As I posted last week, Mike Norris is installing an A & A Vortech supercharger, boost gauges and a heavier duty clutch in my '07 6-speed coupe. MY QUESTION.....I currently have Michelin PS-2's at the 4 corners. Since my driving style is mostly conservative and not crazy (except for some occasional fun), will I need to consider stickier tires for better traction during those "fun" times? My friend Sam aka Powerlabs, I believe changed to Nitto tires which I think he mentioned have a stickier compound. Do I then sacrifice mileage wear for performance?

 

How much RWHP you have now?

 

My car is stock 6-speed Z51 except for a set of Melrose headers and a performance cat back exhaust.

 

What I did just prior to the S/C was purchase CCW wheels and mount Z06 tires on them. The extra 40mm width gives improved traction. I dont need super sticky drag tires that have a terrible wear rating. I use Bridgestone Pole Position Run Flats and they stick good for aggressive street use.

 

Consider yes, but do nothing until you actually spend time with the blower. If you want to use the power off the line, you'll probably need better rubber. If you are doing highway blasts, you may be able to roll into the throttle fine. Of course, doing the DRs on 18" wheels may open up new "fun times" that you are not currently doing.

 

what wheel sizes are you running? do you have a wide booty? These are all important factors when deciding what tires to buy.

 

You will net about 475 to the rear wheels. I have the exact same setup...however my Vette is also Cammed so i'm seeing around 585 at the rear wheels. I hear you though on the tires, would be nice to know which are best for traction... as I NEED IT! lol... I'm getting a new Monster 3.5 clutch installed after the NCM 15th Anniversary trip next week.

 

and you hav'nt seen enough threads on tire's in two years to have an idea of what your going to need?

 

No.....I have not seen enough threads to have made a decision. My profession demands more of my waking time other than spending time on the forum looking for previous threads. Thanks for your creative input. I presently am stock '07 chrome rims and stock size PS2's. I obviously made a mistake asking for assistance. Most of your responses have been: interest as to what I might be able to use for max traction. I will ease into the throttle until my new rubber runs down.To the gentleman who answered sarcastically.....try optimism instead of pessimism.....DH

 

I'm afraid you're going to be in for a big surprise. If you drive a lot expect to spend thousands each year on tires. The sticky tires are expensive and don't last long at all. If you stick with longer mileage tires 1st, 2nd and possibly 3rd gear will be useless.

 

I think the PS2's you have are the best choice in a street tire. I'm not gunna go on about how good they work because you are already running them. I don't know what Nitto your buddy switched to but I can't imagine what other tire in the same class will perform better than the Michelins.

The next step up for me would be a DOT competition tire like Pilot Sport Cup's, Toyo R888's, Yoko A048's, blah, blah, blah... Much softer compounds to help you hook it up for "fun times" instead of roasting the PS2's. Definitely too soft to get any kind of mileage out of them but it's the price of admission if you are forever pushing the car to it's limits.

 

The Nittos being referred to were 305/18 555RII, so they are R-compound tires like the R-888s. He also has used the R-888s.

For the OP, expect 6k - 10k miles per set depending upon how often you light them up and the level of wet safety that is acceptable for your driving. Don't expect 10k unless you can stay out of the rain towards the end of the tire life.

 

I dumped the runflats for a set of Nitto Invos. A marked improvement to be sure, but they still cannot hold under full throttle in first or second (I have 490 RWHP).

I've opted for a set of MT Drag radials (305/45/18) mounted on 18" stock rims, for when I want to play hard. They work well at the track, and on the street.

I also recommend reading Rangers advice on launching and shifting the car. His techniques do work quite well.

 

Hi Darek,

I called and left a message, not sure if you got it or not.
You spent a lot of money on those Michelins, and they are about the best street tire out there. I'd keep them on the car at least untill you actually need to change them out. Obviously, being a street tire, you can't expect too much. I happened to run them on my car (the regular PS2s, not the run flat ones you have), so I can give you a real perspective of what they are like on a boosted car.
They will light up in 1st gear 100% of the time. The wheelspin in 1st was bad enough that the car wouldn't even accelerate, it'd just sit there and spin.
If you get them warm, you can actually get 2nd gear to hook up about half the time, provided you get on it gradually instead of hammering the throttle down. That's not too bad.
3rd gear hooks up every time unless they are cold. Around 50F or so they will break lose in 3rd gear at 80MPH or so. That is not cool.

Since you are not driving competitively they will be fine for you. Just learn to get on the throttle progressively and feel how much traction is available and you'll have a great time. Roll-ons are perfect because you can downshift and mat it down and the car will hook up and go just fine.

If you WANT to go to an R-Compound like what I'm running, you will get spectacular traction (I can hook 1st if the tires are hot enough), but you'll be burning through 600+ dollar sets of rear tires every 9-12K miles. They also become unbelievably bad in the rain as they wear down and get bald... Its a trade off, like anything else.