Question/opinions on Nittos

MustangMulch

New Member

Mar 27, 2003

303

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0

Santa Clarita, CA

Apr 27, 2005

#1

• Apr 27, 2005

• #1

I have had my heart set on buying some Nitto 555r DR's for quite some time now. But i recently discovered that the only sizes they make for a 15" wheel are 275/50 and 275/60. Now the problem is, these tires are recommended for wheels 7.5"-9.5" wide. My wheels are 15x7" Draglites. I know 7" is a little less than what is recommended, but does that mean it is an absolute no-no to put these tires on them? What negative consequences would come from doing that?

Right now I run 255/60 BFG radial t/a's without problems, and from what I hear the 275 Nittos are comparable in size. I really want to run some DR's but I am not going to do that if my wheels are absolutely too small to put those tires on. I need your guys' opinion. thanks.

 

N8Miller

I need NOS....make it 2 of the big ones

Founding Member

Jul 26, 2000

2,661

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Kingston, PA, USA

Apr 27, 2005

#2

• Apr 27, 2005

• #2

i dont think that your rim size is going to be a problem.

now, heres my drag radial break down from what i have seen/used/researched.

Nittos: last a while, hook good on the street, dont hook so good at the track

BFG: dont last as long, hook good on the street, hook better at the track

MT: not sure how long they last, people say they hook good on the street, and myke86gt says that they hook GREAT at the track!

 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"

Founding Member

Aug 7, 2002

9,516

6

99

Arkansas

Apr 27, 2005

#3

• Apr 27, 2005

• #3

They will fit on your wheel but your going to get more tire roll-over (effects your handling in a negative way)...

The Nitto's do run smaller...

Edit: I'm not suggesting to run those tire sizes but they can/will fit...

Good Luck with your tire/size choice...

 

G

gt90stang

New Member

Dec 7, 2002

568

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Apr 27, 2005

#4

• Apr 27, 2005

• #4

MustangMulch,

I love my Nitto DRs (275/40R17) on the street, they are awesome even in the rain and in my opinion are great for all around street use. They hook real good and are the best tires I've run on my Stang in the 17 years that I've owned it.

Don

Forgot to mention that I have 9" rims.

 

squeeeg

Founding Member

Jul 4, 2000

1,905

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Michigan

Apr 27, 2005

#5

• Apr 27, 2005

• #5

I wouldn't put 275's on a 7" rim. Your rim is about 177mm wide and your tire is going to be 275mms wide you can see the problem. Granted the sidewalls go in a little bit but not enough to make a difference.

 

L

L8 MUSL

Active Member

Jan 20, 2003

1,664

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36

Carlsbad, Ca.

Apr 27, 2005

#6

• Apr 27, 2005

• #6

I agree, they will be fine on your wheels.
They are GREAT on the street.
At the track they hook WAY better then street radials but not quite as good as slicks.
About the only draw back is they don't last all that long, (especialy if you visit the track because you have to heat them up real good by doing smokey burnouts).
Well, and I seemed to pick up more then the usual amount of nails/screws but maybe that was just me.

Oh yeah, one more draw back. They will make all other tires seem down right slipery after you are used to them.

 

T

TheUser

Active Member

Jul 25, 2003

1,859

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36

Springfield, MO

Apr 28, 2005

#7

• Apr 28, 2005

• #7

I've read - like you noted - that the 275's are comparable in size to other manufacturers 255. That being said, a normal 255 is 10 inches wide; your wheel is 7 inches, so there's 3 inches of bulge there. If you currently have no problems, there shouldn't be any problems. I'm with Dave though, generally not recommended to run that big of a tire on that small of a wheel, although people do it. If you do it, I'd suggest the 60 series just so it'll give you more sidewall and let your tread have more contact relative to the 275/50's.

 

M

mackey

Active Member

Jan 25, 2003

1,284

1

38

Beverly, Massachusetts

Apr 28, 2005

#8

• Apr 28, 2005

• #8

It should be fine because you will have more sidewall with the 15" tire. This will make it less noticeable.