Road Racing - Anyone Tried Running Nitto NT555Rs (not RIIs) in auto-x/road course?

The reason I ask is because I used to run the RIIs on my C5Z and absolutely loved them. They stuck like glue in both auto-x and at my HPDE events, then I could air them down and jump out of the hole like I was on DRs at the drag strip. However, I've recently made the budget minded switch to a fourth gen SS Camaro (love the car) and am looking at possibly sticking with 17"s at all four corners. Herein lies the issue - The NT555RII is only offered in a 275/40 for a 17" wheel, which is great for my front tires, but I want to run a 315/35 in the rear. Hence, the reason I ask about the NT555R drag radial, which is available in said size.

I'm aware the only true difference between the two tires is the pliability of the sidewall with the RII obviously being the firmer of the two. However, I'm not certain how big that difference really is. I've seen people run the NT555Rs aired up at auto-x events, and they seemed to do fine, but I never had a chance to really inquire about their performance.

So, has anyone attempted using these tires in auto-x/road racing applications and, if so, how did they perform?

Two questions:

Why the staggered wheel set up? Running 275's up front with 315's in the rear is going to understeer like a bastard. You'd be much better off running a balanced set up - either 275's or 315's all around.

Have you considered the NT05, NT01, or the Kuhmo Ecsta XS? The triple nickles are a great tire, but I'd be more inclined to go with either the NT01 or the Kuhmo's for an AutoX/road course tire. You could always go for some Hoosier A6's too. ;)

I wouldnt. Dont want that soft sidewall to be flexing all day if you plan on doing a road course.

Two questions:

Why the staggered wheel set up? Running 275's up front with 315's in the rear is going to understeer like a bastard. You'd be much better off running a balanced set up - either 275's or 315's all around.

Have you considered the NT05, NT01, or the Kuhmo Ecsta XS? The triple nickles are a great tire, but I'd be more inclined to go with either the NT01 or the Kuhmo's for an AutoX/road course tire. You could always go for some Hoosier A6's too. ;)

Because my car is more of an "all purpose" car than a purely road course/auto-x car, I wanted to wider rear for better traction out of the hole when drag racing. The setup I've been pondering is a 285/35R18 F, 305/35R18 R NT555RII, but that would require the acquisition of a set of 18" wheels.

Now, being that this car sees a lot of street use (~10-12k per year), I figured the NT01s probably weren't the best idea. I live in Seattle and the car will, hence, also see a bit of rainy day driving. If my assumption is wrong, please provide your feedback. I ran the NT555RIIs in the rain multiple times with absolutely no issues, so long as I stayed away from standing water, obviously.

As for the NT05s, had them on a built Mustang Notch I recently sold, and I honestly was not impressed with them. Granted, the car was extremely powerful which makes traction a bit of a moot point outside of running full slicks, but the tires just seemed greasy after heating up.

You also asked "why not run 315s all around?" Well, I figured that was WAY too big for a front tire. Can these things still turn lock to lock with little or no rubbing with that big of a tire up front...? If so, I may get my hands on a set of four 18 X 10.5" C5Z rears and just run the 305/35 RIIs all the way around.

555R's are fine on the road course. I think I ran around 30psi in my rears with no signs of the sidewall rolling over. My car understeered like a bitch off the throttle then oversteered a ton on the power with 275's up front and 315's out back. Front's were NT01's so I was hoping they would offset the extra width the rear had but they didn't.

DONT RUN A STAGGERED SETUP.. It seriously will handle and turn like shit on a road course.

I actually currently run an NT01/555R setup on my car right now at the track. I got the tires for free and I couldn't think of a better use for them.

They do OK, but they have let go before my fronts, a few times.. It has been controllable, but still unwanted.

My next tire purchase will be NT01's or RA1's at all 4 corners, all in a 275. I have a few extra sets of rims for R compounds though. My street tires are Toyo Proxie 4s..

You also asked "why not run 315s all around?" Well, I figured that was WAY too big for a front tire. Can these things still turn lock to lock with little or no rubbing with that big of a tire up front...? If so, I may get my hands on a set of four 18 X 10.5" C5Z rears and just run the 305/35 RIIs all the way around.

I run 17x11's all the way around for AutoX with no rubbing issues. 315/35R17's fit just fine for RR or AutoX purposes. On the street I just run the factory WS6 wheels with a 275. I can honestly say that after having driven both a balanced and staggered set up, I much prefer the tires be equal width on all fours. The car corners better and is a lot more predictable. If you're going to the drag strip, bring some slicks and skinnies if the extra few pounds from a larger diameter front wheel is that big of a deal.

If you want one more good reason for a larger diameter front, think about this: You happen to be going 140+ and need to slow down quickly. Is your car going to stop faster, or slower with a greater contact patch with which to grab the road?

I run 17x11's all the way around for AutoX with no rubbing issues. 315/35R17's fit just fine for RR or AutoX purposes. On the street I just run the factory WS6 wheels with a 275. I can honestly say that after having driven both a balanced and staggered set up, I much prefer the tires be equal width on all fours. The car corners better and is a lot more predictable. If you're going to the drag strip, bring some slicks and skinnies if the extra few pounds from a larger diameter front wheel is that big of a deal.

If you want one more good reason for a larger diameter front, think about this: You happen to be going 140+ and need to slow down quickly. Is your car going to stop faster, or slower with a greater contact patch with which to grab the road?

So, the 17x11's up front don't even rub at full lock? What offset are they? I'm now considering 18x10.5's w/295s at all four corners.

So, the 17x11's up front don't even rub at full lock? What offset are they? I'm now considering 18x10.5's w/295s at all four corners.

Nope - not even with the suspension loaded going around a corner. They're 17x11's with 56mm & 36mm offset. The car's lowered and I run a 15mm spacer on the rear with extended wheel studs. It's a really great set up actually, I like it a lot.

Nope - not even with the suspension loaded going around a corner. They're 17x11's with 56mm & 36mm offset. The car's lowered and I run a 15mm spacer on the rear with extended wheel studs. It's a really great set up actually, I like it a lot.

I'm really surprised a +56mm 11.0" fits up front with no issues... No spacers or anything for the fronts?

I'm really surprised a +56mm 11.0" fits up front with no issues... No spacers or anything for the fronts?

Nope - no spacers up front. :) I can put the wheels on Tuesday and shoot some pics if you want. It's supposed to thunderstorm tomorrow else I'd do it then.

Nope - no spacers up front. :) I can put the wheels on Tuesday and shoot some pics if you want. It's supposed to thunderstorm tomorrow else I'd do it then.

If you don't mind doing that, it would be great. :cheers:

My OE Wheels 17x11 ZR1 replicas with a 50mm offset do require a spacer not to rub on the spindle. I'm currently running a 5/16" spacer but a 7/32" one works too. They don't rub the inner fender and I do put them through their range of motion. Here is an autocross picture showing them in a pretty extreme circumstance. I do have a set of 18x10.5's as well and they do not require a spacer.

http://www.musclecarsoforlando.100megs25.com/jeff/2864262248_03c1ccb20a_o.jpg

The reason I ask is because I used to run the RIIs on my C5Z and absolutely loved them. They stuck like glue in both auto-x and at my HPDE events, then I could air them down and jump out of the hole like I was on DRs at the drag strip. However, I've recently made the budget minded switch to a fourth gen SS Camaro (love the car) and am looking at possibly sticking with 17"s at all four corners. Herein lies the issue - The NT555RII is only offered in a 275/40 for a 17" wheel, which is great for my front tires, but I want to run a 315/35 in the rear. Hence, the reason I ask about the NT555R drag radial, which is available in said size.

I'm aware the only true difference between the two tires is the pliability of the sidewall with the RII obviously being the firmer of the two. However, I'm not certain how big that difference really is. I've seen people run the NT555Rs aired up at auto-x events, and they seemed to do fine, but I never had a chance to really inquire about their performance.

So, has anyone attempted using these tires in auto-x/road racing applications and, if so, how did they perform?


personally go with the new NT05 not the drag ones just the NT05 i run them on my car and they are unbeatable on the street and autox they have the best grip and break away then any other tire i have tried please serously do some research on them I SWEAR by these tires i have a 99 z28 that i drag and auto cross a ton and i run 17x11 front and rear

here is a pic of my car
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/racerfox/DSC00007.jpg

i can not break my car loose with NT05"s

My OE Wheels 17x11 ZR1 replicas with a 50mm offset do require a spacer not to rub on the spindle. I'm currently running a 5/16" spacer but a 7/32" one works too. They don't rub the inner fender and I do put them through their range of motion. Here is an autocross picture showing them in a pretty extreme circumstance. I do have a set of 18x10.5's as well and they do not require a spacer.

http://www.musclecarsoforlando.100megs25.com/jeff/2864262248_03c1ccb20a_o.jpg

Looks good. What are the offsets of the 18 X 10.5"s you have?

Bump for a great thread. I've done a bit of research on this too and came to the conclusion that I'll be just fine using the 555R's at my HPDE in June.

Sure it isn't the perfect road course tire, however we should be able to get by on them just fine. The alternative was buying another set of tires (and or wheels for the road course days) and then dealing with the time and expense of changing them back out for street driving and or track (drag) time.

Bump for a great thread. I've done a bit of research on this too and came to the conclusion that I'll be just fine using the 555R's at my HPDE in June.

Sure it isn't the perfect road course tire, however we should be able to get by on them just fine. The alternative was buying another set of tires (and or wheels for the road course days) and then dealing with the time and expense of changing them back out for street driving and or track (drag) time.

the NT05 are better then the 555R...

personally go with the new NT05 not the drag ones just the NT05 i run them on my car and they are unbeatable on the street and autox they have the best grip and break away then any other tire i have tried please serously do some research on them I SWEAR by these tires i have a 99 z28 that i drag and auto cross a ton and i run 17x11 front and rear

here is a pic of my car
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/racerfox/DSC00007.jpg

i can not break my car loose with NT05"s

What wheels are those? They look similar to the CCW Classics, but I can tell they aren't. I feel like a broken record with the question I'm about to ask but; what are the offsets and do you use spacers?

I actually ran the NT05s on a Fox body I had and wasn't all that impressed with them, but I also didn't get a chance to really put them to the test in auto-x before I sold the car. And breaking the tires loose with 465 rwhp in a 2,800 lb car is just a given.

yea my car had 450 rwhp and 408 foot pounds but the NT05 in 17x11 are so grippy its hard honestly i dont know the offset the fronts are with spacers

my NT05 lasted me a while and with proper psi in them it was hard to break them under 70 mhp on a auto x course

yea my car had 450 rwhp and 408 foot pounds but the NT05 in 17x11 are so grippy its hard honestly i dont know the offset the fronts are with spacers

my NT05 lasted me a while and with proper psi in them it was hard to break them under 70 mhp on a auto x course

Very good info. Seeing that the car will see a lot of street use, NT05s would be a good option. Now I just need to get my car up in the air so I can take some measurements and figure out the ideal offset for a 10.5" in the front.

Looks good. What are the offsets of the 18 X 10.5"s you have?

The 18x10.5's are 56mm offset ones by OE Wheels. Here is a current Ebay auction for the ones I'm currently running on all four corners. Ebay Auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/One-Wheel-18-Machined-wheels-rims-fit-Corvette-C5-1988-/390307098859?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ae01db0eb)

I've run 285/30's and 295/30's on these rims and I really like the 295's from both an aesthetic and performance stand point. This is what the 295's look like with a 5/16" spacer. You don't need the spacer but I run it to help with clearance for my brake duct hoses.

http://www.musclecarsoforlando.100megs25.com/jeff/C5%20Replica1.jpg
http://www.musclecarsoforlando.100megs25.com/jeff/C5%20Replica2.jpg

The 18x10.5's are 56mm offset ones by OE Wheels. Here is a current Ebay auction for the ones I'm currently running on all four corners. Ebay Auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/One-Wheel-18-Machined-wheels-rims-fit-Corvette-C5-1988-/390307098859?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ae01db0eb)

I've run 285/30's and 295/30's on these rims and I really like the 295's from both an aesthetic and performance stand point. This is what the 295's look like with a 5/16" spacer. You don't need the spacer but I run it to help with clearance for my brake duct hoses.

http://www.musclecarsoforlando.100megs25.com/jeff/C5%20Replica1.jpg
http://www.musclecarsoforlando.100megs25.com/jeff/C5%20Replica2.jpg

Thanks for getting the shots up!

I'm extremely surprised by how well those fronts stay within the body lines, especially with the added spacer. Aren't those things pretty heavy though?

I used nitto drag radials once when i autocrossed and i came in second place with my street car to a mustang dedicated to autocross they worked well for me

Aren't those things pretty heavy though?

I never did weigh them but yes they are heavy and one of these years I'll spring for a set of CCW's for the old girl. I got those cheap enough that I just didn't care.

hey racerfox id really like to know what brand wheels is that you have on your car .. just saw them and had to find out =D

hey racerfox id really like to know what brand wheels is that you have on your car .. just saw them and had to find out =D

ok they are old school American racing wheels i got a friend who has auto x with them for all most 10 years

my vote get ccws man they great wheels and i run a 1/4'' spacer up front

NT05 s are the best street tire that you can get miles out of if you only drive your car 7k or less get nt01s they are like 4$ more i think and worth it

here is a friend of mines auto x car and he runs 17x12!!! front and rear

I run the hankook ventus k110's and love them. I get within 2 seconds of the cars running slicks in my class at auto-x and they have excellent straight traction too. I was in a rain storm once on a concrete road and took off from a dead stop in my 383rwhp SS I was 75% throttle half-way through first then 100% all the way through third... they never even struggled...

I get a lot more life out of them then other tires I have tried, I think on average i get close to a year out of them whereas it was like 7 months on the kuhmo ecsta supra I used to run. The road noise is average.