tires

[209]

Mickey Thompson S/R radials

[wrogers55]

M/Ts are certainly a great choice for most cars.

I use Nitto NT01s and have them heat cycled by the distributor and let them rest at least a week so they can form the best polymer links before you put them on. They are really a road race tire.

Sticks like fungus and rides great at about 18 to 20 psi. Not an "original" look at all, but very aggressive tread pattern, if you can call it a tread pattern.
Wear looks to be really good so far, about 3,000 street miles and can't see any wear yet.

They hold a 525 rear wheel HP, small block extremely well. Took the 2nd gear run up surprises out of it completely.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by wrogers55

I use Nitto NT01s and have them heat cycled by the distributor and let them rest at least a week so they can form the best polymer links before you put them on.

I'm unfamiliar with this... so, treated before they get to the retailer? How is this accomplished? Baking?

Thanks

[undy]

If you want to hook on launches (not the best for twisties), drag radials are your only choice for a street tire. I'm on my second set of M/T ET Street drag radials and would NEVER consider anything else. In fact, with a 35 aspect ratio these are pretty good in the turns too.

[wrogers55]

Originally Posted by PDUB

I'm unfamiliar with this... so, treated before they get to the retailer? How is this accomplished? Baking?

Thanks

Yes, they are heat treated/cycled at the distribution center, on a roller in an oven of sorts. Then let them rest for a week or 10 days before mounted. The industry standard is to put a little red circle stamp on the sidewall to indicate the process is complete. This beats the crap out of trying to run a new tire up on the car to temp (230 degrees plus) and then let it cool a bit and hope for the best. It will almost double the life of the tire, maybe more if you are street only.

I owned a bunch of racing schools for years and we went through thousands of tires a year, both treaded and slicks. Once we started heat cycling the new tires before delivery we were able to improve the life of the tires (slicks in this case) dramatically. Lap times were slightly better overall and consistency over the life of the tire was improved remarkably.

Back to the NT01s. These are DOT road race tires and will hold the car in a straight line as well as lateral. The ride is much better then the F1s I had on the car, which were something close to a death wish on my car. I haven't been caught out in the wet on the Nitto's and I suspect they will not work well with the minimal tread design. So if you go in that direction, consider your location and chances of having to drive in the wet and your experience before you leap. Good luck.

[greg schroeder]

I'd never have another performance street car without Mickey Thompson ET stree drag radials. They're the stuff.

[PDUB]

Thanks Wayne! How do you specify this? Are the retailers aware of the process? Can you just go in and request it on an order?

[Dwight]

I bought a 06 Mustang with 18" wheels. When it was delivered I noticed the BFG tires, it was late and I was tired so I took the car as is. That night I got on line looking for tires. A week later I was driving the Mustang in the rain. At the red lights I would spin about 5' and hook up. After a few weeks of driving the Mustang I ordered a pair of BFG G-Force tires for my Mustang. With my Cobra I can hook up and go. In the rain they work. I can stop fast, turn fast, I love them. Great Street Tire. Wet and dry.

Last spring when I changed the rims on the Mustang I bought G Force tires.

Dwight

[wrogers55]

Originally Posted by PDUB

Thanks Wayne! How do you specify this? Are the retailers aware of the process? Can you just go in and request it on an order?

When you start to buy, just ask for the heat treatment/cycle service and see if they know what you are talking about. Distributors that sell race tires and DOT type race tires will have the service. It run 10 to 15 bucks per tire.

This is absolutely NOT an ad for them, but in Ca the American Tire guys provide it and it is done before shipment at their distribution house in Arizona. I think American Tire stores are called Discount Tire everywhere but CA. Other race/performance distributors will have the same service. Always look for the heat treat mark on the sidewall when you get them. At the racing school, we used to get one or two out of a hundred that either missed the oven or didn't get the mark. Either way, if it happens send them back to make sure.