 in on widened stock front wheels on the back of his narrow body corvette. I personally run a mt 315/18 in on the back of my narrow body c6 and can hook 850ft lbs
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 1,680
From: Southeast TX
I have some 305/30 19 R888's that are better, in a straight line, than any tire I've tried except MT drag radial 295/45 17's. The R888's are a not very close second place though. Maybe an inch and a half wider will help, but I have my doubts as to whether they'll be as good as a drag radial from a dig. While they do have a soft tread compound, they have a stiff side wall too. They do go around a corner well, but don't hook near as well as the MT's from a dig. They may be about as good a compromise tire as you'll find though. Apparently, we can't have our cake and eat it too when it comes to tires. They seem to be either good in a straight line or good in the twisties.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 379
From: Detroit
I have some 305/30 19 R888's that are better, in a straight line, than any tire I've tried except MT drag radial 295/45 17's. The R888's are a not very close second place though. Maybe an inch and a half wider will help, but I have my doubts as to whether they'll be as good as a drag radial from a dig. While they do have a soft tread compound, they have a stiff side wall too. They do go around a corner well, but don't hook near as well as the MT's from a dig. They may be about as good a compromise tire as you'll find though. Apparently, we can't have our cake and eat it too when it comes to tires. They seem to be either good in a straight line or good in the twisties.
Last edited by Detoxx03; Feb 11, 2014 at 03:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
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OK, all these tire/wheel options are good advice. But, riddle me this: You are out of town, having a great time with your lady in the mountains or the canyons on the twisties dialing up the boost. And you have a flat. None of these tires are run flats, are they? No spare. So what do you do about that? Stick your thumb out? Just give up and put it on the hook? My Vette wouldn't look good with a Continental kit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,995
Likes: 1,680
From: Southeast TX
I don't care about going to the track or digs much. I ran the 305 et streets and they were great and hooked well but I also was making a good 100+ hp less than now. Handling is important to me. I made one trip to the dragstrip last year with my car. Highway and twisties are my thing.
I'll probably do a set of strip only tires for the rear and something similar to what you're doing for other miles. I have a new Grand Sport in the garage. Don't know if the 17" DR's will even fit. Another concern I'd have with the R888's is wet traction. 13.5" wide, light assed vette, not too many ribs for water to channel, etc. Might be a bit of an adventure if you get caught in the wet.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 379
From: Detroit
I run my current tires at 26-30 psi depending on the temperature outside. They are fine at that pressure for traction and stability. Been caught in the rain a few times and they were ok. As long as you don't drive like a idiot (not you but generally) you won't have any problems. They aren't as soft as a mickey, which I've been caught in the rain with before and they are down right scary even at low speeds.
Best tires I ever had were some Michelin PS2's on my trans am. They didn't hook for nothing but drove and handled great. Had a set of et streets for business though. After all of that swapping tires I did I refused to do that with this car.
Best tires I ever had were some Michelin PS2's on my trans am. They didn't hook for nothing but drove and handled great. Had a set of et streets for business though. After all of that swapping tires I did I refused to do that with this car.
Last edited by Detoxx03; Feb 11, 2014 at 04:58 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
OK, all these tire/wheel options are good advice. But, riddle me this: You are out of town, having a great time with your lady in the mountains or the canyons on the twisties dialing up the boost. And you have a flat. None of these tires are run flats, are they? No spare. So what do you do about that? Stick your thumb out? Just give up and put it on the hook? My Vette wouldn't look good with a Continental kit.
