Tire Choice... Street And Strip

[sen2two]

I'm having a hard time deciding on a set of rear tires for my draglites. The car is my daily driver but I want it to hook on the street and the track. But also get at least a year (1o,000 miles) before I need a new set. I'm also trying to keep it under the $300 range. If you have a better selection, please add to it and where to get them.

I'm looking at:

Found both of these on eBay.

275/50/15 Nitto 555r vs. BFGoodrich Radial T/A Tire 275/60/15

 

[sen2two]

Also found 275/60/15 Cooper Cobra and Firestone Indy 500 Firehawk

 

[madspeed]

555r's here and they do pretty well

 

[sen2two]

555r are considered Drag Radials right?

 

[2000xp8]

The nittos drag radials are good, but when they start to get low on tread they are treacherous in the rain.
So you can expect about 5,000 safe miles out of them (that's not including track burnouts) and then another 5,000 that start to feel a little risky in bad weather.
If it wasn't a daily driver the second 5,000 wouldn't be so bad.

 

[sen2two]

I'm thinking of moving up from the 275 to 295 just for more selections. These are what I am looking at:

http://www.onlinetires.com/user/vehicle/tires/allbrands.html

 

[2000xp8]

I'm thinking of moving up from the 275 to 295 just for more selections. These are what I am looking at:

http://www.onlinetires.com/user/vehicle/tires/allbrands.html

Then you better start thinking about rubbing.

 

[sen2two]

and 275/60/15 choices are better than 275/50/15 too.

http://www.onlinetires.com/user/vehicle/tires/allbrands.html

 

[85rkyboby]

What size rim do you have to have to run 295? Shoot I had rubbing with 275. Rolled my fenders, bat method, and it would rub a little but not as bad...

 

[sen2two]

Then you better start thinking about rubbing.

I still currently have the quad shocks installed with no rubbing problems at all. So I am sure 295s would fit if I flipped or removed them. And my inside fender lip is already rolled just for insurance.

85rkyboby, I have 15x8 with 5.5" backspacing. The car is lowered 1.5 inches.

 

[85rkyboby]

I have 5.71 17x9 gt500 wheels with 275 and they rub. Is this because backspacing.

 

[2000xp8]

I still currently have the quad shocks installed with no rubbing problems at all. So I am sure 295s would fit if I flipped or removed them. And my inside fender lip is already rolled just for insurance.

85rkyboby, I have 15x8 with 5.5" backspacing. The car is lowered 1.5 inches.

Nothing is a sure thing when the tires are that wide. I'd bet under certain circumstances they rub somewhere and there will be a possibility of losing the quads completely.
Once you buy tires, you own them, there is no second chance.

 

[90lxwhite]

Once you buy tires, you own them, there is no second chance.

Same goes w VD

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Personally, I wouldn't run any of them on the street. They're all out to kill you the moment the pavement gets wet, or sandy. The Nitto's would be the closest to streetable of the bunch...and wouldn't you know it, provide the least amount of traction.

Keep a spare set of wheels and buy a good set of Drag Radials for track days. I've had excellent luck with Mickey Thompson ET Street Radials in the past and would buy another set in a heartbeat!

 

[85rkyboby]

I guess the almost whole 1/4 extra backspacing is to much. I like the Nitto NT555's

 

[A5literMan]

I've got Nitto's also. Not very good at the track but do ok on the street. But I haven't driven them in any wet conditions.

 

[85rkyboby]

They work better than the ?nexus? or sumitomo tires I had before in the rain. I know those are cheaper tires but that's all I have to compare to.

 

[f8tlfiveo]

I had the 555r's in the wet they were great. In the rain not so much because of no tread. I broke an axle at the track with them. I never had any issues with the ones I had

 

[A5literMan]

When I broke an axle it was with M&H bias ply tires launching at 5k. Never broke one with radials. The Nitto's spin beyond 3.5 on my car(before a more drag racing suspension I'm installing). Mine are 275/40-17s

 

[RangerJoe]

I run the Nitto 555r's. I put about 5000 miles on mine and they are gone. That was about 20 track passes with burnouts, and probably just as many street burnouts as well. Not the greatest at the track, but I did cut .6 off my 1/8th mile with them vs. regular street tires. They are not bad in the rain either, just slow down and use your head.

Joe