Tires...the question that was asked 100 times before

[BlackCobra96]

I have a '96 Cobra and want to get new tires. It has 17x9 Cobra R's up front and 17x10.5 on back. The car isn't driven in the rain and tread life isn't an issue. My focus would be a good drag radial that won't make me look too foolish if I take it on a road course, or perhaps a good road course tire that would make a good drag radial. I'm thinking Nittos. Suggestions on brand, type and size?

 

[CobraHuck]

I'm a Nitto guy all the way. I've had 555R Extremes, hooked, wore, cornered, and handled the wet very well on my old '94 GT.

Had NT05s on the rear of my '97 Cobra when I bought it, same thing 'cept even stickier. Lots of guys run them for drag (that's what the PO did with my car) but lots of guys also run them for autoX and open track. They're a terrific all around tire. I believe a 180 treadwear also IIRC, so they'll last a decent amount of time.

I now have INVOs all the way around on the Cobra, LOVE these tires. Not quite as sticky as the NT05s, but definitely still plenty of grip. 200 treadwear (it's my daily so this was considered), great in the rain, plenty of lateral and forward bite. Playing around in the mountains or DD'ing, they're a great mix of ride quality and grip. I will say they're a touch noisier than the other two tho, but only if the radio's off and I'm just coasting do I ever hear them.

I think for what you're looking for, either the NT05 or INVO would be equally good for you.

 

[96redfirecobra]

nitto 555r/ nt05's or nt01's are all good tires, the nt01s are a little on the expensive side, as far as size on my 17x9 and x10.5 I run 275/45 on the front and 315/35 on the rear, hope this helps

 

[parabs]

I have had great luck with Michelin PS2's. They are on the noisy side, but hook and turn as good as any street tire I have sampled...which do not include the nitto stated above. They make a 335 in the ps2's that are large for the 10.5 rim but will work

 

[stiffler197]

Love my nitto nt05rs

 

[BlackCobra96]

nitto 555r/ nt05's or nt01's are all good tires, the nt01s are a little on the expensive side, as far as size on my 17x9 and x10.5 I run 275/45 on the front and 315/35 on the rear, hope this helps

I'm thinking the NT01's would work best, but I haven't considered a P275 up front. Do you have any issues with rubbing?

 

[cbrown9064]

I have NT555 on my 96 Cobra and really like them. The NT05 are higher performance yet. No experience with those...

 

[F8L BYT]

Sounds like you should get the Toyo R888.... It's considered a road race tire, but they seriously hook hard on the street, I have two friends who run them on their civics, both make over 600hp and that's their favorite tire

 

[1BD9D7]

For those wheels, I say nitto 555 and 555R in 255/40/17 and 315/35/17. I have used these for most of the miles on my car, they are great! I have not used other Nittos or ran a 275 up front, never saw the need.

 

[Midnight_Cobra]

R888 or the 555R II. I had the R II on my 2003 and loved it. It spun a little, but I was willing to sacrifice a little spinning for turning and little better tread wear. I might try the R888's next.

 

[PSUCOBRA96]

Just make sure you match the sizes so you don't set off your ABS, it really annoys me. My rears are done and I have to go smaller so I fit in the 3% difference parameter so as not to set off the ABS light.

 

[mystickb1996]

Well i have the same rim setup as you and run nitto invos in the front and 315/35/17 nitto Nt01 in the back.. ill make it easy dont get the NT01's lol they dont hook well for an R compound tire.... best luck i have had with a good street tire the handles 500+whp is a toyo r888 hands down. strait line they dead hook and cornering, well thats what they were designed for. needless to say i will be going back to the r888's for my 96...now the nitto nt05 i just picked up last week during discount tires memorial sale for my 14 5.0 in size 295/35/18 but i haven't got them on yet to see how they do with 400+whp but i hope better then the Nt01

 

[BlackCobra96]

I went with Nitto NT01s. I once could spin the tires all the way into third. Now it just hooks. These things are fantastic.