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Old May 23, 2011 | 12:40 PM
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Default Best Tires

I know very little about tires and I want to know which ones would be the best to look at. I do NOT drive my car in the rain and I really just want maximum traction. I looked at thetireson a GTR and they were borderline racing slicks and all I could think was that those must GRIP!! I want to remain street legal and keep my factory rims. I have a 2007 z51 if that matters.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 03:36 PM
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The best grip tire I have tried is the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup is a new 2012 option for the ZR1. They are soft and will only last about 10K miles.

If you are looking for the best straight line traction, then Mickey Thompson or Hoosier 275/40-17 drag radials are the best.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 03:46 PM
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What would be a reason not to get the drag radials? Why are they so much cheaper? And will they fit on my car with my current rims?
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Old May 23, 2011 | 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Cbjorgol
What would be a reason not to get the drag radials?
Handling around curves will probably be compromised.
And will they fit on my car with my current rims?
drag radials currently available do not fit on the stock rims. Some are on the way, but it seems they have been promised for months.

Toyo R888s are an r-compound tire and fit on stock rims.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Ragtop 99
Handling around curves will probably be compromised.
drag radials currently available do not fit on the stock rims. Some are on the way, but it seems they have been promised for months.

Toyo R888s are an r-compound tire and fit on stock rims.
Do you know where I can get those in 285/35-19 and 245/40-18?
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Old May 23, 2011 | 04:26 PM
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Nitto Invos.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 04:27 PM
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285s are not available. Most squeeze the 305 on to their stock rims. There is also a 295 size.

Google "Toyo R888" and several on-line vendors will pop up.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Vito.A
The best grip tire I have tried is the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup is a new 2012 option for the ZR1. They are soft and will only last about 10K miles.

If you are looking for the best straight line traction, then Mickey Thompson or Hoosier 275/40-17 drag radials are the best.
I may have to try these out. I love corners!!!
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Old May 23, 2011 | 04:30 PM
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Originally Posted by bdanyluk
Nitto Invos.
Definitly a good tire, but not anywhere near the best.....

Another vote for Toyo R888
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Old May 23, 2011 | 04:33 PM
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Originally Posted by bdanyluk
Nitto Invos.


It's a good commuter tire, but not good for anything performance related.

In stock sizes I'd look at Khumo XS or Potenza RE-11s

For something a little more affordable and still quite decent the Hankook Ventus V12 is awesome. I have them on my C6 right now (Putting a full set on my XLR-V) but will be swapping the rears to the RE-11s once I wear them out now that the car's pushing more power.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 05:15 PM
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Originally Posted by FloydSummerOf68


It's a good commuter tire, but not good for anything performance related.

In stock sizes I'd look at Khumo XS or Potenza RE-11s

For something a little more affordable and still quite decent the Hankook Ventus V12 is awesome. I have them on my C6 right now (Putting a full set on my XLR-V) but will be swapping the rears to the RE-11s once I wear them out now that the car's pushing more power.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 06:38 PM
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Don't think he was looking for a track only tire.....whatever....as long as you don't buy runflats, it will be waaaayyyyyyy better than stock.
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Old May 23, 2011 | 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Ragtop 99
285s are not available. Most squeeze the 305 on to their stock rims. There is also a 295 size.

Google "Toyo R888" and several on-line vendors will pop up.
I didn't even know 295's would fit on my stock rims. Will Amy tire place be able to put them on?
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Old May 23, 2011 | 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Cbjorgol
I didn't even know 295's would fit on my stock rims. Will Amy tire place be able to put them on?
On stock C6 Split Spokes (08) I run the R888's & Michelin Pilot Super Sports:

255/35/18 Fronts

295/30/19 Rears

These sizes maintain the Front to rear diameter variance, so no electronic issues, also no rubbing.

Ed
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Old May 23, 2011 | 11:30 PM
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Originally Posted by doveboat
On stock C6 Split Spokes (08) I run the R888's & Michelin Pilot Super Sports:

255/35/18 Fronts

295/30/19 Rears

These sizes maintain the Front to rear diameter variance, so no electronic issues, also no rubbing.

Ed
That sounds like a good idea actually, radials for traction and the pilots for handling, both where they count. Thanks!!!
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Old May 24, 2011 | 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by FloydSummerOf68
:
In stock sizes I'd look at Khumo XS or Potenza RE-11s
RE-11
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Old May 24, 2011 | 09:37 PM
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I am a very happy owner of the RE-11's, but will most likely step up to a DOT legal R compound on my next set, probably R888 as the RE-11's are lasting much longer than expected and will most likely dry out before I can use all the tread. They are still very soft though after 15 months in the AZ desert.
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Old May 25, 2011 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Cbjorgol
That sounds like a good idea actually, radials for traction and the pilots for handling, both where they count. Thanks!!!
I believe those are both stiff sidewall tires, so they are both for handling.

Hoosier R6 > R888 > PS2 Cups > RE-11 > NT05 > all others.
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Old May 25, 2011 | 11:52 AM
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Hoosiers! Deadly in the rain but they will stick like glue in the dry.
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Old May 25, 2011 | 07:28 PM
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Hankook was the winner here:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1577709853-post5.html
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