Almost time for tires

[Viperfreak2]

I'm looking for alternatives.

I truly think the OE Michelin run-flats are not the way to go for a replacement set. They are slippery, dangerous when cold (I drive through the winter) and ride harder than either of my other Vipers on non run craps.

After looking at the Tire rack, they list 2 tires. Both Michelin, one is all-season? and the other isn't.

I would like to try Bridgestone rears ($100 each cheaper) but they are 35 series, not 30. With the gearing (stock) and larger circumference tires I think I could run through the 1/8 mile without shifting into 3rd when I really want a full pull in 3rd. I am planning on lowering the car so the combo of extra sidewall and lower car should fill up the wheel wells nicely.

SO, in order to make the Bridgestones work, I need to spend $1500 to lower the car and $1200 to change the gears?

Any suggestions? Anyone coming out with competing 19" tires soon? Hanook, Khumo, Pirelli anyone?

 

[SylvanSRT]

It seems to me the only real option is the stock runflats,or the non runflat version. i just put a set on my car. I got them from JonB at Parts Rack, he has the best prices.

 

[Skip White]

David my advice on the tire situation is to go with the Bridgestone, they are 1.2 inches taller. These will look great on the car, and yes you will have to lower the car, a bit due to the 50% increase in height, but the car neads that to start with. Now you will have reason to do it. As far as the gearing you need those regardless, without it will be overgeard you more than you already are. By the way with the 28.6 inch tire you still won't make it through the 1/8 mile in second, and if your gearing did allow you to cross the eighth in second, the car would be a dog in first. this I promise you, but what you said about toping out in third, it's allways nice to top out at the finish line, but no way you want the car to do this, it would require a 4.10 or so to do this, and the car would be miserable on the street. Get rid of the runflats, they have so many disadvantages to them. Check out my earlier posts. It was titled, "I busted my rearend again" or something like that.

Your traction will be improved with the non runflat, as well as the ride.

Go bigger tire to fill the massive wheel well, drop the car down around it, looks much better, better traction, rides better. Go with 3.55 gears, this is equal to a car with 3.33's and oem tires, and that is perfect.

Ps, the price you save on all four tires can go towards a set of coilovers.

I can supply you with everything you need. If you want to see some pics of my car with 28.6 tall tires, and lowered, I can email a nice file

Skip White

 

[Viperfreak2]

1.2 inches sounds high! I hope the actual ride height increase is 1/2 that amount, being that only 1/2 the tire is on the ground!

My local track may be off a little, but if I redline in second, I'm about 50ft from the finish line. Wouldn't the increase to 35 series carry me through??? I'd hate to have to shift just as I crossed.

Any cheap way to lower the SRT (like the earlier cars) other than ANdons or Motons?

 

[Skip White]

David I ran my car at the 1/8th mile track when it had the oem gears in it, and the 305/45/18 Nitto drag radials on it, and now way I could come close to the line, but what I think is happening is when you have done mods to the car it puts you at an earlier spot on the track, at the redline. This is something very important to consider if your going to mod the car. Every time you make your car faster, you will be shifting at a point further back from the finish line. When I said topping your rpm out at the finish line, maybe a little under that, as the Viper really falls off at about 5800 There are some engines that don't fall as sharply. So ideal would be finishing at 5800 IMO

Yes the car will be at 50% of the increase in diameter of the tire, looks great, can't imagine having the tiny oem size back on the car.

Those Aldans are pretty cheap, and have so many other benifits. Or change the mount location at the top on the frame. Not recomended

Skip White