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Best Tires

Old 05-20-2004, 08:49 AM
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Best Tires

I'm hoping to get some drag radials soon, but I wanted to get some advice on whether they're best for me.. And also what the widest tire I can get is.. I have the stock wheels on a '96 Z28.. I also have some extra wheels from my wrecked 96 V6, so I could put the DRs on the extra wheels and switch them when I don't need em on there..

I just want a tire that gives me the best possible traction when launching hard and is at least decent in the rain (I know nothing is gonna be great in the rain and I don't plan on driving them in the rain much, but if I'm stuck I don't want a nightmare)..

So would you reccomend Nittos or BF Goodrich or something else and what width can I fit that will give me the best launch?

Thanks.

Also, if you know where the cheapest place to get them is, so far I'm just looking at the "usual" f-body websites for parts...
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Old 05-20-2004, 09:13 AM
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I have goodyear eagle f1's. Great traction and pretty good treadwear. They have a traction rating of "AA" Which means braking in the rain. Some will tell you they are overpriced. But check out www.tirerack.com.
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Old 05-20-2004, 09:30 AM
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I would go with the Nitto 555R Drag Radials. They usually will outlast the BFG's and IMO hook just as well although some will argue otherwise. If you don't go nuts on how often you burnout at the track then they can last anywhere from 10-15k miles. But they can get hairy in the rain after you pass the 6k mile mark on them so be careful.

As far as width I can't help you there. I'm not sure if there are any differences in the tire sizes from LS1 to LT1. But I can tell you that you want the widest you can fit on that rim. For LS1's I know the 315's work the best but do not fit on stock rims. 275's might fit though. I just went with my exact size for now and got the weaker 245's but maybe someone else can chime in and let you know if 275's will fit your rims.

Good luck

Last edited by darrens99formul; 05-20-2004 at 09:34 AM.
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Old 05-20-2004, 05:32 PM
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If you don't get all crazy, and know how to drive in inclimate weather, DR's won't be too bad in the rain. I've driven with bald Nitto's for a couple months without any problems, but I've got a lot of bad weather experience under my belt.

So yeah, if you can handle it, definately go Nitto DR's. The BFGs don't last very long.
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Old 05-20-2004, 07:32 PM
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Im in the same predicament as you. I have stock 97 camaro wheels which are the same width I think as yours and there 16 inch. What I'm almost for sure gonna go with is the BFG Comp T/A Drag radial size 255/50/16. Reason is because I have heard the BFG hooks better than Nittos and the only Nitto that would fit is size 245/50/16 (same as stock) a little smaller, so I would think they wouldnt hook as good. True the Nitto would probably last a little longer, but who cares! I'm going for max traction cause I'm gonna be installing some 3.73's here in the coming month so I'm gonna need some traction.

Price wise the 2 are very comparable just basically depends on where you get them from.
BFG's are 133.00 from tirerack.com
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Last edited by MarkyMark; 09-14-2011 at 01:17 PM.
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Old 05-20-2004, 09:57 PM
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Just got the KDW, 285/40/17 all around, and they are like glue! I feel like the big "S" man in turns. At the 30mph drop in gears (a4), I barely get a cherp good I guess.
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Old 05-23-2004, 10:02 AM
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Thanks guys.. Does anyone know for sure though on the width I can get on the stock salad shooters? Can I get away with 275's or any higher without running into problems? Or are 255's the most I can run?
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Old 05-23-2004, 04:44 PM
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I dont think they make drag radial 275's for 16 inch rims. Correct me if I'm wrong but the biggest size I have seen in 16 inch radials is bfg 255's. For a regular tire though I belive 275's would work.
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Last edited by MarkyMark; 09-14-2011 at 01:18 PM.
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Old 05-23-2004, 08:30 PM
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So would I get better traction off the 255 dr's or the regular 275 tire? I'm assuming dr's, but just guessing really...
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Old 05-24-2004, 04:17 AM
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I'd be guessing too, but I would definately think the drag radials would hook better. Anyone with some expert knowledge know?
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Last edited by MarkyMark; 09-14-2011 at 01:18 PM.
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