Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum - Tires and Brake Pads Needed. Advice Needed!

speedy41 · 08-11-2006, 07:54 PM

Hi Everybody,

It is time that I got some new tires and brake pads for my 2002 Z06. After reading about three thousand and thirty nine posts, I have come to the conclusion that my head might explode. In order to preserve my cranium, I thought it would be wise to just ask for some advice myself.

First, I will convey that I drive only on the street at this point, and rarely in the rain. The only time I drive in the rain is if I get caught in it.

I pretty much know of all the tires out there. I know that Kuhmo Exsta MX and the Firestone Firehawk Wide Ovals are good low price options. Then I read a tire review on Car and Driver, and the Kuhmo's finished last, so now I am not sure about those. I also read in some posts that the firehawks don't grip as well as the stock F1's in the dry. Considering that the only conditions I drive in are dry conditions, that doesnt sound appealing.

So far, I like the sound of the Nitto nt555 r2's, GS-D3's, Pilot Sport 2's (except they are so damn expensive), BFG KD (price and rain performance suck), and alot of others

I just don't have a clue.

I also don't know about brake pads. I would like a pad that grips at least as good as the stock pads, but having a little less brake dust would be a bonus. I have read about the Carbotechs...are they good for the street or just the track? I also don't know if I will need new rotors. Mine seem fine, but my car has 18,000 miles on her now.

Also, where are the cheapest prices for tires and pads?

Thanks!!

Blackrazor · 08-12-2006, 12:16 AM

If what you're really after is performance, the only thing on your list that makes any sense is the 555 R2s. Just got a set myself, and it's insane. INSANE!

speedy41 · 08-12-2006, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackrazor

If what you're really after is performance, the only thing on your list that makes any sense is the 555 R2s. Just got a set myself, and it's insane. INSANE!

They definately sound like an amazing tire. What sizes did you get?

Thanks

meldog21 · 08-12-2006, 03:05 AM

I have the R2's also. They are definitely more sticky than the stock SC's. They also wear out much faster and will get flats much easier because they pick up everything on the road and they are thinner(less tread depth) than SC's or other less racy tires. I got 3 flats in two weeks, 2 staples and a tiny piece of metal.

I also have the Carbotech XP9/8 pads. They stop great, but leave a lot of dust.

I have these tires and pads because I daily drive my car and take it to the track.

Since you said you only drive on the street you'll probably be a lot happier with less aggressive items. Ceramic pads, almost no dust, a little less power that you probably won't miss. PS2's if you don't mind the expense, BFG KD's for less money and more grip - they last fairly long too.

Dog

Melsy · 08-12-2006, 07:53 AM

It's hard to tell exactly what you are looking for but it sounds like you drive similarly to me--except that we drive in the rain here all the time. I put on the AC/Delco ceramic pads and they are great. I also got the Toyo Tires for slightly more than the Wide Ovals (from my local Firestone dealer!!) and they are also great. There have been many threads everywhere about that test of the Kumho's but everyone pretty much likes them very much.

Subw00er · 08-12-2006, 09:01 AM

I recommend you stay with stock tires if you really care about cornering and road feel over the kumho or wide ovals. I'd also say give the GM ceramic pads a try. I went through all of this myself and ended up just getting oem rubber again ($1200/set, ouch!). I run stock pads actually on the street and go to carbotech at the track. The carbotech pads I have (panther plus and xp series) dust more than stock... then again when I'm using them I'm also driving harder. The worst part about the carbotech on the street is the squeel which is too loud to ignore, and the dust that really attached itself unless you get it off quickly.

Backlash · 08-12-2006, 01:10 PM

Since I change the pads (tio Carbontech XP10's) and tires (Toyo RA-1's) for the track. I run the stock brake pads (bought several sets from people switching to ceramics for cheap money) on the street and Khumo's. The Khumo's are not as good as F-1's when it's dry but far superior in the rain.

In the end you need to decide what works best for you. Good Luck

speedy41 · 08-12-2006, 01:15 PM

Thanks for everybody's replies

Is there a consensus cheapest place to go online for tires? Or does anybody know of any really good deals right now?

Thanks

UstaB-GS549 · 08-12-2006, 03:41 PM

I bought the Firestone Wide Ovals because I needed some cheap street tires. I was looking for high TWR number and low price. About $800 from Tire Rack including shipping and mounting and balancing at a local Walmart.

I ended up driving them on the track at GingerMan last week. I normally run R-compound tires, but for a lot of reasons the street tires were on the car. I was able to stay close to a friend who had Toyo RA1's on his Z06, which kind of surprised me. Seat of the pants, they felt a little squirmy compared to the BFG KD or race rubber, but they turned some credible lap times. TWR is 340!

I think if you don't track your car you should go with a set of ceramic pads. The Carbotech Panther+ pads are probably a little better with minimal dusting.

**DennyM** · 08-12-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedy41

Thanks for everybody's replies

Is there a consensus cheapest place to go online for tires? Or does anybody know of any really good deals right now?
Thanks

Suggest you go to one of the two large national internet suppliers that carries the tire you want. Occasionally they have specials ... (just never on YOUR choice of tires!

)Then go to your local franchise tire outlet that carries the same tire and see if you can price match.

speedy41 · 08-12-2006, 07:18 PM

Man I love this forum!

Subw00er · 08-12-2006, 08:39 PM

Hey UstaB-GS549 I wouldnt recommend the panther plus for the street because they are very noisy. They squeak-squeak-squeak down the road, even without the brake applied - just the light dragging of the pad on the rotor makes the noise. A proper bed-in procedure does help, but its only temporary...it eventually comes back.

TRZ06 · 08-12-2006, 08:47 PM

For mostly street driving (out of the rain), you can not beat the stock F1 Supercars.

These tires are awesome in the corners and dry pavement and were designed specifically for the Z06

UstaB-GS549 · 08-12-2006, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subw00er

Hey UstaB-GS549 I wouldnt recommend the panther plus for the street because they are very noisy. They squeak-squeak-squeak down the road, even without the brake applied - just the light dragging of the pad on the rotor makes the noise. A proper bed-in procedure does help, but its only temporary...it eventually comes back.

I must be getting old and deaf. I run XP10 & XP9 now and leave them on the car all summer.

Subw00er · 08-13-2006, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UstaB-GS549

I must be getting old and deaf. I run XP10 & XP9 now and leave them on the car all summer.

WOW!

I wonder what you are doing differently than me. Aer you using stock rotors? Are you doing anything special, like breaking hard at most stops? How many miles do you put on your car?