Difference in Nitto Drag Radials

[HufferSS]

Nitto makes the NT05 and the NT555 drag radials. The differences in appearance look obvious and the 05 looks like it would be a bear in the rain but what about the performance differences?

I would expect the 05 to hook better, but how much better and can the 05 be run safely on the street? My car isn't a daily driver so the only rain would be that which I get caught in by surprise.

The 05 only comes in a 315/35/20 fitment (for 20"wheels) so that may be a problem. Will that fit the stock wheels without rubbing?

I need to hook....what's the best way to do it?

[SRT10KLLR]

Be careful to always list the R at the end because Nitto also makes the NT555 and NT05 which are street tires. The Nitto NT555R and NT05R are the drag radials.

The NT05R hooks a lot better than the NT555R but has a tread wear rating of "0" so hey don't last very long. They are a very soft compound tire and when new can be driven in the rain in a pinch, although I would recommend against it. The NT555R's are very good and last 10K miles with combined street/trip use and are better suited for the rain. Once they are down on thread though they are just as bad as the NT05R's.

I drove in the pouring rain on worn out NT555R's and the rear was hydroplaning all over the place. The fastest I could go safely was 40 mph but being as I was on the freeway that was a little slow for other drivers.

The NT555R in 305 or the NT05R in 315 are not recommended for the stock wheel because it is to narrow(9") but can it be used, yes. I drove the NT555R's down to the wires without any problems before I switched to the NT05R's.

IMHO, go with the 555R's unless you switch tires at the track and are putting down a lot of hp to the ground then go 05R.