Kumho or Yokohama?

[Ralph LoGrasso]

I'm going to be getting some 18s for my 4th gen SS in a few weeks, and I wanted to get some opinions on tire choices. Based on budget, performance, sizes, and brand preferences, I've narrowed it down to two choices--



- Yokohama AVS Sport

- Kumho Ecsta MX

Front and Rear Sizes are 275/35/18 l 295/35/18. Both tires are Y rated (186mph). The car will be mainly used on the street, but will hopefully see 1 or 2 trips to the dragstrip, and possibly a couple of autocrosses. Right now I'm leaning towards the Kumhos, since they're a bit cheaper and I've heard good reviews, but I figured I'd see what you guys thought. My original plan was some Nitto555s, but they don't make a 295/35/18, only a 305/35/18 drag radial (which is what I wanted to run), but I'm pretty sure they're going to rub.

Thoughts/Opinions on either choice?

Thanks!

[white79bu]

I am getting a set of Falken 451's next week. They are pretty cheap. Plus I have been told that they are better than kuhmo's. Just my two centsAndy

[chicane67]

Kumho gets my vote

[PRO TC]

i have avs on my car so thay get my vote. thay look great and hold the corners very well.
pro tc/barry

[MrQuick]

I had Yoko's on my Chevelle and then had them on the 2k when we bought it. Man they where noisy. I guess I should be gratefull,thats how I knocked the price down.Told the owner it sounds like it needed wheel bearings.

I went with Kumos, alot better compared to the Yoko's IMHO. You know you can fit 315's no problem.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Andy,

I'll take a look into the Falkens. So far I've been going by what tirerack sells (i get a small discount through my uncle from them). I hadn't heard of the yokos being loud, hmm, I'm not a big fan of tire noise, so the yokos are probably out of the picture.

Vince,
I know you can get the 315s on a 17x11, but it gets close when you lower the car, the 305/35/18s are about an inch taller than a 315/35/17, and only a tad thinner, so I don't think it'll work? I'd really love to run that 305 though, what do ya think? I ordered my rear wheels today 18x10, and I *think* the offset is +49. My plan as of right now is to run the 295s and if they don't rub at all, I'll try and stuff the 305s next season. I haven't found anyone with direct experience with the 305s and lowered, though. I've probably spent about 5 hours reading tire threads at ls1tech, lol. Some guys with my wheels and 295s have experienced some rubbing on the inner wheel house during extreme cornering, so I may have to do the BFH mod either way. The 305s would probably fit with lots of BFHing.

[yody]

man you spend money like it has an expiration date!! those extra hours must be paying off! check out all the 4th gen fbody boards i am sure they could help you figure out what sizes fit, I would go with the kumhos if htey are signifgantly cheaper

[Ralph LoGrasso]

man you spend money like it has an expiration date!! those extra hours must be paying off! check out all the 4th gen fbody boards i am sure they could help you figure out what sizes fit, I would go with the kumhos if htey are signifgantly cheaper

Yeah, I've been on a splurge lately, but I've been working 5-6 days a week to balance it out. The wheels I bought were actually fairly cheap for what I'm getting, though. 18x10 for around $270 with shipping included. I read ls1tech atleast once a day, and a ton of people are running the 295s, so I know they'll fit, the 305 is sort of a ******* tire size, so the people running them are few and far between. At this point I'm almost definitely going with the kumhos. I've got another week or two to decide though, need to gather funds before purchase.

[WELTERRACER]

I had Yokohoma AVS on my camaro as well, I ran 12.80s on them at the track.. I guarantee the Kumhos wont do that... THey are cheap crap..

(i work at a tire store)

[MrQuick]

Your probably not trying hard enough LOL.... I use to think the same thing till I tried them...The new pattern is alot better than the ones they had before. They are a good for the money.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Welter,

Are we talking about the MX's? I noticed Kumho has about 489 different compounds/type of the Ecstas?

Edit: What was your 60ft on the yokos?

Vince,

Do you have the Ecsta MX's?

[MrQuick]

Yes Ralph, MX's. We will see how it does under hard track time.

[zbugger]

Yes Ralph, MX's. We will see how it does under hard track time.

lol.... Hard track time? You drive like a grandma.

[MrQuick]

yeah keep talkin...actually yell it from the grandstands cheer leader! ha ha...I mean ra ra!! LOL!!