650+ HP and Tire Combination

[ravensjeff]

I'd like to hear what everyone thinks about the tires they are using with the extra horsepower added by Forced Induction mods.

Mine is 650+HP, forged internals, HD driveshaft axles, 3.70 rear amongst other items. I have a brand new set of Forgeline rims sitting in the parts department at Lingenfelter, waiting on Nitto tire production to resume. Rims are 20x11 rear, 20x 10 front. I've been waiting on the Nitto NT-05's (315 rear, 275 front).

I understand now that even these Nitto 315's won't grip enough at the strip with this much horsepower. It seems as though the only fix for the dragstrip for this is a set of slicks.

Then I read where the NT-05's suck in the rain and hydroplane at 40 mph.

I am not to worried about rain since the car has only seen rain 1x in its first 12,000 miles- unexpected rain storm. So maybe I don't have to worry about the rain too much with NT-05's since that would be a very rare situation, and would just have to slow it down and be real careful. Long trips though are suspect now. I guess I could put stock stuff back on.

Dry pavement? NT-05's supposed to be great. Not sure about cold weather. Not sure of tread wear either. Stock tires have no wear at 12,000 miles.

I guess my main driving habits are all-year round in hot n cold weather- NO PRECIPITATION- Aggressive driving- 90% of the time. 5% road coarsing. 4% Long trips. 1% drag racing.

Sounds like the Nitto's would be okay for me. But I still can't believe its been since November and still no tire available. I am more interested to know what the high HP modded cars are using and your experience. The regular tire forum seems to be a cosmetic based type of discussion, vs performance at elevated speeds.

What do you use and/or recommend?

[VictoryRed10]

everyday driver michilen pilot supersports track use nitto nto5r

[n2oSS]

I will find out later today what my tires are since im away from home. I found some all weathers i really like for my daily driving and they do a little better then the stock tires.

Once i get my rear end problem solved and clutch changed i am going with slicks. I drag race for fun and the drag radials just aren't good enough for me. I am currently at 630 to the wheels and remember better ya hook the more shit ya break.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by VictoryRed10

everyday driver michilen pilot supersports track use nitto nto5r

I wouldn't think they would sell Nitto NT-05's in the state of Washington with all the rain you guys seem to get.

[Turbo99]

Originally Posted by n2oSS

I will find out later today what my tires are since im away from home. I found some all weathers i really like for my daily driving and they do a little better then the stock tires.

Once i get my rear end problem solved and clutch changed i am going with slicks. I drag race for fun and the drag radials just aren't good enough for me. I am currently at 630 to the wheels and remember better ya hook the more shit ya break.

What times you running with your set up?

[GrinderSS]

I'm at 640 RWHP/575 RWT with 4.10 gears and 315 Nitto Invo's on the rear. Without traction control those tires go up in smoke through first, second and part of 3rd gear.

NT05R's at the track work pretty well with the right launch, but you need to warm them up with a good burnout.

[Huck1974]

Have no complaints with the 555s

[VADER SS L99]

Originally Posted by ravensjeff

I wouldn't think they would sell Nitto NT-05's in the state of Washington with all the rain you guys seem to get.

Are you talking about NT-05's or NT-05R's? The NT-05 is a street summer tire with about the same grip as the stock tires and will go up in smoke at your power level. The NT-05R is a true drag radial which can be driven on the street but perform very well at the track. As far as a 20" tire is concerned you will not find a better tire for the drag strip. If you truely do not see any rain or snow the tire should also serve you very well on the street. It just wont last as long as the NT-05 or handle as well. It will however hold up better than any 20 " tire at your power level in a straight line. Since my Camaro is no longer my daily driver the NT-05R is what I plan to run.

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by VADER SS L99

Are you talking about NT-05's or NT-05R's? The NT-05 is a street summer tire with about the same grip as the stock tires and will go up in smoke at your power level. The NT-05R is a true drag radial which can be driven on the street but perform very well at the track. As far as a 20" tire is concerned you will not find a better tire for the drag strip. If you truely do not see any rain or snow the tire should also serve you very well on the street. It just wont last as long as the NT-05 or handle as well. It will however hold up better than any 20 " tire at your power level in a straight line. Since my Camaro is no longer my daily driver the NT-05R is what I plan to run.

So would you say that the NT-05R is not really for road racing, and more for the drag strip? I drive my Camaro whenever there is no precipitation in the forecast. So it's my 1/2 daily driver!! Would it be a waste to use the NT-05R then? And the NT-05R is not the best for driving at an aggressive pace on the road, around turns, etc? I do plan on doing some road coarse racing. I've come to the conclusion that I'll probably need a separate set of slicks/rims for the strip. I don't think I'm ready to reduce the grip for regular driving just to have better traction at the drag strip.

[ravensjeff]

What are the benefits/ differences of the NT-05 versus the 555 and Invo's?

[N3TKE]

I got the nto5 -315 back in march and they work great.I am at 600+. have not try them at the drag strip yet. But they seem to be real good. I got mine at NTB and they where able to get them. Give them a call.

[Speed74SS]

Jeff,
I think the NT-05R are more for the drag strip than a road course but I haven't tried them. I have been running the NT-05's for about 10,000 miles and been to the road course 4 times. They are good in the dry, rain etc and I sometimes drive for 7 or 8 hours at a time on road trips. They are awesome at the road course!!

I have a set of 555 Drag Radials for the strip, as I don't think the regular NT-05's will work well there. You have more than I do to the wheels, so your traction is going to be worse than mine tho

[ravensjeff]

Originally Posted by Speed74SS

Jeff,
I think the NT-05R are more for the drag strip than a road course but I haven't tried them. I have been running the NT-05's for about 10,000 miles and been to the road course 4 times. They are good in the dry, rain etc and I sometimes drive for 7 or 8 hours at a time on road trips. They are awesome at the road course!!

I have a set of 555 Drag Radials for the strip, as I don't think the regular NT-05's will work well there. You have more than I do to the wheels, so your traction is going to be worse than mine tho

Thanks for the input. I guess I'll stick with the original plan to use NT-05's for street driving & road coarse racing. Did you have any re-programming to do switching between the Pirelli's and the NT-05's? I think the height difference is something like 0.08". Seems insignificant.

Are the 555 Drag radials right for the drag strip? If so, what size tire/rim are you using? Keeping NT-05's on the front?

Now if I can only get some NT-05's. Seems like they are still on backorder. Time to call Tim again.

[2010 BADSS]

Jeff, I'm on my 2nd set of tires. I kept the nitto 555 on the front because the have a better tread pattern for the street, and road course, and went to the NT050R on the back. I can attest that these are good on the road course and the Strip. My 1st set I had the 555 on front, and 555R on rear. I've been in the rain once, and it's not good. You really have to go slow. The NT 050R's do seem to wear faster than the 555R's. I do have a set of NT050R's for the rear in 18 inch for the strip only, and I use my 20's the rest of the time. Hope this helps.