Drag Radials - Sidewall vs Width

[FloMoCamaro]

I have the Z06 18" wheels for the rear. I am currently running the MT 305/45/18. Well, it's time to purchase new tires. I am wanting to purchase the Nitto NT05R. I heard that Lingenfelter did a compare on a corvette between the 18" Nitto and 18" MT and the Nitto actually performed better, however, I don't know the exact tire sizes they used...

For the 18 inch rim, Nitto makes two sizes in the NT05R: 305/45/18 & 315/40/18. The wider tire gives more surface area where the taller sidwall gives more flex.

Questions is - Is a 315 vs 305 width tire better than a 45 vs 40 sidewall?

[ddavis]

I would take the 315/40 over a 305/45 just because of the larger contact patch if we are talking just tires. But since you mentioned putting these on a 18in zo6 wheel..... are you talking about the 18x9.5 ones? If thats the case your better off with 305's or really 295's since the 315 is to big for that setup.

[FloMoCamaro]

Actually, my wheels are 10.5" (Z06 knock off) wide with a spacer to clear the brakes. The 305's fit the wheel really well, so I think the 315's would not be a stretch at all.

For my daily driving, I have custom painted, ADM widened wheel package. Moved the rear wheels to the front and widen the front wheel to 11". I am running the Nitto NT05 315/35/ZR20 (Summer tire - notice No "R" LOL!) on the back and the Nitto INVO 275/40/ZR20 on the front.

Maybe considering the new weld setup for the front and the rear when going to the track - only problem is that I have the CTS-V 6 piston Brembo brakes on the front. Not 100% sure the Weld 18x4.5 skinny will clear the breaks.

[speedster]

Originally Posted by FloMoCamaro

Actually, my wheels are 10.5" wide with a spacer to clear the brakes. The 305's fit the wheel really well, so I think the 315's would not be a stretch at all.

Optimal for a 315 is an 11.0 so a 10.5 rim will work very well.
Either will do the job for you. It is more the suspension setup for this size tire unless you are pushing towards single digits.

P.S. Your Camaro looks awesome !!

[mikepage0007]

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...est/index.html link i pasted for another brd where mt,s are compared to nto5 by superchevy magazine ...the mt, nitto are very close, from my understanding the mt has a little softer sidewall and gives a little more, lessening shock on drivetrain...i don,t think you could go wrong with either...i am leaning same way but i added the 275 mhracemaster in there as they also perform well, and at 650 rwhp 5/16 of dootprint is really not gonna make any diff...Supercharged SS ran the mh 275 and had 0 problem hooking up...smaller tire -1inch less height means faster tire speed and less weight...bigger is not always better, unless your going after speedsters rwhp..lol..imo..surprised after owning mt,s you would switch, any reason why..??

[FloMoCamaro]

Thanks for the compliment - Funny you should say - the car goes in the shop this week to get all the Pfadt goodies - Coilovers, Upper & Lower Rods and Bushings, Diff Bushings and Subframe bushings... Already have the Front & Rear sway bars. With my latest mods, my power levels are at 625+ rwhp in an automatic. Even with running a 10.73 1/4 mile - traction is my biggest issue. Not sure I am wanting to go after the single digit run (yet) because I don't have any roll bars in the car and not really sure I want them. This is my daily driver. I guess I'm waiting to see how fast I can get without getting thrown off the track...

[FloMoCamaro]

Originally Posted by mikepage0007

.surprised after owning mt,s you would switch, any reason why..??

Nothing at all against MT, but I just can ignore Lingenfelters findings. I figure what the heck - it's worth a try. If they don't work any better, I'll go back to MT for sure.

[94guy]

it's kinda hard to believe the nitto beat the m/t.

[FloMoCamaro]

Originally Posted by 94guy

it's kinda hard to believe the nitto beat the m/t.

The only thing that concerns me about the compare is that they did the comparison on a corvette. Weight is always a factor, so not sure it will turn out the same on the Camaro...

[mikepage0007]

well, you have the advantage over a manual at least..i don,t think you will be unhappy with either choice...have been researching this exact tire brands over the last 2 weeks..i did find a couple people have some sidewall issues on the mt, but i believe they pushed the envelope on the air pressure..only thing i have seem to find was that the nt05 had to run lower air pressure than mt, to run as well as the mt..as article mentioned with there test, they ran the mt @ 22psi{mt also recomends not to run below 20psi on there site} and to get the nitto magic , they ran @ 15psi...thats a big difference...meaning it can geta little squirlly at 125mph..i,m following your posts and learning more..great topic

[FloMoCamaro]

I have found that 18lbs works the best for the MTs. I tried as low as 15, but like you said, it got kinda wild on the big end.

[mikepage0007]

where did you find the lge -mt,nitto comparison..i did a google search and only found there 9 sec zr1 on mt,s

[FloMoCamaro]

Man, I can't remember exactly where I read it. I googled it also and can't find it again, yet!!! But I also talked with Paul with the LPE Guys and he running on 18" Nitto's - The 555R if I remember right. But I will keep looking for that article and post a link if/when I find it.

[mikepage0007]

Originally Posted by FloMoCamaro

Man, I can't remember exactly where I read it. I googled it also and can't find it again, yet!!! But I also talked with Paul with the LPE Guys and he running on 18" Nitto's - The 555R if I remember right. But I will keep looking for that article and post a link if/when I find it.

i,ll search some more, but there is no way the 555r compare to the mt...has to be the nt05r..they are good..if i find something i will post it