What tires/what size?

[97stanger]

I'm currently running Kumho Ecsta MX's (245/40/18 up front and 275/40/18 rear) on Saleen 18x9 rims all around. This car is driven a decent amount during the summer, but I need something that will hook good. Just seeing what tires you guys would recommend/whats the biggest i could go outback without having problems on a 18x9 rim. thanks guys

 

[Blind]

I have very little traction problems past 1st gear with 275/40 nitto nt555's on the back of my `89 which is a h/c/i 5.0 with 3.73 gears and an s-trim.

 

[97stanger]

thats good to know. I was looking at going with that exact setup. 275/40/18 nitto 555R's, aren't the 555's only high performance street tires?

 

[97stanger]

hmm just noticed that the 555Rs come in 285 where as the 555's have the size you were talking about, the 275/40/18. Whats the difference between the 555's and 555R's. It says that they are both radials...

 

[Blind]

I run 555's because they have a stiffer sidewall, they are a ultra high performance street tire, I auto-x the car a lot.


555r's are the drag radials, they have a softer sidewall and are a stickier compound.

I have 17x9 wheels, not 18's btw.

 

[Red96GT]

I don't know what sizes BFG makes in drag radials but I wouldn't recommend them unless you have money to blow. They hook well but even though its a drag radial the tread life is borderline ridiculous.

 

[97stanger]

I was looking at the KDW2s....i mean i really dont drive the car all that much so they might be reasonable.

 

[OnyxCobra]

How do you like those Kumho Ecsta MXs? I'd recommend the 555R, great tire and doesn't wear too fast. I've never heard a bad thing about the KDW2 also, I'm probably going with the BFGs myself. I'd go 285s tops on the 9" rim.

 

[97stanger]

The MX's were great as street tires, but i think i need to step it up a little bit. Yeah i think im going to end up going with the 285 KDW2's.

 

[OnyxCobra]

Why not go for the Nitto drag radial?

 

[97stanger]

Well its still a toss up between the two, but ive heard that the BFG's are way stickier than the Nittos, and with a 400rwhp auto and 4.10s i want the stickiest i can get.

 

[Blue91GT]

Right now I have Kumho 165s up front on 15x 3 1/2" welds and some sort of BFG street tires 245/50/15 out back on 15x8" welds. I plan on going to 275s but I need to roll the fender lip first

 

[OnyxCobra]

You heard the BFG KDW2 was sticker than the Nitto Drag radial?

 

[97stanger]

Absolutely, i have never heard one person say that the Nitto radials were sticker than the BFG's. And im on about 5 forums...

 

[OnyxCobra]

Wow, impressive. Does that include heating the Nittos? They get way stickier after a burnout. I was worried about going from the Nitto Drags to the KDW2 but maybe I'll be okay. I just don't want to spin all the time.

 

[97stanger]

from my findings, people say that yes the Nitto DR does get sticky but you HAVE to do a burnout. I've also heard that the BFGs hook a lot better without even getting warm but they have less treadlife. so you win some, you lose some.

 

[OnyxCobra]

The nittos are always sticky but get tons better after heating. but the KDW2s don't last as long as the DR? That has to suck if thats true. Thanks for the info man.

 

[SoddyRebel]

i run nitto 555's front and rear