SPEED RATING OF TIRE -- THIS IS STUPID!!!!!!!!

[MannyC]

OK Guys, I posted this over at the Alley, but I want to get everybody's real world opinion on this.

I have a car that Doug Levin is working on. Doug tells me the car is spin city with stock tires and he suggested the G0Force BFG Drag Radials (I have 18 inch wheels) on the rear of the car for daily driving. I got a pair of these sitting in my garage now. However, I see they are 'R' rated tires, even though they are Viper sized, but that rating classifies them to exceed 106 MPH. On a simple roll on race, I would exceed this speed rating in a matter of seconds, and forget any spirited sprints on the way to Las Vegas where there is miles of open desert road and the ability to sprint up to 170MPH and back down.

Which of you are running these tires, at least on the rears, on the streeet, and what do you think?

Manny

 

[RedGTS]

I think the speed ratings are for sustained use above the stated speed. So while you don't want the BFG's for your Silver State car, they should be fine for 1/4 mile or street encounters.

 

[V10 MOJO]

manny, i run BFGs every time i race, they work great dont worry.

 

[utahviper]

Call Jonb at the parts rack or Luke at the tire rack x362. I talked to him yesterday and we were talking about tires for a friend of mines car and the R came up but I think he said that has to do with the compound of the tire not the speed rating. I could be wrong but one quick call would clear it up.

I have driven mine at 135-140mph and that is about all I feel safe at. I drove on these for 3000 miles(street/strip) and they were worn out! Don't expect these to last long.

On a side note, I talked to Luke about tires that would grip well and handle well and he suggested the pilot sport cups. I think the 18" kumhos are going to be the ticket when they come out in the U.S. but that will probably be in the spring.

I don't think you can beat the BFg's at the strip with anything except slicks and skinnies. If I were going to the strip 4-5 times per year and wanted something that would work at both I would buy the Kumhos. They will work with stock pilots but I wouldn't run any road courses with that combo. If you are a road course kind of guy then buy the pilot sport cups, per lukes' recommendation.

 

[MannyC]

UtahViper, these are not for the strip though -- these are for daily driving, since I have a lead foot and love to goof around. I've taken My Gen I to 160+ MPH and my Z06 to 170+MPH, both on stock tires, so I wanted to take the new S/C car to 180+, but am not sure if I should do so with these BFG G-force Drag Radials?

 

[SapphireGTS]

As long as you arent holding that MPH for a long time I think its ok.

My friend did 160 in his Camaro on B rated tires with a plug in 1. They were alright.

 

[V10 MOJO]

i would NOT do it on the streets. on a track yep but BFGs on the street at that speed, too soft a tire if you run over something. chances are youll be fine but why risk it

 

[Paolo Castellano]

OK Guys, I posted this over at the Alley, but I want to get everybody's real world opinion on this.

I have a car that Doug Levin is working on. Doug tells me the car is spin city with stock tires and he suggested the G0Force BFG Drag Radials (I have 18 inch wheels) on the rear of the car for daily driving. I got a pair of these sitting in my garage now. However, I see they are 'R' rated tires, even though they are Viper sized, but that rating classifies them to exceed 106 MPH. On a simple roll on race, I would exceed this speed rating in a matter of seconds, and forget any spirited sprints on the way to Las Vegas where there is miles of open desert road and the ability to sprint up to 170MPH and back down.

Which of you are running these tires, at least on the rears, on the streeet, and what do you think?
Manny

Manny, you worry too much! Just learn how to drive the car with the pilots! Make sure you get a good alignment. It will not be as difficult as you are imagining!

 

[Gerald]

Manny, do you have 17" Rims? I have a set of used Kuhmo's (17") with about 50% life left..

Gerald

 

[utahviper]

If you want to go 150+ then either go with the stock pilots, pilot sport cups, or kumhos. I don't want to read an article in the news paper about a roll over at 180+ with the bfg's.

I have gone 160+ many times on stock pilots with no problem except the window pulling out. I have gone 175+ a few times on stock pilots. The pilot sport cups are rated to 186mph. I am not sure what the kumhos are rated at but I think it is 16x MPH. Don't take any chances! Do you have anyone in your area that would let you drive their car with bfg's? If your in cali then there should be someone around with bfg's.

If your in the area you can take my car for a spin, then you would see.

 

[MannyC]

I currently have 18 inch wheels, so my tire choices are a little more limited then with the 17's. I also have the 19 inch pruners, but the choices are even worse there.

 

[AJT]

I am kind of concerned about this too Manny. What are you going to do?

Andy

 

[Ulysses]

You already have my opinion, Manny, and that's pretty much in line with you shouldn't run it to 180 if it's an "R" rated tire.

Some things to point out, though. As I had mentioned before, TireRack is the one with the "R" rating on the tire. I also mentioned that I did not see any speed rating spec from the manufacturer on their site. Legally, they don't have to either. So, for all we know, it could really be rated at a higher "sustained" speed. We know that you can exceed that max if its for short burts of time and as long as you are not grossly exceeding that limit. The point is, why risk it if it truely is an "R" rated tire.

One way to clear this up is to get ahold of both BFG and Luke at TireRack. Luke used to post here all the time and is pretty good at answering questions from Viper owners. Perhaps ask Luke how TireRack came about the "R" rating.

I can't speak for Doug, but my guess is that what he had in mind was that occasional light to light speedo check, or that occasional roll from 60 or 70 to 100 or so to clean out the cobwebs in the engine. JMHO, but that's what I believe most people use these for on the street, not to run their high powered cars to the the max speed of what they are capable of doing.

 

[MbnViper]

interesting post really, i always wondered about BFG high speed stability, Superbar what kind of tires you have on your 94 viper ? im asking this b/c 1050RWTQ is a lot if you can manage driving this car you will manage your new DLM car (just a guess since i dont know your new HP/TQ numbers) , i think you have to drive it first and see, just my 0.2 good luck and drive safe

 

[Yellow Fever]

I think I'm going to order a set of Pirrelli P-Zero's..Seems like they would be a good comprimise between the Pilots and the BFG's.

 

[MannyC]

I think I'm going to order a set of Pirrelli P-Zero's..Seems like they would be a good comprimise between the Pilots and the BFG's.

That Torque # is on Nitrous, and the car is all over the place in 3rd gear on 19 inch pilots. 2nd gear is useless under full throttle, as you immediately spin and bounce off the rev limiter (doing a burnout at speed.) But then again, it's hitting pretty damn hard when a 300 shot activates, so it could be a different story with a slightly more progressive boost system.

 

[Moundir]

Manny, Dont worry so damn much, I will be using the same tires for everyday driving, and you know I'm going after 200mph

 

[MannyC]

Manny, Dont worry so damn much, I will be using the same tires for everyday driving, and you know I'm going after 200mph

Yeah, I went 165+ in my Gen I, and faster in my Z06, and now I will have a car capable of 200+, so for some odd reason, I am concerned about a blow out at 180+ MPH -- not sure why... I must care about my life or something -- I know, stupid of me for caring.

Besides, everybody knows YOU'RE crazy already. HA!

 

[AJT]

Any new info on tires??

Andy

 

[Ulysses]

Yeah,

I dropped Luke at TireRack a note about this. He did not address the speed rating on the website, but he replied that the "R" is not the tires speed rating. He also stated that he knew several people running mid 180's on them. I value his opinion.

All that is needed is a confirmation from BFG of the tires capabilities.

 

[Roadkill]

Hiya Gerald,
Looking to get rid of your khumhos? I'm needing another set of autocross tires Let me know if you want to sell em, otherwise i've gotta give partsrack a call soon.
-Bruce

 

[JonB]

The speed rating of a tire is based on SUSTAINED SPEEDS and the ability of a tire to maintain the heat at the rated speed range.

You should NOT expect to drive BFG-DRAGS at sustained speeds, like a Cup or Sport tire.

We have a call into both BFG and TireRack and clarify tomorrow.

P.S Kumhos are W rated, 168 mph.....

 

[AJT]

Jon, I need to order some tires from you. I will wait to hear what you find out. Doug says BFG, but if cup is a better tire and gets as good a traction ???? Leat us know

Andy

 

[JonB]

SPEED RATING RANTINGS:


In Europe, where selected highways do not have speed limits and high speed driving is permitted, speed ratings were established to match the speed capability of tires with the top speed capability of the vehicles to which they are applied. Speed ratings are established in kilometers per hour and subsequently converted to miles per hour (which explains why speed ratings appear established at "unusual" mile per hour increments). Despite the tire manufacturer's ability to manufacturer tires capable of high speeds, none of them recommend the use of their products in excess of legal speed limits.

Speed ratings are based on laboratory tests where the tire is pressed against a large diameter metal drum to reflect its appropriate load, and run at ever increasing speeds (in 6.2 mph steps in 10 minute increments) until the tire's required speed has been met.

It is important to note that speed ratings only apply to tires that have not been damaged, altered, under-inflated or overloaded. Additionally, most tire manufacturers maintain that a tire that has been cut or punctured no longer retains the tire manufacturer's original speed rating, even after being repaired because the tire manufacturer can't control the quality of the repair.

Over the years, tire speed rating symbols have been marked on tires in any of three ways shown in the following examples:

225/50SR16 225/50SR16 89S or 225/50R16 89S

Each of these was an acceptable method of identifying speed ratings.

Early tires had their speed rating symbol shown "within" the tire size, such as 225/50SR16. Tires using this type of branding were not to have been produced after 1991.

225/50SR16 112 mph, 180 km/h
225/50HR16 130, 210 km/h
225/50VR16 in excess of 130 mph, 210 km/h

Beginning in 1991, the speed symbol denoting a fixed maximum speed capability of new tires must be shown only in the speed rating portion of the tire's service description, such as 225/50R16 89S. The most common tire speed rating symbols, maximum speeds and typical applications are shown below:

N 87 mph 140 km/h Temporary Spare Tires
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.

W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.

225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h
205/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h

Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parenthesis, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:

285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h
285/35ZR19 (99Y) in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h

As vehicles have increased their top speeds into Autobahn-only ranges, the tire speed ratings have evolved to better identify the tires capability, allowing drivers to match the speed of their tires with the top speed of their vehicle.

Reprinted Courtesy Noah and Luke at TireRack JonB -

 

[AJT]

Good info. What is the speed rating of each tire & how is traction for a SC car? 18"

Pilots
Pilot sport Cups
BFG
Pirrelli P-Zero's
or any other choices?

Andy

 

[RedGTS]

Jon, any word on when the 335/18 Kumho V700 will be available in the U.S.?

 

[Bandit400]

Some info on the BFG Drag Radials:

I just spoke with BFG technical Customer service regarding the drag radials. The "R" in the tire designation is to indicate it is a RADIAL tire instead of a BIAS-PLY. The tire has no specific speed rating.

I asked them about doing 140 or 150MPH on the drag strip, no problem according to BFG. This was what it was designed for. Hope this helps. I will be picking up a set for my Heffner Car.

Bandit400

 

[BigCarrot]

Yeahhhhh!!! Now Manny can get some sleep!

 

[AJT]

Thanks Bandit400, good info!

Any info on the pilot cups?? Anyone have these??

Andy

 

[utahviper]

I agree that you can go 140+ at the track, no problem. I would go 160 at the track, if my car could, but on the open road it is a whole different matter.