Nitto tire score

[John Scott]

Looking in the July issue of road and track, Nitto drag radial 225 50 16 for $65??? Not the most optimum size.. but for 65 dollars! Called the 800 and was told they are a discontinued model, sold out real quick. SOBs. Just for grins called our local Discount and they located a pair out of state. Said he would honor the advertised price. I grabbed them. Here by Friday. I'm not going to set any record 60' times but they got to be better than what I got. Recomendations by anyone familiar with Nitto on pressures, launch tips?

John

[Scottie-GNZ]

John,

 

they are a little skinny but others have done fine with 235/60 BFGs. They should do fine if you learn the break point and stay within it. I used 275s and this is what worked for me. 16-17psi, back up to the edge of waterbox to get them damp, spin the tires lightly to move froward out of the wet area and get the entire tire wet, lightly on the gas to get them spinning, then romp on the gas to spin them hard counting 1-2-3, then drive out of it. Watch the RPMs when burning out hard. Keep it in D with an auto or start in 2nd with a stick and maybe even have to shift. My trans upshifts to 3rd and my speedo registers up to 90mph in that 1-2-3 count and it is easy to over-rev. You probably already know this but a lot of folks tend not to focus on that. BTW, I do this with a line-loc, a must-have. If you do not have one, then after moving away from the waterbox, brake rev it and drive hard out of it. Nittos seem to like a little more heat than BFGs.

 

The rest might not apply since my engine setup is different and I use a trans-brake, another must-have if run an auto. I bring it up to about 5-6psi boost and floor it and release the t-brake at the same time. Anymore boost and I waste the tires. That is my break point.

[Guest Anonymous]

That was cool, thanks for the tire heating info, it was so real there was almost tire smoke wafting accross my screen! Seriously, good info thanks.

 

Regards,

 

Lone

[Guest zfan]

Man that's a good price for drag radials. Discount tire quoted me 155.00 each including installation for BFG drag radials 235/60-15's.

 

Prices are rediculous.

 

Mike

[John Scott]

Thanks for the detailed advice Scottie. Standard trans, no line lock. Not planning on a dedicated drag racer, but a few visits a year would be fun. Choices are pretty slim for the 16" rim. 205, 225, 245. 205s way too short and skinny, 245s probably would have hit the fender lip with my wheels. Like I said not the best size, but for the price will hopefully help some. I wonder what the different tire designs, Falken front 225 50s, Nitto rear will be like. Do drag radials still have a good cornering ability? I figured the main difference is in the compound. With the 500-1000 mi/year I was just going to leave them mounted. Doesn't rain here anymore, and don't drive the Z in the snow.

John

John

[John Scott]

Old post, but I'm at the last of my tread. The Nittos have held up really well, great cornering. Best bargin I've ever hit. Last week I had a 1.70 60' @ 16 psi tire pressure, relatively light launch. Pretty good for an old 7 year old 225 tire. I'm sure next time out I'll get high 1.60s, but I need to think about the next set of tires. I see 245 50 16s are the only size I could now consider for the 16 rim. I still have stock spring perches, but running Arizona Z car springs, stock height. I am also used to the characteristics of the Nittos and am not selling my soul to the drag racing gods, perfectly happy with cornering well, good milage tire, a stiff suspension and hitting 1.6s. Anyone confirm the fitment of 555s 245 50 16s on a stock height suspended 240? Wheels are Centerlines, 16 x 8s, 4" offset. Thanks!