Drag Radials: Too sloppy in the corners?

[TheJeanyus]

I need two tires pretty bad, and since I'm not driving the car nearly as much lately I'm considering a pair of 315 Nitto 555Rs. I've only put about 2500 miles on the car since May, and that includes a Dragon run that was almost 1000 miles and a trip to Panama City, so I'm not all that concerned about tire life. My main concern is how the tires will perform in the turns. I know they'll stick, but I'm worried that the sidewalls are too soft. The RIIs have a stiffer sidewall, but they don't come in a 315 (biggest in a 17" is 275). So, those of you who have drag radials, tell me what you think.

[93Cobra#2771]

I have heard of people actually autocrossing with them. If you had been looking last week, you could have scored a sweet deal on ebay - 301 bux for a brand new set, in the size you are looking for.

How wide is the rim they are going on?

[TheJeanyus]

10th Anniversary wheel - 17" X 9".

I want to say Discount Tire Direct has them for like $153 each.

[93Cobra#2771]

I thought they were right at $200 each. Hmm, let me check:

$173 each, actually. My size I just got are $144 each.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail.do?cs=315&pc=40203&rd=17&ar=35

[TheJeanyus]

$173 isn't too bad. I paid nearly that for these Kuhmo Ecsta MXs. They're a lot stickier than the stock F1s, but they've worn out in less than 10,000 miles. And they don't hook nearly like a drag radial. Nitto 555 street tires will be replacing them on the front (275/40-17) eventually, but for now I want to move the rears to the front and put something else in the back.

[QWKSNKE]

well with the high ass air pressure you like to run, the sidewalls probably won't give.

Seriously, in a 17" application, I don't think you will any more sidewall flex then you would in a normal street tire.

[TheJeanyus]

Seriously, in a 17" application, I don't think you will any more sidewall flex then you would in a normal street tire.
That's what I'm hoping. It's not like it's a 15" ET street or something.

As for air pressure, I currently run 40 psi, but will probably run more along the lines of 27 - 30 in a drag radial on the street.

[QWKSNKE]

I jack mine up to about 25 on the dragon run and run 20-22 normally

[TheJeanyus]

:hmm: Maybe I need to try a little less pressure. Maybe that's why I can't 60' better than 2.1 - 2.0.

[Wicked]

I have 275 DR"s on an 8" wheel and feel as though there is a little sidewall flex. But of course that due to having an oversized tire for my wheel size.

Regardless, the DR's hook like mad around corners when warm.

Are you sure you want a 315 on a 9 inch wheel?

[TheJeanyus]

Are you sure you want a 315 on a 9 inch wheel?
:yup: Nittos run a lot narrower than other companies. I've seen a lot of people running 315s on 9" wheels without a problem.

[AngelEyes]

IMO, if a 555R sticks in a real sharp corner, you're not driving hard enough. :D

[hevymtl]

I guess Im going to break down and buy me some new ones too. Like you were saying about the Cobra, since I dont drive it much anymore it wont hurt it. I can also run my 555's in the summer.

BTW,I found Blake to have the best deal on them.:burnout:

[Wicked]

:yup: Nittos run a lot narrower than other companies. I've seen a lot of people running 315s on 9" wheels without a problem.

We all know they run narrower. But the point is, even a Nitto 315 is oversized for a 9" wheel if you are that worried about handling.

The normal people who put on the 315's are more worried about putting 500rwhp to the ground than going around curves.

[Sendero]

Even at high pressures, you can roll a 555R's sidewall over. Jennifer ran 315's on my 9" Cobra R's all season and she was able to roll the sidewall over even at close to 60psi.

If you seriously want to turn corners you'll need to pass on the 555R's. But if they are just for street use, then they'll be ok.

[TheJeanyus]

Well I won't be autocrossing on them or anything, but they will be on the car on the next Dragon Run.

As for putting 500 rwhp to the ground, my car doesn't make quite that much, but over 400 is still hard to put to the ground. I'd like to be able to atleast use 2nd gear on the street and still be able to corner.

[QWKSNKE]

Nittos on my car are worthless until 4th gear in cold weather. When the pavement is warm, they will hook on the street in 3rd most of the time.

-BUT-


I make over 500ft/lbs to the ground from 12-14psi

[TheJeanyus]

:werd:

[Sendero]

Well I won't be autocrossing on them or anything, but they will be on the car on the next Dragon Run.

As for putting 500 rwhp to the ground, my car doesn't make quite that much, but over 400 is still hard to put to the ground. I'd like to be able to atleast use 2nd gear on the street and still be able to corner.

Either way, you're asking if the 555R will do something its really not designed for (ie side loads greater than normal street use). There's not going to be a real clear answer because its a big gray area between "corners" and "track use" dependant on driver, vehicle weight, and suspension.

The real answer will be in how comfortable you are pitching a car into corners shod with tires not designed for "corner-burning" side loads. I believe Lee is still on his R2's, which in one of our converstations he stated that they still hooked well at the track and handled well in the curves. I remember specifically asking about their drag effectiveness vs. the softer sidewalled R1's.

Knowing what you have (car wise) and what you might want to do with the car later on, I'd seriously look at the 275 R2's.

[TheJeanyus]

Either way, you're asking if the 555R will do something its really not designed for (ie side loads greater than normal street use). There's not going to be a real clear answer because its a big gray area between "corners" and "track use" dependant on driver, vehicle weight, and suspension.

The real answer will be in how comfortable you are pitching a car into corners shod with tires not designed for "corner-burning" side loads. I believe Lee is still on his R2's, which in one of our converstations he stated that they still hooked well at the track and handled well in the curves. I remember specifically asking about their drag effectiveness vs. the softer sidewalled R1's.

Knowing what you have (car wise) and what you might want to do with the car later on, I'd seriously look at the 275 R2's.
I'd prefer the stiffer sidewall of the R2. I just wish they came in something wider than a 275. Of course, if a 275 is hooking half way decent in Lee's car in 3rd gear during the warmer months it would probably work for my car in 2nd gear.

[Sendero]

I'd prefer the stiffer sidewall of the R2. I just wish they came in something wider than a 275. Of course, if a 275 is hooking half way decent in Lee's car in 3rd gear during the warmer months it would probably work for my car in 2nd gear.

Well, then you could use what Jennifer has. Nitto NT-01's (link) (http://www.nittotire.com/tires_nt01.asp), although they are not recommended for rain use. :jester:

[TheJeanyus]

Well, then you could use what Jennifer has. Nitto NT-01's (link) (http://www.nittotire.com/tires_nt01.asp), although they are not recommended for rain use. :jester:
Dang, that's a wild looking tire! I'm going with something I can drive in the rain, though. I guess what I really need to do is buy a pair of regular 555s and one day pick up another set of wheels to put some BFG or MT drag radials on for the track.