Nitto NT05R versus 555R

[06whipple]

Just ordered a set of NT05Rs 275/40-17s from JPC to replace my 555Rs. Hoping to have them on for Saturday at Capitol Raceway. Will post up the 60 ft improvement versus the 555Rs. I have been able to get 1.7X sixty foots with the 555R on 4.10s when the tires were fairly new...best was a 1.68 on a very sticky track (a Wed night at Cecil last year). Going to 3.73s from 4.10s is costing a tenth or two in 60 ft so it won't be a great comparison. My last two times out on loose tracks I have had consistent 1.9X 60 ft times (with 3.73s). I would say with a good track and proper burnout my worn 555Rs should do 1.8x 60 fts. Hoping for consistent 1.6x times with the NT05Rs. 555Rs have been good tires for all around use though...have over 10k miles on them and they still have a few thousand left. They just don't seem to stick very well any more.

 

[Bad Intention]

NT05R's are much softer compound. You will see diff. in the way the car hooks.

 

[06whipple]

Ran the NT05Rs at Capitol today ...tried from 23 down to 18psi. Had some wheel hop issues but seemed like 20-22psi worked best for my setup. Not a huge improvement over the 555Rs but on average my 60ft times were at least 2 tenths better. So far I like them...will need some more practice to get the feel of them during launch. They ride better on the highway...very noticable difference.

 

[Anthony05GT]

I was at Cecil county Saturday with my NT05R's running Whipple at 12 psi, 302 stroker, with stage 2 cams. Could not hook up first gear at all with any kind of decent rpm launch. 1.8 60ft, 126 mph trap speed running 11.45 1/4 average. Should have been deep into the 10's with proper tires. These are not the best, but I will say they are the best for the street.

I started out at 15 psi and worked down to 12 psi on tire pressure. The NT05R's are 18's which don't help on a car pushing 600rwhp. I was getting 1.50 60 ft times at 100 hp less using 17'' mickeys.

 

[06whipple]

I'll try going that low on pressure next time and see what happens.

 

[fiveoh]

Ran the NT05Rs at Capitol today ...tried from 23 down to 18psi. Had some wheel hop issues but seemed like 20-22psi worked best for my setup. Not a huge improvement over the 555Rs but on average my 60ft times were at least 2 tenths better. So far I like them...will need some more practice to get the feel of them during launch. They ride better on the highway...very noticable difference.

2 tenths on the 60' is not a huge improvment?!?!?

 

[06whipple]

Not when I was hoping for at least 3 tenths

 

[06whipple]

Have several hundred miles on the NT05Rs on the street now. Still spin a little in first but not too bad. Hook great in second...almost makes the car feel faster now due to the improvement in traction. Love the feel of the ride too.

 

[Marc s]

Have several hundred miles on the NT05Rs on the street now. Still spin a little in first but not too bad. Hook great in second...almost makes the car feel faster now due to the improvement in traction. Love the feel of the ride too.

They do drive nice. It's also amazing how well they handle. I was pushing mine really hard today getting on the freeway. I really happy with them also.

 

[Scord]

How much softer are the NT05R vs the NT555R's? How long do you guys expect to see them last? I was impressed by the NT555R's for how long they lasted being a drag radial back when I was NA. I'm In need of a pair of summer tires now, so I can hopefully feel 1st and 2nd gear.

 

[06whipple]

They look really soft. I'm not hopeful about getting many miles out of them. Major ride improvement over 555r though

 

[funmoneypit]

Ran the NT05Rs at Capitol today ...tried from 23 down to 18psi. Had some wheel hop issues but seemed like 20-22psi worked best for my setup. Not a huge improvement over the 555Rs but on average my 60ft times were at least 2 tenths better. So far I like them...will need some more practice to get the feel of them during launch. They ride better on the highway...very noticable difference.

Let's see, you went from a 4:10 gear to a 3:73 gear and picked up two tenths in the 60'. That is huge!!

I also have the NT05R's and love them. I am not pushing a huge amount of power but they hook really nice and I can't wait to get them to the track.

The ride is incredible. I really expected them to be worse than my stockers but I can't tell the difference and they might even be better.

 

[Wild thing]

My 2 cents
I have done a few experiments with the nitto 555s. First, the tires footprint is what you would see if you were under the car and the car was sitting a piece of glass. You most likely knew this.
I'm sure you all know that a radio tire puts down a longer footprint than the same size Bias tire. The longer footprint can be changed by air pressure, but to little or to much will hurt a radio tires foot print.
An easy experiment to find your tires footprint, put the recommended air pressure in your tire, now jack the back tire up and ink ( I used paint) the bottom of the tire past what you think the footprint would be. Get a piece paper and lower the car down on the paper, Jack the car back up and remove the paper, This is your cars footprint with your tires at recommended air pressure.
Now use the other back tire and set the air pressure to a lower (What you think is good) and ink the bottom of the tire past were the footprint would be, get paper and lower the car onto the paper. Raise the tire, and this is the footprint of your tire with your lower air pressure.

You can make your own judgment as to the improvement (or not) of recommended or lowered air pressures.

 

[Proto]

NT05R's hands down. I've personally seen marc s pull 1.6's at bremerton on 18" wheels so the grip is def there