Michelin Cup 2's or R888R's

shelbygt500_897hp

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I'm probably a few mths out and will be replacing my rear tires for better grippier rubber. I am currently running a Nitto NTO5 305x30x20 with a treadwear of 200 OD of 27.3.

Rims being run are a CS-14 9.5x20 front and CS-14 11x20 rear

Tire rack sells both and upon my request, suggested the Cup 2 over the Toyo. Tirerack rep just said the Michelin is just a better tire. That surprised me for what I am using it for

I am going to go up in size and will have my bumpstop brackets removed and get the Revan racing bump stop relocation brackets.

The new size will be a 315x30x20. The Toyo R888R is a 100 Treadwear with a OD 27.5 and the Michelin Cup 2's are a treadwear of 180 and also a OD of 27.5

I dont believe I will have any issues with ABS compatibility since my front tires are 27.2
If I choose the Toyo I will just get the rears. If I choose the Michelins I will get all cup 2''s on all four corners and
will go with a 265x35x20 OD 27.3 cup 2's and again a 315x30x20 rear Michelin Cup 2 OD 27.5

I am not going to autocross or drag race the car. My usage will be rolling starts with my OEM clutch fully engaged and jumpiing on it

So for longevity, straight line grip and over all handling which is the better tire to go with ?

As a footnote if I go with the TOYO's which means rears only I do have a second set of rims sporting the Nitto G2's for rain expected trips.

Don
 
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Black Cobra '99

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Have you considered the NT05R? which is specifically made for straight line performance, it seems to me its a better choice for your usage.
 

shelbygt500_897hp

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Have you considered the NT05R? which is specifically made for straight line performance, it seems to me its a better choice for your usage.


I did but the tire thats available is a 315x35x20 with a 28.74 OD and I believe the fronts ( Nitto G2 stock size tires) are a 27.2 and might play havoc with my ABS. I ran the NTO5r's with stock rims and wasnt that impressed with them
 
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enormous

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I am on my second set of 325 30 20 S Cup 2 on an widened Boze 11 3/8" rim. I happen to like them.

I have been in a Shelby with the R888 and the Cup 2's are somewhat quieter to my ears, a plus. If you don't abuse the Cup 2 tire life is good, better than my friends R888 life I found.

Your ABS will be fine. As for rain, I found the Cup 2 safe in the rain in corner carving winding roads as long as you drive normal and not make a stupid move . I hit LOTS of unexpected rain conditions and never had an issue with my Cup 2 out back, even drove many hrs straight in rain...your right foot sensible input is key.

The Cup 2's do NOT perform when cold or on cold pavement I might add. Since I don't drag race or Auto Cross I found the Cup 2's handle high speed corners with confidence when HOT, no issue noted.

The R888 may grip somewhat better gripping in second gear roll racing than the Cup 2 as I spun mine in second quite a few times at 740 RWHP and 730 TQ....expected, but I was prepared.

My honest 2 cents.

Up front I run 255 35 20 Michelin 4S without complaint.

I removed the bump stop bracket and shock boot only
 

shelbygt500_897hp

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I am on my second set of 325 30 20 S Cup 2 on an widened Boze 11 3/8" rim. I happen to like them.

I have been in a Shelby with the R888 and the Cup 2's are somewhat quieter to my ears, a plus. If you don't abuse the Cup 2 tire life is good, better than my friends R888 life I found.

Your ABS will be fine. As for rain, I found the Cup 2 safe in the rain in corner carving winding roads as long as you drive normal and not make a stupid move . I hit LOTS of unexpected rain conditions and never had an issue with my Cup 2 out back, even drove many hrs straight in rain...your right foot sensible input is key.

The Cup 2's do NOT perform when cold or on cold pavement I might add. Since I don't drag race or Auto Cross I found the Cup 2's handle high speed corners with confidence when HOT, no issue noted.

The R888 may grip somewhat better gripping in second gear roll racing than the Cup 2 as I spun mine in second quite a few times at 740 RWHP and 730 TQ....expected, but I was prepared.

My honest 2 cents.

Up front I run 255 35 20 Michelin 4S without complaint.

I removed the bump stop bracket and shock boot only

Great review and post. First what year is your shelby and what is the offset of your rear rim? I'd prefer the S Cup 2s' at all four corners because I miss the handling of my sold 17 GT350. Wider is usually better.

Our hp numbers are very close and my latest dyno run was under ideal circumstances. Though the dyno sheet showed 780 rwhp Im probably closer to mid 700 range.

Lastly, spending this kinda of money I would like to get some miles out of what ever I buy. As I stated
in my original post I dont drag race or track the car either.
 

biminiLX

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OP, you basically street drive only, spirited street driving is mainly WOT in a straight line and some fast on/off ramps?
I’ve ran Michelin Pilot Sport tires before and they are the only non-R compound I choose for my personal vehicles, so Michelin will always be a great choice.
Just for Shelby power, the sticky R compound tires are the best choice for a fair weather fun car.
-J
 

enormous

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^^ My car is an 08. 325's fit well with only very minor scuff marks on the inner fender.
My Custom BOZE rims had an 8.250" offset on the rear if my memory is correct. I do run a 1/8" spacer I might add.

I have seen the 325 30 20 Cup 2 on an 11" rim without any noticeable bulge provided your offset is correct.
 

shelbygt500_897hp

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OP, you basically street drive only, spirited street driving is mainly WOT in a straight line and some fast on/off ramps?
I’ve ran Michelin Pilot Sport tires before and they are the only non-R compound I choose for my personal vehicles, so Michelin will always be a great choice.
Just for Shelby power, the sticky R compound tires are the best choice for a fair weather fun car.
-J

"Fair weather fun car" THAT BE ME !@@! in mostly sunny Florida
 

shelbygt500_897hp

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Just ordered a set of rear tires for the car. I decided on the Toyo R888Rs' from discount tire.

Because of a bad experience from them when I bought my NTO5's and was promised they would hook for me I persisted but was able to get $100 off the purchase. Wife isnt happy but what wife isnt when we spend $$ for our cars !!!


Im getting the bump stops removed and going from a 305x30x20 NTO5 to a R888R 315x30x20


I should hook up now considering the wider footprint and the sticker rubber
 

shelbygt500_897hp

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Good deal let us know.
-J

will do

Took a closer look at the rear wheels and tires that are currently on the car( 305x30x20 on a CS 14 rim ) and i really dont think I need to remove the bump stop bracket. Bought the relocation kit from revan racing and have an appt to remove the actual bump stop bracket on the 20th but may just put the new tires on with no other changes. Will get the tires ( 315x30x20 ) next week
 

mdoan

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will do

Took a closer look at the rear wheels and tires that are currently on the car( 305x30x20 on a CS 14 rim ) and i really dont think I need to remove the bump stop bracket. Bought the relocation kit from revan racing and have an appt to remove the actual bump stop bracket on the 20th but may just put the new tires on with no other changes. Will get the tires ( 315x30x20 ) next week

Be sure to post an update (with pics!) once the tires are on. I’d like to go 315 also but would rather not mess with the stops.
 

shelbygt500_897hp

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Be sure to post an update (with pics!) once the tires are on. I’d like to go 315 also but would rather not mess with the stops.


**** some reason I posted duplicates of the picts ... sorry****
Tires came in today so I got them on immediately.

Had the Ford store that I worked at and retired from do the work since I know everyone there. The tires by themselves were huge but once on my 20x11 rim didnt seem as big. Even though I ordered the bump stop relocation bracket after some further discussions with fellow members and doing some eyeballing I came to the conclusion they should fit with no issue and they did. I think in a part the 20" rim helps push the tire up and away from the bumpstop bracket where as the OEM 19 and 18 inch rims the bumpstops become more problematic. I did a 10 minute test drive of which 8.40 minutes was making sure there were no cops.

(Side note, with love bug season in full force I drove the car 10 minutes and washed loved bugs off for 50 minutes)

First test was a rolling start at 20 mph in second .... held totally; the R888R are remarkable. Than the real test, rolling start in first gear. This held as well; no slippage of either the OEM clutch or new tires. Both second and first gear rolling runs where done all the up to my shift light going off at 5500rpm.


My weak link in the car was the tires. Now with this solved I wouldnt be surprised to see the OEM clutch go or rear diff or spin an axle.

I dont drive it aggresively but never having traction I really never knew what 780rwhp felt like. I do now!! FAST :)
 
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mdoan

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Great feedback and pics. Thank you! I’m also on a widened 20x11 oem so I am tempted to go this way. I’m in a similar boat, but just replaced the OEM clutch with an RST so my concern is now with the rest of the drivetrain... I’m running at least 100whp less than you though.

The prospect of low gear traction is very tempting though...
 

shelbygt500_897hp

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Great feedback and pics. Thank you! I’m also on a widened 20x11 oem so I am tempted to go this way. I’m in a similar boat, but just replaced the OEM clutch with an RST so my concern is now with the rest of the drivetrain... I’m running at least 100whp less than you though.

The prospect of low gear traction is very tempting though...

You may not need as aggresive of a tire as the R888R. But that said Im very impressed with the tire and all that I spoke too said this was the way to go. Maybe noisey they said. Funny. My car has the LM NSR cams ... off road x pipe ... and KR mufflers so whos going to here the tires. Certainly not me !~
 

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