Tires?

[pjdavis]

Hi Group,

I am going to order my wheels - 17 X 10.5 / 17 X 9 - from Factory Five.

I am looking for suggestions for tires.

Thanks!

PJ

[Tpa65cpe]

PJ: have been looking online for ones when I build mine and the Sumitomo are not bad (harder rubber will last longer) or you can go with the Toyo Ra888 (sticky) it just depends on what type of driving you are doing (street,autox,or track)!! If you go to tire rack you can get feedback on different brands and types (they also test them on there own track) I live in FLA (lots of rain) so my choice will be diff than yours IMHO this is probably the best route for you but wait and get more input from others HTH Tpa65cpe

[snakeboost]

Sumitomos also come in 2 different treads front to rear as far as what was in stock last time i ordered them for a local customer

Steve

[Jeff Kleiner]

I've run both Sumitomos as well as the Kumho XS with 315/35-17 rear and 255-40-17 in the front. A similar question was asked on "the other" forum recently, specifically regarding lower temperatures and wet weather. My answer is copied below:

No doubt that traction diminishes when the temperature drops but I think that can be said for most "extreme performance summer" tires which is the category the XS falls into. They don't become dangerous but you just need to be conscious that you can't do at 50 degrees what you can do at 80 or higher. I had a set of Sumitomo HTR-Z and they were very consistent across the temperature spectrum---no traction whether it was hot or cold :p As for rain I think when you combine giant contact patches with very little weight as these cars do ANY tire is going to demand that it be driven with gentle and deliberate inputs on wet roads. I've been caught in the rain numerous times with both the XS and Sumis and by being cautious never felt like the Grim Reaper was sitting beside me in the passenger seat with either tire.

I do a lot of autocross and track time and love the XS for that. They are about as close to an R compound as you'll find in a street tire. The Sumitomo, while competent for street cruiser duty is completely out of it's element in these circumstances. If those activities aren't part of your agenda but cold &/or wet weather performance is a priority you might be better served with something like a Goodyear F1 or some flavor of Goodrich KDW. You'll give up some warm and dry traction in exchange for cool and wet. For simply cruising around and looking good on sunny days the Sumitomo is a bargain, just don't expect much performance. If you plan to do any track activities or want to optimize grip the XS is hard to beat.

HTH,
Jeff

[Tpa65cpe]

Thanks Steve!! I forgot to mention that to him in my last post. IMHO he can get a really good deal from them (Tire Rack) that is where I got mine for my daily driver (2000 Tacoma) upgraded to 235/45/17 already had wheels, got them shipped to my door unmounted for 96.00 apiece they were the HTR-Z3 and love them!

[Tpa65cpe]

IMHO Jeff is absolutely right!! 95% of my driving is street duty and the Goodyear F-1s are an excellent choice (had them on my CamaroSS 2000yr model and they worked well) especially in the rain!! Thanks for the Knoweledgeable input Jeff for the autox and race is out of my experience and this is one of the reasons that I follow this Forum!! Just my .02!!

[Bill_VA]

For the first 4 years or so I ran the same set of Sumitomos and didn't know what I was missing. I switched to Kuhmo Ecsta XS's this spring and the difference is incredible. So much more traction, they really inspire and deliver more confident driving. Soon after the switch I rode the Tail of the Dragon in NC, way too much fun and hard driving. Yesterday I took my Cobra to the track and the level of grip was awesome. My instructor even noted how well the car was stuck to the road. Big vote for the Kuhmos!

[LuckyWinner]

I see alot of people like the Kumos, but has anyone tried or know of anyone who has tried the VREDESTEIN - ULTRAC SESSANTA. From what I've read they seem like a real good tire.

[NICK C]

Has any one tried any Nittos? We had great results on street with a twin turbo 5.0 mustang.

[Mem21]

Running the nitto nt01-315 17" in the rear and 245 in the front...good track tire for the $$.

[trublue]

I used BFGoodrich g-Force Sport 245's 17" from Tire Rack for front and rear. They look great, perform well, are quiet and were a good buy. It is a summer tire that is not rated for snow. I have 6K on them and they still look new.

[efnfast]

245/17 Sumitomo htr-z's in the front, 315/17 in the rear.

I've driven them in snow (yes, unfortunately got caught in it on the way back from the dyno...twice! :/ ), rain, and summer and am happy with them.

If you're able to use another tire and not have traction issues then clearly you don't have enough power yet :)

Also, you cant beat $90/tire for 315s, lol

I was so satisfied with them I put sumitomos onto my daily driver - 04 cobra 'vert (500rwhp)

[Someday I Suppose]

Kuhmo XS here as well, tooo many reports on the Sumi's of bad / low traction. I've not yet seen a single complaint on the Kuhmo.

[Howard]

FWIW a few folk that have had snap spins and wrecked their cars have been running sumi's. Not saying that the tire was to blame, but it's a trend that's apparent.

[efnfast]

FWIW a few folk that have had snap spins and wrecked their cars have been running sumi's. Not saying that the tire was to blame, but it's a trend that's apparent.

I'd sure as heck blame the driver before I'd blame the tire.

Which is more likely:

Evil possessed tire - I'ma wait for you to enter an off-ramp turn at 40mph, then BAM, I'ma make you loose traction and send you into the wall for the hell of it

Driver - Oooooo, 40mph off-ramp, time to go WOT in 2nd gear around the corner, VR0))00000000000000000000000000000000MMmmmmmmmmm.. ......bang!

[Jeff Kleiner]

I'd sure as heck blame the driver before I'd blame the tire.

Which is more likely:

Evil possessed tire - I'ma wait for you to enter an off-ramp turn at 40mph, then BAM, I'ma make you loose traction and send you into the wall for the hell of it

Driver - Oooooo, 40mph off-ramp, time to go WOT in 2nd gear around the corner, VR0))00000000000000000000000000000000MMmmmmmmmmm.. ......bang!

Have to agree with Alex on this one. ;) As I said earlier they aren't a high performance tire by any stretch but when I had Sumis I autocrossed 'em, tracked 'em and spun with 'em. Their limits are kind of low but they are honest about it and give you plenty of warning.

Cheers,
Jeff