Hello everyone,
My dilemna is this. My car is currently putting out 380rwhp and runs terrific on slicks. My problem is sometimes I like to go to the track and run on just my regular street tires and I do some racing on the street occasionally where I can't stop to change to slicks. The tires I currently have on are Pirelli P-zero's in 255/30-18 size. They handle incredibly well but spin like mad with any throttle while attempting to take off fast from a dead stop. The car can not be fed full throttle until around 40mph or more. I know no one makes a 18" drag radial but I was wondering if anyone had any luck with any of the road race tires or any other tires in an 18" size that grip very well.

Thanks,
Ben
1991 RX7 Turbo

 

Ypu need a drag radial or something. Try the NT555R or something. Maybe a victoracer or ecsta mx.

Rishie

 

what about on the street, would a drag radial get hot enough just from regular driving and no burnout to be sticky? let's say in general which would have more grip just driving around on the street a p-zero or an nt555r.

 

Without warm up I'd say the Pzeros. Once warm, **** the 555R I'm sure. I'm not a drag guy though, just a tire guy. Probably want to let some 12 sec. FD guys up in this one.

 

yeah, i'm sure your right rishie, but what i'm wondering is normal driving enough to heat up the triple 5's or does definitely need a burnout?

 

****, I'd have to ask some Camaro guys I know running around with the 555R's. gnx7 I believe uses the 555R's but I'm not sure if he drives them on the street.

The thing to be concerned about with the 555R's is their tread depth and lack of water channelling abilities. I think the best solution is to turn the boost gauge down. hehe.

BTW, if the concrete is hot then the 555R's would probably be sticky. However, if cold there's no way. I made a similar mistake f-ing around with my GTUs on the street with my Hoosier A3S03s. **** didn't grip for **** until I got them hot.

Someone will chime in and save the day. Where's the draggers?

 

for a street slick I agree that the 555R is the way to go. You get the most contact patch and also very soft rubber, good for street/drag. I have a friend who has over 400rwhp who used these tires with much success. The only other way to go is to take a step up and get Kumho victoracers or V700. I don't know if they make the 555r's in 18's though. I believe they were only for 16 and 17 unless they have started making them for 18's

 

I think you're right Vic. max 17's only for the 555R. The new V700 can be had in 18's I believe.

 

I don't think the V700 Victoracers come in 18s, but the new Ecsta V700s do in 265/35-18s. That would be a good fit.

 

Yup, that's the one I meant. THanks Manny.

Rishie

 

Toyo has listed 18" sizes for the RA-1 which would probably be a great choice. The wider widths however, don't seem to be available yet.
Michel

 

Thanks everyone for the input. I wish they made a drag radial in 18" that would fit because I really don't want to run 17's just for that reason. Do you think the Toyo RA-1's or the Ecsta V700's will increase grip enough to warrant buying them over just keeping the P-Zero's?

Thanks,
Ben

 

the toyo ra 1 is a very very nice tire for all occasions. It is very good for road race, auto-x, and also drag racing. Eddie bello ran 9 second timeslips with his porsche using Toyo RA-1's. They will most definitely give you the grip you need. The only downside is that they are pretty damn expensive and also they have a treadwear of only 40 so they won't last you that long either. Also i don't know if they make them in 18's either.

 

Part O' the problem is, 255's aint gonna cut it. I can break my 275/17s loose w/ 330 rwhp or so.... if you've spent the cheeze on 380 rwhp, time to choke off the bucks for some 18 x 10" Fikses and 285/35/18 rears... KDs, S03's ore something.

 

You'll probably break loose just about any tire when the tires are COLD. That's why you do burnouts!

There comes a point where wider doesn't add anymore traction--just more weight!

There's data out there that shows wider tires do NOT increase the contact patch, but wider tires do change the SHAPE of the contact patch.

 

did you check your tire pressure? If it is too high you will have less traction as well. Before you spend money on tires, try playing around with the tire pressure