I just bought a 93 TA GT. This one is almost 100% built already, and I'll update my sig and site later to reflect the mods.

It came with 335/35/17 and 275/40/17 Michelin Pilot Sport AS tires...... essentially Viper tires. The left rear is leaking air and all have worn tread, so I want to get some new meat on the car before I start abusing her.

I'm probably going to replace the tires with dimensions of....
315/35-17 and
275/40-17

What I want to know is... how well do Nittos handle? And Drag Radials too, for that matter. I'm deciding between the new Goodyear F1 GS-D3 tires on all 4 or a combo of Nitto 555 Extremes up front with Nitto DRs in the rear.

This is a weekend-only car and will basically be put through its paces every time I get behind the wheel. The suspension and chassis are completely modified and maximized over stock on this car. Right now, it corners like a dervish!!!

The Nitto set can be had for $700 and the F1s for $900.... so a negligible price difference, really.

SO... to those of you who have had Nitto DRs... how competent are they in taking a hard turn? Are they only good for straight-line? What's the consensus?

(I would get the 555 R II's, but they don't make the right size I need for a 17" rim)

Thanks for the help guys! With luck I'll be tearing it up again by next weekend.

 

Don't know much about the F1's, but my friends have the nitto's and they grip real nice. One of them have some trouble doing a douhgnut since his nittos were gripping too well. Trust me he's running about 350 rwhp.

 

Go with the Nitto's. They are awesome. They will corner well with the short sidewall, and straightline traction is awesome.

 

I've got the goodyears and love them. Very predictable tire and wears pretty well too. Try tirerack.com and ship them to a tire store. That will save you some $

 

i have a set of goodyears on my 18" and i love them, in sun or in the rain. Grip well.

 

For a limited use car, I'd go with the Nitto 555 R IIs up front and the 555 Rs in the rear. Run the fronts at about 32psi and rears at about 35psi, this will help make up for the softer side wall of the 555 R. I used this exact setup on my 92 Vette for everyday use and roadcourse use and it was excellent.

 

Well since you said it was a weekend only car, i doubt it will be driven in the rain, and that is the Eagle F1 GS-D3's strong point over the nittos. So i am sure you would want the added traction, go with the Nittos.

(I got the Eagle F1's on my car right now, they are great to drive on, hook ok, great tire, but for drag racing or heavy acceleration i woudl go with the nittos)

 

Yeah, no plans to drive in the rain very often.

So...... the Nitto DR can take HARD corners?

 

Absolutely, as long as you've got them inflated properly (30psi or higher). I actually used the DRs (in a 315 on 11" wheels) on the back of both previous Vettes for roadcourse track days. They performed wonderfully. I've even talked to a few folks that run them at all 4 corners for autox/roadcourse use with great results.