Nitto Invo - Size Question

[S197steve]

Hey guys, I'm currently shopping some new tires for my stock 18x8.5 rims. I would prefer getting some NT555R's for the rear but Nitto doesn't make them in sizes to fit our stock 18s! So, instead I'm looking at getting the Invo's. I've read tons of great feedback and think they will be a good alternative to the NT555R's and should last a bit longer.

The question I'm having trouble finding an answer to though is around sizes. I'd like to go as wide as I can without needing new rims. According to Nitto's site the 275/40ZR18s only fit 9-11 inch rims. Does anyone know if I can squeeze the 275 width tires on my 8.5 rims?

I don't want to put the car in a position with I'm not riding around safely, but I want as wide as I can get with at minimum a 40 sidewall.

My other option is the Invo 255/45ZR18 but I'd prefer the 275 if possible...

 

[Agent Jones]

you can put it on them but it might bulge.

 

[S197steve]

Thanks Agent, does the bulge adversely effect anything? I would assuming in hard cornering the tire would 'roll' more if there was a bulge.

 

[stkjock]

the will fit, your cornering will suffer at the edge, IMO unless your road racing it or auto-x you'll not notice

 

[JeremyH]

the 555R is a drag radial, invos are street radials. You will get better mileage out of a 555 street radial over an invo. I have used all three i currently have invos up front and 555 out back. I would not go over 255/45/18 on those rims and thats a plenty wide tire.

There are pics of a 255/45/18 invo on my car here
And more pics down at post #17
http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27624&highlight=top

 

[adamstang]

i had 255-45018 on my old 8.5s. its a perfect fit, it will effect the how the tire wears and handling quality slightly, but the 255-45-18s are good enough. they are PLEANTY sticky, no need for 275s

 

[S197steve]

Thanks for the replies guys. Lightblade, with my power levels I would prefer a drag radial, but I can't find any that fit my wheels assuming that 275 is too wide.

That being said, I'm fine with normal street tires however I want as sticky and as large a street tire as I can get. It sounds like 255 is the way to go as I don't want to compromise safety or tire life with the 275.

Your photos look good, however I'd prefer a slightly taller sidewall and did a little more research and found that the 555 comes in a 265/50ZR18.

Did you have the Invo on the back of your car? If so, did the Invo's grip better than the 555s?

Thanks again.

 

[S197steve]

Also, is it cool to run a taller tire (say 50) in the rear and a shorter tire (say 40-45) on the front? Any handling issues to worry about?

 

[stkjock]

if you want a DR on the stock rims, the MT ET SR II in a 265/40 works very well, yes they are a bit shorter then stock, but they HOOK

 

[S197steve]

if you want a DR on the stock rims, the MT ET SR II in a 265/40 works very well, yes they are a bit shorter then stock, but they HOOK

Hmmm, I'd seen those but got thrown off by the sizing. I'm new to the high HP realm and really have no experience with drag radials other than driving a few of my buddies cars with them.

So, is this the tire size that I'd need to go with? 26X12.00R18LT or this size? 26X10.00R18LT Both say they fit on an 8.5 in rim. Or even this one? 28X10.00R18LT

Are these decent in the wet? This is my DD and would like decent wet traction if possible. I realize wet traction and drag radials don't go hand in hand, but don't again don't want to be unsafe if possible.

 

[stkjock]

So, is this the tire size that I'd need to go with? 26X12.00R18LT or this size? 26X10.00R18LT Both say they fit on an 8.5 in rim. Or even this one? 28X10.00R18LT

not sure what tires you are referencing here, the MT ET Street Radial II is a metric 265/40/18. I've run that size for about 3 yrs and 10,000 miles on my stock rims.

Are these decent in the wet? This is my DD and would like decent wet traction if possible. I realize wet traction and drag radials don't go hand in hand, but don't again don't want to be unsafe if possible.

They are decent in the wet when new and with a bit of use. I don't know how they are after some use as my car is not a DD and has only been in the rain once or twice.

 

[JeremyH]

The et street will have better dry traction, worse in the rain, and worse mileage than a nitto dr or street tire so you kinda have to balance out what you want. The 555r is a good middle ground as its good dry traction decent wet traction and with the temperature specific compound also you to get alot more miles out of them on the street.

Ive only run nitto invo on the front, they grip good, have the same dry traction rating as the 555 but they wear alot faster than the 555 for sure.

I have 555r 305/40 on 2 18x10 for the rear that i swap out as well and they are a great balance between traction and tread life for a drag radial.
And are suprising really good in the rain!

Also, is it cool to run a taller tire (say 50) in the rear and a shorter tire (say 40-45) on the front? Any handling issues to worry about?

Its fine it will give a nice downward rake i think looks good but i try to keep everything level for me.

That 555 265/50/18 is a 28.5 inch tall tire, way too tall for what you got. what gears do you have?

The 255/45/18 is a better choice it keeps the stock 27" height.

 

[S197steve]

Thanks again guys.

I think for the time being I'm just going to get the 555s and will look for a set of cheap 17s that I can stick some DRs on for the track. After really giving it some thought, I do too much driving (12-14k a year) on this car to really warrant DRs daily. The car is less than 2 years old and I have 25k on it already... with lots of rain here in Houston.

In regards to the sizes, I want to be able to fill the wheel wells and was considering the 265/50ZR18s that you mention Lightblade, but that was my concern as well. I have 3.31s and I'm sure a tire that tall bring the effective number down 3.10 or so... which I don't think I want.

I have Saleen springs/shocks but they only lowered the car about .5 inch so I want to make sure I fill the gap some. Are the 255/45ZR18s going to do that? It sounds like they are roughly the same size as the stock BF Goodrich tires.

 

[stkjock]

255/45's are the same height as stock, you'll not fill much of the gap there, you'll need a taller tire, a 275/45 will work, but they are rare and pricey

 

[JeremyH]

Just feb 28th my car turned three and i have 28,000 miles on it and thats because of monthly road trips i usually only put 6-8k miles of daily driving a year. And go to sea and the car sits for awhile lol.

 

[S197steve]

Thanks again to everyone who chipped in here. I wound up going a different route after some additional research and got the Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110 in 255/45ZR18s.

I just read too many great reviews about them and due to their significantly lower costs, it seemed to be the right choice.

 

[JeremyH]

Let us know how they work they work out