Help me find the best tires...

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Ecoboost_xsport

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Well, I'm always looking for lighter and better. Need you guys to see if you can help me find some good tires as well as some input on some variables I'm concerned about. My dream tire is a set of Nitto NT05Rs or MT ET Streets (ie, I'm preferably looking for drag radials).

Keep in mind, there are a few things that ARE NOT changing: Wheels are 20x11 and I want to stick with the OEM overall OD of 30.0" as close as possible. I know the ratios can be changed in both FORSCAN as well as in the SCT device (Brad unlocks that adjustment), but it also looks just silly when the diameter is too small with the large wheel well the XSport has compared to the SHO.

I currently have some Hankook Ventus ST RH06 in 295/45-20, but it gives me an OD of 30.5" which essentially lowers the final drive ratio from 3.16 to 3.11...not ideal. I been toying with the idea of going to a 305/40-20 which would put me at 29.5 and give me an effective final drive ratio of 3.21...a step in the right direction and tolerable in the OD I'm looking to maintain. Not to mention, I think that's the widest I can go before I start rubbing stuff...

Problem is, not many tires come in either 295/45-20 or 305/40-20 that are close to performance tires. There doesn't seem to be any drag radial tire that will get me taller than 28.5", which is too small and most tires in the sizes I'm looking for are just standard all-season SUV tires. The Hankooks are decent but not my dream tire...oh and they also weigh in at 38lbs...making my wheel and tire combo 59lbs (stock is a whopping 74lbs). Would love to get some tires in the low 30lb range, maybe even as much as 35lbs.

I'm not sure why there aren't any truck or SUV-size drag radials out yet as there is a performance market for these vehicles. Any input? Remember my goal is as close to drag radials as possible (forget about cost and longevity of tire for the time-being).

Thanks for any advice..
 
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Ecoboost_xsport

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Anybody have any luck of know of any of the tire companies that make drag radials in custom sizes?

Only other tires I think I can entertain are:

ContiSportContact 5P in 305/40-20. Their ratings are grippier than the Hankooks and, from what I've seen online, weigh 35lbsIanybody know if that is accurate?). That would put me down to ~56lbs bring my OD down closer to OEM as they are a hair shorter than the 295/45-20s...

I'm also liking what I'm reading about the Pirelli P Zero (Porsche Edition) in the same size. They've both got equivalent specs. Can't find tire weight though.

I'm still preferring drag radials and trying to hold out for a possible solution...
 

Jordan_R

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Have you thought about a devoted smaller drag pack with overall tire height that is the same? I'm going to run my 20" in the back with a 28.7" tall tire with 18" with a 28.8" tall in the front. Allows me to get more sidewall while still keeping the awd happy
 

Ecoboost_xsport

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Have you thought about a devoted smaller drag pack with overall tire height that is the same? I'm going to run my 20" in the back with a 28.7" tall tire with 18" with a 28.8" tall in the front. Allows me to get more sidewall while still keeping the awd happy
Yeah, I'm open to that, but not sure about clearance with the 15" TCE wilwoods bbk. I'd love to go dedicated 18"x10 volks or grams with some taller drag radial tire. But I doubt it would clear the brakes. Right now there is exactly 1" between the body of the caliper and inside of the rim with the 20". I'm likely not going to be able to go smaller than 19", and at that point, I might as well keep my 20". Issue is still a taller drag radial. IDK if I want to go down to 28.7" tbh....
 

Jordan_R

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Yeah, I'm open to that, but not sure about clearance with the 15" TCE wilwoods bbk. I'd love to go dedicated 18"x10 volks or grams with some taller drag radial tire. But I doubt it would clear the brakes. Right now there is exactly 1" between the body of the caliper and inside of the rim with the 20". I'm likely not going to be able to go smaller than 19", and at that point, I might as well keep my 20". Issue is still a taller drag radial. IDK if I want to go down to 28.7" tbh....
For sure. That's just what I'm working with currently for reference. 275/40/20 is what I run and I think I'd run 305/45/18 to match. Really I'd like to run a little bit taller just don't think I can fit them
 

EdgarAllanSHO

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Not sure how much this helps, but I had the Pirelli P Zero summer tires on my last car (E60 535xi, FBO/tuned)... Amazing tires.

Sorry if that's not much help as I don't know the weight and I had em on a sedan rather than an SUV, but I can definitely tell you that those tires were the best set I've ever had on the E60
 

fordfanstan

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MH has two 20" drag radials sizes, but both only amount to 28.6" tall.
Nitto has their new NT555RII which includes a 32.05" tall 305/50R20 in their lineup.
 

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