NEW TIRES! Went w/Toyo R888s all around (pictures)

[PhoenixGTS]

My Kumho V700 rears have some tread left but they went ******* me and are not doing a great job now that the temperatures are cool, plus I learned my lesson that running "regular" compound Kumho Ectsa MXs on the front with stickies out back is not great (even with Tom's rear calipers the fronts will absolutely billow smoke without the rears even thinking about locking up). I have never liked the wacky V700-to-rim lip interface (although it is totally worth the extra performance) so I decided to try the newish Toyo R888 (replaced the RA-1) which comes in the proper sizes for the 18" Viper fitment. Plus the dang tread just looks so cool.

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NICE LOOKING TREAD! I call these my "all-season" tires:

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The rears appear a little bit wider than the V700s, but that is mainly from a squarer shoulder:

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But the tire-to-lip interface is SO much more attractive on the Toyo (bottom) than the Kumho (top) but the rim is still very proud compared to most rims:

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Looks like the Toyo rear is just a bit taller than the Kumho:

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For any tire geeks out there the Wheel Specialists Inc uses this mounting machine made for fancy rims:

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$1,950 including mount/balance, shipping, install, tax, and the clean they backs of your wheels for you.

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[Red Snake]

I am running them on the rear of my car. I like them alot.

Congrats.

 

[RedEnuf93]

I am looking into new tires too. I heard that the Toyo 888's are very noisy. Could you confirm if they are louder and how you like the tires.

 

[got one]

Is the tread life similar to the 700's?

 

[Red Snake]

I am looking into new tires too. I heard that the Toyo 888's are very noisy. Could you confirm if they are louder and how you like the tires.

I haven't noticed any increase in noise level.

 

[DrumrBoy]

Is the tread wear higher or lower than the 700's (which is 60 I think....or is it 80)?

 

[QUICK SILVER]

I like the way they look alot. Where can I get them. Show us pics with them on. thanks

 

[Burt G]

If the performance of the Toyo R888 can match the wild appearance I would be interested too...
Lets see these bad boyz on the car !!

 

[PhoenixGTS]

I haven't noticed any increase in noise level.

It is hard with the noisy exhaust, but they seem quieter than the Kumhos (the MX on the front has a tread pattern very similar to the V700). It makes sense that the less tread edges you have on a tire the quieter it will be. I would imagine slicks or maybe a Hoosier R6 would be as quiet as you can get. I'll snaps some pics today of the whole car.

One other thing that is WAY better than the Kumhos is the sidewall is nice and smooth on the Toyos with no ribbing to make it difficult to put dressing on the tire. I don't kow whay tire manufacturers put those ribbing designs on the sidewall of a sporty tire. They make it such a pain to put dressing on.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Is the tread wear higher or lower than the 700's (which is 60 I think....or is it 80)?

The Kumhos V700 has a tread wear rating of 50 whereas the Toyo R888 has a tread wear rating of 100. Perhaps having a denser contact patch (more like a drag radial on the Toyos) will make them about even in grip.

 

[Camfab]

Phoenix, they look really cool. $2000 for 4 tires is way outta my league though.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Phoenix, they look really cool. $2000 for 4 tires is way outta my league though.

My calculations say about $100 per corner more than getting Kumhos from Jon at Partrack, having them shipped here and getting them installed. Plus this was a lot faster and easier.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Took Some Pics On The Car

Took some more pictures of the Toyos on the car:

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[99 R/T 10]

They look good on the car, not so sure about the emblems on the rims.................

 

[ShadowLight]

Ya, I think people know it's a Viper already

 

[PhoenixGTS]

They look good on the car, not so sure about the emblems on the rims.................

Those rims are boring as heck, so I tried this and ended up liking it. The inspiration was the "SRT" on the one spoke of Gen III rims.

 

[PS78]

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Tread on outside edge of rears 'reaching legal minimum limit' @ last service...6mths (inc 5000miles & 2 silverstone trackdays!) after tyre purchase...to be swopped soon. Don't know about noise - can't turn the exhaust down. Sticky as hell, even now. Haven't had the car long enough to have fitted other new tyres before, so can only compare against the 8yr old PS1s fitted when i bought it.

 

[musicncars]

Is that an RT/10? It's hard to tell.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Follow-up post: finally did some hard driving. Admittedly ambients are up a bit (mid-to-high 70F today) but only 5-10 degress over last week, but so far the R888s are rocking. 3.55 gears, close to 600 ft lbs of torque at the crank and no wheelspin in a straight line. They are quieter and are not tramlining as much. Very good so far - and OMG braking with sticky fronts = amazing!

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Second follow-up post: I put my newly rebuilt rear shocks in last Saturday and have been driving the Viper ever since. Finally was able to turn some corners under power and I have to say huge thumbs up to the Toyo R888s. These tires rawk! I'm not sure where I could find the lateral limit in town, and NO WHEELSPIN in a straight line. I'm loving the car in this ridiculously beautiful weather. Toyo R888 highly recommended.

 

[viper k]

the gts on rims looks ***

 

[Marc Lublin]

Thanks for the follow up. Considering these tires and your input helps.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

the gts on rims looks ***

Not as **** as boi racer stripes!

 

[Fatboy 18]

I like the wheel stickers Most people seem to go with after market wheels, so keeping the stock wheels and adding a little something looks quite good IMO

Very clean looking car you got there Phonex

 

[Venomiss]

Great tires and pictures of comparisons.

Can I ask one more time if you'll join us? Never hurts to ask.

 

[PS78]

Is that an RT/10? It's hard to tell.

MY RT/10! ...in an 'SRT-10 without the S' stylee!

 

[Fatboy 18]

Guess this is the Beast

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[JonB]

My calculations say about $100 per corner more than getting Kumhos from Jon at Partrack, having them shipped here and getting them installed. Plus this was a lot faster and easier.

IF we could save you $400, Im GRATEFUL for the honorable mention, even if you bought elsewhere! Thanks anway, but Thanks!....

We do like the Toyo, but have lousy profit margins on them....."not Competitive" prices. Both Doris here has the Toyo on her 01 GTS track wheels, and Brenda here has em on her (2001) Z-06 driver....

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Both Doris here has the Toyo on her 01 GTS track wheels, and Brenda here has em on her (2001) Z-06 driver....

Jon are you trying to say the Toyos are "chick tires?"

Since I was not buying a set of wheels and tires mounted it was easier to go local than from you. If I was a rich guy like everyone over on the Gen III Forum and could afford SSR Comps and tires together I would have gotten them from you.

 

[Toby]

You know, I thought that 6666 guy took the prize for his GIANT white Dodge sticker ricer mod on the side of his red gts but I now stand corrected.

Stickers on your rims? Oh come on!

nice looking tires though.