Mvez

Hi Guys, this issue needed it own thread. We all need a 325/35-18 Nitto NT01 rear tire. The 305/35-18 while great for standard GT3, isn't the correct, or ideal rear 18" tire size for the RS. The 325/35-18 will be slightly taller (more meaty) and wider, both of which will ensure better handling and proper fitment and rake. Back in the day a bunch of us flooded the Nitto website tire size request for the 305-/35-18, and Nitto listened and responded quickly, which is why we have that size still to this day. But now we should do it for the 325/35-18 so the 997.1 RS and 997.2 RS owners can have a proper rear 18" tire size as well. I still love NT01's, just a great, long-lasting, consistent track tire that has good grip and can be playful when you want it to be. More importantly, it's easier on your car, suspensions components, etc. etc. Pirelli takeoffs are great, but you time-out all your parts so much faster on slicks, I just have no desire to run on those anymore. Mechanical sympathy has crept in.

I urge you RS guys to go here and request the NT01 in 325/35-18. Click on the link, then choose "Tire Size Request" from the drop down menu under Reason for Contacting:
Contact Us | Nitto Tire

Broncozx

I see nitto nt01 listed several places, and i have tried to buy some 17", for the last year, with no luck.

So, are they in production ?

Has anybody actually got some the last year ?

Mvez

Yes, of course. The best place to buy them is discount tire direct online. That's where I've always bought them. Lowest pricing, quickest shipping usually. I just ordered my fresh set there, lots of sizes available.

Tires and Wheels for Sale Online | Discount Tire Direct

Mvez

I forgot to mention, I also just go $100 off a full set due to their current promotion. Great Deal!

Mvez

Bump to the top. I've requested with Phil's tire to ask Nankang to offer the same rear 325/35-18 size in the CR-S V2 tire as well. I've tested that on my GT3 in 20" and it's an impressive tire that is supposed to be better in V2 trim. Relatively cheap too. Hope to hear some good news about that, but we need to keep the pressure on Nitto. Keep requesting this size!

ngng

What were you hoping to accomplish? A wider rear is going to push more on a car that already pushes. I've not found myself wanting more rear grip with the current nt01 sizes

RAudi Driver

John, I think he just wants Nitto to make the stock 997.2 RS size in an 18". For his 997.2 RS, I don't think he's going wider. I do wish I had the larger sizes for my .1 but my car does so well now on the canyons, I will probably never need more than a 305 out back.

Mvez

Has less to do with grip/width, and more with tire height. It's a slightly taller tire, that does fit the 12" wheel more properly, aka not stretched. Gives the car more rake, which in turn helps the car to rotate better.
If you have a proper setup, alignment, and the ability to adjust shock damping, it won't understeer with 325 rear tires. My car handles beautifully on 245/325 tires, no understeer. My focus was to use the grip the 325 gives you, and find a way to add more grip to the front, instead of taking away grip from the rear. It nets you a faster car.

Overly aggressive LSD setups are more to blame for understeer than 20mm more rear tire. You would not believe the difference in handling and the added neutrality that keeping the stock 28/40 ramps does for this car on track.

When I bounce between my 19" tires and 18" wheels, the rear fender gap is unsightly, because the 305 is stretched and a shorter sidewall tire than what a 325/35-18 would be. Not only do my cars need to perform, they need to look good as well. The 305 just looks a bit wimpy back there.

RAudi Driver

Why do you folks keep talking about a 305 on the car? It's a .2RS and stock size is a 325, albeit a 19", but still a 325.

ngng

NT01s come in 305

ngng

Not sure I agree with all of your reasoning, but I support more tire sizes!

powdrhound

Years ago when I was running NT01s I ran the 245/40 and 305/35 combo on 18x9x12s. I then switched to 275/35 and 335/30s on 18x10x12.5 wheels. The 335s measured a rather tall 26.1” and had a higher load rating than the 305s. The 275/35 measured 26.4” The 275/335 combo was vastly superior to the 245/305s on all fronts and was my favorite NT01 combo. I’m actually surprised more people don’t run this combo, it’s a bit of a hidden gem but the only downside is they need wider wheels.

radr

I’ve never been able to find a set of alignment/offset specs to run a setup wider than 9/12. Just vague hints about how if you get the offsets correct and dial in the alignment properly, you can tuck that setup in there.

What’s the secret sauce?

powdrhound

The fitment is tight and EVERYTHING has to be precise, especially in the front where it gets tricky. The rear is a rather simple fit. I have run both 18x13 and 18x12.5 with the 335s. Everything has to be just right to make it work but the rewards are obvious. You need the following:

1. Tightly rolled fenders both front and rear. You can gain an extra 1/4" of clearance there alone.
2. Front upper mounts flipped to the high camber (Cup) configuration and pushed fully inboard. This is a must and will buy you up to 3/4" tire to fender clearance. Camber will then be set via LCA shims.
3. Solid adjustable caster pucks (or RSR thrust arms) in the front to allow a precise setting of caster. Also highly recommended in the rear. I run all RSR components on my car which makes everything fully adjustable.
3. Camber of -3.5 front and -2.75 rear is perfect for the 275/335 combo. This is what I actually ran on all the NT01 set ups in the past.
4. Precise wheel offsets are paramount. You have to have enough tire to fender clearance to allow the tire to fully tuck under the fenders without any interference.

Mvez

Yep. I already have a set of 9.5 front wheels, and all adjustment ability. Running -4 F, -2.8 R. Which is why I want the 325/35-18 rear tire, because nitto already makes a 275/35-18. Gives us a bunch of options if they just offer a 325/35, as it will make ABS even happier, and is perfect fitment for 12" rear wheels, or larger.

Stock rear tire is 26.7" tall, so the 335/30-18 is actually considerably shorter (26.1"), than a proper 325/35-18 which is 26.7". Front 275/35-18 is perfect front size at 25.7, same as 245/40-18.

Trust me, the 325/35-18 is THE single best option for all GT3/RS to be added for 18" sizes, as it adds more flexibility, and perfect ABS operation for use with 265 or 275 front tires for everyone looking for more grip, without having to buy larger rear wheels.