Tires for FI: Nitto 555R2 or Toyo R888R or Michelin PS4S?

[Meatball]

i have the toyos on my ZLE currently, the rain puddles up fairly quickly on the roads i use to get to work, it is on a 19x11 wheel and i needed to keep speeds in the 40s (in a 55 zone) to feel like i was in total control

i liked the mp4s too for an all around tire, but i also thought it was cool to feel my car stick to the asphalt for a change and it feels more functional, as long as you can take something else on the rainy/cold days

Yeah, I need to use my car once in a while for my (long) commute to work, even if it rains. I don’t mind going slower in rain but if that’s not enough I guess I need two sets of rear wheels/tires.

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[schmeky]

Meatball,

Based on my experience for the past 3+ years boosted (Pro-charger P1X), even with a relatively "soft" low rpm torque output, no hook up on any street tire.

A heated up drag slick is most likely the only way, which is not practical on the street.

In a stop light to stop light scenario, a stock Honda Civic could probably take me.

 

[rin5.0]

Need to ditch my Indy 500s in my Whippled MT82 car (Whipple cal). I don’t race or launch in 1st…only roll-on in 2nd, but I have to feather the throttle on my Indy 285s and am getting sick of it.

thinking of Nitto 555R2 or Toyo R888R. Any advice? If the rain performance is scary I may go with PS4S’s.

how much of a difference do 305s make over 285s (same tire model)?

Thanks!

I would probably go with the Nitto 555R2's. I used to daily them with my bead locks. As robvas said, as long as you have tread you won't die. Depending on PSI and how warm they are too, you still might have to feather the throttle. In the end, they're dedicated to go fast in a straight line as it's a drag radial.

As for the Toyos R888Rs, anyone else can correct me if I'm wrong - but the reason I wouldn't go with those is because it's not really as dedicated for straight line grip like the Nittos. They are an amazing all-rounder tire though as it's meant for both handling and straight line.

 

[DougS550]

Need to ditch my Indy 500s in my Whippled MT82 car (Whipple cal). I don’t race or launch in 1st…only roll-on in 2nd, but I have to feather the throttle on my Indy 285s and am getting sick of it.

thinking of Nitto 555R2 or Toyo R888R. Any advice? If the rain performance is scary I may go with PS4S’s.

how much of a difference do 305s make over 285s (same tire model)?

Thanks!
[/QUOTE
I created the same post a while back. Lol. At pump 93 @700ish WHP I switched from Ind 500 to Toyo R888R 325/30/19 traction was day and night difference in traction. Note: They do wine quite a bit. I don't know about how they handle in the rain. I know if you you tube search those tires on supercharged cars, their are a couple of people doing comparison traction and handling on like 800-900whp cars. Good Luck

 

[Angrey]

Several things.

1) While width is important, it's not as important as sidewall. Thin(ner) sidewalls break traction more because they're meant for lateral stability (where the car loads properly and cuts on the outside edge). They're unforgiving to shock loading in a forward direction.

So essentially, a 275, with a 50+ series sidewall is going to outperform a 315 with a 30 series sidewall. The meat of the tire can "flex" and absorb spikes in load without breaking and spinning better. So more important than width is wheel diameter and tire height.

2) Any soft compound that's great for grip is going to suffer when cold. This makes max effort compounds not very good in the rain. Generally rain is 20 degrees cooler than ambient temps and water has a much higher specific heat than air, so it's going to cool down your tires quite a bit, which causes the sticky compounds to firm up.

 

[Meatball]

Meatball,

Based on my experience for the past 3+ years boosted (Pro-charger P1X), even with a relatively "soft" low rpm torque output, no hook up on any street tire.

A heated up drag slick is most likely the only way, which is not practical on the street.

In a stop light to stop light scenario, a stock Honda Civic could probably take me.

Thanks for the advice.

I’m actually only interested in traction when rolling on to full throttle in second from a roll. Only having traction in third is no better than a (much) lower hp car that can grip in second. I haven’t had grip in first since my car was stock, and that was due to the factory cal pulling power.

 

[Meatball]

Several things.

1) While width is important, it's not as important as sidewall. Thin(ner) sidewalls break traction more because they're meant for lateral stability (where the car loads properly and cuts on the outside edge). They're unforgiving to shock loading in a forward direction.

So essentially, a 275, with a 50+ series sidewall is going to outperform a 315 with a 30 series sidewall. The meat of the tire can "flex" and absorb spikes in load without breaking and spinning better. So more important than width is wheel diameter and tire height.

2) Any soft compound that's great for grip is going to suffer when cold. This makes max effort compounds not very good in the rain. Generally rain is 20 degrees cooler than ambient temps and water has a much higher specific heat than air, so it's going to cool down your tires quite a bit, which causes the sticky compounds to firm up.

Excellent info, thanks.

never knew about sidewall height. Interesting. Makes me want to downsize the wheel to 17” but I don’t have the budget. Also prob doesn’t look as good but that’s less important.

The only consideration with rain is safety. As long as I won’t lose the rear end or have horrible braking performance I’m fine. I’m happy to drive super cautiously in the rain as long as it’s not ridiculously sketchy. The fronts will still be Indy 500s.

As I mentioned to someone else I’m not a racer, I just want to feel the power of my FI coyote in a lower gear than third, which gives literally no more thrust than a car with ~ 50% less torque (by gear ratio 2nd vs 3rd) that can grip in 2nd

 

[robvas]

Thanks for the advice.

I’m actually only interested in traction when rolling on to full throttle in second from a roll. Only having traction in third is no better than a (much) lower hp car that can grip in second. I haven’t had grip in first since my car was stock, and that was due to the factory cal pulling power.

What are you running for suspension?

 

[DougS550]

Thanks for the advice.

I’m actually only interested in traction when rolling on to full throttle in second from a roll. Only having traction in third is no better than a (much) lower hp car that can grip in second. I haven’t had grip in first since my car was stock, and that was due to the factory cal pulling power.

I am in the same boat with regard to not wanting to go with a drag radial tire which will nor handle on the roads corners like my 325/30/19 Toyos. I am thinking about Hoosier Track Attack Pros for spring unless FI owners running them say they are not as good as as my Toyo R888R as far as "No Prep" traction.
** I also just installed a smoothboost electronic bypass valve which I will test on Dyno next month so I don't have to running 900ish whp all of the time under Not So Perfect co editions and be able to drive at WOT but at less hp. Let me know if you find someone who is running comparable hp and not having as much traction issues at WOT. But, I am realistic, no Street tire in a 19" will ever give me WOT from a dig traction, and that's OK as long as when I am inupper gears it trac well. Let us know if you find something promising.

 

[Grimreaper]

Sidewall matters more than width above a certain point. Would be better to have a narrow tire with good sidewall and weight transfer vs rubber bands on a 325 etc..

The issue with the 888's is the sizing and sidewall. 555r2 is a great compromise and handles well with adequate psi in it. But likely will need to be in the low to mid 20's for a 2nd gear hook at 650 whp+.

No true Jack of all trades. pick your trade offs and what matters most.

 

[DougS550]

Sidewall matters more than width above a certain point. Would be better to have a narrow tire with good sidewall and weight transfer vs rubber bands on a 325 etc..

The issue with the 888's is the sizing and sidewall. 555r2 is a great compromise and handles well with adequate psi in it. But likely will need to be in the low to mid 20's for a 2nd gear hook at 650 whp+.

No true Jack of all trades. pick your trade offs and what matters most.

I definitely know that sidewall matters, it's just I love the handling of the 19" tires during spurted driving. If I move more towards racing then a spare set of 17 wheels and tires would be warranted. Thanks for your opinion.

 

[Grimreaper]

Spare set let's you enjoy more the car has to have for sure.

 

[DougS550]

Spare set let's you enjoy more the car has to have for sure.

Which wheel size would you say has more tire options 16-17-18?

 

[NightmareMoon]

888R is really old tech. There are much better options. Anyone who is still runnning them is probably holding their breath for another Gravity Kills album

y’all need to try the A052 or at least the newer bridgestone RE71RS.

the Yokohama A052 hooks fantastically, and works very well in cool and wet conditions. Like any tire cold/wet isnt optimal but they’re absolutely one of the best. Far better than an MP4S.

While it can get hotter than ideal faster than /some/ tires, its baseline grip is sp far above most tires it really doesnt matter. Breaking in a new set and I was a honestly shocked at what it took to break traction with them.

They’re softer sidewalls than most so you get the grip benefit of that without having to run super tall sidewalls.

i’ve been somewhat impressed in the 555R2 in situations outside of drag racing, but I’m tellin ya the A052 is being slept on for linear grip. I’m trying the Vitour next but IDK anything about their cold/wet performance yet, I do hear they need at least a little heat unlike the A052.

 

[Meatball]

What are you running for suspension?

Nothing. Base 2017 GT. But I’m only interested in 2nd gear up and starting from a roll. In a drag race my car would be hopeless….

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