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305 width Toyo R888

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Old Jun 17, 2008 | 04:57 PM
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Default 305 width Toyo R888

Is anyone using the Toyo R888 on a 19x12" wheel? I've got the Z06 wheels on my car, and dont want to go through the expense of getting 18" wheels for the rear right now. I'm needing new tires pretty soon, and want something very sticky. I considered the Hoosier R6's and having them hand grooved for the chance of rain, but it looks to me like they are just not the tire for me. As much as I would like the grip they offer, I do use the car for short weekend trips sometimes, and I don't think they can handle all the crap I usually run over on the highway. These Toyo's are probably not THAT much more street friendly, but I think they would do better. Only problem is, the only size they have in a 19" is 305/30ZR19. The website lists the max wheel width recommended as 11.5". How do you guys think it will look mounted on a 12" wheel? Do you think there will be any uneven wear issues or weird handling? Better yet, is anyone actually running this setup?
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Old Jun 17, 2008 | 06:37 PM
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I was wondering the same thing, the website says 10.5-11.5 but I am sure a 12" would work with no problem the tread I believe is 12.3" so it should look really good.
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Old Jun 17, 2008 | 06:40 PM
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Quick question...I considered 305/30/19s but I read some where that a 295/35/19 would be better because although it isn't as wide it is taller so it gets better traction. I guess you could argue though that if 1 tire is made of ice and the other sticky rubber it won't matter so are the R888s a really sticky tire so it kinda makes up for the lack of height or that whole height vs width thing BS?
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Old Jun 17, 2008 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by NEV3R L8
Quick question...I considered 305/30/19s but I read some where that a 295/35/19 would be better because although it isn't as wide it is taller so it gets better traction. I guess you could argue though that if 1 tire is made of ice and the other sticky rubber it won't matter so are the R888s a really sticky tire so it kinda makes up for the lack of height or that whole height vs width thing BS?

From what I understand, taller sidewalls flex more, which is good for straightline grip and not so good for handling. I think the argument is null if you're comparing a regular tire with taller sidewalls to a sticky low profile tire. I've heard very good things about the Toyo R888 which is why im so interested in it. So far it seems the best compromise between a performance street tire and a race tire. They do offer it in a 295/30/19 if you want to keep with a stock C6 dimension. Since I am on a 12 inch rear wheel, I need something wider. Obviously a width of 325 would be ideal, but thats just not available.

Last edited by jogar80; Jun 17, 2008 at 06:54 PM.
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Old Jun 17, 2008 | 07:13 PM
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The 295 or 305 R888 will provide adequate grip for power levels up to 450RWHP on the standard gearsets. I presently run the R888 335/30-18 as a rear tire on CCW wheels and it hooks 1st gear even though I have 484RWHP and 4.10 gears.

I have been running the Toyo/Nitto R-compound tires as sticky street tires the last four years with ZERO issues. They are a great tire, plain and simple: light, tough, sticky, forgiving. They are also not as sensitive to heat cycling as other R tires. Expect lower mileage out of them, of course. I get about 4K out of mine, but that is with lots of hard canyon driving included. Frankly, I don't get much more out of my F1s...
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Old Jun 17, 2008 | 07:22 PM
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Marc, Thanks for the input! This is typical of what I have been hearing about these tires. I just wish they made them wider in a 19" diameter. So what do you think about the fitment of a 305 on the 12" wheel?
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Old Jun 17, 2008 | 11:42 PM
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i have the 295/30/19 and the height is a little small 26.0, on the stock rim, it looks like the 305 would fit fine on the stock rim, would it be stretched on the 12" rim?
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted by jogar80
From what I understand, taller sidewalls flex more, which is good for straightline grip and not so good for handling. I think the argument is null if you're comparing a regular tire with taller sidewalls to a sticky low profile tire. I've heard very good things about the Toyo R888 which is why im so interested in it. So far it seems the best compromise between a performance street tire and a race tire. They do offer it in a 295/30/19 if you want to keep with a stock C6 dimension. Since I am on a 12 inch rear wheel, I need something wider. Obviously a width of 325 would be ideal, but thats just not available.
Actually it's not the flex of the sidewall, at least in the case of the tires we're talking about. A larger diameter tire will have a bigger contact patch. This is exaggerated as the tire pressue is decreased. The flex in the sidewall is more accurate for drag slicks hence the old term "wrinkle walls".
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Old Jun 18, 2008 | 03:59 PM
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Originally Posted by jogar80
Marc, Thanks for the input! This is typical of what I have been hearing about these tires. I just wish they made them wider in a 19" diameter. So what do you think about the fitment of a 305 on the 12" wheel?
I think it would fit OK even though you'd be about a 1/2 in outside the recommended range. It would just have that rolled edge look.

From my perspective however, getting the appropriate level of grip to the power you are putting down would be the paramount issue, as well as having enough sidewall flex to avoid driveline shock. You are likely making some stout numbers with that MP122, and I am guessing that traction is an issue with the Z06 (325) tires. If this is the case, I would recommend a custom CCW wheelset enabling you to put as much tire on the back as you can. That would be either the 345 Michelin PSCs on a 13 inch wheel (horrendously expensive, but effective and mean looking), or at least the 335/30-18 R888 comfortably set on a 12 inch rim with the proper backspacing for your Z06 fenders. You could pair that with a 18x11 front running either a 285, or 295/30-18 R888, for proper F/R diameter difference to not set of AH/TC. Since neither tire is stretched on the rim, you get decent sidewall compliance.

You of course keep the Z06 wheels and the runflats for roadtrips. Just my .02

Last edited by TTRotary; Jun 18, 2008 at 04:01 PM.
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by TTRotary
I think it would fit OK even though you'd be about a 1/2 in outside the recommended range. It would just have that rolled edge look.

From my perspective however, getting the appropriate level of grip to the power you are putting down would be the paramount issue, as well as having enough sidewall flex to avoid driveline shock. You are likely making some stout numbers with that MP122, and I am guessing that traction is an issue with the Z06 (325) tires. If this is the case, I would recommend a custom CCW wheelset enabling you to put as much tire on the back as you can. That would be either the 345 Michelin PSCs on a 13 inch wheel (horrendously expensive, but effective and mean looking), or at least the 335/30-18 R888 comfortably set on a 12 inch rim with the proper backspacing for your Z06 fenders. You could pair that with a 18x11 front running either a 285, or 295/30-18 R888, for proper F/R diameter difference to not set of AH/TC. Since neither tire is stretched on the rim, you get decent sidewall compliance.

You of course keep the Z06 wheels and the runflats for roadtrips. Just my .02
Yea, NO traction at all with the 325 Z06 Goodyears. I'm guessing the 305 Toyo's, while not as wide, would still offer much better grip than the runflats. Still, not a bad idea with the new set of wheels and keeping my "roadtrip" wheel/tire package. I REALLY didnt want to spend on a new set of wheels but if I cant find anything else, it may be the only way to go.
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 10:53 AM
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I am looking at getting this exact tire in the future as well. Once a supercharger goes on and making close to 600 to the wheels, I need something to put it down!

I was thinking of widing my stock 19x10's an inch to 11's. 19x11 is what Toyo recommends for the 305's.
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 11:47 AM
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I have them on 19x11 probably would be fine with 12
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Danny318
I have them on 19x11 probably would be fine with 12
And how do you like them?
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by jogar80
And how do you like them?
They are amazing. I was using the stock tires, and also have a set of KDW2's for the track, and these just stomp all over both other tires. I can actually put the power down coming out of corners. The car was fairly scary to drive, always wanting to come around on the track. With these tires the fear is gone and the car is much more drivable and fun. They are really grippy, and supposedly last quite a while for the level of grip they provide.
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Old Jun 19, 2008 | 05:40 PM
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Do the 295/30/19 stick out at all on a regular c6? I would imagine no. This may be a dumb question, but, can you run these tires in back and leave the f1s on the front? I'm looking more for straight line traction, and don't do any road racing or much hard cornering.
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Old Jun 20, 2008 | 02:26 AM
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they dont really stick out, and yes you could do that but its best to have same rubber on all 4 corners.
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