CMG_19Z

Good evening all!!

This is my first time posting on the forum and I’m not sure if this has been answered or not. I’m looking at getting some new tires, but I’m torn between the R888R and the 555R2s. I don’t have any experience with either one. I’m currently on the stock MPSS and I’m not a big fan. 1st and 2nd fear are practically useless.

The car is a completely stock Z06 with mods coming in the near future. It’s not daily driven so tread wear is not an issue. I don’t track the car or take it to the drag strip, just some occasional runs in Mexico 😉. I’d also like to be able to drive in the rain if I happen to get caught out in it. I’m also considering putting some 19’s on the rear because of the very few options for the 20s. Any info would be greatly appreciated, as well as any other suggestions.

Eshoremd

I don't have your kinda hp(450rwhp) and I have R888Rs. They do okay. I've been wondering the same thing you are. There are some Youtube comparisons and seems most prefer the Nittos.

C7&7

I have had both and the r888 is FAR superior. The nittos are way too unstable at speed. The r888s are more noisy than the 555, but It doesn't bother me.

CMG_19Z

How did the R888 do in the rain?

Eshoremd

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the 555R2 an actual drag radial where as the R888R is more of a road course tire?

C7&7

I have never driven them in the rain, but I would imagine they would do way better than an actually drag radial.

Correct. A very very sticky road race tire.

beavisr1

what speed are you talking about? I’ve been up to 120 (22 psi) with them and had no issues.

C7&7

180… back when I was half mile racing.

CMG_19Z

For your 1/2 mile setup did you keep the factory size wheels or did you opt for like a 19/19 or an 18/19?

C7&7

I ran two different setups. First was stock 19/20 and then I went to a 18 rear.

Boostedlude

Agreed R888R's are the way to go. I don't drive mine in the rain, but they are great otherwise.

2ZORNOT2Z

I love my 555R2s in the rear (345/30/19) but I run R888Rs up front with them. I've had zero issues in the rain nor at speed (up to 160mph in the 1/2 mile). Some folks say they are actually the same tread compound because the parent company is the same. The 555R2s are listed as a DR but they are not anything like other DRs, they are meant for use on the street more than the strip imho but they perform fine there too. They have an angled tread pattern and two grooves for rain dissipation around the tire (R888R only has one). I've got 700 rwhp and they grip amazingly well on the street. 2nd is usable with no spin. First isn't terrible if you feather the throttle. At stock power you'll be able to launch pretty hard in 1st with the 555R2. I've never had the R888Rs on the back because they were backordered but I do like them in the front. Grip is perfect for how I use the car.

Goat 2 Vette

I think you should go with Hoosier..

CMG_19Z

Another option just came to mind…..how about the Kumho V720 ACR? Anybody have any expertise with these

JasonVette

Just get the R888R. It's the ultimate street tire for high hp cars that's not a radial. Get it in a 18, 19 or 20 it'll be fine for you stock up to 700+ whp. Rain is fine as long as you drive with caution.

C7&7

I haven't ran a kumho tire since the 90s when that was the cheapest Z rated tire available and I was a poor teenager...


Just buy the Toyo's ... you won't be disappointed.

ApexWheels

The V720 ACR is one of the fastest tires money can buy on a road course, but they do need heat to work well like all other serious track tires. That's the big difference between many drag tires and road race tires (along with sidewall construction). They need heat to work and it's very hard to get that much heat into them on the street.

The R888R will be a good choice for what you're wanting. The road course design of the tire means it's stable at speed, but it has good straight line traction at normal street speeds/temps too. It's actually a pretty terrible road course tire by todays standards, even the ancient NT01 is still quicker than it, but they are great for high powered cars making pulls on the street or drag strip. The Nitto 555R2 is a nice tire, I used that on my dad's GT500 for drag/roll/half mile events (1000whp) and it hooks well for a 19" wheel/tire combo. The biggest con to the R888R is road noise, but most exhaust systems can overpower it.

2ZORNOT2Z

If you can get them, I'd say R888R at all four corners. The only reason I'm running the 555R2s in the rear is because the R888Rs were backordered for months last summer when I needed them. No reason to mix tires if you don't have to.

0TopLevel

I would take Toyo R888R. We had very good results with them.

Blazer ss

[QUOTE=CMG_19Z;1604895426]How did the R888 do in the rain?[/QU
OTE]
888r does ok in the rain. Don't go crazy its still a race tire. Stay out of heavy rain. 2004 s10 blazer. AWD. Twin turbo 441ci LS.