Just wondering if a nitto 555r (245/50/16) migth hook better than a bfg Dr(255/50/16) or if it would be worth it jsut to go with a 275/50/17 of either on a 17 inch rim, Thanks.

-Mark

 

The BFG will hook much better, but the Nitto will out-live it. Also, the Nitto's aren't as scary in the rain as the BFG's are. Hope this helps

 

Is this between the 255bfg vs 245 nitto? Or for all nitto vs bfg any size?

 

Generally, the BFGs are softer than the Nittos. Most get about twice the mileage out of the Nittos than with the BFGs. I've been using the BFGs since 1996 and they work great...The new M/T ET Street Radials are worth a look though...
--Alan

 

I just took delivery of a set of BFG's and love them I also had Nitto's in the past. I think the tread design looks better on the Nittos if that matters to you. And as the others said the Bfg's are softer and come with less tread on them. Nittos are more for a daily driver in my opinion.

 

I always ran BFGs and had very good luck with them. A friend had some new Nitto's and I switched out with him at the track to see what the diff. would be and I didnt like them as much. Could have been that I was not use to them tho. But I'll just stick with my BFGs.

 

16" vs 17" = 1 inch of difference in width and extra weight on the 17" so I would give up that 1" and keep the lighter rotating mass.

BFG hooks more - think 1.6 for a good time with BFG

Nitto lasts more - think 1.7 for a good time with Nitto

(and yes better times are had by both but average person is what I am considering for comparison)

(I own both..MOUNTED.. ready.. and a pair of ET Streets unmounted.)

 

From what I hear, the new Mickey Thompson radials own them both.

 

When you say give up the inch are you saying go with the smaller 16 inch rim? Or the wider 17 inch? let me know. Thanks.

-Mark

 

he mentions going from the 16x8 with 245ish size to the possible 17x9 with 275 width.

i'm not sure which you were refering to as being "less rotational mass"?

the extra width on the 17" tire will pretty much negate the decrease in amount of sidewall. so rotational mass should be relatively the same...least not enough to worry about.

i know ws6.com did a dyno comparison, 17x9 WS6 rims with 275s against a widened version of that rim...widened to 17x11 with 315s.
he saw about a 3hp loss at the wheels

also realize that the 17s will have less sidewall which will be inherently stiffer, ie...less wrinkle effect. this equates to marginally less traction.

i've heard alot of guys complain about not being able to hook when they switched from 16s to 17/18s.

 

the inch you give up is the width of the 245 vs 275.

the 16" is lighter against most 17"
the tires as well are going to be lighter.
Rotating mass multiplies out so small differences get huge once they are moving..

Ill always run 16".