I find it almost unbelievable your buddy got 12k out of BFG drag radials, those are notorious in the LS1/Cobra world for getting near 5k miles before they're toast.

To the OP, also consider Nitto 555R-IIs, they are made for road racing with a stiffer side wall, but still grip in the same realm as the normal drag radials.

Keep us posted!

 

I would be very skeptical of something claiming to have a stiff sidewall yet gripping like a drag radial. That's like having a turbo that makes more power and spools earlier. The stiff sidewall is what KEEPS it from being a good drag tire. It has to be able to crinkle to provide good launch traction. Go back and look at that pic/caption that GTWORX provided...

 

Hey, whats up JJ. I'm still using BFG drag radials. I have 7,000 miles on mine and still have 60% left. 50+ passes on them. You wouldn't want to take 100mph turns but they are fine for daily use.

 

I ran nitto 555R's for 5,000 miles, still have half or more tread left. I pulled 1.5 60ft's on them.

 

Well, that's why I tried to not make crazy claims like "OMG THEY ARE TEH SAME!" I merely said they're in the same realm of grip, not identical.

For comparison's sake, I had the regular Nitto Drag Radials and I was scared to make a turn, which is not so awesome in a Z06. Switched to the 555R-IIs and I still hooked when I needed to, but wasn't afraid to take a turn either. The differences are barely noticable, but I suppose it would matter more to someone trying to squeeze every ounce of performance out of their car. I thought the trade off was more than fair.

Oh! I can't view the pics, I'm at work and they all get blocked out, but I will check it out once I get home.

 

Hey, hows it going? You going to be up here for the start of the season? Would you consider letting my try yours on my car for a race day to see how they do?

So whats the difference with the 555R-II's, is that just the current model? What size are they in and wheres a good/cheap place to get them?

 

You could probably google the 555R-IIs...

 

Yeah, but Im lazy

Plus its nice to gets peoples own opinions and experiences with them other then just what a company's web page states.

 

I hope to be there at the start of the season. Yeah, you can try them out once the car is back there. I think the tread pattern is slightly different. The BFG's only came in a 225 and 275. I went with the 225's. I would like to try a 255. It would help get through the traps before the rev limiter. I would check out Costco. BFG's always seem to be the same price.

 

It doesnt look like they make a 555R-II for our car. The only 17" is a 275. Anyone else with some info on them?

 

Toyo RA-1s are more of track tire than an autocross tire, Kumho V710s or Hoosier A6s are far better choices competitively speaking. A local here also got 3,000 miles out of his RA-1s, which included at least three or four track days and two or three autocrosses.

 

Yeah, you're right, but I wasn't trying to differentiate between autox and circuit. I was differentiating between racing in a straight line vs racing in twisties.

 

Well the BFG's look like the best option right now. I notice there are two different tread designs, any difference in the performance of the two?

 

+1

 

+1


what kills tires is sliding around and taking turns very hard... he drives like a grandma unless hes going straight which is what the tires are made for.

i was debating getting dr's if u search for old threads i made. i went with a set of kumho mx's. little softer sidewall than the rt 615. i installed them today and so far so good.

i launched today at 6k and they spun barely less than my falkens did at moroso with 20 pounds of pressure. (moroso = ****tiest track for traction) but its still better than the street. so with less air they should be what im hoping for. keep in mind they have 20 miles on them.... so far i have my hopes up, i hope i dont end being dissapointed because i debated for a long time to either stick with oem tire or the neova(typo, i think)

bad tires is an accident waiting to happen...

cheers!