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Yes, another tire question... NT01 vs NT555R II Extreme

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Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,237
4,227
Santiago, Chile
Hi, I know, here we go with another tire question! I found some NT01 tires for $1000 (4) in 275/35-18. And a set of NT 555R II 305/35-18 (4) for $1350. For a track tire would I be better off with the NT01 or better go for the width of the NT555R II? I wanted a track tire that I could swap at home and drive to the track with td 100 or greater (local rules). I read the NT01 is about a second faster then the NT555RII in the same size

Cannot find any NT01's in 305/35-18 and looks like it will be some time before they get in stock. The other option is the Toyo R888 but they seem to have lots negative results with our cars.
 

Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,237
4,227
Santiago, Chile
I keep hearing great things about the NT01. I guess will have to wait a bit longer. Still have some life left in my DZ02 so can will hold out a month or two.....
 
6,363
8,191
FWIW we run 275X35X18 in our series, our cars are GROSSLY undertired we have to run them or we wouldn't. I'd put the biggest meats under there I could get my hands on, even my old 99 cobra runs 285s on the front and 315s in the rear.
 

Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,237
4,227
Santiago, Chile
More tire always sounds good with our beasts, was a little worried what the 305/35-18 would be like upfront on a set of 18x10 drifts. I would love to have that much "meat ". I guess a spacer should do the trick with any rubbing issues. The only other options I see are 295/30-18 Toyos or 295/35-18 Rivals. Both of which do not fill me with confidence. I am almost ready to push the button for a set 305/35-18 NT555II's .....
 
The Rivals are an excellent street tire for the track, but by no means do they measure up to R comps. The old version Hankook RS3s are on sale at tire rack with a 140 treadwear (new ones are 200) and come in 285 35 18 which fit perfectly on the 18 10 rims. They are comparable to the Rivals but may be a bit better. The Rivals fit but are a tad fat for that wheel. I have a feeling the NT01 305s may be a bit much on the 10" rims. I've met some guys driving NT01s to and from the track, but they were driving lightweight e36 M3s, and didn't seem to understand about heat cycling and such. The stickiest thing I've run are the takeoff Conti or Pirelli slicks. They can be had for cheap, are featherlight and stick like crazy. Not street legal though.
 

Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,237
4,227
Santiago, Chile
From what I read, the NT555R II Extreme and the NT01 are the same rubber with different pattern. The NT01 turns into a slick with a bit of use leaving just two lines. Both are TD100. NT01 is supposed to be a little quicker.

I was looking at the RS3 but the 285/35-18 has a tread width of 10.1", My 275/35-19 Dunlop DZII are 10.6". I was hoping to get more tire on the road and the RS3 will probably give me the same stick I have with the DZII.

I did not catch on that with TD100 I would have a heat cycle problem! So then using them for a one hour highway trip to the track would be unwise??

Another option for a streetable track tire would be the Yokohama AD08R 295/30-18, its TD180 and 11.5" tread width, but they are expensive at +US$1500 a set

Or, the other option is to hell with what class I go into, and work on my best time with something like the Conti slicks Hoosier has for sale at the end of the season. Any info where you can get them now?
 
Mad Hatter said:
From what I read, the NT555R II Extreme and the NT01 are the same rubber with different pattern. The NT01 turns into a slick with a bit of use leaving just two lines. Both are TD100. NT01 is supposed to be a little quicker.
That's not what the Nitto rep told me. NT01 is newer design/technology with better longer lasting rubber and should be a bit faster. My local Nitto rep tells me the same thing and says to skip 555R II and go straight to NT01. He also recommends a square 305 setup on our cars as does CorteX. They are not the same.
 

Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,237
4,227
Santiago, Chile
I am confused about the whole Nitto line up now. I have read reviews from 2009 for the NT01, yet I thought it was new? I read in a Hot rod mag that the NT01 and NT555R II are the same but if Nitto says they are not then I believe them.

305/35-19 would be a great size, but some say its to wide for 18x10 drifts? Are you on 10.5?
 
Mad Hatter said:
I am confused about the whole Nitto line up now. I have read reviews from 2009 for the NT01, yet I thought it was new? I read in a Hot rod mag that the NT01 and NT555R II are the same but if Nitto says they are not then I believe them.

305/35-19 would be a great size, but some say its to wide for 18x10 drifts? Are you on 10.5?
Neither are new but the NT01 is newer. I'm on 9.5 and 10.5" Enkei PF01's but I'm looking at new 10" and 11" wide wheels from Apex Wheels. I wish the NT01 was available in a 285/35/18 for the front.
 
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NFSBOSS said:
That's not what the Nitto rep told me. NT01 is newer design/technology with better longer lasting rubber and should be a bit faster. My local Nitto rep tells me the same thing and says to skip 555R II and go straight to NT01. He also recommends a square 305 setup on our cars as does CorteX. They are not the same.

I spoke with Discount Tire yesterday and unfortunately they do not have a production schedule for the 305/35/18 NT01 and think it could be six months or more before they have any in stock. Tire Rack says that it will be at least 90 days before they have Rivals in a 295/35/18.
 

Mad Hatter

Gotta go Faster
5,237
4,227
Santiago, Chile
Seriously thinking about a set of NT05! only $900 for a set of 295/35-19. Seems a safe size for 18x10 wheels.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
 
Mad Hatter said:
Seriously thinking about a set of NT05! only $900 for a set of 295/35-19. Seems a safe size for 18x10 wheels.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Ya, but they won't fit :p

So, where does the NT05 fit with respect to NT01 AND NT555 II?
 
1,281
3
Tulsa, OK
F.D. Sako said:
Ya, but they won't fit :p

So, where does the NT05 fit with respect to NT01 AND NT555 II?

In terms of grip, it's lower on the scale. Decent street/track tire for the money but in my experience they get greasy pretty quick during a session and start to fall off...
 
NFSBOSS said:
Neither are new but the NT01 is newer. I'm on 9.5 and 10.5" Enkei PF01's but I'm looking at new 10" and 11" wide wheels from Apex Wheels. I wish the NT01 was available in a 285/35/18 for the front.

They're introducing an 11" wheel?
 

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