All around tire suggestions

[cwelk87gn]

I am doing my research on tires for my GN. Currently I am running(don't laugh) Kuhmo 215/65 15's. I know these are the correct size for the car but I can incinerate these things at will. At first I was thinking about some drag radials for the rear and some 235's up front. Here's the deal, 95% of my cars life is spent in the garage, 4% is spent in normal driving which leaves 1%, leaving the redlight before the other guy. What sizes/ brands are you guys running?

 

[JadeMonkeyStang]

The most popular street/grip tire is probably the Nitto 555R drage radial in something close to a 275/50/15 or 275/60/15. They hook pretty well (better when "warmed gingerly" of course), are good on the street, and should get you home in one piece if you happen to hit some wet roads. If you search or just browse the threads around you'll see lots of guys running them.

For fronts there are many options. Many guys like to go with a similar looking Nitto. Some use the futura tires from Pep Boys, Kumhos, and a couple other brands. Just search around a bit and you'll get lots of ideas and opinions.

-Jade

 

[EMcNeice]

i'd go with 235-60-15 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's up front or Radial T/A's and 275-60-15 Nitto 555R drag radials out back

 

[GN One Day...]

I really like my Pirelli PZero Nero's. It's the M&S version with a 400 tread wear rating. Not a drag racing tire, but it does have a lot of grip for the road and a nice ride. Good intermediate price, got mine at tirerack.com for about $106/ea.

 

[GN SBS]

If you drive in all weather conditions the good old BF Goodrich Radial TA 275/50/15s are a nice compromise. I ran these on stock wheels with absolutely no rubbing.

I had these before my Nitto drag radials (also 275/50/15) and they hooked reasonably well and didn't get at all scary in the rain.

Nittos are okay in the rain as long as you keep the speed down and it isn't a downpour, but there is a trade-off for that extra traction. I don't drive mine in the rain very often so it was a no brainer for me.

Scott

 

[cwelk87gn]

Well thanks for your advice, I went ahead and bought a couple Nittos for the rear, 275/50 15 Extreme drags. Still haven't got the fronts yet. I am in the process of painting the GNX look-a-like wheels, so I have a couple more weeks

P.S. These things look really wide, they aren't going to rip my quarter panels off are they?

 

[JadeMonkeyStang]

Originally posted by cwelk87gn
P.S. These things look really wide, they aren't going to rip my quarter panels off are they?

Actually yes, they will rip the quarter panels off the car the first time. When you hear a really lound crunching noise and the car seems to hesitate (like you're running over a good size badger) just floor it until everything breaks free, heat up the tires a good bit, and drive off. If you want to collect your quarter panels off the ground for use as scrap metal feel free, but large, porpoise-hunting birds will use them to build their nests if you don't. I recommend not breaking them in this way around small children or the elderly as the sound and flying metal shrapnel may have adverse physical and mental effects, try to do it near someone you don't like. You might see some slight marring of the paint after this procedure but a little work with the clay bar should smooth everything out. Don't worry about the missing quarters, it'll give the car an agressive look and aid in cooling of the rear brakes.



If you put on tires big enough to rip the quarter panels off of the car, you'd be my hero. Best of luck with the Nittos, let us know how they turn out for you. I'm planning on getting a set when I get back to the states.

-Jade