Vicious 88 GTA

I am in need of new tires all the way around for my GTA and I heard alot of good things about the Kumho Ecsta Tires, I heard they are very good and hook up like Nitto 555R's, well not exactly like Nittos but well enough, has anyone used them or driven a car with them...I have a tough time launching the car with all the torque...my GTA like spinning the tires all the way til mid second gear from a 1500RPM WOT......thanks - AARON

ta84-355

I use my car mostly on the street and I'm very satisfied with the Kuhmos. I used to have Cooper Cobra and the Kuhmos are far superior in traction, both dry and wet.

I haven't taken the car to the strip so I don't know how well they hook there but on the street they hook pretty well for the low price tag they've got. I do believe that there are better tyres out there but for the price och for street duty - they're good.

/AjA

AT4 T/A

I just put the 712's on about a month ago, maybe a little more. They do feel pretty good for street tires, but while I was researching them I have heard from draggers that they don't grip well and really hurt their 60' times.

jichniow

With my Kumho's I've pulled a 1.78 60' time. That is in my 89 with ZERO suspension mods...and all my bushings are kinda shot.

So I would have to say the tires hook up well at the track.

They're not a racing slick but what do you expect with a tire that handles great in the rain. Run your rear tires around 22 PSI at the track. Launch at a higher RPM and don't pound the throttle, just roll into it.

mystikkal_69

iTrader: (2)

those tires are O.K. not great. i used mine for a month before i replaced them. they are taller and narrower than other tire brands of the same size(245-50-16). they have ok handling but do spin pretty bad from a stop. they work good if they're heated up enough though. they do not come close to matching the Eagle F1's i have on the car now. these have way better grip in corners

Gunny Highway

iTrader: (1)

Good all around tire, just don't drive them if it gets below 35*F where you are. Those tires are like ice skates before they get warm. I think the compound they're made out of doesn't react too well to the cold. But for me, I like them a lot.

Steve89GTA

I thought the Kumho 711's were the ones that were taller and skinnier than other tires of that size.

no?

I thought the kumho 712's were the same size as the rest of them...

Arctic White 91 RS

I have the Kumho 712's and I really like them for the most part.

On dry pavement they are very good but not as good as the GA's or the Bridgestones but much better than the Firehawks, on wet pavement they are much better than the GA's, Bridgestones and light years better than the Firehawks. However, power brakeing at a stoplight the old RS can spin the Kumho's something the RS wasNEVER ABLE TO DO with any of the other tires. Easing into it at a light in the RS took a little getting used to. Soon as the car rolls and nail it the RS won't spin. I'm rebuilding the RS's rear suspension (251,000+ miles on original parts, car is on jackstands) do a little better in a straight line in the future with the Kumho's. I've not tried dropping the air pressure to see how they do in a straight line etc. I keep them inflated to ~35 pounds to get good thead life etc. The tires don't seem to have much road noise but my RS has lot's of rattles and had lot's of wind noise, so I'm not the best judge of that.

I'd talk with others but if straight line and going to strip is a big part of what your after I would look consider another tire, otherwise I think you'll be happy with them.

They look better on the RS than the Eagle GA's, Bridgestones or Firehawks did.

I tend to agree they don't do well in the cold. There's a decent hill near my home. I never had problems with the hill in light snow with Bridgestones or Firehawks on the RS, however with Kumho's I had to use cat litter for the RS to get up the hill.

I would happily buy the Kumho's 712's again.

TRAXION

You get what you pay for. The kuhmos are cheap tires. Compared to other high quality tires costing big $$ they don't compare. However, for the price - the are a really nice tire. Just depends on what you are looking for. I have them on the rear of my IROC in the 255 size and was surprised that they have as much traction as they did. They still suck ... but they are an awesome bang for the buck.

Tim

Trans Am#5

I have them and for the money, I doubt you can find a better tire. I agree with jichniow...lower the tire pressure to 22 and it's a whole different world. In my case, I'm running the Ecsta's on 4th gen offset and size with a 4th gen rear end, Eibach springs, KYB shocks/struts, BMR LCA's, sway bar & adj. Panhard bar. They are mounted on ARE Torq Thrust II's and am very pleased with what I've got.

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

They are great for the price.
When compared to a real performance tire like the BFG G-Force T/A KDW, the KDW easily outperforms the 712's.
I've ran both on my 86 T/A and on my brothers 96 T/A 6 speed with 4.10's.
Doing a hard 1-2 and 2-3 shift on the 96 with the Kuhmos would result in massive wheel spin, with the KDW, it was just a chirp and it grabs knocking you into the seat.

712 also seem to be a quiet tire when doing burnouts and donuts. KDW's are really loud..
Here is a cool vid with us goofing off one day.
http://www.transamws6.com/video/HardKnock.mpg

The Black 96 has the KDW's
The white Supra and my 86 have the 712's.