GS D3 GY

[PhillipsLT5]

Tire rack showing expected delivery Fronts, 2/27, & Rears 3/27, Y rated, that's the ticket

[Agpilot1]

Thinkin' I might try a set of these, in the market for a set to replace the aging Sumi's that were on the gal when I bought her. About narrowed it down to these or one of the Nittos.

Thanks for this info

[Z06scentair]

Thinkin' I might try a set of these, in the market for a set to replace the aging Sumi's that were on the gal when I bought her. About narrowed it down to these or one of the Nittos.

Thanks for this info

Nitto's are better tires in my opinion. They ride nicer and grip better, not to mention they are $1000.00 cheaper.

Only reason to use GY tires is for show NCRS/BG.

[mike100]

Nitto's are better tires in my opinion. They ride nicer and grip better, not to mention they are $1000.00 cheaper.

Only reason to use GY tires is for show NCRS/BG.

I know a few people who would disagree, but my experience with the 'D3's are that they work real well in the rain.

[KILLSHOTS]

I know a few people who would disagree, but my experience with the 'D3's are that they work real well in the rain.
I am one of those who would disagree. Whatever one may think about its ride characteristics, wet grip, etc., one thing is for sure: the GS-D3 is BY FAR the widest 315 available. With the exception of Toyos, everything else looks like a 285.

[Kevin]

Nitto's are better tires in my opinion. They ride nicer and grip better, not to mention they are $1000.00 cheaper.

Only reason to use GY tires is for show NCRS/BG.

I don't know, the gsd3 maybe the best tire i've ever driven on

[Paul Workman]

I don't know, the gsd3 maybe the best tire i've ever driven on

Dang good tire, I agree.

Comparing the 'D3s to the Nitto 555 (front)/555r (drag radial - rear), my unscientific and subjective rating might look like (10 = best of the two):

Dry (warm) pavement:

Nittos = 10, D3's = 9

Dry (cold) pavement:

D3's = less than average all-season passenger tires (even a bit scary!), Nittos = no data yet.

Drag strip:

Nittos = 10, D3's = 6 (tops)

In rain/wet:

D3s = 10, Nittos = No data yet...

Ride:

Nittos = 10, D3s = 8

Price/availability:

Nittos = 10, D3's = 3

For the way I drive, i.e., pushing the tire to the limits often, I'd buy the Nittos again.

For the way Ami (wife) drives, i.e., relatively gently; non-aggressively, I'd say either will work. Price then becomes a factor, favoring the Nittos (again).

IMO (YMMV) :cheers:

[8cam]

Here let me help you. :) All IMO of course, and assuming 10 is a scale.


Dry (warm) pavement:

Nittos = 10, D3's = 9


Nittos = 8 - not bad but definitely lacking ultimate grip

Dry (cold) pavement:

D3's = less than average all-season passenger tires (even a bit scary!), Nittos = no data yet.


Nittos = 5 at best, they really don't like cold

Drag strip:

Nittos = 10, D3's = 6 (tops)


No idea, I like curves. :D

In rain/wet:

D3s = 10, Nittos = No data yet...


Nittos = -3, king of all suck

Ride:

Nittos = 10, D3s = 8


Nittos = 5, I find them harsh and noisy

Price/availability:

Nittos = 10, D3's = 3


Agreed on this one. But the Nittos are bad enough that I will be actively looking for alternatives once I wear the damn things out. Oh that reminds me.

Wear:

Nittos = 10+

[KILLSHOTS]

Yes, it's a 9-year old test but I believe my point is not heavily eroded by time; after all, look at the standing of the PS2, considered by many to be the gold standard of tires available in or near the ZR-1's stock sizes.

Or maybe the Goodyear only did so well because they didn't test the equivalent Nitto.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/goodyear-eagle-f1-gs-d3-page-12

[Paul Workman]

Here let me help you. :) All IMO of course, and assuming 10 is a scale.



Nittos = 8 - not bad but definitely lacking ultimate grip



Nittos = 5 at best, they really don't like cold



No idea, I like curves. :D



Nittos = -3, king of all suck



Nittos = 5, I find them harsh and noisy



Agreed on this one. But the Nittos are bad enough that I will be actively looking for alternatives once I wear the damn things out. Oh that reminds me.

Wear:

Nittos = 10+

Yeah, I dunno what is up with your set of tires. I've seen your posts on these tires before, and all I can say is WTF??? I likum!!

[mike100]

I have had two sets of the GY's- one of which used to be on my 'outside car' a 95 LT1 coupe. I drove that thing in the rain and wherever. I don't take the ZR-1 out in the rain, but it has been caught in a deluge or two on the interstate. This is where it is good to have them.
Not the first choice for autocross, but the Goodyear 'D3's value is in the more intangible properties.
-I never heard of anybody having had a hard time balancing them. and they stay balanced.
-cosmetics-they're wide!
-I find that the last 3rd of the tread is still pretty grippy. Far more than other tires that you want to toss out even before you get to the wear bars.
-decent tread life all around

Despite that and the value you get buying a premium priced tire, I can't/won't pay way up into the high three hundreds to get a 315. I have another old stock set of discontinued BFG's for the next time around.

[PhillipsLT5]

I want a Y rated tire to run at Mojave Mile, needed to exceed 180, GY is only Y rated tire in these sizes that I know of, W rated will get me tossed at 180+ or limited to under 180, I have run 181.3, really do not want to go to a event like this & get off gas early or get tossed, I did run 2.1 60ft time in 1/4 mile on these tires to go 12.5 & 118 so must not be too bad, a drag radial would be better

[GOLDCYLON]

Nitto's are better tires in my opinion. They ride nicer and grip better, not to mention they are $1000.00 cheaper.

Only reason to use GY tires is for show NCRS/BG.


I disagree 100% with both of these statements. Best Tires I have ever had on my car which is a DD

[Z06scentair]

I disagree 100% with both of these statements. Best Tires I have ever had on my car which is a DD

Glad you have had good luck with them GC!

Not sure where your pricing from, but I can get three sets of Nitto's for one set of GS D3's

If the car is not used for judging then why not change sizes a bit, and get a set of Pilot Sports or Vredestein?

The very absolute first thing I do when purchasing a driver corvette is take the goodyear's off......too harsh of a ride for me.

But then again I daily drive cadillac's with Michelin's so what would I know?

[Hib Halverson]

From a ride/handling perspective, the best tire I ever had on my '95 was a set of Goodyear F1 Supercars. They stuck like crazy in the dry and had pretty good tread life. Unfortunately, Goodyear only offered the F1 Supercar in the 275/40 and 315 35 sizes for a few years.

I gave also tested the F1 GS D3 on my 95. A great tire for all-round street high-performance driving. They didn't have quite the grip at the limit as did the Supercars, but they worked much better in cold weather and were killer in the rain, whereas the Supercars could be pretty scary in anything more than a light rain with no standing water on the road.

The tread life from F1 GS-D3s was outstanding. Also, they were pretty quiet and presented no problems in balancing as can some cheaper tires like Sumitomos and Nittos.

Back several years I acquired two sets of F1 Supercars. I put one set on then bagged and stored the second set indoors. After the first set wore out, I now have the second set on the car. When they're gone, If Goodyear still makes the F1 GS-D3 in 2G ZR-1 sizes, I'll buy a set of them. If GY stop making them by then, I won't even consider Sumitomos. They are total POSes. Nittos? Well, perhaps as a last resort. I think I'd lean towards those Vredestein things before I'd go Nitto.

Hopefully, GY will continue to make the D3 for a long time.

I've also run the D3 in a different size (245/50ZR16) for many years on my 01 Camaro. Again, the tires stick pretty well in the dry, are an excellent cold/wet weather tire and have great tread life. I had them on my Camaro all winter for the last six or eight years. In the Summer, on the Camaro, I run the F1 Supercar in the C5 front size which Goodyear still sells.

[Paul Workman]

Is there a fairly recent wet/dry skid pad test where both the D3s and Nittos and ??? and ??? are tested? Not a "be-all", end-all test, for sure. But, that could go a long way to quantifying some aspects the performance, e.g., grip and tread wear, if conducted under controlled conditions methinks.

Oh, BTW, I'm sure like many of y'all that I'm not alone being skeptical of test results published by any particular manufacturer. (I guess my skepticism of manufacturer's claims are a carry-over from my days of doing QC lab evaluations, albeit a different industry.)

[CamP]

I just had a set of Nitto NT555's installed on my car. They are good tires and for $668 installed, they are a great value.

The Goodyears may be better tires, but I can't justify the expense.

[PhillipsLT5]

Got 2 fronts today, FRESH date code, 06/15

[RussMcB]

Nitto's are better tires in my opinion. They ride nicer and grip better, not to mention they are $1000.00 cheaper.TireRack has the Goodyears for $1,300. Would be pretty nice to get a new set of Nitto's for $300. :-)

[HAWAIIZR-1]

I just had a set of Nitto NT555's installed on my car. They are good tires and for $668 installed, they are a great value.

The Goodyears may be better tires, but I can't justify the expense.

My feelings exactly. Over the past 12 years on my ZR-1, I have only experienced Pirellis, Michelins, Sumitomos, and Nittos. By far, the best have been the Nitto NT555s and NT05Rs that I have now and I won't even consider anything else for the money. In all situations and conditions, I love both of the Nittos I have on two different sets of wheels for two different purposes. :cheers:

[72ZR1]

has anyone tried these Mickey Thompson's http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mtt-6278/reviews/?sortReviews=Newest

[HAWAIIZR-1]

has anyone tried these Mickey Thompson's http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mtt-6278/reviews/?sortReviews=Newest

Wow, I used to love Mickey Thompson tires in my old school days (bias ply and slicks for drag racing) myself and it seems to have to have good reviews. I'm curious and all ears..............Thanks for sharing!

[KILLSHOTS]

The Mickey Thompson Street Comp is a rebranded Cooper Zeon RS3-S. A bit of info for those who care: it's no wider than a Sumitomo.

Gotta say, I find it interesting that this thread has turned into a chorus of guys explaining that they can't justify the cost of the Goodyears. So what? Phillip was just doing us a favor by notifying us that they're available again.

[Billy Mild]

Nittos are great tires. If you need good grip for track days NT01 is in order, for high performance street driving an NT05 will suffice. They are not recommended for rain or cold weather.

[KILLSHOTS]

Anybody know anything about Mitas? I hear they make good tractor tires.

Oh, I'm sorry...was this thread supposed to be a notification about GS-D3s being available again in ZR-1 sizes? I had no idea.

[batchman]

For those running the 555's and Drag Radials, consider using the 555R2 front as a better match. Won't have the treadlife of the plain 555 but you'll have good balance. This was what I used as cold and/or wet race tire package on my Cobra back in the day, fwiw.

Cheers,
- Jeff

[93RubyZ]

one thing is for sure: the GS-D3 is BY FAR the widest 315 available. With the exception of Toyos, everything else looks like a 285.

So are the Nittos narrower like the Sumitomos? I currently have the BFG KDs, which are wide (as wide, maybe even a hair wider than the old GY GSCs). They KDs are great in the dry but fortunately I never had to drive them in the wet. It is now time to get new tires as the KDs are old but I don't want to settle for a narrow tire.

[GOLDCYLON]

So are the Nittos narrower like the Sumitomos? I currently have the BFG KDs, which are wide (as wide, maybe even a hair wider than the old GY GSCs). They KDs are great in the dry but fortunately I never had to drive them in the wet. It is now time to get new tires as the KDs are old but I don't want to settle for a narrow tire.


I had the BFG KDs and they are smaller than the GY GSCs also they were some of the worst tread wear of any tire besides the summitomos. The best tread wear tires I had was Falkins but they don't make em in the rear sizes

[GOLDCYLON]

Anybody know anything about Mitas? I hear they make good tractor tires.

Oh, I'm sorry...was this thread supposed to be a notification about GS-D3s being available again in ZR-1 sizes? I had no idea.

Lol yes Chris that was Phils intention

[93RubyZ]

I had the BFG KDs and they are smaller than the GY GSCs also they were some of the worst tread wear of any tire besides the summitomos. The best tread wear tires I had was Falkins but they don't make em in the rear sizes

I didn't find the BFG KDs smaller as you can see in the photo of the 315s below. They may have even been just a hair wider, but at the very least the same width. Both tires are mounted on wheels in this photo. As far a wear goes, I just didn't put enough miles on mine to have any wear issues so that probably won't be a consideration for me with the next set I purchase.

http://i58.tinypic.com/fmueeu.jpg

Here is a blowup of this image where the KDs appear to be just a tiny bit wider (but again, at the very least the same width).

http://i62.tinypic.com/j9qcuo.jpg

[GOLDCYLON]

I didn't find the BFG KDs smaller as you can see in the photo of the 315s below. They may have even been just a hair wider, but at the very least the same width. Both tires are mounted on wheels in this photo. As far a wear goes, I just didn't put enough miles on mine to have any wear issues so that probably won't be a consideration for me with the next set I purchase.

http://i58.tinypic.com/fmueeu.jpg

Here is a blowup of this image where the KDs appear to be just a tiny bit wider (but again, at the very least the same width).

http://i62.tinypic.com/j9qcuo.jpg

Pretty close but Put em next to a DS G3 GYs they will look smaller

[93RubyZ]

Thanks. Good to know -- I didn't realize the DS-G3's were wider than the GSCs. I had assumed they would be the same. Width is a consideration for me so if the Nittos are not as wide then the DS-G3s may be the only ones for me to look at.

[Paul Workman]

Thanks. Good to know -- I didn't realize the DS-G3's were wider than the GSCs. I had assumed they would be the same. Width is a consideration for me so if the Nittos are not as wide then the DS-G3s may be the only ones for me to look at.

Well, I just measured the width of the Nitto 555r 315s on my car, and the 315 D3s on Ami's "Turq Monster".

I was expecting the contact patch of the D3's to be wider, and they are. BUT(!), only by approx 1/2"...! (FWIW, I'm thinking part of the perception may be because the shoulders of the D3's are sharper than those of the 555s.)

But, if it is STICK at the drag strip that is important, the 555r (a drag radial) has it all over the D3's. That 1/2" wider contact patch isn't enough to make up for the 555r's STICK advantage...not even close (by my experiences w/ each). On the wet...probably a different story.

So, for WAXERS, the D3's appeal might be greater because they're ≈1/2" wider and the squarish shoulders enhance that perception. SO WHAT? Just sayin...

[KILLSHOTS]

So what, you ask? One of the reasons for the premature death of the ZR-1 was GM's refusal to adequately differentiate this special vehicle from lesser Corvette models. In fact, as we all know, they actually brought the base model even CLOSER in appearance to the ZR-1 in 1991. The only visual cue that ZR-1 owners have to differentiate their cars from base models is the wider rear bodywork. And yet, it seems as though even some ZR-1 owners feel that it is silly or somehow petty to drop extra coin for the widest tire possible to help accentuate this, the ONLY visual distinction of the car.

When I bought my car, it had brand new Sumis. One of the first things I noted was that the fat rear end didn't have the visual "punch" I remembered from when the cars were new. After a long research period, I settled on Toyo R888s, which absolutely fixed the problem. Yes, I said PROBLEM, which is exactly what I had considered it. It was a day and night difference...my car suddenly LOOKED like a real ZR-1.

If you don't care about wider tires, then don't buy them...be happy with Sumis or Nittos, the latter of which I understand is a fine tire. But how about a little understanding for the "waxers" who just want a ZR-1 to actually look like a ZR-1.

[We Gone]

Just for grins. Yellow Nittos, Blue Goodyears.

Front
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/7808/KSh37a.jpg

From another drivers view its hard to tell.
http://imageshack.com/a/img673/8241/nzA4r8.jpg

[Paul Workman]

So what, you ask? One of the reasons for the premature death of the ZR-1 was GM's refusal to adequately differentiate this special vehicle from lesser Corvette models. In fact, as we all know, they actually brought the base model even CLOSER in appearance to the ZR-1 in 1991. The only visual cue that ZR-1 owners have to differentiate their cars from base models is the wider rear bodywork. And yet, it seems as though even some ZR-1 owners feel that it is silly or somehow petty to drop extra coin for the widest tire possible to help accentuate this, the ONLY visual distinction of the car.

When I bought my car, it had brand new Sumis. One of the first things I noted was that the fat rear end didn't have the visual "punch" I remembered from when the cars were new. After a long research period, I settled on Toyo R888s, which absolutely fixed the problem. Yes, I said PROBLEM, which is exactly what I had considered it. It was a day and night difference...my car suddenly LOOKED like a real ZR-1.

If you don't care about wider tires, then don't buy them...be happy with Sumis or Nittos, the latter of which I understand is a fine tire. But how about a little understanding for the "waxers" who just want a ZR-1 to actually look like a ZR-1.

Car nut: "Oh, man! Did you see that thing go buy?"
Nut's friend: "What? You mean that Corvette?"
Car nut: "Corvette, yes. But, that was a ZR-1! Didn't you see how wide the rear tires were?"
Nut's friend: Well, yeah...kinda; I guess so... But, aren't all Corvette tires wide? You must have good eyes to differentiate the model by the tire width al. There must be something else that tipped you off, right?"
Car nut: "Nope! Only the ZR-1 has tires that wide. No mistaking it!"
Nut's friend says skeptically: So, you're telling me the only identifiable clue to the ZR-1 is the width of the rear tire? Is that what you're saying?? I mean that's it? That' all that makes a ZR-1 different from the standard C4 Corvette? Then what about the Grand Sport? Are all Grand Sports also ZR-1s then, or is it just their paint scheme that further distinguishes a GS from a standard Corvette?"
Car nut: "Well, no. I mean, well, it's more than paint. It has the LT5 motor!"
Nut's friend: "So, it is a ZR-1 IF it has wider rear tires, but does NOT have the dark blue paint and white stripes. Right?"
Car nut: "Um...ah, well...no; the rear is actually 3" wider, and there's no fender flairs. The license plate opening is wider with black spacers between the license plate and the backup lenses, the center stop light is mounted on the roof line. Oh, and the shape of the fenders don't slope inward as much as on the standard models, and the rear wheels, being wider, the lug nuts are distinctly deeper than the standard - except for the GS, of course. Oh! And I almost forgot to mention the best part: the SOUND from the dual exhaust valves is unmistakably unique."
Nut's friend: "So... You were holding out on me huh?[-X There are actually a NUMBER of clues besides just the tire width - which isn't always a hard and fast rule; being unique, I mean..."
Car nut (:redface:): "Well, I guess there ARE a bunch of clues; tire width being one possibility, but not the only one. You are right: there ARE several clues...":o

[KILLSHOTS]

Car nut: "Oh, man! Did you see that thing go buy?"
Nut's friend: "What? You mean that Corvette?"
Car nut: "Corvette, yes. But, that was a ZR-1! Didn't you see how wide the rear tires were?"
Nut's friend: Well, yeah...kinda; I guess so... But, aren't all Corvette tires wide? You must have good eyes to differentiate the model by the tire width al. There must be something else that tipped you off, right?"
Car nut: "Nope! Only the ZR-1 has tires that wide. No mistaking it!"
Nut's friend says skeptically: So, you're telling me the only identifiable clue to the ZR-1 is the width of the rear tire? Is that what you're saying?? I mean that's it? That' all that makes a ZR-1 different from the standard C4 Corvette? Then what about the Grand Sport? Are all Grand Sports also ZR-1s then, or is it just their paint scheme that further distinguishes a GS from a standard Corvette?"
Car nut: "Well, no. I mean, well, it's more than paint. It has the LT5 motor!"
Nut's friend: "So, it is a ZR-1 IF it has wider rear tires, but does NOT have the dark blue paint and white stripes. Right?"
Car nut: "Um...ah, well...no; the rear is actually 3" wider, and there's no fender flairs. The license plate opening is wider with black spacers between the license plate and the backup lenses, the center stop light is mounted on the roof line. Oh, and the shape of the fenders don't slope inward as much as on the standard models, and the rear wheels, being wider, the lug nuts are distinctly deeper than the standard - except for the GS, of course. Oh! And I almost forgot to mention the best part: the SOUND from the dual exhaust valves is unmistakably unique."
Nut's friend: "So... You were holding out on me huh?[-X There are actually a NUMBER of clues besides just the tire width - which isn't always a hard and fast rule; being unique, I mean..."
Car nut (:redface:): "Well, I guess there ARE a bunch of clues; tire width being one possibility, but not the only one. You are right: there ARE several clues...":o
Thank you for helping me to make my point. The fact that a ZR-1 requires so much additional explanation to those who aren't familiar with it perfectly illustrates so many folks' desire to "accentuate the positive" by installing the widest tires possible.

Goodyear GS-D3s are the widest tires possible, which is why Phillip kindly notified us that they're available again. I could be wrong, but I don't think he was trying to incite a debate on the characteristics, cost or width of Nittos; maybe that would have been best done on one of the many existing tire debate threads.

[Jagdpanzer]

Here is a line up of 315/17 GY GSC, GY D3, 335/15 Michein Pilot, and 315/ 17 MT DR

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg333/pwasinger/Tire01.jpg

Close up of the 315 D3 and 335 Pilot

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg333/pwasinger/Tire02.jpg

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg333/pwasinger/Tire03.jpg

http://i540.photobucket.com/albums/gg333/pwasinger/Tire04.jpg

[GOLDCYLON]

Well, I just measured the width of the Nitto 555r 315s on my car, and the 315 D3s on Ami's "Turq Monster".

I was expecting the contact patch of the D3's to be wider, and they are. BUT(!), only by approx 1/2"...! (FWIW, I'm thinking part of the perception may be because the shoulders of the D3's are sharper than those of the 555s.)

But, if it is STICK at the drag strip that is important, the 555r (a drag radial) has it all over the D3's. That 1/2" wider contact patch isn't enough to make up for the 555r's STICK advantage...not even close (by my experiences w/ each). On the wet...probably a different story.

So, for WAXERS, the D3's appeal might be greater because they're ≈1/2" wider and the squarish shoulders enhance that perception. SO WHAT? Just sayin...


Paul they are wider and shoulders as commented make em look wider as well but hey that's Just one DD opinion waxers mileage may very lol

[GOLDCYLON]

Ok let's lock this for now and start another tread if required on tires. Phil thanks for the heads up on the D3s being available again