Tires

[1990 quasar blue]

Hi guys. First off I want you to
know that discount tire directs ebay
store is offering 100.00 off orders of
400.00 or more.
With that being said the time has come
to replace my KD's and I'm stuck. I've
narrowed it down to either the PS2's or
the NT05's. Now I realize the PS2's are
twice the money of the NT05's. However,
I've heard of Nittos flat spotting when they
sit. Especially in colder temps. I've heard
this becomes permanent. Now my KD's
flat spot too but after a few miles they
smooth out again. This matters quite a
bit since I'm in Ma and the car sits in an
unheated garage all winter.....and pretty
much the rest of the year too. It only sees
around 1200 miles per year and never in
rain so drivability in bad weather doesn't
matter. The type of driving it does see
is early Sunday morning back roads with
at least one good blast well into triple
digits. I've also never actually worn out
a set of tires (not due to lack if trying.)
They just get hard, old, and I'm sure
quite unsafe at speed. So that's why I'm
stuck. I'm willing to pay extra for the PS2's
if necessary. I'm just not sure they are.
Has anyone owned both? If the nittos
will perform as well and last as long I'd
rather save some money as it's time to
think about shocks too. Any thoughts would
be greatly appreciated.

[USAFPILOT]

My car sat on NT05's for months at a time and I never noticed any flat spotting. Those tires are awesome. Now they sit in a corner of the garage collecting dust because I upgraded to 18's and Nitto didn't have an NT05 in a 335/18. So I bought PS2's. I think the PS2 excellent as well, though the NT may provide more grip.

[cvette98pacecar]

The first thing that I do when I am going to store my car for 6 months is raise the tire pressure to 45 psi so I do not get flat spots.
Let me know what tires you are going to get and i will what our members pay for the same tires.

[1990 quasar blue]

My car sat on NT05's for months at a time and I never noticed any flat spotting. Those tires are awesome. Now they sit in a corner of the garage collecting dust because I upgraded to 18's and Nitto didn't have an NT05 in a 335/18. So I bought PS2's. I think the PS2 excellent as well, though the NT may provide more grip.

Thank you. That is what I was hoping to hear. With grip being close or better and
no flat spotting I don't see how the ps2 justifies twice the cash.

The first thing that I do when I am going to store my car for 6 months is raise the tire pressure to 45 psi so I do not get flat spots.
Let me know what tires you are going to get and i will what our members pay for the same tires.

Thank you. Unless others chime in and tell me the ps2 is worth twice the money
I will go with the NT 05's and air them up to 45 PSI over the winter like you said.
I think the rears with the 100.00 off coupon are 316.00. The fronts will actually be a couple bucks more since they won't equal 400.00 and therefore won't qualify for the additional 100.00 off. (Edit) Looks like 636.00 for all 4 shipped.

[cvette98pacecar]

Nitto NT05R Drag Radial 315/35-17 40588 178.00 356.00
Nitto NT05 315/35-17 40524 201.00 402.00
Nitto NT05 275/40-17 40517 150.00 300.00
Nitto NT05R Drag Radial 275/40-17 40585 165.00 330.00

Here are our prices. I added the Drag Radials because one of our members made a very interesting comment. Drag Radials usually have a 6/32 thread. With all of us that do not drive 5k or more miles the tires are going to be hard way before we take off that much thread. Just a thought.

BTW, I have both Nitto NT05 and PS2 on two of my Z's and I like both of them. I do like the Toyo RA1 better as they are a great dry and wet tire. Just my .02 cents.

[cvette98pacecar]

BTW, QB is one of my favorite colors. Put some pictures on your wall so we can see what she looks like.

[ZR-1 Black Beauty]

Hi guys. First off I want you to
know that discount tire directs ebay
store is offering 100.00 off orders of
400.00 or more.


Thanks QB. I was just about to purchase a set of tires for my 1980 L-82 from Discount (best price I could find) and you saved me an extra $100! Thanks again!:dancing

[1990 quasar blue]

Thank you for offering me the member prices Robert. Is shipping additional?
I went ahead and ordered the rears from discount tire because they were 316.00 shipped for the pair. It was the best deal I've ever seen on them.
I will get some pictures posted up later today. Btw I must compliment you on the stable. That's an amazing collection you have.


Thanks QB. I was just about to purchase a set of tires for my 1980 L-82 from Discount (best price I could find) and you saved me an extra $100! Thanks again!:dancing

You're very welcome.

[WARP TEN]

The first thing that I do when I am going to store my car for 6 months is raise the tire pressure to 45 psi so I do not get flat spots. Let me know what tires you are going to get and i will what our members pay for the same tires.

Based on the recommendation and practice of a guy nearby who restores and stores many classic cars, I actually raise the pressure to 60 psi for the winter while mine is in storage to minimize flat spotting. I can tell you that it makes them look surprisingly round!!

But with Sumitomos, I too, am looking at tires and thinking about both the PS2 and the Nittos. Robert, you said you also like the Toyos as well? I was hoping to put 335s on the rear as with the Haibeck package I can't keep the Sumis from spinning in first and part of second gear. Don't think I really want drag radials as permanent tires though. --Bob

[FU]

. Don't think I really want drag radials as permanent tires though. --Bob

That can make for an extremely wild ride. Don't ask how I found that out.

[efnfast]

So my tire guys asks if I really need z rated tires? He figures I'll never hit max speed of the tire, which I will not, and certainly will not do it for sustained times.
Can we run a lower rated tire? Although at the prices I'm seeing, not sure it's worth it.

[Mystic ZR-1]

I doubt if any tires less than Z rated are available in our sizes?

[randy ransome]

I saw this offer From Discount Tire and thought I'd pass it along.

Use coupon code CMOTORS0314 and get $100 off your purchase of $400 or more.

Only through the eBay store but a great deal

http://stores.ebay.com/Discount-Tire-Direct

[1990 quasar blue]

So my tire guys asks if I really need z rated tires? He figures I'll never hit max speed of the tire, which I will not, and certainly will not do it for sustained times.
Can we run a lower rated tire? Although at the prices I'm seeing, not sure it's worth it.

What is he offering you? You can get a set of nt 05's for 636.00 shipped. Those are W rated which is 168.

[Schrade]

I got flat spotting on Sumitomos x 315 each day. They unwound after 3 minutes...

[efnfast]

I'm not ready for tires, so he wasn't offering anything. Interesting to know the Nitto's are only W rated.

[1990 quasar blue]

The original Z rating was only 149.

[efnfast]

The original Z rating was only 149.

You're right, my bad. But isn't 149 enough?

[1990 quasar blue]

You're right, my bad. But isn't 149 enough?

At this moment I would like to exercise my fifth amendment right so as not to incriminate myself.

[cvette98pacecar]

What is he offering you? You can get a set of nt 05's for 636.00 shipped. Those are W rated which is 168.

It is kind of funny how they rate tires. In the 80's the tire manufacturers came up with Z rated which was 140MPH, now of days we have W which equals 168 MPH and Y which is 190+ MPH

[1990 quasar blue]

Robert, you probably know this. Don't they actually say 149+ or 168+? And so on and so on. But what's the +? Is it 150 or 250? I believe whatever it is those are supposed to be sustained speed no?
Btw I did get some pics uploaded as requested. Nothing great but what I had in photobucket.

[USAZR1]

H rated tires are good to 130mph,Z are 149mph,W is 168mph,and Y is good for 186mph+. How much higher a Y can handle and for how long are good questions that I don't know the answer to.

[BigJohn]

It's really not any fun when they come apart!

[rebelz]

Hi guys. First off I want you to know that discount tire directs ebay store is offering 100.00 off orders of 400.00 or more. With that being said the time has come to replace my KD's and I'm stuck. I've narrowed it down to either the PS2's or the NT05's. Now I realize the PS2's are twice the money of the NT05's. However... Snip

I had Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's on my '92 for years, I loved them, best water shedders I've ever used. The problem I found with them is that they became hard and lost traction after only a couple of years. When I couldn't find them a couple of years ago, I did some research and chose PS2's. I contacted Michelin Tech and determined that the 335's would fit the 11.5" stock '93 rims I had. I bought a complete set and they are awesome on my car. I have never used Nitto's so I can't say. But I do know the PS2's work very well.
Rich

[scottfab]

H rated tires are good to 130mph,Z are 149mph,W is 168mph,and Y is good for 186mph+. How much higher a Y can handle and for how long are good questions that I don't know the answer to.

I have to disagree with this Z rated tires are above 149 mph.

http://www.bigotires.com/librarydetail/What-is-a-Speed-Rating

[USAZR1]

I have to disagree with this Z rated tires are above 149 mph.

http://www.bigotires.com/librarydetail/What-is-a-Speed-Rating

I think I confused the Z rating for a V rating,Scott. Some of my bikes had V rated tires that were good for a continuous 150mph.

I always thought that VY rated tires were good for 217mph+.

[BigJohn]

So what is a ZZ rating good for??

[USAZR1]

So what is a ZZ rating good for??


You got me,John. Can't say I've heard of that one.
This stuff used to be a lot simpler. :(

[1990 quasar blue]

I had Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's on my '92 for years, I loved them, best water shedders I've ever used. The problem I found with them is that they became hard and lost traction after only a couple of years. When I couldn't find them a couple of years ago, I did some research and chose PS2's. I contacted Michelin Tech and determined that the 335's would fit the 11.5" stock '93 rims I had. I bought a complete set and they are awesome on my car. I have never used Nitto's so I can't say. But I do know the PS2's work very well.
Rich

Thanks rebelz. I ended up ordering the nt05's. They were too good of a deal to pass up. I'll make sure to post my thoughts on them if it ever stops snowing.

[1990 quasar blue]

A little info on speed ratings.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

[BigJohn]

You got me,John. Can't say I've heard of that one.
This stuff used to be a lot simpler. :(

Some high speed tires are stamped not for road use.

[scottfab]

A little info on speed ratings.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35

That is so far the best history/info on tire speed rating I've seen yet. I think the people that invent this stuff used to work for the IRS. Or is that (IRS).

[1990 quasar blue]

That is so far the best history/info on tire speed rating I've seen yet. I think the people that invent this stuff used to work for the IRS. Or is that (IRS).

I'm glad it helped. :cheers:

[1990 quasar blue]

So the NT05's arrived. The first thing I noticed was that they're about a 1/2" narrower than one of my old GSC's. I thought I read that nitto addressed the fact that they ran "narrow" but, I guess not. The other thing I noticed was that we need to vacuum. They spent the entire day in the back of a ups truck. It's been in the twenties all day and they are still so sticky that they picked up little specks of sand and dog hair just by rolling them across the rug.
Unfortunately, it snowed most of the day again and at this rate I won't be able to actually drive on them until August.

[USAZR1]

So the NT05's arrived. The first thing I noticed was that they're about a 1/2" narrower than one of my old GSC's. I thought I read that nitto addressed the fact that they ran "narrow" but, I guess not.


What size are your NT-05's?

[1990 quasar blue]

313-35-17

[Hog]

So the NT05's arrived. The first thing I noticed was that they're about a 1/2" narrower than one of my old GSC's. I thought I read that nitto addressed the fact that they ran "narrow" but, I guess not. The other thing I noticed was that we need to vacuum. They spent the entire day in the back of a ups truck. It's been in the twenties all day and they are still so sticky that they picked up little specks of sand and dog hair just by rolling them across the rug.
Unfortunately, it snowed most of the day again and at this rate I won't be able to actually drive on them until August.

That is an unfortunate part about switching manufacturers, you really have to read their "section width" and "treadwidth" stats. Ive seen the vary by almost an inch in some tires.

A 315/35/17 is not the exact same EDIT measurements for all makers.

[Hog]

I had Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's on my '92 for years, I loved them, best water shedders I've ever used. The problem I found with them is that they became hard and lost traction after only a couple of years. When I couldn't find them a couple of years ago, I did some research and chose PS2's. I contacted Michelin Tech and determined that the 335's would fit the 11.5" stock '93 rims I had. I bought a complete set and they are awesome on my car. I have never used Nitto's so I can't say. But I do know the PS2's work very well.
Rich
Your stock rims are 17 x 11", not 11.5" when measured properly from bead to bead. It's a nit pick, but the manufactirer tire guides quote actual rim measurements from "bead surface to bead surface", start stuffing a wideer tire on a rim and the extra 1/2" could make the difference.

there are some places around here that wont mount a tire unless if falls within the manufacturers suggested rum width range. This made it a pain in the *** when trying out differnt racing slick setups. "Please, just mount my tires."
I bought a set of 325/50/15 BFG drag radials and I had to sign a waiver that I was informed about the dangers of driving in the rain. Whatever.

[USAZR1]

That is an unfortunate part about switching manufacturers, you really have to read their "section width" and "treadwidth" stats. Ive seen the vary by almost an inch in some tires.

A 315/35/17 is not the exact same EDIT measurements for all makers.


My new 335/30/19 NT-05's are definitely wider than the new 315/35/17 Goodyear F1's that are on the car,now.

[Hog]

My new 335/30/19 NT-05's are definitely wider than the new 315/35/17 Goodyear F1's that are on the car,now.

I bet they are, thats some Viper width of rubber right there. How wide of a 19" are you going to run?

[USAZR1]

I bet they are, thats some Viper width of rubber right there. How wide of a 19" are you going to run?


19x11.5 w/44mm offset

[1990 quasar blue]

That is an unfortunate part about switching manufacturers, you really have to read their "section width" and "treadwidth" stats. Ive seen the vary by almost an inch in some tires.

A 315/35/17 is not the exact same EDIT measurements for all makers.

Thanks Hog. Funny thing is it seems that the nt-05 has an overall width of 12.4 and the goodyear gsd3 has a sectional width of 12.3. If I'm not mistaken that's two different ways of saying the same thing. I'm surprised the nittos are a hair wider.

[WARP TEN]

That is an unfortunate part about switching manufacturers, you really have to read their "section width" and "treadwidth" stats. Ive seen the vary by almost an inch in some tires.

A 315/35/17 is not the exact same EDIT measurements for all makers.

I did a little research on this issue and here is what I found (info from Tire Rack except Nitto; anyone know what an NT05 weighs and what its actual tread width is?):


RIM WIDTH (IN)/ SECTION WIDTH (IN) /TREAD WIDTH (IN) /DIAMETER (IN) /WEIGHT (LBS)
335/35-17
MICHELIN PS2 11-13 /13.4/ 12.5 /26 /34
PRIELLI P-ZERO 11-13/ 13.8/ 13.3/ 26.1 /36
315/35-17
SUMITOMO-HRZ 10-12/ 12.6/ 11.5/ 25.7/ 28
GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 10.5-12.5/ 12.3 /11.2/ 25.7/ 30
KHUMO ECSTA XS 10.5-12.5/ 12.6/ 11.5/ 25.7/ 34
NITTO NT05 11-13/ 12.4/ 11.4*/25.6 / 30.5*

Looks like Sumis are the lightest, Pirelli and Michelin 335s the widest, Nittos may have the narrowest tread width but I am not sure whether any of these statistics mean much. Surprised at the significant differences in weights. *Thanks to 1990 quasar blue for the tread width and weight on the Nittos--Bob

[1990 quasar blue]

I couldn't find that info either. The best I can do is weigh one tomorrow. Also if you tell me exactly how to measure the tread width I'll do that too.

[WARP TEN]

I couldn't find that info either. The best I can do is weigh one tomorrow. Also if you tell me exactly how to measure the tread width I'll do that too.
Here's what Tire Rack says:
Tread Width
The tread width is the distance between the outer edge and the inner edge of the tread of a new tire. However today's radial tires often feature tread designs that incorporate rounded shoulders and there is no industry standard pertaining to "how much" of the rounded shoulders should be included in the tread width measurement. Because of this, it is difficult to accurately compare the tread width differences of one tire brand to another. Tread width measurements are best used when comparing the various tire sizes or lines manufactured by a single tire manufacturer. Several tire manufacturers have chosen not to publish tread width dimensions.
Good luck! --Bob

[1990 quasar blue]

Bob the tread on these definitely wrap around. I actually used a piece of wire because an actual tape measure doesn't bend as tightly. When I measure that wire I get exactly 11 3/4". I'm not sure that's the best way to measure it. Any suggestions?

(Edit) 11-3/8" if I take the "wrap" portion of the tread out of the equation.

[WARP TEN]

Bob the tread on these definitely wrap around. I actually used a piece of wire because an actual tape measure doesn't bend as tightly. When I measure that wire I get exactly 11 3/4". I'm not sure that's the best way to measure it. Any suggestions?

(Edit) 11-3/8" if I take the "wrap" portion of the tread out of the equation.

11-3/8 is roughly 11.4 as I estimated. Seems in line with the way the other's tread width relates to section width. Did you get a weight? --Bob

[Hog]

Thanks Hog. Funny thing is it seems that the nt-05 has an overall width of 12.4 and the goodyear gsd3 has a sectional width of 12.3. If I'm not mistaken that's two different ways of saying the same thing. I'm surprised the nittos are a hair wider.

"Overall width" is a term I havent personally heard, but I would agree with you that Overall and Section width are describing the same measurement.

[Hog]

I did a little research on this issue and here is what I found (info from Tire Rack except Nitto; anyone know what an NT05 weighs and what its actual tread width is?):


RIM WIDTH (IN)/ SECTION WIDTH (IN) /TREAD WIDTH (IN) /DIAMETER (IN) /WEIGHT (LBS)
335/35-17
MICHELIN PS2 11-13 /13.4/ 12.5 /26 /34
PRIELLI P-ZERO 11-13/ 13.8/ 13.3/ 26.1 /36
315/35-17
SUMITOMO-HRZ 10-12/ 12.6/ 11.5/ 25.7/ 28
GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 10.5-12.5/ 12.3 /11.2/ 25.7/ 30
KHUMO ECSTA XS 10.5-12.5/ 12.6/ 11.5/ 25.7/ 34
NITTO NT05 11-13/ 12.4/ 11.4 (est) /25.6 / N/A

Looks like Sumis are the lightest, Pirelli and Michelin 335s the widest, Nittos may have the narrowest tread width (my estimate) but I am not sure whether any of these statistics mean much. Surprised at the significant differences in weights--Bob


Wow, look at the differnce in the 335mm tires. Both are a 335/35-17, the Michelin has a 12.5" tread width and the Pirelli has a 13.3" tread width.
Going with the Pirelli gives you an extra 1.6" of tread width total on the rear end, quite substantial. Of course assuming that both tread widths exactky comparable.

Cool.

[scottfab]

I did a little research on this issue and here is what I found (info from Tire Rack except Nitto; anyone know what an NT05 weighs and what its actual tread width is?):


RIM WIDTH (IN)/ SECTION WIDTH (IN) /TREAD WIDTH (IN) /DIAMETER (IN) /WEIGHT (LBS)
335/35-17
MICHELIN PS2 11-13 /13.4/ 12.5 /26 /34
PRIELLI P-ZERO 11-13/ 13.8/ 13.3/ 26.1 /36
315/35-17
SUMITOMO-HRZ 10-12/ 12.6/ 11.5/ 25.7/ 28
GOODYEAR EAGLE F1 10.5-12.5/ 12.3 /11.2/ 25.7/ 30
KHUMO ECSTA XS 10.5-12.5/ 12.6/ 11.5/ 25.7/ 34
NITTO NT05 11-13/ 12.4/ 11.4 (est) /25.6 / N/A

Looks like Sumis are the lightest, Pirelli and Michelin 335s the widest, Nittos may have the narrowest tread width (my estimate) but I am not sure whether any of these statistics mean much. Surprised at the significant differences in weights--Bob

Great contribution. This would make a nice #1 post in a new thread "Tire Sizes" that should be made sticky. That #1 post could be kept up-to-date with new tire mfgs and changes in sizes over the coming years.:worship:

[1990 quasar blue]

Bob I got 30.5 lbs on a digital scale at work. Should be right on the money.

[USAZR1]

Wow, look at the differnce in the 335mm tires. Both are a 335/35-17, the Michelin has a 12.5" tread width and the Pirelli has a 13.3" tread width.
Going with the Pirelli gives you an extra 1.6" of tread width total on the rear end, quite substantial. Of course assuming that both tread widths exactly comparable.
Cool.


I just measured my Nitto 335/30/19's. They were right at 13" wide.

[JimZRyd]

Wow, look at the differnce in the 335mm tires. Both are a 335/35-17, the Michelin has a 12.5" tread width and the Pirelli has a 13.3" tread width.
Going with the Pirelli gives you an extra 1.6" of tread width total on the rear end, quite substantial. Of course assuming that both tread widths exactky comparable.

Cool.

And the BFG KDW's on tire rack shows 13.2" putting it just below the Pirelli but .7" wider than the PS2...( I looked at the 335 18's)..I know not much but still:cheers:

[WARP TEN]

Wow, look at the differnce in the 335mm tires. Both are a 335/35-17, the Michelin has a 12.5" tread width and the Pirelli has a 13.3" tread width.
Going with the Pirelli gives you an extra 1.6" of tread width total on the rear end, quite substantial. Of course assuming that both tread widths exactky comparable. Cool.

Don't forget that the Pirellis are the most expensive-- about $554 as I recall from Tire Rack. Michelins second around $485 each. You pay for that inch and a half!!!--Bob

[WARP TEN]

Bob I got 30.5 lbs on a digital scale at work. Should be right on the money.
Thanks! I amended the original post. --Bob