New Nittos!

[Paul Workman]

Took the plunge and had some Nitto 555/555Rs (front/back) installed this morining. WOW, what a differnce they make over the 5-year old and well worn GY F1 GS D3s that came off.

It was time, very apparently, as the D3s were getting a little hard now, and the car felt like I was on wet pavement all the time. Don't get me wrong, the D3s are excellent street tires, especially in wet. But, a "drag radial" they ain't! Course they were old and worn now, but all it took to break the D3s loose was to blip the throttle in either first or second. Forget about dumping the clutch: they were all over the place!

Just in time for the 1/2 mile shootout. Took her out on my personal track and ran 'er up to check tire balance. Very smooth; not a wiggle! We're good to go to within 20 mph of where I expect to be in a couple weeks. Can't wait!!

[1990 quasar blue]

Congrats on the new rubber. I've been running on my kds for about seven years now. Plenty of tread but they're getting hard. Below 60' feels like riding on ice. Why the 555s over nt05s?

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by 1990 quasar blue

Congrats on the new rubber. I've been running on my kds for about seven years now. Plenty of tread but they're getting hard. Below 60' feels like riding on ice. Why the 555s over nt05s?

I went back and forth quite a bit between the Nt05 and the 555R. It came down to these considerations:

Wanted something close to the D3s in the wet. (I was on D3s and avoided a head-on crash on a wet blind curve. It left me with an impression!)

I enjoy curves and spirited driving, and drag racing 2-3 times a year. The 555Rs are drag radials, and I've experienced them once and they stick well with my setup.

I've seen the 555/555R perform in heavy rain, and they did quite well.

Recommendations by several that have the 555/555R combination as a great combination.

Although I drive almost entirely in dry conditions, rain does happen, wet curves happen... So WET (I think of it as "real world") conditions yet with almost the same dry performance as the '05's, put the 555Rs on my car, but the 555s were a given on the front

This may help. (Look under "Competition")

So far, I'm amazed at the difference in "stick" - especially on accelleration. The D3s never stuck like these apparently do, even when the D3s were new.

Check with me in a year or so! Oh! Did I mention the price was right!? $915.26 out the door: mounted, lifetime ballance, replacement certificates, taxes and disposal fees...

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Recommendations by several that have the 555/555R combination as a great combination.

So far, I'm amazed at the difference in "stick" - especially on accelleration. The D3s never stuck like these apparently do, even when the D3s were new.

Check with me in a year or so! Oh! Did I mention the price was right!? $915.26 out the door: mounted, lifetime ballance, replacement certificates, taxes and disposal fees...

Concur

Discount Tire

FRONT.................................................. ....................REAR
Nitto NT 555 Extreme Performance..................................Nitto NT 555R Drag Radial
P275/40ZR-17 98W.................................................. ...315/35R-17 102V B
.................................................

Tires and Other Modifications

[Bob Eyres]

Look great, price is right. Your story is a good indicator that most ZR-1'ers should buy the softest tires possible. We need the traction, and considering the average mileage logged year to year, most normal tires get old and hard long before they wear out.
I've got some BFG KD's on mine, and they look perfect after 5+ years, but I wouldn't want to try a top speed run on them.
I'd probably put the Drag radials on the back. My car rarely sees rain.

[Hog]

5 year tires shouldnt be an issue.

On those 555R's, is thetreadwear rating "0" or is it "80"?

My last set of DR's has a treadwear rating of "0".

peace
Hog

[1990 quasar blue]

Thanks for the info Paul. Near misses always have a way of sticking with you. I know this first hand.

[Hog]

Originally Posted by Hog

5 year tires shouldnt be an issue.

On those 555R's, is thetreadwear rating "0" or is it "80"?

My last set of DR's has a treadwear rating of "0".

peace
Hog

Nevermind I missed the link above, the 555R has a treatwear rating of 100, thats surprising. They must last longer than the BFG/DR's.

peace
Hog

[JThomas]

Congrats Paul:

I have been using the Nitto 555 on my "Cream Puff" for a year. I autocrossed the car, for the first time, at Bowling Green today and although I like the tire for normal road use, I wasn't that impressed for autocross use. I had difficulty launching the car, because they would not stick, but hey, maybe it's my driving style that's the problem. (JMHO)

I think my next set for this car and my Z06 will be Michelins.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by JThomas

Congrats Paul:

I have been using the Nitto 555 on my "Cream Puff" for a year. I autocrossed the car, for the first time, at Bowling Green today and although I like the tire for normal road use, I wasn't that impressed for autocross use. I had difficulty launching the car, because they would not stick, but hey, maybe it's my driving style that's the problem. (JMHO)

I think my next set for this car and my Z06 will be Michelins.

Interesting review, Joe. As for launching, do you have the 555R (drag radial) or just the 555 series (rear)? I've used the drag radial once, and it hooked right up...on a prepped track, I might add. The two top condenders, for the way I drive was another set of D3s or something that would hook better when drag racing and hoping to have at least equal wet performance. I'll have to get back to y'all on the wet, but far as sticking goes, the DRs are way mo bettah than the D3s were. (The D3s felt like plastic, in comparison).

Let us know how you like the Michelins. BTW, which Michelin? We're talking about the Pilots, right?

P.