How good or bad are NT555R for drag racing?

[caverman]

I know that the best setup would be a set of 18" wheels with some MT or NT05R drag radials but it will cost me about $1,000 to get that setup. In the mean time I might have found a decent deal on a set of used NT555R on some stock 20x9 wheels. I can probably cover the price on the NT555R right now but it will be a bit longer before I can get my mod fund built up to cover the 18" setup.

So, are the NT555R good enough? Surely they have to be better than the stock tires.

I'm not really concerned about driving them in weather. For the most part I might put them on in my garage and drive 20 mins away to the drag strip or I might even put them on at the track.

Also know that I've only got basic bolt-ons (about 412 rwhp) with only plans to do maybe some 3.90 gears and a cam that would put me in the 450 rwhp range. I'm also not looking to be a full time racer. I'm only taking my car to the strip about 4 times a year to have a little fun and do some grudge racing.

I thought I read where the NT555R does pretty good if you heat them up and put them down to about 20 psi. I just bought a line-lock so that should be definatley doable once I get that installed.

So, what's your opinon or experience with NT555R on a 20" wheel? Should I just keep my money and wait longer for an 18" setup?

[Rockit_z28]

I run the 555Rs on the stock wheels and they are okay. Mine is not a daily driver, but I do use them to get back and forth to the track. They definitely need to be well heated. PSI will vary by application. I have ran mine at 18 pounds which seems to work the best for me.

As you indicated, an 18" set-up with 05s or ET Streets is a better option an even better option would be a complete 17" drag set-up on slicks and skinnies. I am still debating which set-up I will run this year.

Hope this helps.

[Padre]

I ran the 555R's on 18's and hooked great with a good burnout (1.654 sixty with bolt-ons).

I also got caught in rain (250-mile round trip to track) on several occassions. They are good to about 65mph.

IMO, at the track, they are good down to 11.75 or so. After that, go with some Mickey's or maybe the NT05's, neither of which I'd drive if there was rain within 500 miles.

Padre

[SUX2BU]

20" drag radials aren't really worth the $$ unless you are dead set on keeping 20" wheels. NT555R work better on auto cars. NT555R are the best drag radial if you plan to drive on them all the time because they are the ones that last the longest. Tires last a long time because they are harder, the softer the tire the better they are for the track.

[SUX2BU]

You could do some vette wheels for about $320 shipped and 315/30 18 Hoosier drag radials for about $420 shipped.

[caverman]

Originally Posted by SUX2BU

You could do some vette wheels for about $320 shipped and 315/30 18 Hoosier drag radials for about $420 shipped.

Do you have links to places to get those prices?

The cheapest I've found the C5 Z06 replicas are $360 shipped (price was higher because there are in TX so taxes are involved). The I found some M&H drag radials but they were about $525 shipped. MT were closer to $625 shipped.

[SUX2BU]

Originally Posted by caverman

Do you have links to places to get those prices?

The cheapest I've found the C5 Z06 replicas are $360 shipped (price was higher because there are in TX so taxes are involved). The I found some M&H drag radials but they were about $525 shipped. MT were closer to $625 shipped.

I found the wheels a while ago, can't find them now but I think it was on Ebay.
Here is the tires.
http://www.fastlaneturbo.com/hoosier...gradial-1.aspx

[Jchaluja]

I run high 10's on these all the time...I have an auto car and turbo setup though....I am on my second set (OEM 20" wheels) and I use them as DD as well. They last between 10k-12k miles depending on how many times you go to the track....I go about 8 to 10 times per year....

[caverman]

Man....I'm still torn. I've been looking and I still don't see how I'm going get a 18" setup without paying about $1,000 for the setup. Grant it that's all new stuff. The used NT555R I can get for a little more than half that.

Part of me wants to save the money and get the 18" setup and the other part says WTH....the Nittos should still hook better than my Perellis if I heat them up good and get the psi in the 19-20 range.

[JoeyB]

I ran them on the stock wheels and depending on your burnouts they might last 5-6 trips to the track.
I would save your $$ and get drag wheels, slicks & skinnies. makes a HUGE difference in times !

[mlee]

Dang... I just sold my set for 700... If you're putting down close to 600 hp you will want the MT...

[caverman]

Originally Posted by mlee

Dang... I just sold my set for 700... If you're putting down close to 600 hp you will want the MT...

Rats! I would've bought them from you. I never saw a post for them.

Although, I will say the most I'll probably ever do in is around 450 rwhp.

[newmoon]

Originally Posted by caverman

I know that the best setup would be a set of 18" wheels with some MT or NT05R drag radials but it will cost me about $1,000 to get that setup. In the mean time I might have found a decent deal on a set of used NT555R on some stock 20x9 wheels. I can probably cover the price on the NT555R right now but it will be a bit longer before I can get my mod fund built up to cover the 18" setup.

So, are the NT555R good enough? Surely they have to be better than the stock tires.

I'm not really concerned about driving them in weather. For the most part I might put them on in my garage and drive 20 mins away to the drag strip or I might even put them on at the track.

Also know that I've only got basic bolt-ons (about 412 rwhp) with only plans to do maybe some 3.90 gears and a cam that would put me in the 450 rwhp range. I'm also not looking to be a full time racer. I'm only taking my car to the strip about 4 times a year to have a little fun and do some grudge racing.

I thought I read where the NT555R does pretty good if you heat them up and put them down to about 20 psi. I just bought a line-lock so that should be definatley doable once I get that installed.

So, what's your opinon or experience with NT555R on a 20" wheel? Should I just keep my money and wait longer for an 18" setup?

On the street they seem to hook ok, never had the car in the rain so not sure how they will do. I've put almost 2500 miles on mine and they still look great. At the strip I have had no luck, my best is a 1.98. To even get that I had to really slip the clutch and walk it out carefully. The Auto cars seem to work well with them but my manual struggles.

[caverman]

Originally Posted by newmoon

On the street they seem to hook ok, never had the car in the rain so not sure how they will do. I've put almost 2500 miles on mine and they still look great. At the strip I have had no luck, my best is a 1.98. To even get that I had to really slip the clutch and walk it out carefully. The Auto cars seem to work well with them but my manual struggles.

Hmm...thanks for the heads up.