I've got some Nitto Drag radials that I want to put on before my trip to S.C. Could someone tell me the pros and cons to these tires... How much do they actually help out on the track? Does anyone use them on a daily driver? I thought about putting them on right before my trip just in case I get to play around with a few cars on the way there.. A buddy of mines with an 01 T/A told me they work really well on the street but you gotta really spin em up good at the track to get them to hook good.. He has some on his daily driven T/A and told me that all kind of debree on the road sticks to them. Also he says that they will kick rocks back on the fender really bad.. Does anyone have any pics with the 305/40/18 Nitto drags on their truck?

 

I would wait til after the roadtrip. You will probably see better mileage with the F1s and the DRs wear more easily than our stock tires.

I've seen people cut 1.7s with Nitto DRs.

 

i have heard they are very loose on the street. if you get caught in the rain, watch out. i haven't seen anyone use these tires to their fullest on a Lightning. i have seen BFG drag radials used effectively on Mustangs before. i used them on my Cobra to get my 12.90 time, and loved them... 1.8 60'.

 

I laid down a 1.69 60' w/ 18 psi in my Nittos. Got well over 10k out of 'em too.....but i geuss that depends on the pilot. Hell, Mat is on his third set. -Jim-

 

http://www.msu.edu/~nawrock3/nittotires.htm

they are NOT mounted, just sitting infront of the tires that are mounted.

these are the Extreme drag radial.
once they have heat in them they are sticky, driving dwn the road in my f1's the rocks stick to them. the Nitto's have a lot more rocks sticking to them, driving normally.

It is a softer compound therefore it will wear down quicker.

Driving in the rain is FUN. probably not the safest thing to do, but it is fun. (spin the tires at 90mph NO PROBLEM)(just mash your foot and keep her straight)

These are 17", but I figured It'd give you some idea.

BTW: the picture with my hand on the tire, those rocks stuck to the tires by rolling them out of the garage and across the sidewalk.

 

I've had the same set of nitto drag radials on my truck for almost 15K miles(tread is almost gone.) They wear quicker than the F1's. They will pick up small loose rocks on driveways and less traveled roads. They hook much better than the stock F1's.
That is my review.

 

100% totally untrue

nitto's imo are the best street tire available, i get way better rain traction with the nitto's than the f1's, when i sold my rims with the nitto's b4 i got rid of the truck, i put f1's back on, and the truck was all over the place compared to the nitto's

i made 16 hour road trips on the nitto's with no problems.

bfg's are great at the track, but will wear about 5 times faster than the nitto's

 

Thanks for the replies guys.. Just wanted to know how you guys would rate these tires..I'm just gonna wait until I get to the track in S.C. and have them put on.. Hey Beefcake, do you mean the standard nittos handle better in the rain than F1s or the Drag radial Nittos which we are discussing?

BTW.. Whats the cheapest price going for the 305/40/18 Nitto drag radials?

 

You have to be smart and not stomp on the gas if you have bald nitto drag radials. I have a daily driven Lightning and you don't see me getting into wrecks with bald nitto drag radials...do you?

www.onlinetires.com

 

I have had mine for close to a year. I have about 35 passes on mine. They are better in the rain than F1s when they are new!! Be very careful in the rain when they are past the tread wear indicator!! I wrecked my L and caused $3500 in damage and had my bed replaced!! They hook very well on the street and on the track. So far my best run is 12.33@110 with a 1.77 short time!! You don't need to burn them up at all at the track. I do a dry bunout from 1st to 3rd, then clean them off with a dry hop just to feel how strong they stick, and let'em rip!!!!!! I would not put them on till after your trip cause why waste the milage, they don't do any better then F1s on the highway!!!!!

 

i run the 555R's on my truck on the street, they are a lot better than the F1's, im putting out 440 hp and 513 tq and have no problem hooking them up. dont use them at the track though (mt et streets). i love them.... just my .02

 

the drag radials are better in the rain than f1's, i wouldn't run them in the winter though when the streets are a lot cooler, that will hurt traction

 

I have those same d@mn sandals - heh

 

I have been using the drag radials for daily driving for a few months now. IMO they work very well on the street.
I have not been caught in the rain with them yet and I do try to avoid that, if possible.
At the track, it is best to heat them up real good in your burnout. The hotter the better.
Very aggressive looking also.

Here is a pic of them mounted......

 

I have Beef Cakes old Nitto Extreme drags on my truck.
I have driven in the rain only once, with out any handling trouble.
I have driven at 130 mph on the highway with them, without any trouble.
I bought them as I was getting tired of changing to the Hoosiers at the track, and I ran against another Lightning last year that out 60 footed me at the track on a set of them. 1.79 to 1.77.
So far, in my personal opinion they suck at the track as I have not figured out how to use them. However, I have not given up on them, and will continue to experiment.
I have been told 22 pounds and smoke the shoot out of them, and one person told me to try 16 pounds.
I also think they look good on the truck.
I realize I have reached my optimum of 12.39 @ 112.5 with the mods I have, and do not plan any further mods. So I will keep the Nittos, and not have to change at the track anymore.
I can stand to run a little slower in exchange for the hassle.
Maybe someday, one of the major tire manufacturers will come out with a18" dot approved drag tire.