[Rodan]

We recently purchased a 2018 ZL1, and I'm looking to put together a cold weather street wheel/tire setup. The stock setup will be stored for track duty and summer use.

We live in the AZ mountains, and though the car will not be driven in snow, I'm worried about running summer tires when temps can often be in the 20s in the morning/night, even though daytime temps usually reach the 40s. Of course, the main problem is that no one currently makes a high performance all-season in the stock rear (305/30-20) size.

Dedicated "winter" tires like the Pirelli Sottozero are available in stock sizes, but my experience with full on winter tires in our climate is that they suck in the dry. They are also very expensive.

I'm looking at MMR ZL1 replicas in the stock front size, all the way around with 285/30-20 Michelin A/S 3+. I've had these tires before, and although they don't offer the ultimate grip of the summer tires, they're pretty darn good.

First question: Has anyone has run the front sizes on the rear of thier ZL1? Any fitment issues? My calculations show it would clear the inside fine, and be 10mm closer to the fender, which shouldn't be an issue.

Anyone tried this?

Second question: Has anyone run into issues with the traction/stability control running a square setup? I've read several threads here on square setups for the track, and nothing was mentioned, but the nannies often get turned off on track...

I do realize it's a bit shorter than the stock rear, so overall gearing will be slightly affected.

[Marcedward_907]

A set tires a lot of users have been looking at for stock wheel setup is the BF Goodrich sport comp 2 as. You have to run a 285/35 and a 305/35 setup

Bridgestone has the potential RE980AS in a 305/30 but you’d have to up the front to a 295/30.

Currently in debates between these 2 sets.

I live in southeast Alaska so snow isn’t my concern as even if it does the car won’t be driven.

[Marcedward_907]

^ this of course if you want to use the stock setup.

[MoreSpeed]

I run 285 19" Square on my ZL1. The tires and wheels are exchangeable front to back. No issues at 19".

[Rodan]

Originally Posted by Marcedward_907

Bridgestone has the potential RE980AS in a 305/30 but you’d have to up the front to a 295/30.

Thanks!

Not sure how I missed that tire in a 305 when searching... that could be a good option. I'm not a huge Bridgstone fan (other than RE71), but it did very well in Tire Rack's testing, and 295 should fit on the front with no issues.

305/35-20 is over an inch taller than the stock tire... not sure I want to go there.

[Rodan]

Originally Posted by MoreSpeed

I run 285 19" Square on my ZL1. The tires and wheels are exchangeable front to back. No issues at 19".

Thanks!

I'm assuming you're running 35 aspect ratio with 19s?

If it works on 19's, it should work with 20s as well. Running square opens up the options a bit. Interestingly, a 285 Pilot A/S 3+ is cheaper in 20" than in 19"....

[DaveC113]

If you go w/ a square setup what I did to maintain proper spacing was go with 10" wide front wheels with 30mm offset and add 7mm spacers (+ .5" longer wheel studs) to the front end. This will prevent the rears from sticking out more than stock, and they already stick out enough to require rock guards if you care about your paint.

I also cut the "nose" off the longer ARP studs so they are close to stock length but have full threads, this way they will work w/o spacers too.

It adds $200 in studs and spacers but keeps things closer to stock spacing in the rear.

[Rodan]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

If you go w/ a square setup what I did to maintain proper spacing was go with 10" wide front wheels with 30mm offset and add 7mm spacers (+ .5" longer wheel studs) to the front end. This will prevent the rears from sticking out more than stock, and they already stick out enough to require rock guards if you care about your paint.

Thanks.

I had identified 20x10 et30 w/ a 7mm spacer up front as just about ideal, but hadn't researched the necessity for longer studs yet.

[Intimidator]

Rodan
I run the Sottozero 3's on my ZL1...they are a directional, cold weather, PERFORMANCE tire. In SW Ohio we don't get alot of snow, maybe 2-3, so most of my driving is just dry and cold or rain.
This is my 3rd set of stock sized Sottozero's (2012 2SS, 2016 2SS, 2018ZL1), and I'm extremely happy...they allow me to still enjoy my Z in Cold weather.

[Tyrolblue67]

Originally Posted by MoreSpeed

I run 285 19" Square on my ZL1. The tires and wheels are exchangeable front to back. No issues at 19".

I'm assuming these winter tires are 285/35/19?
What wheels are you using?
Size and offsets?
Thanks,
Tyrolblue67

[Rodan]

Originally Posted by Intimidator

Rodan
I run the Sottozero 3's on my ZL1...they are a directional, cold weather, PERFORMANCE tire. In SW Ohio we don't get alot of snow, maybe 2-3, so most of my driving is just dry and cold or rain.
This is my 3rd set of stock sized Sottozero's (2012 2SS, 2016 2SS, 2018ZL1), and I'm extremely happy...they allow me to still enjoy my Z in Cold weather.

Thanks for the input. We have enough 'warm' days through winter (high 50s to mid 60s), that full on winter tires are less than ideal. Additionally, I wanted tires I can run year 'round on the street, where I'm not looking for absolute performance. I save that for the track, and I'll use the stock Goodyears, or a track specific tire for that.

Tyrolblue67 - I found MoreSpeed's setup in another thread and they are 285/35-19.

[Rodan]

This morning I ordered a set of the Bridgstone RE980AS in 295/30-20 and 305/30-20 from Tire Rack.

At the time of my order I got two of the last 4 295s in the country, and 2 of the last 6 of the 305s... I had my local Discount call around yesterday, and TR was the only place that had any.

Conti ECS in stock sizes are also on backorder. TR said these were more likely to tolerate cold weather without cracking than the Michelin P4S, but they had no idea when they could get them.

I'll post up a report on the 'Stones when I get them mounted and get some driving impressions. My plan is to put them on the stock wheels, and order a second set of wheels for the track, and mount up the stock Goodyears.

[Marcedward_907]

Also placed an order for bridgestone from tire rack. Will check back in as well.

[Rodan]

Finally got a chance to push the 'Stones a bit yesterday.

Refresher for those just checking in:

Bridgestone RE980AS (all seasons) in 295/30-20 and 305/30-20 on stock wheels as a solution for those of us with little or no snow, but enough cold to make the best summer tires a poor choice this time of year. For example, it was in the low 30s when I left for the drive yesterday morning, but in the mid 60s by the time I returned home.

Obviously, they don't have as much ultimate grip as the stock GYs, but they had more than enough grip reach imprudent speeds on mountain roads. Aggressive corner exits would give the TC light a good workout... They are softer in the sidewall than the stock GYs, which results in a less planted feel, though they never lost traction unless provoked.

I have driven Michelin Pilot A/S 3+ on our previous '17 Mustang GT PP1, and I think that would be a better tire. Hopefully, they will bring out a 305/30-20... that would make them the Easy Button. Until then, the Bridgestones are the only tier one A/S made in a 305/30-20.

All in all, they're a usable solution for those of us with climates that don't agree with summer tires, but don't require snow/winter tires. While they don't have the performance of summer tires, and don't have the most planted feel, they're certainly capable of going more than fast enough on the street.

Gratuitous pic of our group from yesterday...