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C6 standard size drag radials

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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 09:47 PM
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Default C6 standard size drag radials

I am looking for tires for the rear and am tired and stressing and just need other C6 owners advise.
My car currently has regular street tires, not sure what brand or type tire I have on the rears but I spin them steady through 1,2 and some of 3rd. I am looking for like a drag radial that has good "owner" reviews and that will hook when I stomp it or double clutch! I don't go too much to the track so from a dig im not too worried. Whatever tire I get I would like for me to at least be able to make it home of I get caught in the rain.

I have been looking at:
-Hoosier's A6 and R6 ( but I don't understand the difference between the two)
-Nitto NT05R but they only have it on Z06 size! And I need 285/30/19 (does Nitto make a 555r2 in 285/30/19?)
-Toyo T1r I believe...
And the
Kumho V710...

If you could share your experience on any of these tires. I'm mainly looking for performance with "ok/good" drivability.
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Old Feb 8, 2011 | 11:28 PM
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Originally Posted by pbm.cc
I have been looking at:
-Hoosier's A6 and R6 ( but I don't understand the difference between the two)
-Nitto NT05R but they only have it on Z06 size! And I need 285/30/19 (does Nitto make a 555r2 in 285/30/19?)
-Toyo T1r I believe...
And the
Kumho V710...
Of all those that you've mentioned, only the NT05R is a true drag radial. The others are all great tires but they're used predominantly for road racing/autocrossing. They are stickier than stock for sure but their stiff sidewalls will negate some of the gains that their grippier compound/tread gives and they will also ride somewhat harshly on rough roads.
The only proper way to get a true drag radial on a base C6 is to either go to a wider rim (ie: Z06 rim sizes) which could also lead to offset/body clearance issues or drop down to an 18" or even 17" rim.
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 05:06 AM
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Just stick with your standard size rim because if you go to say an 18inch size your gonna have to recalobrate your speedometer for the size change. Bridgestone RE-11 make the closest thing to a drag tire in standard forum 285/35/19. That will stick. lower the air pressure to about 25 cold and no problems. It may have to be special ordered thru bridgestone/firestone. I also just recently bought firestone indy 500 look at tirerack.com for survey results. Has pretty good dry traction results.
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 05:53 AM
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Originally Posted by pbm.cc
I am looking for tires for the rear and am tired and stressing and just need other C6 owners advise.
My car currently has regular street tires, not sure what brand or type tire I have on the rears but I spin them steady through 1,2 and some of 3rd. I am looking for like a drag radial that has good "owner" reviews and that will hook when I stomp it or double clutch! I don't go too much to the track so from a dig im not too worried. Whatever tire I get I would like for me to at least be able to make it home of I get caught in the rain.

I have been looking at:
-Hoosier's A6 and R6 ( but I don't understand the difference between the two)
-Nitto NT05R but they only have it on Z06 size! And I need 285/30/19 (does Nitto make a 555r2 in 285/30/19?)
-Toyo T1r I believe...
And the
Kumho V710...

If you could share your experience on any of these tires. I'm mainly looking for performance with "ok/good" drivability.
You can mix NT05s (F) with NT05R's (R)

Another choice is Michelin Sport Cup but they take a long time to heat up.
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by corvet786c
Just stick with your standard size rim because if you go to say an 18inch size your gonna have to recalobrate your speedometer for the size change. Bridgestone RE-11 make the closest thing to a drag tire in standard forum 285/35/19. That will stick. lower the air pressure to about 25 cold and no problems. It may have to be special ordered thru bridgestone/firestone. I also just recently bought firestone indy 500 look at tirerack.com for survey results. Has pretty good dry traction results.
The size of the wheel has nothing to do with recalibrating your speedometer.
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by CPG1962
You can mix NT05s (F) with NT05R's (R)

Another choice is Michelin Sport Cup but they take a long time to heat up.
No I can't do that as Nitto does not make the NT05r in 285/30/19. Themats the rear tire I want but can't get.
They also do not make the 555r in that size and I hear that the INVO will spin like crazy for what I'm looking for.

I liked Bridgestone RE-11S on a picture... Looks like a drag radial but I can't find it to get prices or to see if they make it in my size.
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
Of all those that you've mentioned, only the NT05R is a true drag radial. The others are all great tires but they're used predominantly for road racing/autocrossing. They are stickier than stock for sure but their stiff sidewalls will negate some of the gains that their grippier compound/tread gives and they will also ride somewhat harshly on rough roads.
The only proper way to get a true drag radial on a base C6 is to either go to a wider rim (ie: Z06 rim sizes) which could also lead to offset/body clearance issues or drop down to an 18" or even 17" rim.
Seems like it's leaning this way... =(
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 09:15 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1LT1
Of all those that you've mentioned, only the NT05R is a true drag radial. The others are all great tires but they're used predominantly for road racing/autocrossing. They are stickier than stock for sure but their stiff sidewalls will negate some of the gains that their grippier compound/tread gives and they will also ride somewhat harshly on rough roads.
The only proper way to get a true drag radial on a base C6 is to either go to a wider rim (ie: Z06 rim sizes) which could also lead to offset/body clearance issues or drop down to an 18" or even 17" rim.
Marc I'm using Nitto 555 & have very good luck with them.. but I'm also using a stock converter... with my 96 and a 3600 converter, used MT...

Originally Posted by corvet786c
Just stick with your standard size rim because if you go to say an 18inch size your gonna have to recalibrate your speedometer for the size change.
No he will NOT have to recalibrate anything if the "overall" diameter of the 18" tire is the "SAME" as the original 19"...

I have 04 18" rear wheels, and use Nitto 555 drag radials the size I got is 305/35x18" and its almost EXACTLY the same as the OEM tires, my speedo is correct, and I don't get an DIC message etc....

BTW Marc.. last year I ran the full season on one set of Nitto 555 DR.. I still have enough for 3 or 4 more races this yr... I already bought another set of 305/35x18" because I got a "GREAT price from Jeggs or Summit...(I used Summit but had to show them Jeggs price ($250 each) + shipping...

I'm sure if I went to a 3200 converter I'd need MT or BFG to hook up, but being that I'm 60' in only 1.850 - 1.90 I'll stick with Nitto and get a full season out of one set of tires...
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Old Feb 9, 2011 | 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by jpee
Marc I'm using Nitto 555 & have very good luck with them.. but I'm also using a stock converter... with my 96 and a 3600 converter, used MT...

I'm sure if I went to a 3200 converter I'd need MT or BFG to hook up, but being that I'm 60' in only 1.850 - 1.90 I'll stick with Nitto and get a full season out of one set of tires...
True, with a stock converter and CAI/tuning only set up the 555Rs should be fine, especially during the warmer weather months that our season runs.
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Old Feb 10, 2011 | 07:18 AM
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mickey thompson is releasing their 19 inch et street 2 radial in 6 days. That will hook it up
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Old Feb 10, 2011 | 11:05 AM
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The 305 Nitto 555R will have no problem hooking up with the 3200 converter.

I've only been out twice with my converter and my 275 555Rs had no issue pulling 1.70 60's.

Now that I'm making a bit more power with the Ported FAST and UD Pulley I know it'll easily see low-mid 1.6s
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Old Feb 10, 2011 | 01:17 PM
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[QUOTE=pbm.cc;1576745984]No I can't do that as Nitto does not make the NT05r in 285/30/19. Themats the rear tire I want but can't get.
They also do not make the 555r in that size and I hear that the INVO will spin like crazy for what I'm looking for.

I liked Bridgestone RE-11S on a picture... Looks like a drag radial but I can't find it to get prices or to see if they make it in my size.[/QUOTE]

Here is the link for the RE-11 tires...not sure what HP level they will not hook first gear but 500RWHP and under they will dead hook first gear in warm weather on the street.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....RE11&tab=Sizes

Last edited by Dulimon; Feb 10, 2011 at 01:20 PM.
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Old Feb 10, 2011 | 02:14 PM
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For a drag tire, you want as much sidewall as posible (small wheel diameter) but yet the wheel needs to clear your brake caliper. The best setup for these cars is a 17" dia X 9.5" wide reproduction wheel with either Mickey Thompson or Hoosier 275/40-17" DOT drag radials. I prefer the Hoosier tire as it's lighter weight than the Mickey Thompson. This wheel tire combination also makes it much easier to launch the car and keep it straight.

If you get more serious about drag racing, you can use the Hoosier Drag Slick, 28.00 x 10.00-17. This tire works better on a slightly wider 17 X 10" wheel, but will still hook extremely well with the 9.5" repro wheel. This tire is not DOT legal and you need to trailer the car or switch them at the track.
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Old Feb 10, 2011 | 06:59 PM
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As metioned, Mickey Thompson has a drag radial coming out on the 16th. they are $333 each and are 305-35-19. Jeggs has them listed under part number 3723R. I will be getting a pair this spring.
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