Michelin Pilot Sprts vs. PS2s vs. g-Force KDW 2

[madmax]

Hey everyone,

It is about time for me to order my 335's. I'm looking for a good tire, but a cheaper one at that... i know that 335 and cheap usually dont reside in the same sentence, but I have found some Pilot Sports for about $250 each, and KDW 2s for $260. How do the KDWs compare to the Pilot Sports? And how do the Pilot Sports compare to the PS2s? I can't swallow $360 a tire or whatever they are.

The car is going to see 95%, 5% strip, no autoX. So basically I need good hooking tire.

Thanks,
Max

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Max,

If you want a tire that is going to hook, you're definitely going to want a drag radial. I'm pretty sure there is a 335 drag radial available from the KDW series. Be warned, though--drag radials don't last long on the street. I've heard most people get around 5k miles on a set of bfgoodrich DRs. The nitto 555 is an awesome DR too, but isn't available in 335s. The drag radial is the route I would take if you're looking for something to hook half-way decent on 18s, and won't ever see auto-x or drag strip.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Whoops. Looks like the DR only comes in a 345/30/18 or 315/30/18. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+T%2FA+Drag+Radial&partnum=43R8GFTADR&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=0

No 18" tire is going to hook any good, but an 18" drag radial will hook better than a normal 18. I'd say if street / strip is your main purpose, and you want to get the car to hook as best you can, you either step down to the 315, or try and get that 345 DR to fit.

[madmax]

Ralph,

Thanks for your help... again. From the beginning I knew I would probably have to go with a drag radial... but from what I heard on this board the others seemed to provide nearly the same amount of traction with better cornering attributes. I am not going to be road racing, but I like to take a hard corner here and there :).

I think Nitto does make either their 555 or 555R in a 335... I think I heard of it on a mustang board somewhere.

Thanks again,
Max

[madmax]

According to Nitto's website they make a 555R 335/30/18 Y-rated tire (http://tiny.pl/q72n). Mustang guys love 'them Nittos. I bet they're expensive, though.

--Max

[ViperBlue68]

According to Nitto's website they make a 555R 335/30/18 Y-rated tire (http://tiny.pl/q72n). Mustang guys love 'them Nittos. I bet they're expensive, though.

--Max
Max call them Nitto usually has killer prices for a Quality tire imo I saved over $175 EACH tire on my 24"s for my escalade over the BFG KDWs I had before...

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Max,

Very cool. I hadn't realized Nitto stepped up to the 335 game. I'd bet that the Nittos will be cheaper than the other tires you mentioned, especially since it's the regular 555 and not the RII or DR. The DRs will still hook better, but given your horsepower goals and 18" tires, it's going to be all about throttle control. Those 555s should do fine. Nitto is an excellent tire for the price. I was looking at some 305/35/18 Nitto drag radials before I bought my Kumhos, they were around $264 I think. The only reason I didn't go with the nittos is because I didn't think they'd fit, and they don't make a 295. Next set of tires will probably be Nittos for me.

[USAZR1]

Hey everyone,
It is about time for me to order my 335's. I'm looking for a good tire, but a cheaper one at that... i know that 335 and cheap usually dont reside in the same sentence, but I have found some Pilot Sports for about $250 each, and KDW 2s for $260. How do the KDWs compare to the Pilot Sports? And how do the Pilot Sports compare to the PS2s? I can't swallow $360 a tire or whatever they are.
The car is going to see 95%, 5% strip, no autoX. So basically I need good hooking tire.
Thanks,
Max

Where did you find 335 Pilot Sports for $250/ea?

[madmax]

There is a guy on eBay with 12 MPS 335/30/18s (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/335-30-R-18-Michelin-Pilot-Sport-Brand-NEW-tires_W0QQitemZ7990936986QQcategoryZ66476QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem) for 269.99 each. Maybe you can get him with a group buy. I bet he would like to see them all go at once :icon996:. Not quite as good as I remember, but I guess thats just old age catching up with me. :git:

--Max

[USAZR1]

Wish I could find some new 335/35/17 Pilot Sports for that price.

[Sparky67]

Max,

Very cool. I hadn't realized Nitto stepped up to the 335 game. I'd bet that the Nittos will be cheaper than the other tires you mentioned, especially since it's the regular 555 and not the RII or DR. The DRs will still hook better, but given your horsepower goals and 18" tires, it's going to be all about throttle control. Those 555s should do fine. Nitto is an excellent tire for the price. I was looking at some 305/35/18 Nitto drag radials before I bought my Kumhos, they were around $264 I think. The only reason I didn't go with the nittos is because I didn't think they'd fit, and they don't make a 295. Next set of tires will probably be Nittos for me.


You can get the Nitto's at Discount Tire for $269. 335/30ZR-18 Search under Nitto, Passenger/Performance. You will see them.

[madmax]

I see them as $298. D'oh! Thanks anyway, though!

--Max

[HHStang]

I may have two new 335/30-18's P-Zeros for sale if anyone wants them, email me at [email protected]. Hope I'm not violating a forum rule on this. Thanks,