Slim pickings for new tires nowadays!!

[Alberta_ZR1]

I know there has been some past threads on tires for the Z's, but most of them were quite dated and since those posts, many manufacturers have discontinued the 315/35ZR17 tire.


Currently, my recently purchased 1993 has Dunlop Sport 8000's on all 4 corners, but they're in need of replacement. At this point, the Good Year rep could not give me a date when the F1-D3's would be available and the only other option is the Sumitomo. The Sumitomo's are definitely cheap, but their sizing never seems to be correct.


So I'm thinking of moving up a size to the 335's on the rear sawblades, I saw a post on here that did a comparison with the 335's and they didn't look much different than the 315 Good Years.
(http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8406&highlight=pilots)


From my knowledge there shouldn't be any concerns running the 335's on the Sawblades huh? :icon_scra


I'm curious what you guys have been installing on you ZR-1's within the past 6 months to a year. :)

Thanks for the help!!

PS
The previous owner has a set of black 91 ZR-1 rims with brand new F1-D3's, but he told me he wants $2500.00 for them.....YIKES!!:thumbsdo:

[XfireZ51]

I decided on C6 Z06 wheels recently. Tire choice was a significant contributing factor to making the change. Looks was clearly the primary reason.

[DaveK]

I run PS2 335s on the rear - no problem. You need to drop a couple of pounds out of them to compensate for the 'tighter' fit.

[Alberta_ZR1]

I run PS2 335s on the rear - no problem. You need to drop a couple of pounds out of them to compensate for the 'tighter' fit.

Tighter fit? How much tighter?

I saw a rear shot of your car in a previous thread and they looked pretty decent! Any rubbing when you encounter a decent dip in the road?

[DaveK]

Not a lot tighter. 335s are basically 20mm wider at the widest point of the cross section that's 4/5 of an inch. When you 'distribute' that on the inside and outside of ther room you're looking at 2/5 of an inch on the inner and outer lip of the rim. Not a lot of difference really, but its enough to 'bunch up' the tire a little and make the sidewall run a little stiffer. So they will wear in the middle quicker if you don't drop the PSI to compensate

Certainly they've caused no problems since I've had the car. It had 335s fitted when I bought it and Jim Van Dorn just fitted me a new set while I was down at the Gathering and saw no issue with it. He suggested dropping a few pounds to 32.

Never had any rubbing and I've certainly given them some challenges around here :-) I've also run hot laps on a road track, again with no issues (other than getting overexcited! lol)

If you'd like any other pics or anything else that would help just let me know, glad to help. :cheers:

Dave

[Aurora40]

Kumho has a new tire out in ZR-1 sizes, the Ecsta XS. Nitto has a tire in ZR-1 sizes. Vredstein has a tire in ZR-1 sizes. There are options in stock sizes besides the Sumi's. But plenty of folks run 335's if that is your preference.

[tccrab]

Was just at the local Les Schwab tire store getting new skins for wifey's Maxima.
Asked the counter guy about GoodYear F1 315's, he said that they were currently out of stock (everywhere) and didn't have a firm date for delivery.
He did say that they were $435 each.....:cry:
He asked me what car they were for as he had never seen that size before.
At least he knew what a ZR1 was although he had never seen one.
Darn freaking Corvette tax.
Gets' you every time.

TomC
"Crabs

[Alberta_ZR1]

Not a lot tighter. 335s are basically 20mm wider at the widest point of the cross section that's 4/5 of an inch. When you 'distribute' that on the inside and outside of ther room you're looking at 2/5 of an inch on the inner and outer lip of the rim. Not a lot of difference really, but its enough to 'bunch up' the tire a little and make the sidewall run a little stiffer. So they will wear in the middle quicker if you don't drop the PSI to compensate

Dave

I'm with ya now. I mis-understood what you were meant by a tighter fit.


Kumho has a new tire out in ZR-1 sizes, the Ecsta XS. Nitto has a tire in ZR-1 sizes. Vredstein has a tire in ZR-1 sizes. There are options in stock sizes besides the Sumi's. But plenty of folks run 335's if that is your preference.

I have looked at the Kumho's and the Nitto's as well. The reviews on the Kumho's are kind of all over the place, it doesn't appear that this tire was entirely intended as a good summer cruiser type tire. I didn't know about the Vredestein tires and their Ultrac Sessanta looks pretty decent!! I see I have a local dealer as well, time to call them tomorrow and see what's available.

I would like to stay with the factory set up just to keep the factory look, but if I can't find a decent looking/performing tire than I'll maybe have to increase my sizing, or look at a new wheels and tires all together :dancing.

With the Good Year's being out of the picture, sure doesn't leave a lot of choice anymore....

[FU]

Dom's car was looking real nice at BG this year with the C6 ZO6 rims and tires in it. And with the ZO6 rims there is a very wide variety of modern tires to use.

[scholtmj]

I have heard good reviews of the Nitto NT-05 in 315/35-17.

[lbszr]

I have heard good reviews of the Nitto NT-05 in 315/35-17.

I've heard the same thing about NT-05. They will be my next street tire.

I've had good luck with 2 sets of NT-01 and ready for the 3rd.
They seem to keep them in stock also......guess they're wantin to sell tires:icon_scra

[John Boothby]

I bought a pair of Goodyear GS D3 275's for the front of my car a couple of weeks ago from Discount Tire for $241 ea. My rears still have some tread life, so I held out on those. Now, reading this, I thought I would try to find a couple of rears. Well, the same Discount Tire guy found 5 of the 315's and I ordered 2 for $348 ea plus $20 ea shipping. I told him I did not want anything over 1 year old and he said they do not sell if over 12 months old. So, there are 3 left if anyone wants them I will give you the number to contact.

[rhipsher]

Just go to ebay and enter 315/35 17 and it will come up with quit a few mfg's in that size. http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=315%2F35+17&_sacat=See-All-CategoriesHell even though their prices are on the rise now you can get a set Vredisteins ultrac sassenta's all four tires for $795 and their Y rated for 186mph. Had em! Loved em! Wore em out! Also the Nitto NT05 are a nice tire to.

[FU]

I have heard good reviews of the Nitto NT-05 in 315/35-17.

Heavy rain and the Nitto NT-05's makes for a heck of a ride.

[TFENT]

I have the Nitto 555's in stock size on my Z. No complaints except they vibrate for about 5 mins till they warm up but I dont drive it much, so it's expected.

[Alberta_ZR1]

I decided on C6 Z06 wheels recently. Tire choice was a significant contributing factor to making the change. Looks was clearly the primary reason.

Would you happen to have a few pictures of your wheel and tire combo? I'm eager to see what it looks like on the C4.

[MikeG]

I've had 335's(Michelin Pilot Sports PS2) on the back since I purchased my ZR-1 3 years ago. Good wear, good traction and low noise level. I have 275's up front - tires are mounted on Fikse Profil5 (10X17 front and 11.5X17 rear) - no problems with clearance, espically the back.

I have experminted on track days and found that starting with 25lbs works best - brings tires up to normal pressure (32-35) - this gives me the best handling. I tried lower pressure, but felt like driving on butter!

Source for me has been the Tire Rack - 275's = $285
the 335's = $457.

Just looked at the rear tires and for some strange reason they have have the tread left, compared to the fronts (mounted 3/09). My dod's 64 Sports Fury (383) had the same problem when I was 17:dancing

[USAFPILOT]

I have the Nitto NT-05 in the 315 size and it is fantastic. I recently switched to 18" wheels though and am running Michelin 335's on those. However, the NT-05 is a tire that will not disappoint. They are a crossover between a street and track tire, so they might not have a long life like the GSD3 or be as good in the wet. But, on a dry day anywhere they HOOK! They also look great and are less expensive. I personally had them out in the rain a few times and if you drive normally they are just fine. I think taking any wide tire up to above 65 in heavy rain is dumb anyway. Hell 65 might be too fast.

Check out the Nitto NT-05 and their street tire version the NT555. If you have deep pockets and want a street tire get the GSD3. I had them on my long lost LT4 car and they were great too.

:cheers:

[Alberta_ZR1]

I have the Nitto NT-05 in the 315 size and it is fantastic. I recently switched to 18" wheels though and am running Michelin 335's on those. However, the NT-05 is a tire that will not disappoint. They are a crossover between a street and track tire, so they might not have a long life like the GSD3 or be as good in the wet. But, on a dry day anywhere they HOOK! They also look great and are less expensive. I personally had them out in the rain a few times and if you drive normally they are just fine. I think taking any wide tire up to above 65 in heavy rain is dumb anyway. Hell 65 might be too fast.

Check out the Nitto NT-05 and their street tire version the NT555. If you have deep pockets and want a street tire get the GSD3. I had them on my long lost LT4 car and they were great too.

:cheers:

I've got a quote right now for the NT555 as they're in stock and could be here the next day. I'm looking at $1257.00 installed/balanced for all 4 corners, which isn't too bad I guess. The NT05 isn't in stock, so they would have to contact Nitto and see if there is some available at the factory.

I looked into the 335 Pilots and the best "at cost dealer" price they could do was $667.00 each or Pirelli has a 335 for $1028.00 each.:jawdrop:

I would have loved the Good Year's but they looked across Canada and nobody has any and they're not sure when they'll be available.

So I'm thinking Nitto's it might be...

Thanks for the input everyone :cheers:

[Duff]

I've got a quote right now for the NT555 as they're in stock and could be here the next day. I'm looking at $1257.00 installed/balanced for all 4 corners, which isn't too bad I guess.

I think that might be too much for a set of NT-555's. I bought them in May 2010 from Discount Tire Direct and they were $708 delivered.

They have recommended installers (I went to Mr. Tire) and the mount and (road force) balance was $29 each. Total was around $825.

I like the tires. They are the same width as the originals and ride great. I haven't experienced any vibration. Don't know about rain traction because it would only be required if I got completely suprised.

The only thing I noticed is they are dirty at least when new. They're pretty soft so they dust up the wheel wells and lower body panels pretty good. Wipes right off though.

[batchman]

Kumho has a new tire out in ZR-1 sizes, the Ecsta XS.


FWIW this is one grippy tire - seems to be the street class autocross tire of choice for heavy-ish cars
(such as ours). My wife runs them on her 88 and out-paces many race-tire folks at the non-SCCA classed events she does.

That said for general touring I've been pleased with Sumis - no real bad habits and good value.

Note this is coming from a guy whose primary choice is 315 & 335 Hoosiers, which I'll be ecstatic to get
a whopping 100 miles out of. Competition miles that is!

Cheers,
- Jeff S

[Alberta_ZR1]

I purchased a set of Vredesteins out of Cali after rhipsher posted a pretty decent deal for a set of 4 off ebay (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=94980#post94980)

The sad part is these were cheaper buying them out of country than what I could get at dealer cost up here in Canada.

First tire purchase off ebay, I sure hope they'll survive the shipment and arrive together.

[DaveK]

The sad part is these were cheaper buying them out of country than what I could get at dealer cost up here in Canada.

I hear you, it's a sad reflection.

Good luck with the purchase though, hope it goes smoothly. :cheers:

Dave

[gbmidyear66]

Yeah, we get bent over up here on pretty much anything and everything car related.

About the only things I buy local now are gas and oil.

Tyler - I am planning to get my wheels refinished in the fall and replace the 10 year old treads with the Veredesteins also. Let us know how they work out.

[Alberta_ZR1]

Yeah, we get bent over up here on pretty much anything and everything car related.

About the only things I buy local now are gas and oil.

Tyler - I am planning to get my wheels refinished in the fall and replace the 10 year old treads with the Veredesteins also. Let us know how they work out.

For all you Canadian members thinking of ordering these tires...for the price I would say BUY'EM

I ordered them off the Ebay store noted earlier in the thread and with the exchange on the dollar they were $950.00 CDN (which included a shipping cost of $220.00 for all 4 tires). Once they arrived at my door step, I owed UPS another $180.00 for brokerage, duty and GST. I talked with the seller prior to shipment and he gave me the manufacture date and confirmed that a tracking number would be issued immediately. True to his word, a tracking number was issued right away.

The shipment made it to my Calgary address in about 5.5 days, which rocked. I was also extremely happy to see that the seller had packaged the tires into two separate boxes to help prevent damage/vandalism during shipment.

I mounted the tires on the car earlier this week and was really happy. They balanced out really well and we didn't run into any problems during mounting. As for a road test, they seem pretty quiet and the cornering performance appears to be better, at least compared to the old Dunlops. The only thing I noticed was that the rears aren't quite as wide as the old Dunlops, but not enough to bother me.

Just my two cents on them and the purchase...