Besides the factory run-flats, what else is everyone else tried running?

The time has come for new tires on the back of our Corvette.

I am not impressed at all with the Goodyear run flats that came on the car. They are noisier than any other tire I've heard due to the stiffer sidewall, they don't stick worth a damn off of stoplights, and to top it all off, they are expensive as hell.

My first thought is to go with Nitto drag radials as we have always had good luck with them on our F-Bodies. The first problem with Nitto is they don't offer a drag radial in the exact size that's on the car. (Factory size is P275/40-18) Nitto does make a drag radial that's close, P285/35-18.

Has anyone tried these? I have several concerns about going with this setup.

Besides the obvious differences in size, every set of Nittos we've had works with 22-26 pounds of air. This presents problems on a Corvette, since it's got the sensors in the tires for low air pressure. I'm certain there's a way around this, or to disable the sensors for the rear all-together. Other problems are due to size, as this change will also affect the accaracy of the speedometer---and depnding on actual tire width difference, may affect overall stabilty as well.

So-- the Nitto may not be a good solution, and in fact might cause more trouble than it's worth.

So- If I stay with the factory recommended size, what tires have you folks had luck with? The BF Goodrich g-force KD's look good to me, a nice contact patch as my main concern is with straightline traction.

I should point out that I am not concerned with a "run-flat" tire. We plan on taking the Z06 approach to flat tires with a can of "fix-a-flat". The car sees regular everyday street duty, and we plan on taking it to HRP as well.

I know this is mainly an F-body forum, but there's some Corvette owners on here as well, so speak up!

Thanks!

 

Chris do a search on corvette forum, there all kinds of tires out there, I just put faulken on mine, not a bad tire, cheap, and has a good rating. And read many good experiences with them .

jet

 

What do you think about their straightline performance? You know Kim, tire frying is her thing.

 

Well they will spin for sure, just have to tell her to keep out of it a bit, but I like them and there a great tire for me. If she wants stick and expensive and to change tires out a lot, then BFG DR is great. I think there are other tires out there that can be had that are a little better but 150-200 more in price, better IMHO no way. I like the tires I have and wouldn't change for anything, like the way they look and the price.

 

When you have enought power, you will spin anything, and straightline performance on the Z is great, I point the car straight, and the back end goes from side to side LOL till it grips then I am gone. LOL

 

I have KDs on my TA and I like them alot.

 

I've got the BFG drag radials on the Chevelle. They are okay, but I am biased towards the Nittos when it comes to drag radials since they last longer and work better in the rain.

Money is an object, but anything's better than spending $360 plus per run-flat. Besides the abilty to "run-flat", those tires SUCK!

KD's are $238 a piece on Tirerack.... how much did ya have to fork out for the Falkens Jet?

 

300ish maybe, something like that they were a lot better tread wear and liked the pattern better, no noise in the car and smooth ride. I like them for sure, have had them for maybe 6K miles at most, and they still look new, in the rain they are solid, no problems there, run 80mph and it is fine. No problems there.

 

Cool!

Jet, are you back in town yet?

 

I will be home for a visit and my birthday come this next Thrusday the 30th, will be there about a week total, cant wait then back to Wi, I not sure when this will all end, but I will be home soon for sure.

I am going to start comming in every 3-4weeks and stuff anyways

JET

 

That's cool, I was just wondering if you were gonna be out and around tonight--would like to check out those tires.

 

I am going to be out and about in Wi with them LOL, if you want to make a nice long cruise to see them

 

That would be a hell of a ride. Only problem is, I don't thik there's enough skin left on the back of the Corvette to make the trip.

There is enough leftover to go play a little on the belt tonight. It's funny how even after all these years, it's still the most fun I've had with a car.

I saw a white 98-99 SS in front of Aquarium World on Wednesday, looked allot like your old one, I came out and it was parked next to mine; I almost thought I was having a flashback,

 

yep that white SS was nice, stepped up to the Z06 and now thinking about getting a CTSV, same motor 700lbs more, but luxury all the way, and fast to. Who knows I might come home with a new car before it is all said and done LOL

JET

 

I could definitely see you in a V. Pull the LS6 out, get a forged bottom end, and a little TNT wet kit, you'd be good to go.

We have a neighbor down the street that works for Jim Jard down in Fort Bend county. They sell everything except Ford and Hummer. His daily driver is a 04' GTO, but he brought home a black V form the dealer a couple of weeks ago.... man that thing was SWEET!

He said he was having a hell of a time keeping his foot out of it. Lucky S.O.B. !!!!!!

 

Yep I drove one last weekend, and really really looking at them very close, and I have a feeling in the next couple of months I will have one

 

How she'd drive? Did they let you go out and pound on it?

 

I had a lady sales women, didn't want to make her **** all over herself, but the car was amazing, to say the least for what i got to do, it is very nice inside and can seat 4 people. just put a new bottom end 3-4K and spray the **** out of her and she will fly for sure in style at that LOL

Jet

 

think about it thought, I am willing to give up the Z06 for one, got to be good

 

I hear ya. Hell yeah!