I've been reading alot the Vette guys really like the Toyo R888's as well.

I might go that route, still up in the air.

 

These will offer more ultimate grip when up to proper temp compared to the NT01. You may want to double check, but I think the R888 are a bit lighter tire too. Always nice to get less rotating mass as another bonus.

At a slight risk of some handing precision from the added sidewall deflection, you would benefit quite a bit moving to a 275/40 at your power level, not just for the added width, but also the gearing change from the overall diameter increase from 25 to 25.7. Id have to double check my gear calculator but should be about equivalent as dropping down to an effective 3.9 rear end. This will allow the car to hook better as well. A bit more sidewall deflection will only help the strait line bite anyway. You have more sidewall to drop air pressures a bit more also.

 

You can't put as much power down as soon as you can at the track without the tires spinning.

 

You can't put as much power down as soon as you can at the track without the tires spinning.
[/quote]

:thumbsup:

Figured that out... Infinity TC system does work quite well though

 

They are making Toyo RA-1 tires in 275/40-17 again. I picked up a set last year.

 

No shit? Nice! Those are what you want

 

Currently on NT 555r's... 275/40/17. They work great so far on the street at 550hp

 

Guys, I REALLY appreciate the input on this thread, I'm still kicking around ideas, but I am almost dead set on the NT-01's from the information I've been reading. They say that Nitto is a subsidiary of Toyo, and the major difference is thread pattern for wet on the Toyo r888 as compared to the NT-01's. Same tire composition/etc. not to mention the cost is cheaper as well for the Nitto's.

Now, I'm stuck, if I should get a 255/40, or step up to the 275/40's, I don't want to rub/etc. Also, I'm on a rear rim of 8.5" currently. Nitto's website recommends a minimum 9' rim for the 275, as opposed to a 255, running on a mimimum of 8.5".

Thoughts?

 

Guys, I REALLY appreciate the input on this thread, I'm still kicking around ideas, but I am almost dead set on the NT-01's from the information I've been reading. They say that Nitto is a subsidiary of Toyo, and the major difference is thread pattern for wet on the Toyo r888 as compared to the NT-01's. Same tire composition/etc. not to mention the cost is cheaper as well for the Nitto's.

Now, I'm stuck, if I should get a 255/40, or step up to the 275/40's, I don't want to rub/etc. Also, I'm on a rear rim of 8.5" currently. Nitto's website recommends a minimum 9' rim for the 275, as opposed to a 255, running on a mimimum of 8.5".

Thoughts?
[/quote]

If your only on an 8.5 and have no plans to change to a wider wheel, then your going to see diminishing returns moving to a 275, wont make much difference from a strait line traction standpoint, other then you would still be getting the gearing benefit. The handling is going to diminish though, which is also important to you. It will feel pretty floaty back there with a 275/40 pinched on a 8.5, so id probably stick with the 255/40, unless you plan on moving to a 10"+ rear. I still think the RA1 will offer you better all around traction then the NT01, and they appear to still make these in a 255/40 as well after a little checking up. The compound is arguably better then the R888 as for total adhesion for the street, and yet unlike the R888 tread pattern, the Ra1 offers more streetable tread design. Look them up if you haven’t. They had always been the go to for a wet traction R comp, or shaved down for the dry. A lot of track guys were disappointed to find the R888 pushed these tires out of production, its nice to see Toyo got smart and is still offering a few sizes again.

I dont know where your getting your information on the NT01, but its pretty common knowledge amongst the road course guys that these offer the least amount of adhesion in an R comp tire, always slower times on these tires. Not that this relates to what your doing with the car per say, but it is an indicator of their adhesion capability, and for someone at your power with just a 255, compound should high on your priority list.

But at the end of the day, tires are a wearable item, and you will eat through any of them, so you will have an opportunity to try them all out and see what works best for you. Might take quite a few years though with your driving frequency. Another thing to keep in mind which im not sure if any of us address yet, that any of these R comps do cycle out, and so the longer they sit around, with some quick hot rod excursions in between, the more they will start to get hard and lose their effective grip, even if you still have tread left. This is where an extreme summer tire is going to work better over a longer duration, even though these can cycle out after a wile too, they are much more forgiving and maintain total grip for longer. But you don’t have the tire width to make an extreme summer work for you, so its all a compromise somehwere.

 

Guys, I REALLY appreciate the input on this thread, I'm still kicking around ideas, but I am almost dead set on the NT-01's from the information I've been reading. They say that Nitto is a subsidiary of Toyo, and the major difference is thread pattern for wet on the Toyo r888 as compared to the NT-01's. Same tire composition/etc. not to mention the cost is cheaper as well for the Nitto's.

Now, I'm stuck, if I should get a 255/40, or step up to the 275/40's, I don't want to rub/etc. Also, I'm on a rear rim of 8.5" currently. Nitto's website recommends a minimum 9' rim for the 275, as opposed to a 255, running on a mimimum of 8.5".

Thoughts?
[/quote]

If your only on an 8.5 and have no plans to change to a wider wheel, then your going to see diminishing returns moving to a 275, wont make much difference from a strait line traction standpoint, other then you would still be getting the gearing benefit. The handling is going to diminish though, which is also important to you. It will feel pretty floaty back there with a 275/40 pinched on a 8.5, so id probably stick with the 255/40, unless you plan on moving to a 10"+ rear. I still think the RA1 will offer you better all around traction then the NT01, and they appear to still make these in a 255/40 as well after a little checking up. The compound is arguably better then the R888 as for total adhesion for the street, and yet unlike the R888 tread pattern, the Ra1 offers more streetable tread design. Look them up if you haven’t. They had always been the go to for a wet traction R comp, or shaved down for the dry. A lot of track guys were disappointed to find the R888 pushed these tires out of production, its nice to see Toyo got smart and is still offering a few sizes again.

I dont know where your getting your information on the NT01, but its pretty common knowledge amongst the road course guys that these offer the least amount of adhesion in an R comp tire, always slower times on these tires. Not that this relates to what your doing with the car per say, but it is an indicator of their adhesion capability, and for someone at your power with just a 255, compound should high on your priority list.

But at the end of the day, tires are a wearable item, and you will eat through any of them, so you will have an opportunity to try them all out and see what works best for you. Might take quite a few years though with your driving frequency. Another thing to keep in mind which im not sure if any of us address yet, that any of these R comps do cycle out, and so the longer they sit around, with some quick hot rod excursions in between, the more they will start to get hard and lose their effective grip, even if you still have tread left. This is where an extreme summer tire is going to work better over a longer duration, even though these can cycle out after a wile too, they are much more forgiving and maintain total grip for longer. But you don’t have the tire width to make an extreme summer work for you, so its all a compromise somehwere.
[/quote]

I love mine. They stopped making one of my sizes though. I think the fronts. 225 40 18

And now looking at what sizes in 18 they still make lol.

Sad face. Fronts not made any more. Pilot sport cup tires are next. 285/30/18 rear.