aaron_douglas

So I have a few questions here. Before I ask, my current setup is 2001 M6 Trans Am with the majority of bolt-ons, stock 3.43 gears, and Sumitomo HTR Z II 275/40/18s on the rear and 245/45/17s on the front on C4 Z06 wheels (they may be C5 Z06, I can't really tell the difference. Not sure if that matters). These were put on by the previous owner. Car has about 120k miles, with brand new Bilstein shocks on all four corners.

So I bought some GM 4.11 gears a while back that I've yet to get installed yet. And the Sumitomos are actually good as a DD, I've NEVER hydroplaned unless I was gassing it on a wet road, but they hook for crap. I've also not taken the car to the track at all, but the car will probably see a 1/4mi track at some point. Maybe an autocross or two in the future, but it's seen nothing with me as a driver now, just a pure DD with occasional spirited driving.

I've been looking at getting some Nitto 555Rs for the rear since they seem to be about the best DR you can get for a DD in terms of tread wear and rain performance.

Questions:

1. Will getting DRs and installing 4.11 gears on a stock rear be asking for trouble? I don't track the car much like I said, but I might occasionally.

2. Right now the rear tire is a 26.6" tall tire and fronts are 25.7". With getting my tire heights closer (I'd get 285/35/18 Nitto 555Rs), would I get a smoother ride? The ride is pretty tough now. Probably due to the Bilsteins.

3. In the future I'd probably get some Nitto 555s up front too to match. Any problem with keeping the Sumitomos up front for now, and getting the 555s later (maybe 6 months later)?

4. I know you can get 10-15k on the 555rs no problem with DD driving, but how long would they be safe in the rain? Rain traction is my primary concern with drag radials. I'll be living central AR in the summer and Houston in the fall & winter so I shouldn't see any winter weather.

5. With it being mostly a DD and probably having the 4.11 gears too, would I be better off with the 555s?

Thanks guys. Everyone is always so helpful here. Any other general recommendations/input are welcome.

smg267

iTrader: (23)

I broke my stock rear with bolt on's and 555r's leaving at 4k on the street. They were absolutely bald after 10k miles and I never took it to the track. They were ok in the rain for the first couple thousand miles. I heard they are pretty worthless on the track compared to Mickey Thompsons.

The 4.11's on a stock 10 bolt are more prone to failure from everything I read as soon as you start hooking.

I have been running Nitto Invo's for the past 4 years and couldn't be happier. They are great in rain, wear slower than 555r and seemed like a good compromise between track tire and street tire. I know a bunch of corvette and viper guys were running them with decent results.

You can mix and match tires if you want. If you can hold out I would do all four and get the sumitumos off the car. I could break them loose going 40.

redtan

iTrader: (5)

I put nearly 20k on a set with a few drag strip outings (with burnouts) and they were just about done in the inside with a little tread left on the shoulders. They still did just fine in the rain even at 15k miles as long as I just took it easy. Don't expect to be able to accelerate hard in the rain and not slide at that point.

aaron_douglas

Yeah I see your point, the 555rs may be too much, especially with a stock 10 bolt. Yeah Invos seem promising.

I agree on the sumitomos. Heck, I can break them lose at 50-55mph if I hit 2nd hard. This is my first V8, and only sports car I've ever driven, so I just assumed that was due to all that LS1 torque, haha.

In that price range (looks like 200-250$) for a couple of rear tires, anything anyone would suggest over the Invo?

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

1. It all depends on how you drive, but if you are easy on things it should be fine.
2. Probably negligible if any.
3. No problems.
4. Depends...mine seemed to do well up till maybe 10k in the rain, and and lasted 15k.
5. Sure the 555's will last longer, but won't stick nearly as well...that one is up to you.

aaron_douglas

Alright cool, thanks.

Would you recommend I go back to equal tire heights, or would it be a good idea to keep the 1" taller rear since I'm going to put the GM 4.11s in at some point anyway?

smg267

iTrader: (23)

I want to say I am running 295 35 18 on back and 275 35 18 front. I didn't want to throw the ABS/ TCS.. So I tried to keep everything as close as possible to stock circumference.

I bought the tires through Discount Tire Direct (Site Sponsor) and they price matched a Ebay competitor and saved me a couple hundred bucks. Great service and super fast shipping!

BrntWS6

iTrader: (7)

I think it really depends on how you drive it and how it's been driven in the past. I've been on 315 dr's with H/C for 2 years now. But the car has never really been beat on as I'm the original owner. I was going to do 3.90's but decided to put that among other things toward a 9".

CamaroSS27

iTrader: (6)

I ran 555r's and barley got 10k out of them and I never went to the track. Driving in rain was really scary, there were a few times that I could feel my rear swaying.

aaron_douglas

Yeah I'm pretty convinced on the Invos. Now just whether I'd be better off going back to a 25.5" rear tire or stay around 26.5" rear and 25.5" front.

I like that the Invos are apparently so quiet.

trik396

iTrader: (4)

I have Nitto 555r's in 285/40 r18's all around and they are too large for my fronts. I'm getting something shorter for front so I will be selling the two of them. They have less than 500 miles onthem. Just a thought.

mjs1012

iTrader: (36)

Why are you running a drag radial in the front?

Op have you looked into toyo proxes tq? Im running them and they are a great drag radial. I haven't been to the track but they hook well on the street with my 3600 stall.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

^^ +1 on the Toyo dr's! Much better than the 555R and last almost as long

aaron_douglas

trik, PMed

How are the Toyo DRs in the rain? Rain is kinda my main issue on DRs.

Also, any other thoughts on whether it's recommended to continue running 1" higher rear than front? I've noticed my ABS act up occasionally but nothing too terrible. Didn't know if it'd be advantageous to keep a slightly taller rear.

Raoul-Duke

iTrader: (6)

Mickey Thompson ET Street II FTW!

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

The Toyo's were just as good in the rain as my 555R's from what I could tell

dailydriver

Way back when I was going for e.t.s I had 555Rs on the back with 4.10s in the 10 bolt.

I did MANY, MANY 12 second passes with ~1.7-1.8 sec. 60 foots at a VERY sticky launch pad track (Atco Raceway) on this setup, and even with a manual, and a very grippy clutch, they held up FINE (NO noise/problems) for 100K miles.

Now for the disclaimer; I did this with MINOR, low power bolt-ons (NOT even the requisite long tubes, LS6 intake, catcon delete which EVERYONE else has done to raise power), and the 4.10s were OEM/GM/AAM, and set up to PERFECTION!!

Just; lid, ported throttle body, and SLP cold air. YMMV.

Silver6sp

iTrader: (2)

i had 4.11s with BFG drag radials for a week and it drove great. then i bolted on my ET Streets, slicks + 4.11 stock diff + 6k clutch dump + 150 N20 shot = bad rear

aaron_douglas

Hah were you trying to break it? Also what's the purpose of launching at an rpm above the torque peak out of curiosity?

Silver6sp

iTrader: (2)

I was just having a good day and feeling good. I chipped the ring gear, 1.59 60ft and 11.27 pass