ksuberk54

iTrader: (2)

Let me preface this by saying I have done my research and seen answers. Just looking for advice on which way to go here.

So I finally have decided I'm going to pull the trigger on some bigger tires for the rear. Right now I'm running 18x9.75 all around on 265/35/18's all around. I need more traction in the rear and I want to close that fender gap. I debated between 285/35/18 and 275/40/18 and I decided on the latter. Now I have narrowed what I'm thinking about buying into three different tires.

Sumitomo HTR Z II ($255 total for the pair)
Sumitomo HTR Z III ($328 for the pair)
Nitto NT555 ($315 for the pair)

The II's are obviously the cheapest which is a draw, the Nitto's say they are a partial radial tire which is nice because I do track my car 5x a year or so and the III's have the best reviews but are the most expensive. Any advice would be great. I'm lowered on Tanabe GF210's. I think that has everything covered.

turboed350z

I don't recall where I herd this or if I'm mistaken the nitto with perriellies, but I recall something about one of the 2 brands not lasting very long. Sumitomo are pretty good tires. Ran them on my Saleen and they grip pretty well.

need 4 speed

Id recommend the Nittos, they are really good tires, I run them on my car.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

If you need traction, start looking for better tires. 285/35 is a great match to your fronts.

ksuberk54

iTrader: (2)

285/35/18 is a great match but I am looking to close that ugly fender gap as well as getting a bigger tire for more traction. Thinking a 40 series sidewall would do that better than a 35 even if I'm going up to 285.

Spike100

40 series works fine with 285, and as you mention, it's slightly taller and closes the fender gap a little.

ksuberk54

iTrader: (2)

you think I should go way up to 285/40? I'm thinking 275/40 or 285/35. I'm leaning toward 275/40 so I can close that fender gap.

Spike100

285/40-18 is slightly taller and wider than 275/40-18”. So… The 285 in series 40 will close the fender gap (but just slightly) more than 275 in the same series.

Counterpoint… Taller (with all else being equal) means less acceleration.

ksuberk54

iTrader: (2)

I did the tire size calculator and it keeps me closer to same mph if i run 275/40/18 than if I run 285/35/18 though 285/40/18 is closer to the same mph than 285/35/18.

Spike100

Yup!

Z1NONLY

iTrader: (2)

Just took a set of Sumitomo HTR Z II off my Z recently.

Good: The tread lasted longer in track use than any other tire I have ever ran.

Bad: They last because they don't stick.

I originally got them because the Kumho XS's I used to run were back-ordered when I had an upcoming driving school.

I got the Sumitomo HTR Z II's because they were cheap and I figured I would "sacrifice" these cheap tires at the school and get sticky tires later.

6 months and 12 racing days later...they still had about 50% tread life left!!

I ended up selling them and getting some sticky tires. (BFG Rivals)

BTW, the 255 Rivals have at least as much grip as my 275 XS's had (possibly more) and WAY more grip than the 275 Sumitomo HTR Z II's.

Bigger doesn't automatically mean "more grip".

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

Are you changing front tires too, or using the 265/35 as front. I was thinking you are keeping 265/35 as your fronts, and that would mean, back to what I said above. Unless you want electronic issues.

ksuberk54

iTrader: (2)

Keeping my fronts for now. I planned on running 275/40 in the rear and 265/35 up front until my fronts need replaced. Then I will get 245/40 or 255/40. I thought about 285/35 but I really need to get rid of that fender gap and was hoping a bigger sidewall would do that.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

Forget the fender gap, even though the 285 will close it a bit. The 285 will handle better from a performance aspect.

Play, track, canyons in say 265/35 and 285/35

90% daily driven, 255/40 and 275/40 for most applications.

Just my opinion.

ksuberk54

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the info Terrasmak. I only go to the strip maybe 5x a year. I don't really do anything else. There's not much to do in Kansas lol I did think about the 285/35 setup. I still might do it but I'm thinking 275/40 might not only look better but will be better for daily use.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

I believe Kansas has a huge Solo racing scene, plenty to do. You should try it out.

ksuberk54

iTrader: (2)

They do have a road race track in Topeka. The same place I go for drag. It cost almost $200 just for the day and 3-4 hours in the morning you have to do this class thing. I think I would lose interest after the morning session. So do we agree i should do 275/40 or do you think I should do 285/35? I will probably order them today or tomorrow.

terrasmak

iTrader: (8)

Ya, I would do the 275/40. You should try a day at the track. $200 is about the going rate, after the morning you will probably just be trying to get more. It's not as easy as people think, nothing like canyons. Then the Miata, BRZ, and all the "slow" cars blowing your doors off are motivation to become faster. Later on it turns into having fun blowing the doors off of faster cars especially in the high experienced classes.

ksuberk54

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the info guys! Sounds like 275/40 is the option to go with. Also sounds like HTR Z II's are okay tires for the money, Nitto is a good tire. Didn't see a post about the III's.

neal@tirerack

The ZII, although older in design, does well for the $$. A step up that may do better in an track environment would be the ZIII. I've had many happy customer on both so you really cant go wrong.