what 18" tire for a SC'd car???

[Mccarlin]

what 18\" tire for a SC\'d car???

hey guys,

My stock pilot sports are 7 years old and need replacement. Not only that but the car is having a roe blower installed and i want something that could handle the power on the street and occasional track visits.

I have 2 new rear pilot sports waiting to be installed but im having second thoughts on them. I'm not sure they will provide enough traction to safely drive this car around town.

Should i sell these new pilots and pick up those 345 30 18 BFG drag radials? I had those BFG's on my old supra and they hooked like no other tire ive ever owned. I just dont like the fact that they cannot be driven in the rain.

What is everyone running with 600+rwhp on these cars?

Thanks!

 

[99 R/T 10]

Re: what 18

Check with Luke at the Tire rack or JonB, but I think that tehy have the Kumho V700 in the 18" size.

 

[martyb]

Re: what 18

Hey Mike,

I am running the Pilots on my roe car. 1st gear is not great, on a warm day 2nd gear traction is pretty good. I was out last night when it was a bit cool, and 2nd gear traction was, lets just say, not that great(but fun!!). I am hoping that my car will be over 650RW in about a month or so, and I am thinking about Khumos(sp). You working on the car today???

martyb

 

[GR8_ASP]

Re: what 18

I run Pilot Sport Cups much of the time (switch back and forth with Pilots when long distance driving is expected). The sport cups once warmed are very good and they work great for cornering too. That is something you give up with drag radials.

Even third with pilots is questionable. At anthing but the best traction I break them loose in third as the boost rises. Yeeha!

 

[Mccarlin]

Re: what 18

Check with Luke at the Tire rack or JonB, but I think that tehy have the Kumho V700 in the 18" size.

I heard those kuhmo's were supposed to be pretty good, i just wonder how they will be at the track a couple times a year I'll have to look into those.

 

[Mccarlin]

Re: what 18

Hey Mike,

I am running the Pilots on my roe car. 1st gear is not great, on a warm day 2nd gear traction is pretty good. I was out last night when it was a bit cool, and 2nd gear traction was, lets just say, not that great(but fun!!). I am hoping that my car will be over 650RW in about a month or so, and I am thinking about Khumos(sp). You working on the car today???

martyb

Thanks, i didnt think the stock pilots would be that great, traction was an issue in 1st gear BEFORE the Roe so i can only imagine.

 

[IEATVETS]

Re: what 18

I have not had any problems running pilot sports with my Paxton car. I was running these same tires when I had nitrous and have NEVER spun my tires, with either system!

 

[cayman]

Re: what 18

What about the Pirelli P0's? I have a set coming in the 19" size and the Roe SC is going on next weekend.

 

[NoRice]

Re: what 18

I have not had any problems running pilot sports with my Paxton car. I was running these same tires when I had nitrous and have NEVER spun my tires, with either system!

Then you obviously haven't pushed the gas pedal down more than 1/4 throttle. I easily blow the tires under hard acceleration up through 4th gear with the Pilots.

 

[Neil - UK]

Re: what 18

we've had Khumhos here for about 3 years or so, they are the prefered brand for the serious viper tracker's with big HP here, running on the street will wear them out fast. I'd say you only get around 4mm of thread on a brand new set, an other downside is they will shotblast your side sills

I've had p-zeros a few years ago and thought they were pretty useless, maybe they've since improved

 

[plumcrazy]

Re: what 18

luke told me to stick with the pilots, but get new ones as mine are older now.

the kuhmo's are nice but are NOT going to last long.

 

[JUCD VPR]

Re: what 18

I run the BFG's but i also stay inside when it rains!

 

[2001 GTS]

Re: what 18

I run the BFG's but i also stay inside when it rains!

ditto

 

[AJT]

Re: what 18

Pilot sport cups. 857 rwhp 799 rwtq.

 

[IEATVETS]

Re: what 18

I have not had any problems running pilot sports with my Paxton car. I was running these same tires when I had nitrous and have NEVER spun my tires, with either system!

Then you obviously haven't pushed the gas pedal down more than 1/4 throttle. I easily blow the tires under hard acceleration up through 4th gear with the Pilots.

Yep, you are right. When I had Nitrous on my car, my WOT switch never worked so I actually never filled my bottles although they did charge me for it! And now that I have a Paxton, I have never gone to WOT out of pure fear. I am just stating that, whether you beleive me or not, I have never spun my tires. I never engaged my Nitrous in first gear, just 2nd and above. With that system I was at 578/782. Now I am at 615/705 and YET to spin my Pilot Sports. Granted, if I decide to "up" the HP before my car sells, I will look at getting different tires but for now, they stay!

 

[Mccarlin]

Re: what 18

interesting

what about the BFG g-force street tires compared to the pilot sports?

 

[GTSNRT10]

Re: what 18

I have 345/25 20s Pirrelli's on my 98 ROE car and they hook up remarkably well even in 1st! (with proper driving)I'm putting down around 640RWHP in that car.

My Paxton car has the v700 kumho's it's 800RWHP and hooks up pretty good also from 2nd gear rolls (after tires are heated) I have not been very happy with the original pilots even on a stock car personally. I would prob. run the pilots though since you already have them. Maybe just drop the pressure in them a little if traction is bad.

 

[Casey]

Re: what 18

Kumhos! Pilots are great overall,but do NOT hook like Kumhos!

 

[GTSNRT10]

Re: what 18

[quote
I've had p-zeros a few years ago and thought they were pretty useless, maybe they've since improved

[/QUOTE]

You are so right LOL! the old P Zero's absolutely sucked! The new rosso's really are uncomparably better to the old Assimetrico's though.

 

[RedEnuf93]

Re: what 18

I have SC and Pilots. Unless you mash the pedal, traction is not really an issue. Old tires yes...

Even with my 300HP NX shot (no SC at that point)I was capable of getting traction.

I'm sure Kumho's will hook up even better.

 

[Mccarlin]

Re: what 18

Seems like i have a LOT of options here. Tough choice for such an upgrade and something that cant be returned

these are my options...

Stock size - 335 30 18
Kuhmo V700
BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2
Pirelli PZero Rosso

Larger size - 345 30 18
BFGoodrich g-Force T/A Drag Radial
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup

Obviously any of these tires should be better than the stock pilot sports.

 

[Shelby3]

Re: what 18

Hey Mike,

I am running the Pilots on my roe car. 1st gear is not great, on a warm day 2nd gear traction is pretty good. I was out last night when it was a bit cool, and 2nd gear traction was, lets just say, not that great(but fun!!). I am hoping that my car will be over 650RW in about a month or so, and I am thinking about Khumos(sp). You working on the car today???

martyb

Thanks, i didnt think the stock pilots would be that great, traction was an issue in 1st gear BEFORE the Roe so i can only imagine.

It's possible your problems with the Pilots were related to the fact they were seven years old. Pilots aren't that bad even with 700 rwhp once you learn to modulate the power with the throttle.