Different compound front to rear

[dodj]

With the wheel and tire changes I have planned for winter, I wanted to put 315/35/17 Nitto NT05's on the rear and 245/45/17 Nitto 555's on the front. Is mixing two types of rubber,from the same manufacturer ok? 

[72bluNblu]

Depends on what you expect. Racers run different compounds front to rear all the time, even left to right depending on the track. But, they also do a lot of tuning to make that work.

The biggest thing to realize is that your tires will have different handling and wear characteristics. That may actually be a good thing if it's matched to the cars set up, as we already know that the front and rear tires wear differently anyway. Or, it could make a handling problem worse, depending on the set up of the car. Ie, if the car is loose, and the rears are a harder compound than the front, it will make it worse.

[go-fish]

With either one of those I would say you would have more tire than you have car, if you know what I'm meaning. Essentially, they are relatively high UTGQ rated for a performance tire. Having different tire in back as opposed to front isn't going to put any slop into your handling with those two.
The NT05's have superior grip but the 555's are no slouch. It is an excellent tire. The 555's last a long time but the NT05's aren't going to vaporize as soon as you beat on them. I would say they are just a touch less performance than the Michilen Pilot Sports that come on the ZR1's and Vipers and last as long as an OEM compound.

If I may ask, why not go with 555R's in the back, unless you are going to be hitting the auto-x?

[dodj]

If I may ask, why not go with 555R's in the back, unless you are going to be hitting the auto-x?

My first intentions were actually centered around 555's front and back. I was just thinking the NT05's would help with the 440's bottom end torque. Never thought of the 555R's. I'll give'm a look.

[go-fish]

My first intentions were actually centered around 555's front and back. I was just thinking the NT05's would help with the 440's bottom end torque. Never thought of the 555R's. I'll give'm a look.

If your fun is in a straight line I would suggest a 555R in the back and 555's up front. The sidewall will give more than the NT05 and will hook better than the relatively stiffer sidewall of the NT05 too.

Plus they will match. Bonus!

[Strawdawg]

while not an autocross tire, I have found the 555r's to handle pretty darned well in normal driving and they have a much better life than most other competitors