Tire width

[zr1nsxgto]

Can anyone confirm if there is a difference in tread width between the Nitto 555 and the OEM rear tires??? I've read so much information about tires for the ZR-1 rear, and still have not been able to confirm if the Nitto 555's will look appropriate on a ZR-1.

[BigJohn]

What size???

[zr1nsxgto]

315/35/17. Are they the same width as was the factory original tires. Want the car to look as it did when it left the factory. The only thing I've seen here is that the High End Goodyear tires seem to be wider than most.
I know the Nitto 555 will work, that's not the question. Do they look original in size?

[GSJoe]

I wish I could provide you with specifics for both, but I can't. The Nitto website, however, says the 555 in our rear wheel size has the inflated width of 11.5" My friend and I both have the Nitto 555 tires on our cars, and to me they look right. I realize, of course, that how I see them is subjective. The tire, we feel, is great for handling, quiteness, ride and wear characteristics, but you, I'm sure, already know that. I've attached a photo of our two cars with hopes that you can tell something from mine in the driveway about the way they look on the rear of a ZR-1.
http://i1144.photobucket.com/albums/o494/Redtarga1/ZR-1c.jpg

[FU]

Do they look original in size?

The answer is no.

[LGAFF]

I think they look more like a 295

[zr1nsxgto]

There is very little to choose from, especially if you're on a budget. The Nitto 555 seem to me to be the best choice and very reasonable. The Goodyears might be a great tire, but the appearance sucks imo, and the price is crazy. Not much to choose from.

[FU]

There arent may tires to choose from in stock sizes. Michelin P/S makes a pretty good hooking 345 rear tire for us.
But ultimately for street and light strip duty there is a Michelin Pilot Super Sport (Viper) - 275/35-18 345/30-19
The Nitto 555's do hook up pretty good. While looking "funny" on the ZR1. And could turn out to be a real handful in the wet esp. if they are used on the early cars with no ABS.

[zr1nsxgto]

In my experience, a 19" tire leaks like hell when mounted to a 17" ZR-1 rear wheel. LOL. I'm only interested in what's available for "stock ZR-1 wheels". The Nitto looks the most original in tread design and I also don't see the "funny" look about them. Would love to see a side by side with the original Gatorback.

The BFG drag radials are priced well, but I wonder how they feel all the way around on a ZR-1 for street use?

[VetteMed]

I'm running the 555s, I don't see much "funny" about them. Care to elaborate on what looks funny? They may not be as chunky as a GY D3, but then neither were the originals.

[zr1nsxgto]

Thanks for the pictures. That makes it much easier to compare the different tread design and also a comparitive as to size. I think I'm sold on the Nitto 555's. Looks damn good to me.

[FU]

Pardon me. I was thinking of the 315 Nitto. I'll leave any of the technical subjects to you more experienced guy's.

[VetteMed]

Pardon me. I was thinking of the 315 Nitto. I'll leave any of the technical subjects to you more experienced guy's.

Frank, do you mean Sumitomo?

[FU]

Frank, do you mean Sumitomo?

Not even Andrew...............305's. I'll STHU now and go downstairs and enjoy a big bowl of crow !

[Demps]

Not tread width but inside of tape measure aligned with inside sidewall on each.
All 315s. Sorry I can't answer the Nitto 555 question.


BFG KDs
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/demps_photos/f3e87baf.jpg

Nitto NT05
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/demps_photos/9ab36c1e.jpg

Goodyear GSCs
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/demps_photos/eb58bd65.jpg

Ted

[VetteMed]

Nitto 555 Extreme Performance, 315/35ZR17mounted on 11" a-mold:

Width of tread contact patch is about 11"

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/1991%20ZR-1/IMG_0460.jpg

Entire cross section (sidewall to sidewall) is about 12"

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/1991%20ZR-1/IMG_0461.jpg

Andrew

[GSJoe]

There arent may tires to choose from in stock sizes. Michelin P/S makes a pretty good hooking 345 rear tire for us.
But ultimately for street and light strip duty there is a Michelin Pilot Super Sport (Viper) - 275/35-18 345/30-19
The Nitto 555's do hook up pretty good. While looking "funny" on the ZR1. And could turn out to be a real handful in the wet esp. if they are used on the early cars with no ABS.

What early cars without ABS are you referring to? My '90--and an early car at that--has ABS. Do you mean traction control?

[VetteMed]

What early cars without ABS are you referring to? My '90--and an early car at that--has ABS. Do you mean traction control?

Yep, probably meant ASR, not ABS. I think Frank forgot his brain pills this morning ;)

[Kevin]

how do the 555's handle? i'm only used to nitto as a drag tire maker

[VetteMed]

how do the 555's handle? i'm only used to nitto as a drag tire maker

Well, the only other tire I've had on my Z was the Sumitomos. Suffice it to say that the 555 deserves much better than to be compared to the Sumis. I've got about 6K miles on them now, seem to be wearing well, and grip seems good as well. I don't track the car, but I've had no issues with questionable grip like I did with the Sumitomos, which got a little scary on me a few times.

[Kevin]

i don't track the car either but i do like the occasional high speed run or back road blast. I love the gsd3's but the $1500 price tag kinda made my ******* pucker

[VetteMed]

I've had them up to 130-ish.

The installed price, at Discount Tire, was $8xx. Much less pucker indeed.

[PhillipsLT5]

Are the Nittos Y rated?
Are the Goodyears even available?

[Kevin]

Are the Nittos Y rated?
Are the Goodyears even available?

discount tire and tire rack claim to have them in stock, i didn't try and buy them...because i don't have $1500 to blow right now. but i do need tires next year no doubt.

[Gunny]

how do the 555's handle? i'm only used to nitto as a drag tire maker

I recently replaced Sumis (will never buy those again) with 555's on all 4 corners ... didn't even have 500 miles on them when I drove to BG last month. I took my usual "shortcut" and ran the Tail of the Dragon on the drive up ... weather was ideal and road was dry ... I was VERY impressed with the handling on the Dragon's curves and managed to stay up with most of the bikers ... at least no one passed me and I didn't hold up any traffic.

Yesterday, I played in the rain and the tires were up to the task ... certainly not as good as on dry roads but I felt safe even running triple digits. Especially considering the price the 555's are hard to beat ... I think I paid @ $750 for the set.

George

[zr1nsxgto]

Ordered tire this morning. Should have them by Monday. Full set of NT555's to my doorstep for $807, shipping included. As soon as tires are on my newly restored wheels, the car goes to Haibeck's for some tlc. Car has 6900 miles on it, but everything is original. Wondering if the hoses are still ok, or if they have rotted away?

[VetteMed]

Original hoses should probably be replaced, IMHO. However, if they feel appropriate (compliant, without being hard or mushy), then they may still have some life left in them.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

I recently replaced Sumis (will never buy those again) with 555's on all 4 corners ... didn't even have 500 miles on them when I drove to BG last month. I took my usual "shortcut" and ran the Tail of the Dragon on the drive up ... weather was ideal and road was dry ... I was VERY impressed with the handling on the Dragon's curves and managed to stay up with most of the bikers ... at least no one passed me and I didn't hold up any traffic.

Yesterday, I played in the rain and the tires were up to the task ... certainly not as good as on dry roads but I felt safe even running triple digits. Especially considering the price the 555's are hard to beat ... I think I paid @ $750 for the set.

George

George,

I have the exact impression you have of the NT555s and I love them. From what I heard, anything is better than Sumitomos. After hearing about the drag radials from Dynomite (Cliff), I'm going with them for my Dymag wheels so I can hit the drags at Twin Ring Motegi later this year. There probably are better tires, but I'm sold on these right now and don't even want to try anything else. They are awesome so I'm excited to try the drag radials. I like them in the rain too and will be trying them out again since raining all weekend. :cheers:

Craig

[JThomas]

I purchased a set of Nittos 555 on my Z. I have approximately 2,000 miles on them and enjoy the handling of the tire. Like you, I was looking for something that appeared as though it may have been an original equipment tire. The rear tire seems to fill out the rear end pretty well. Much better than the Sumitomo that was on the car when I bought it, but not as aggressive as the Goodyear D3. I think it's a very good choice. JMHO. :cheers:

[RHanselman]

Anyone know how wide the Videstrian's (sp) are?

[sammy]

craig , when you do get the nto5 drag radials, do a really good burn out before the first run then just a 2-3 second burnout antmiore and the tires will what they call oil out . tire pressures .what i found works really decent is a low 0f 19 and a high 0f 23psi . just depends on how they prep the track .;

[HAWAIIZR-1]

craig , when you do get the nto5 drag radials, do a really good burn out before the first run then just a 2-3 second burnout antmiore and the tires will what they call oil out . tire pressures .what i found works really decent is a low 0f 19 and a high 0f 23psi . just depends on how they prep the track .;

Thanks for the tips Brad. That reminds me to invest into a portable air tank too. :cheers:

[tomtom72]

Anyone know how wide the Videstrian's (sp) are?

Ron, I think Rick from Tx had a picture of them with a measurement. If I remember right! I do think that they are about an inch narrower than the D3's.
I think!:o

:cheers:
Tom

[mgg]

I am puzzeled why no one on this forum when talking about tires mentions the new BFG KdW's. I have a set of 335/18 and 274/18 on the car and they are VERY impressive. At the draq strip I got excellent grip on launch for a street tire and 410's. 1.90 60 ft. On the road the tires have excellent grip . I have raced SCCA/ NASA and auto-x for over 15 years so I have a pretty good feel for tires. These things are a bargain. The reviews are very good with wet and dry grip. THese tires through tire rack are inexpensive compared others. The only negative is that I have heard when they age they get a bit noisy. Not really a factor in a ZR-1 with headers and exhaust. I am just surprised no one ever mentions these tires. I love mine. Just my opinion but I highly recommend looking into a set and comparing before you purchase.

[RHanselman]

I am puzzeled why no one on this forum when talking about tires mentions the new BFG KdW's. I have a set of 335/18 and 274/18 on the car and they are VERY impressive. At the draq strip I got excellent grip on launch for a street tire and 410's. 1.90 60 ft. On the road the tires have excellent grip . I have raced SCCA/ NASA and auto-x for over 15 years so I have a pretty good feel for tires. These things are a bargain. The reviews are very good with wet and dry grip. THese tires through tire rack are inexpensive compared others. The only negative is that I have heard when they age they get a bit noisy. Not really a factor in a ZR-1 with headers and exhaust. I am just surprised no one ever mentions these tires. I love mine. Just my opinion but I highly recommend looking into a set and comparing before you purchase.

I have a set of KDWs on my turbo car and a set on the H-368. No complaints here and they are Y rated as well... (Although I've never had them in the rain or at the drags but i did autocross them once.)

Issue for me is I'm looking for stock sizes for my stock Ruby. I'd like a good x-country tire so wet weather perforfance is a priority.

[zr1nsxgto]

Does BF Goodrich still make KDW's in stock ZR1 sizes? I searched for them and couldn't find any.
I have not mounted the 555's yet, but they look very good and appear to be the same width, dia, etc. as the OEM tires. Someone on this post said they were not which makes me wonder how they will look once they are mounted and inflated. In my opinion, they are very very close. I want my car to appear factory original, and the Nitto's are going to provide that look, at a very respectable price point.

[SteelBlueZR1]

Ron- you should check out the Vredsteins if you are interested in a great traction, long lasting, quiet, low price ($829 shipped per set) performance tire that is incredible in the rain... I could not be happier all around with these tyres at any price. Due to the unique tread design, I do not think they appear as wide on the rear, but the tail remains incredibly well planted when driving hard. A bonus is that they have the highest tread wear rating of any tire available for our Z's.