Help stickier tires needed

[SPANISHVETTS]

What is the stickiest street tire you have seen that will fit the stock 17X9.5 wheels?



I currently have Dunlop SP9000s, they break lose when I punch it at anything below 60 MPH and a clean launch is impossible.



Also can I go bigger than 275s on the 9.5” rim?



I just ordered a set of beam plates to control the side dance, maybe this will help with traction as well.



Any help to get the ponies connected to the road will be appreciated.

400+HP

400+TQ

TC = 2200 stall

3.07 rear end



No Dyno available for a few months.

 

[c4cruiser]

I have a set of Kuhmo Ecsta MX tires that are just about as sticky as the BF Goodrich KD but about half the cost! http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+MX I use them on my 87 (275/40-17 on AFS 9.5x17 wheels) for autocross and open track use. They grip very well when hot and the do squeal a bit but just before they start to lose grip. They are pretty predictable when traction starts to go away. I haven't used them in heavy rain but if you keep speeds down and drive carefully, they would probaboy be fine. I have heard that the BFG KD is not that good of a rain tire.

Another good choice would be the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tire. They are supposed to be a very good tire for grip. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Eagle+F1+GS-D3

The Michlein Pilot Sport may be worth looking at too. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport

With the 9.5 inch wide wheel, you shoud be able to mount 285/40 (standard size on the rear of 94 and later cars with 9.5" wheels. 315/35 tires will mount but the sidewalls will look a bit strange as they would lean in towards the wheel rim. You can always find a pair of 11x17 wheels on eBay and then use the bigger size.

 

[Tuna]

All the above choices are good.
I like the Pilot Sports and I'd recommend going with the larger 315/35 on 11" wheels no matter which tire you choose.
I'm using Pilot Sports on my RGS and they hook up very well (not quite the HP you have however).

 

[Eagle85C4]

I had Goodyears on the car and could not wait to get rid of them. I went to Firestone SZ-50's based on what I read from Tirerack. Set of 255/50/16's...this past summer I went to polished ZR-1 rims, 17x9.5, and bought a new set of SZ-50's and could not be happier. They stick like glue, where I used to turn the goodyears over easily...the SZ's are harder to break loose even from a standstill. About all I could say to the negative is when winter comes it takes a bit to warm them up so you have to be a bit careful or you will loose it. Summer time is the complete opposite, corners I would not even think of going through at 50 with the goodyears I can breeze through at 70 without the first sign of it coming loose much less any squeal. I got the dealer to align the front end a bit more aggressive and it is like a whole new world, touch the wheel and she responds much better.
For me it is Firestone SZ-50's...

 

[JRMaroon]

I have the Eagle F1 GS D3's on my car and think they are great for MY Application. This is a good high performance touring tire.


I would not necessarily recommend them for the kind of power you are laying down though. The grip is pretty good for spirited driving but I can feel them break loose when getting on it through the mountains. They are more than adequate for my stock LT1 with 2.59 gears but it sounds like you have quite a bit more going on under the hood.

There is probably something stickier if you are looking for all out performance.

Jeff

 

[vette-dude]

Of course you know the stickier the shorter life but you might look at Hoosier racing tires. I realize these are not DOT approved for the street and their Quick Time series street tires have been discontinued but they do plant the suspension. Used the Quick Times on a drag/street car and they worked just like a racing slick. Maybe if you e-mail them they might have a solution. Their website.

http://www.hoosierracingtire.com/rrtire.htm

Randy

 

[jmccloud]

Tires

I had Goodyears on the car and could not wait to get rid of them. I went to Firestone SZ-50's based on what I read from Tirerack. Set of 255/50/16's...this past summer I went to polished ZR-1 rims, 17x9.5, and bought a new set of SZ-50's and could not be happier. They stick like glue, where I used to turn the goodyears over easily...the SZ's are harder to break loose even from a standstill. About all I could say to the negative is when winter comes it takes a bit to warm them up so you have to be a bit careful or you will loose it. Summer time is the complete opposite, corners I would not even think of going through at 50 with the goodyears I can breeze through at 70 without the first sign of it coming loose much less any squeal. I got the dealer to align the front end a bit more aggressive and it is like a whole new world, touch the wheel and she responds much better.
For me it is Firestone SZ-50's...

I've had a set of the Firestone SZ-50's for almost a year and fully agree with Eagle85c4. Additionally, they're a lot quieter than the OE type tires that were on my '95 when I bought it 2 years ago.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Great response and info. Thanks to everybody.
I have never owned a set of Firestone tires. It is a stupid boyhood prejudice that I inherited from my Father so I think that I will have to try a set of SZ 50s just to prove him wrong.
This is gona p!$$ off Mr. D but then if he made a sticker tire I would not be looking.
Who gives the best mail-order price and service?

 

[Edmond]

Great response and info. Thanks to everybody.
I have never owned a set of Firestone tires. It is a stupid boyhood prejudice that I inherited from my Father so I think that I will have to try a set of SZ 50s just to prove him wrong.
This is gona p!$$ off Mr. D but then if he made a sticker tire I would not be looking.
Who gives the best mail-order price and service?

Like jmccloud and Eagle, I have the SZ-50's. I bought them from Tire Rack for $186 a piece plus $30 for shipping, no tax because I was out of state. The local dealers couldn't come close to that and I would've had to pay 7.75-8.50% tax on the tires!

They do grip very well and I'm very pleased at the tread wear, there almost is no tread wear! But like Eagle said, it does take them some time in the winter to warm up, but after that, you are good to go.

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Tire Rack

I have the SZ-50's also. Got 'em from the TireRack for $176 ea plus shipping. When I got them mounted at the local Firestone place I was talking with the guys and they asked where I got them. When I told them TireRack they said that that was about the best price you will get. They only make a few dollars per tire but I guess the volume ... makes up for it. The guys at Firestone said that even with their employee discount they get a better price from TireRack and they send all their friends there.

I've been doing business with the TireRack for about 7 or 8 years now and have had nothing but good experiences every time.

Just my $.02

C ya

 

[Moonunit 451]

Too bad the SZ-50's don't come in a 315-35-17 Chioces get quite limited in that size

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Winter? Qué es winter? It is 65º and clear skies here. Have a look at the local forecast.

https://www.nemoc.navy.mil/manual/pages/laf.htm

Tire Rack has a sale on the SZ-50 285X40X17s if you need tires check it out. I paid $165 ea. plus shipping. They should be here in a week. Since the D´9000s are almost new I am going to keep them on the front and run the ´stones on the rear.

Thanks again for all the input. This is what makes the best community on the net!!!

 

[Edmond]

Winter? Qué es winter? It is 65º and clear skies here. Have a look at the local forecast.

HACE MUCHO FRIO EN Illinois! :eyerole