What are the best 17" road tires?

[David Hodgkins]

I'm starting a "new" build and the first acquisition will be tires.

I've got the 9" and 10.5" Halibrand replicas from FFR and I'm looking for a good road tire. I'm planning for 500+ HP so It's gotta stick but I don't know if drag radials are the way to go or not.

What do you recommend and why?

:)

[MRSQSL]

I am probably not the best person to answer this question, but when has that ever stopped me? I just went through the tire selection process. Kuhmo Ecsta XS would be great if they'd ever produce them again. Since you probably want tires now, you'll have to look elsewhere. After long, long days and nights of research, I went with the Nitto NT-01's. Why? They were highly rated in reviews I read (except by the guy that was complaining about their handling in the snow). Drag radials seemed expensive and not ideal for my application. The Nittos have a little bit of tread but reviewers said they were sticky without needing to be heated first. Sold! We have them and Mike is jealous. They are sticky. Really, really sticky. I can't tell you how they perform since my car has no engine, but they are fun to push around the garage in a straight line. Turning is more difficult because they are sticky. Feel free to come take a look, push them around and marvel at the softness of the rubber. I'm sure others will chime in with more technical and more helpful advice.

[68GT500MAN]

Follow Julie's advice and you will not be disappointed.
Doug

[David Hodgkins]

Julie, what sizes did you get? Did you buy them locally, or over the 'net?

You better watch out, you're starting to sound like someone who knows what they're talking about!

:)

[Mike N]

NT-01's 315 rear, 275 front

Nice and sticky and for Southern Cal if you stay off the roads when it rains (once a year) you'll be fine. Another consideration is the Toyo R888 that FFR uses on a lot of their cars.

26346

26347

[MRSQSL]

I got the same ones Mike N. did (for the coupe). 275/40/17 for the front and 315/35/17 for the rear. Don't worry. I'll say something stupid in a few seconds and completely wipe away the impression that I know what I'm talking about.

[Hans944]

I was looking for some tires too, but am limited based on the size I need.... 275 X 55X 15 (rear) and 245 X 60X 15 (front).... I have BF Goodrich Radial T/A's now but they don't make the rear size anymore..... other than in a Drag Radial tire...

I'm open to other brands and considered the drag radial but I don't know much about them....

I have the Compomotive..... Halibrand style wheels and like them.......

[edwardb]

Not as sticky as NT-01's, but several guys around here are using Nitto NT555 Extreme's and like them. I checked them out, and bought them for my Mk4 build. More of a street tire and for cruising, so maybe not for everyone. But something to check out if that fits how you'll use the car. Should be pretty tolerant of temps and wet, and should also get decent tread life. Price wasn't too bad either. I bought Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR 315/35ZR17 for the rear, and Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR 255/40ZR17 for the front, on FFR wheels.

[David Hodgkins]

Julie (Or anyone in SoCal) where did you get the Nitto's?

:)

[QSL]

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/home.do

[Mike N]

David.

Discount tire direct seems to be the best as far as price and having them in stock. You may find a little cheaper on line but make sure to check stock before placing an order.

[chopthebass]

Do 275's fit on the front?

[David Hodgkins]

Do 275's fit on the front?

That's what I was wondering. I looked, and they make 255's. We haven't decided to go manual or power steering yet. Those 275's would be hard to turn in a parking lot...

Maybe with FFMetal "Fat" f-panels?

[MRSQSL]

I just ran out and looked at Scoopy. 255 in the front. The 275's I have are for Coupey. The 275's are too big for the roadster.

[David Hodgkins]

Julie...




U ROCK.

:)

[MRSQSL]

I don't hear that very often. Say it again!!!!! :)

Hopefully the tire place is still having the deal they had last week where you get $25 off if you buy four tires AND free shipping. Made it cheaper than any place else I looked. They delivered them super quickly too. Good luck with your tire selecting!!

[Mike N]

275's do fit, look at the photo of my car above. You need rack limiters to stop hitting the F panels at full lock. Or just don't turn the wheel that far. :rolleyes: I had 245's on the front before these and they looked too small to me, I like the 275's much better.

[QSL]

I didn't have rubbing issues with the 275's on the F panel. I also had manual steering and they felt fine. However the lip of my body just grazed the edge of the tire when you hit a bump in the road. I didn't like that so I changed them out within a few hundred miles. I had a topic about this on FFcars and its apparent that the MK4 is different from earlier models. I do think the 275 could be run if the planets aligned perfectly and maybe you trip that inner lip on the body... however it was just not worth it to me and my body had already been painted. link to thread. http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/301225-kumho-xs-275-front-tire-no-no-no.html

[frankeeski]

David, If you want to buy the tires locally you can call Tucker Tire. http://www.tuckertirecompany.com/ They also have a store in Laguna Nigel and both store are family owned. I've been dealing with them for 25 years and have never had a bad experience. By the time you factor in shipping and your time to run around to have them mounted and balance you are better off just getting them locally. My 2 cents anyways.

[frankeeski]

I am probably not the best person to answer this question, but when has that ever stopped me?

Feel free to come take a look, push them around and marvel at the softness of the rubber.

That's just priceless! And by the way, everyone wish Julie a Happy Birthday, today is her birthday.

[Avalanche325]

Tires seem to run in trends as to what most guys are runing. The trend has been the Khumo Ecsta XS, which is what I have. They do seem like they have a lot of grip. Unfortunately, there seems to be a supply issue right now. The Nittos seem to be the next choice.

There are guys that auto cross with drag radials. That doesn't sound like the best thig to me for a car that likes corners.

[David Hodgkins]

I tried to locate the Nitto NT-01's yesterday. I found the 315's but no 255 or 275's. Does anyone have the full size? Is it 255 35 R17?

:)

[MRSQSL]

255/40/17. At least that's what Scoopy is sporting.

Thanks Frank!

[David Hodgkins]

Thanks Julie! and HAPPY BELATED B-DAY!

:)

[Jeff Kleiner]

Dave,
Unfortunately there will be compromises with any tire. Drag radials hook in a straight line but aren't great for cornering due to the soft sidewalls. Tires that corner well often give up straight line bite. Both types are going to be less than optimal at temps below 60ish degrees and in the wet, while a tire that performs well in the rain and cold generally won't do so great when it's hot and dry. Low treadwear numbers like the NT01's 100 rating mean that you're probably only going to get a few thousand miles out of 'em. I guess what I'm getting at is you've got to prioritize what aspects of tire performance are most imprtant to you because until someone figures out how to collect unicorn tears and turn them into rubber there isn't one that is going to do everything well.

Good luck,
Jeff

[Broadwaydan]

I have two friends that have the Kuhmo Ecsta and I really liked them but also could not find them anywhere here. The tire store recommended the Nitto NT-555 - I got 255-40 and 315-35 R17. I have been happy with them during my go-karting. Hit 70-80 mph in a straight line on a rolling country road and did lots of time doing short bursts with quick turns and stops and starts in an empty parking lot. Overall they seemed to handle well and I did not feel like they were going to let loose. That being said, I did not really try to spin them or "skid-out". Overall they seem to be a good tire for the roadster.

[306rangerfordguy]

I have Sumitomos and they do not stick well. I will go with Nittos next time around.

[einstein]

I have the 33 put Nitto 555's on all 4 corners best tire for the price

[narkosys]

I am also researching tires but since I live in a temperate rain forest I need something that handles in dry as well as wet conditions. Unfortunately the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3 doesn't come wide enough.

Any suggestions would be great.

P

[WIS89]

That's just priceless! And by the way, everyone wish Julie a Happy Birthday, today is her birthday.

Happy day after your Birthday Jules!

Regards,

Steve

[MRSQSL]

You guys are sweet. Thanks!

[QSL]

Our goals for tires have nothing to do with racing. We just don't want our cars to spin off the road out of control. So far I have been very happy with the khumo tires however I really like how sticky these nitto tires feel. Tread wear is not an issue for us. If we need to replace every couple thousand miles or so. Then be it, as long as we don't fly off the road. There are two things I think some take for granted and that's why they have scary incidents. Cheap tires and wrong tire pressure. These two factors may be more important then proper torque specs... ;)

[CDXXVII]

Dave

Are you building the anniversary car. Already ready for tires?


I'm starting a "new" build and the first acquisition will be tires.

I've got the 9" and 10.5" Halibrand replicas from FFR and I'm looking for a good road tire. I'm planning for 500+ HP so It's gotta stick but I don't know if drag radials are the way to go or not.

What do you recommend and why?

:)

[David Hodgkins]

Dave

Are you building the anniversary car. Already ready for tires?

Yep, it's the anniversary roadster. Trying to get it on it's feet so we can transfer it to my house.

Are you ready for that ID change?

:)