I am looking at getting some new wheels for the Cobra and am having a hard time picking tires. Just curious what everyone runs. The car is a 2003 Cobra Convertible with only cat-back for now. I am thinking about running drag radials in the back but am open to other opinions. Right now the car has 275-45-17 Goodyear F1 tires that do absolutely nothing for traction. The car will probably not see the track and isn’t a DD. What do you like/dislike about the tires you run. What are your past experiences, etc. I’m looking to go 305/35/18 rear and 275/40/18 front. Thanks everyone.
The Nitto 555’s are a decent drag radial and you can drive them in inclimate weather if you get caught in the rain or whatever. The BFG’s are better than the Nitto’s for traction but they are scetchy in the rain, the M/T’s and Hoosiers are dry weather only.
I ran BFG’s for 2 years and they were excellent, now I run Hoosier Quick Time Pro’s which are excellent as well, but they are deadly in the rain.
Mickey Thompson ET Street Radials in the back with Pirelli P-Zero Neros up front
mickey thompson out back and goodyear eagle f1’s up front. 275/40/17. Mickey drag radials are not that bad in rain just stay below 50 mph.
+1
305/35/18 is a limiting factor in what tire you’ll end up with. There isn’t a huge selection in that size really.
I think the big players in that size are Nitto and Kumo.
If you can, think about the 315/30/18. It is a little shorter but will open up the tire options for you.
The problem with 315’s is that some Cobra owners say it rubs on the IRS bolts, some say they clear fine. I just don’t want to end up being the guy who has tire rub issues. I’ve noticed that 295 seems to have a lot more of a selection also. I’m not set on the size yet. Great info so far guys. How many street miles have people made it on their drag radials?
on my 16 inch mickey’s i have 12,000 miles and 60+ track passes. The 17 inch drag radials not so much. I killed those in about 4-5k and 15 track passes. They also changed the compound since i had bought the 16’s.
Run the 295/35/18. That is a stock Z06 tire and there are a million choices. The 305 is literally 10mm wider or .39 inches.
I really liked my rt-615s and have got about 15K miles from them.
How many miles do you want out of your tires? Decide that then look for a tire.
Well the car is 7 years old with 3,900 miles on it. The mileage isn’t really an issue, just something I thought I’d ask. From what I’m hearing the Nitto 555R’s have a good mix of traction and longevity.
this is true.
The Nittos really aren’t that bad. I ran a 17" 555r and cut a 1.6 60’ and ran 10.40’s on them. You just need to heat them up a lot.
If you drive <1000 miles per year then I’d rock these.
http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/strip.php?item=ETStreetRadialII&sku=3785R&size=P305/35R18&type=SS
why do people think you get zero mileage out of drag radials? it’s all in your air pressures and how bad you beat on it.
Maximum motorsports sells IRS bolts that are button heads to clear 315s. Or you can do what I did and just grind down the bolt head and it clears fine.
I’ll have to look into that. I was looking at ordering my springs through them so that would be convenient.
Since you live in vegas, I would get something with a high temperature and traction rating. I would not be driving DOT slicks basically.
If I had a cobra, I would take a look at the BFG Geforce Sport summer tires.
If you don’t want to spend the money, you can get some Sumitomo’s that will be about half the money and will offer similar treadwear and performance.
this year i think mt drag radials out back and nittos in front
I run Cop tires…lol
Most of my driving in this car is not during the summer days. It’s too hot to drive with the top down when its 120. I drive it at night or in the long spring/fall that we have. I have those G-Force Sport tires on my Lexus. They’re not bad but I dunno if they’ll hook any better than the F1’s I already have.