02-08-2015, 04:14 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: E BRUNSWICK N.J. USA,
Posts: 3,841
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Nitto and Mich tires
Pman1961 I have run both for many years. started with 15" BFG junk and went to 17" Mich Sports and then Nitto 05 tires. My findings,
First off, I have an older era car. The 335/35 17" wheels didn't fit until the body got some help for clearance. The next problem was spring rates. The street setup from ERA is perfect for 15" Bfg but not anywhere near what you need to control for a 17" Mich or Nitto 05 tires. You will need to look at a 30% increase in spring rate to start. Depending on shocks a multi control for dampening and rebound to get the most out of either tire. Sway bars you can start with stock but sure you will either up the rating or modify.
Going to guess you have aligned the car and did weight checks for all 4 corners with your weight in the drivers seat. Have found that a 48/52 ratio is about the best for my car. Thrust angle needs to be "0" with your weight in the drivers seat. Tire pressures must match.
Here's the thing, each time you go out and drive the car the tire get heated. Over time these heat cycles harden the rubber. Depending on how crazy you want to get, Buy a gallon of VHT tire softener to keep them softer longer. Over time that become rocks. I got 7 years out of the Mich Pilots and going on the year 3 with the nitto's. When not driving the car, it is off the ground to prevent flat spots. This makes it easier to coat the tires with VHT.
No insult but very few guys can drive a cobra to the limits. I 'm not one of them but have seen silly people try to impress their friends and bad things have happened.
You have not givin a power, gear ratio of the rearend or running what trans. IF you did I missed it. Either of these ties will give about a "1" g grip on good clean surface. The Mich would be safer on the street. The Nitto's better on the track. Both are DOT and both have a 200 wear marker. Nobody expects to get caught in the rain but it does happen. Even when the rain is gone the roads are still wet in some parts of the country for hours. This should also be factured into which tire you get.
You will be very close in clearance on both front and rear tires. The rim backspacing is critical to clear and not rub the rear inner fender lips.
Once you deciede which tire and have them mounted, goto a flat parking lot and do some turns. Video tape this and look at the way the car handles. You may have to adjust ride height for clearance. You want the car to track flat without heavy lean. I have about 1.5" of compression travel on hard turns
Last 2 notes, Need to do more maintainance on car with these tires. Wheel bearings need to be greased more and maintain the correct preload on them. More heat will come from the brakes when stopping. Might want to add cooler hoses to the front brake assemblies. greasing ball joints.
I learned my limit and ability of driving my cobra. I have spin out 3 times. Been VERY lucky and not hit anything. the point here is this car will do a 360 in a split millisecond and you DON'T have time to react. Hold on and PRAY. These tires will improve the handling of the car, be careful either way. Good luck. Rick L.
Last edited by RICK LAKE; 02-08-2015 at 04:18 AM..
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