Tires!

[tpowell7]

Hoping folks can share some wisdom with me. My son and I are progressing with our MK4 build. Expecting our BP 347 in the next couple of weeks and we are ready to move from our dolly to wheels! We are using the FFR Halibrand 17" wheels on front and back. Seen a number of posts on the Nitto G2 245/45's for the front. We are looking to couple that with Nitto 555RII 315/35Z's on the rear. Any feedback on handling and clearance with this setup? Any other suggestions other than the Nitto's? Thanks for any and all input!

[GoDadGo]

The Nitto 555's are a good choice for street use.
Consider going to a 255/40 up front if you are going to run 315/35's out back.
The 255's are 25.04" tall while the 315's are 25.67" so that little bit of rake looks great.

[JeffP]

I'm running the NT05 255/40/17 and 315/35/17 no issues.

[Jim1855]

You asked for "wisdom", not sure if I can offer that but maybe a touch of common sense.

Tires "age out" way before many owners wear them out. And they start to age once pulled out of the mold. There have been posts mentioning 4-5 years of age being the end of useable life. Why have tires taking up space and aging while you build your car? There's also been comments on dealers selling old tires and looking at date codes on tires.

Not sure how long it will take you to complete your build but if it was me, I wouldn't be buying tires until I was ready to drop the assembled car to the ground and prepare to drive. It's good to have a plan and waiting to execute.

But then I'm buying parts that won't be installed until way after the warranty expires. So, what do I know about it?

Jim

[Jeff Kleiner]

I'm not a fan of using drag radials like the 555R2 on our cars and advise against it unless you're planning to primarily only be going in a straight line. The soft sidewalls and a tread design and compound that is tuned more for longitudinal than lateral traction tend to make the rear of the car "squirmy" if you do any spirited cornering. The last thing these cars need is for the back end to be unsettled during cornering transitions. Speaking from personal experience; a few years ago a friend brought his newly constructed Mk4 equipped with drag radials to autocross with me. Although he was a somewhat experienced autocrosser he just couldn't get a handle on it and asked me to take a couple of runs...it was a disaster! The soft drag radials just wouldn't allow the rear of the car to take a set and hold a line. He switched the rears to 555G2 to match the front and it totally transformed the car.

If you're looking for more grip than the G2 take a look at the Nitto NT-05 and NT-01 as well as Toyo R888R. I've run both the NT-01 and R888R and have been pleased with both but understand that all tires are a compromise in one way or another. With the 100 treadwear NT-01 and R888R they grip like a cat on carpet but the trade offs are longevity (I got about 5,000 miles out of them) and the fact that they aren't really suitable for rain or cool temperatures. The NT-05 kind of splits the difference between the 555G2 and NT-01.

As for sizes; I always recommend using a 255/40 on a 9" rim like the 17" FFR Halibrand replicas rather than a 245/45. Has nothing to do with "rake" but because the 245/45 is kind of stretched on a 9" and the wheel lip actually protrudes beyond the tire's sidewall. This doesn't happen with a 255/40.

Cheers,
Jeff

[GoDadGo]

Rake From Camp Go Dad:

Having a slightly shorter tire on the front compared to what is installed on the rear simply looks better.

245/45-17...>...25.67"
255/40-17...>...25.05"
275/40-17...>...25.67"
285/40-17...>...25.98"
315/35-17...>...25.67"

[Avalanche325]

Pretty much repeating others.
Drag radials are for going straight only.
I wouldn't mismatch tires unless I had to. That can lead to unpredictable handling.
200TW tires are the "all around, do it all" sweet spot tires. There is a very noticeable grip difference between 555s and NT05s. Tires are makes you go, corner, and stop. These cars need serious performance tires. NT-01s Or R888s are even grippier, but you have to be very careful in cold or rain.

These cars do not need rake. It moves weight forward. These need the weight in the rear for grip. I originally set mine up with some rake. The car gets noticeably better rear grip when set up level. I did that while autocrossing and doing track days.

[Barwickad]

Curious if the folks in the know can comment on 200TW tires with regard to picking up rocks and slinging them everywhere? I have 300TW on my DD (Michelin PS 4S) and they rarely pick up rocks unless I push them on a hot day.

[JeffP]

Curious if the folks in the know can comment on 200TW tires with regard to picking up rocks and slinging them everywhere? I have 300TW on my DD (Michelin PS 4S) and they rarely pick up rocks unless I push them on a hot day.

I have no comparison, but I can say when I go-karted and even rolling around in gel-coat (without the elephant ears installed) my NT05's pretty much sandbasted us... i'd vacuum out all sorts of sand and pebbles from the unfinished interior.

[Papa]

I've been extremely pleased with the Michelin Pilot Sports on my 18" wheels. I don't race the car or get crazy with it but have done some spirited twisty mountain drives where some corners have pulled 0.85G (according to one of our group that was in his Corvette with the lateral G meter) and no hint of an issue other than the soiled shorts the first time I took a corner that hard. :o I don't know off the top of my head if the tires come in all the desired sizes, but a great tire for a street car with a 30K mile tread wear warranty!

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=115112&d=1569708513

[Jim1855]

Haven't seen wet performance mentioned. Most won't drive in the rain but if you are going to travel in the car, you'll probably get wet. Many of the great warm temp, dry performance tires are dicey at best in the wet or just plain dangerous. If you can stop and wait it out all's good but if you are on a schedule and have arrival plans, you'll probably need to keep driving.

The Michelins mentioned will work well wet, I ran PS2s and spent hours & miles in the rain much at expressway plus speeds. 315s & 335s kick up a lot of water, so do semis and you won't want to spend much time behind or beside them.

None of the tires mentioned will like being cold.

Jim

[RoadRacer]

I know we've had other threads on tires, but I have to say that I won't be buying the PS4S again - they are like rock and I can't get any warmth in them on the road or autox. But they last forever (seriously haven't worn 1mm in a year) so for 'normal road use' they're probably awesome.

(FWIW, I'm running 295/19 and 355/19 on a hot rod)

Anyway, my next set will be Falken RT660 which are much softer (officially 200tw but everyone smiles/winks at me when saying that). Always a huge compromise on cost/mileage vs sticky/fun.. choose your poison!

[Just 1 More]

I'm running the Mich PS4S on my 68 Camaro and have been happy with them so far. I've run some AutoX and they did great, never slid once and even had an experienced driver drive the car and he took 10 seconds off my time without even trying. Not sure it that's what i'll go with on the '33 but they're at the top of my list
177788

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Hoping folks can share some wisdom with me. My son and I are progressing with our MK4 build. Expecting our BP 347 in the next couple of weeks and we are ready to move from our dolly to wheels! We are using the FFR Halibrand 17" wheels on front and back. Seen a number of posts on the Nitto G2 245/45's for the front. We are looking to couple that with Nitto 555RII 315/35Z's on the rear. Any feedback on handling and clearance with this setup? Any other suggestions other than the Nitto's? Thanks for any and all input!

Its not a good plan to mix tires. Don't know where you live but I have found NITTO NT-01 (treadware 100) useable almost all year round in NC. They do not do well at temperatures that would normally be uncomfortable to drive an open car in. Rain/wet ground require care & no sudden inputs not a big deal with a car that does not have a roof.

Have PSS on a Z4 M40i (399WHP- DynoJet) & PS4S on an M4C (498WHP-DynoJet). Both UTQG treadwear 300. The Z4 (2 seat/3457lbs) is RWD & will not hold traction off the line or on the 1/2 shift. The M4C is AWD with a very good Launch Control system which maintains traction. Would not run either tire on the Cobra.

[CraigS]

200TW definitely throw pebbles. So put a double layer spat on the rear fenders from the thickest clear bra material you can find. Also, if you like to drive when it is 40f outside, stay away from any tire rated as summer only. The traction drops off drastically as they get below 50f. My wife thought she would just drive her 15 Mustang carefully when she noticed the tires spin up a little one Sept morning on way to work. I drove it that weekend and said we are buying tires. She said I will just be easy on the gas. I said if it won't go, it won't stop either. She said oh, I didn't think of that.

[tpowell7]

Great feedback on sizes, temperature considerations and timing. Really appreciate the feedback guys.

[F500guy]

Well, I am currently looking into tires for my future. I love the 200 TW tires on the road and the track, they throw rocks but feel great. I run Falken 660 on my Miata 225/17 inch. I think I will try the Nexen N Fera sport, They have the recommended tire size for the 18 inch rims. My next choice would be the to the falken 660, tried and true performer.

177831

[tpowell7]

Hey guys. Sorry, one more question for the group. For those running 315/ 35's, what size rim are you on in the back? I have seen posts that say the Nitto's are a thinner tire and fit on 9" rims just fine. Thanks for any feedback.

[Papa]

Hey guys. Sorry, one more question for the group. For those running 315/ 35's, what size rim are you on in the back? I have seen posts that say the Nitto's are a thinner tire and fit on 9" rims just fine. Thanks for any feedback.

Look at the tire dimensions and I think the answer will be clear. The 315mm width is 12.4" wide. The recommended rim width for a 315 is 10.5-11.5". The maximum "recommended" width tire for a 9" rim is a 275mm.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

You also need to remember when a tire company "specs" the tire they use the middle of the range as their base to generate the tires size numbers they publish. To me that suggests the outer range numbers are as far as you want to go but the middle would be better.

Nittos own printed spec for the G2 315 is 10.5-(11.0)-12.5. 11" being their recommended wheel. I am on the skinny side with mine as the FFR 17"s I have are 10.5".

Think the internet chatter about 9" wheel being OK are guys looking to justify what they did. 315's are cool so I am running 315's no matter what the NITTO spec says.

[CraigS]

I have always been all for cramming a little extra width tire on a rim but not that much extra. the 10.5x17s and 11x18s are great for 315 tires.

[JeffP]

I'm running these, https://lmr.com/item/WK-1007UBG/mustang-fr500-wheel-kit-94-04-gloss-black , 10.5"

[tpowell7]

Thanks guys! I have my plan!

[emac]

I ran the NT01'S ON A BMW for autocrossing....incredible grip compared to regular tires. I would love to try out the Cobra with a set on a course. For me, 15" GY billboards for the look.