Tire recommendation

[Hi-po SS 454]

I'd like to hear some 17" Street tire recommendations for my 71 Chevelle. Set on 17's. Have been thinking heavy on the Nitto 555. But being a soft rubber tire not sure how it will wear on a heavy car. But than again the car is mostly a weekend car. I like the tread pattern of the Nitto, also that of the BF Goodrich KDW. And the Sumitomo HTRZ. Aprox. size will be 285-40 rr. and 245-45 frt. I don't want super wide in front. Wheel will be 17X8 frt, and 17X9.5 rr. Stock suspension except for Globalwest rear lower control arms.
I'll take any suggestions, wheels too if you'd like.
Thanks

[class67]

You can't go wrong with either the Nitto or the BFG KDW, i'm not sure about the Sumitomo though. You're right about the Nitto, they are alot softer...it all depends on what you intend to do with the car. personally, i think that you will be just fine with the BFG's.

[Turbo Rob]

I'd like to hear some 17" Street tire recommendations for my 71 Chevelle. Set on 17's. Have been thinking heavy on the Nitto 555. But being a soft rubber tire not sure how it will wear on a heavy car. But than again the car is mostly a weekend car. I like the tread pattern of the Nitto, also that of the BF Goodrich KDW. And the Sumitomo HTRZ. Aprox. size will be 285-40 rr. and 245-45 frt. I don't want super wide in front. Wheel will be 17X8 frt, and 17X9.5 rr. Stock suspension except for Globalwest rear lower control arms.
I'll take any suggestions, wheels too if you'd like.
Thanks

I just put some Vredestein Sessenta's on my car. Great tire. I have been fighting tramlining on the car since I put the 17's on it - it's gone with the Vredesteins and I am happy. (Oh yes - I had Yokohoma A520s on it).

www.performanceplustires.com or Group A deals with them.

Rob

[Hi-po SS 454]

Thanks Guys.
I was expecting more input here but I guess no one else wants to offer any....
Also, seems like all the tire shops with the super prices are out of stock on 285-40-17 nitto 555 and goodrich KDW

[sik68]

Here's a good comparison review by Car and Driver. Based on this, I'm buying the Goodyear F1 Gs D3's for my 68 Camaro.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...ay.jsp?ttid=69

Download the PDF:
http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires...y_f1_gs_ds.pdf

[Hi-po SS 454]

I've changed my mind on wheel selection. I'm actually thinking about 2 wheels, strongly on the Rushforth "Livewire" 18" full polish and somewhat on the Boze "Speedster". Most likely 18X10 and 18X8. Pretty expensive but what the hell.
Does that sound better than 17" torgue thrusts 2.........

[Spiffav8]

I've changed my mind on wheel selection. I'm actually thinking about 2 wheels, strongly on the Rushforth "Livewire" 18" full polish and somewhat on the Boze "Speedster". Most likely 18X10 and 18X8. Pretty expensive but what the hell.
Does that sound better than 17" torgue thrusts 2.........

I have 18x10 and 18x8 with Nitto's and really like them. They seem to be wearing fine and I drive my car as much as I can.

[Hi-po SS 454]

I have 18x10 and 18x8 with Nitto's and really like them. They seem to be wearing fine and I drive my car as much as I can.

Any pictures Spiffav8 ?? Nittos is my tire plan..

[Spiffav8]

Any pictures Spiffav8 ?? Nittos is my tire plan..

You don't have to bend my arm to get me to post pictures of my car.

Let me know if you want a different shot and I can post it for you.

Hope it helps!

[streetk14]

With tires, you really do get what you pay for most of the time. You need to figure out what you want out of your tires and what you are willing to spend before a good recommendation can be given.

Myself and many others here are most concerned with maximum dry performance and grip above all else. With that in mind, you really would want a "max performance summer" type tire. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 are about the best tires out there right now and are the OEM tire used on many of today's top sports cars. Michelins are usually one of the higher priced tires out there as well.

I have not tried the Nitto 555, but it is a good looking tire that is much cheaper than the PS2. The Kuhmo Ecsta MX is a very nice sticky tire for a very good price. I had them on my 68 Camaro a while back and was impressed with how grippy they were for such a low price. They are made in a 245/45/17 and 285/40/17 as well. They are only like $120-150 each which is very cheap for a good tire in this size. Hope this helps some,

Andy

[Hi-po SS 454]

Nice stuff Curtis. looks Awesome.......

[Hi-po SS 454]

With tires, you really do get what you pay for most of the time. You need to figure out what you want out of your tires and what you are willing to spend before a good recommendation can be given.

Myself and many others here are most concerned with maximum dry performance and grip above all else. With that in mind, you really would want a "max performance summer" type tire. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 are about the best tires out there right now and are the OEM tire used on many of today's top sports cars. Michelins are usually one of the higher priced tires out there as well.

I have not tried the Nitto 555, but it is a good looking tire that is much cheaper than the PS2. The Kuhmo Ecsta MX is a very nice sticky tire for a very good price. I had them on my 68 Camaro a while back and was impressed with how grippy they were for such a low price. I think they are made in a 285/40/17 as well. Hope this helps a little,

Andy

Yeah Andy, I was just checking out that Kuhmo last night and look pretty good, but I know nothing of the tire and rarely here it mentioned.
Nice tread pattern.

[streetk14]

Yeah Andy, I was just checking out that Kuhmo last night and look pretty good, but I know nothing of the tire and rarely here it mentioned.

Yeah, I used to laugh at cars I saw with Kuhmo tires but changed my tune after using those MX's. Good looking, cheap, sticky and they come in the sizes you want. That would be my choice if I were you.

Andy

[Hi-po SS 454]

Sounds like a dam good choice. I will surley keep them in mind now. I saw prices on them and was surprised how cheap they were and that thru me off also. Like maybe not that good a tire, but like I said, I RAErLY hear them mentioned for some resaon.
Not as cheap as I thought:

Size Price

18"
295/35R-18 99Y BSW $262.00

[streetk14]

Sounds like a dam good choice. I will surley keep them in mind now. I saw prices on them and was surprised how cheap they were and that thru me off also. Like maybe not that good a tire, but like I said, I RAErLY hear them mentioned for some resaon.
Not as cheap as I thought:

Size Price

18"
295/35R-18 99Y BSW $262.00

Wider 18" sizes shoot the price way up in most cases. You're looking at $400 each for a Pilot Sport PS2 in that size. Welcome to my world; my 335/30/18 rear tires are like $450 each. Each burnout I do probably costs me $20, LOL.

Andy

[Spiffav8]

Thanks Rich. I'll be watching to see what you end up with.

[Hi-po SS 454]

To update this Thread. I started set on purchasing 17" wheels and tires. You know how things change. Went with 18X8 and 18X10 and Nittos. Now the wait. Rear disc set up in thoughts.

[Spiffav8]

To update this Thread. I started set on purchasing 17' wheels and tires. You know how things change. Went with 18X8 and 18X10 and Nittos. Now the wait. Rear disc set up in thoughts.

I think you'll like the Nittos. Which wheel did you go with?

[Hi-po SS 454]

Went with the hated but mostly liked TT 2's. Thinking rear Disc now, for 12 bolt, any suggestions.

[Hi-po SS 454]

Ordered wheels Saturday 8/9 with custom BS, was told a 3 to 6 week wait for American racing, today the lug nuts where delivered and found out the wheels were shipped today. Now that is fast.