OEM Viper Tires Sizes Makes and Models

[MrCreosote]

Might be nice to have Viper tire specs in one place for restorations as they become unavailable.

I think these may be correct and need help filling in missing info and corrections:

EDIT: I will keep updating this list as info is contributed - thanks

GEN I:
1992-1995 275/40r17 (25.7) - 335/35r17 (26.2) XGTZ

GEN II:
1996-1998 275/40r17 (25.7) - 335/35r17 (26.2) SX MXX3
1998-1999 275/35r18 (25.6) - 335/30r18 (25.9) SX MXX3 (98 GT-2, 99 ACR)
1999-2002 275/35r18 (25.6) - 335/30r18 (25.9) Pilot Sport

GEN III:
2003-2006 275/35r18 (25.6) - 345/30r19 (27.1) ZP Zero Pressure (Pilot Sport PS2 ZP ?)

GEN IV:
2008-2010 275/35r18 (25.6) - 345/30r19 (27.1) Pilot Sport PS2
2008-2010 295/30r18 (25.0) - 345/30r19 (27.1) PSC Sport Cups (G4 ACR)

GEN V:
2013-2017 295/30r18 (25.0) - 355/30r19 (27.4) P-Zero
2013-2017 295/30r18 (25.0) - 355/30r19 (27.4) P-Corsa (Track Pack Option and TA1-2)
2013-2017 295/25r19 (24.8) - 355/30r19 (27.4) Kumho V/70 (ACR)


Here is Michelin's Classic Catalog

EDIT: found the following in another thread:
Stock Gen IV wheels are 18X10 front.
Stock Gen V wheels are 18X10.5 front.
Stock Gen V ACR wheels are 19X11 front.

Stock IV ACR front tires were 295/30/18. ~24.9 tall.
These ACR Kumho are 295/25/19. ~24.8 tall.

EDIT 2:
Stock Gen IV ACR wheels are 18x10.5 front. (THIS NEEDS VERIFIED)
Offsets are different from Gen IV to Gen V

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

""However MXX3's were available in the 18in Viper Sizes. I know my new 2000 GTS had Pilot Sports - is it possible 18in MXX3's were offered in 1999?""



The MXX3 18" was done for the 18" BBS wheels on 98 GT-2 and 99 ACR

2003-06 were ZP Zero Pressure "Run Craps"

There was NO 2007 Viper

08-10 were PS2, but G4 ACR had PSC Sport Cups

G5 OE was P-Zero; Track Pack Option and TA1-2 were P-CORSA;

G5 ACR KumhoV720

[ps If I answer your questions maybe you could ask me to provide your tires ?!? }

[MrCreosote]

Thank you so much! It sure gets complicated after Gen2.

FIRST CHOICE: I've put 20k on MXX3's and they were great in the rain and saved my ass making Donner Pass just after a Chain Control snow storm.

SECOND CHOICE: I've put 16k on Pilot Sports which are good in the rain and capable of 40k.

If I had to pick a current tire, I'd try PILOT SPORT A/S 3+ but they are not available in Viper sizes.

What I really want to know is why does Michelin Classic make VIper 17's in Pilot Sport 2's and not SX MXX3's which they do make in a few small sizes?

Oh, and next set I really want to do 295/30r18's but that is wishful thinking.

I figure the only solution is Michelin Classic if they would decide to make a run. I don't know what I would do it they did Pilot Sport 2's in 18s which is my guess since they make them in 17s.

[01sapphirebob]

08-10 were PSS, but G4 ACR had PSC Sport Cups

I believe the OEM tire for the GEN IV's was the PS 2 from Michelin. The Pilot Super Sports replaced the PS2's in the Michelin line up but were never on the cars from the factory.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Correct, Ill edit my error THANKS

[MrCreosote]

So 18in MXX3's were on the 99 ACR and Pilot Sports on the 99 base model? (IF YES, are the MXX3's considered "better" than the Pilot Sports? Maybe softer and less tread wear?)

[Bill Pemberton]

Tire technology improves just like automotive technology, and frankly those of us who raced on MXX3s have no desire to see them reappear. I would just call Jon B. , as he suggested, and get the best, newer generation tire you can, since you are asking questions that indicate you will be driving plenty of miles.

[MrCreosote]

And just to add some fly in the ointment, the Joy of Cold Weather Compound Cracking <20* F: ( So much for a rogue sunny day drive on a crisp winter day your car having been pent up for weeks if not months.)

RANT:

Seriously? Should tires subject to cold weather compound cracking be DOT approved? How many people are aware of this phenomenon and what are the actual risks? GM is not warning you can die from these cracks in their bulletin. (I have run badly cracked tires on light trucks without issue. Then I see scrapping a 2-year old Michelin with light crazing.)

GM bulletin #13-03-10-001A:

"Information on Tire Cold Weather Cracking" – (Jan 30, 2014) advises “avoid driving, moving, or test-driving vehicles equipped with high-performance summer-only tires below 20º F as operating at these temperatures can cause damage to the tires.” The car models affected include the 2012-2014 Buick Regal GS, 2014 Cadillac CTS Vsport, 2012-2014 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Z/28, 2014-2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE, and the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and Stingray Z51, and SS sedan."

Pilot Sport PS2:

"The Pilot Sport PS2 is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice."

Rival S 1.5:

"Note: Tires exposed to temperatures of 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C) or lower must be permitted to gradually return to temperatures of at least 40 degrees F (5 degrees C) for at least 24 hours before they are flexed in any manner, such as by adjusting inflation pressures, mounting them on wheels, or using them to support, roll or drive a vehicle.

Flexing of the specialized rubber compounds used in Extreme Performance Summer tires during cold-weather use can result in irreversible compound cracking. While compound cracking is not a warrantable condition because it occurs as the result of improper use or storage, tires exhibiting compound cracking must be replaced."

Pirelli: ("lowers" the bar to 45*F)

"Pirelli's warranty does not cover tires that develop compound cracking due to use in ambient temperatures below 45° Fahrenheit (7° Celsius), so the P Zero System tires, like all summer tires, is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.

What is not covered by the warranty?
...
Summer tires which develop surface cracks due to use in low ambient temperatures. These include P Zero Silver, P Zero Trofeo, P Zero Corsa
System, P Zero, P Zero Rosso ™, P Zero Nero, Cinturato P7, Scorpion Zero ™ and Scorpion Verde."

__________________________

RANT 2.0:

45 F**KING DEGREES????

In the Immortal words of Eric Cartman: "Screw you guys (tire manufacturers), I'm goin' home (with my cracked MXX3's). I got 2 sets of cracked rears. Lots of burn outs are planned to use them up so I can get some new tires that will crack (sarcasm).

[Bill Pemberton]

MCC,

Sorry, not sure what your actual concern is, since your posted information has been common knowledge with virtually all high performance tires for many, many years!! This does not just include what you are listing above , but all the 200 Treadwear Rated Street/Competition tires are recommended not to be driven under 40 degrees. Not sure what your purpose is , because I can't think of anyone who really wants to go back to the rock hard iceskates of old? We all own a very high performance machine, and if Porsche, Lamborghini, Maserati, Corvette , etc. go with the same type of tire/compound , that alone should settle the situation. No offense , but this is essentially a non issue to 99% of us , and so we miss a day or two of cool weather driving , pavement temperature is likely a bigger compromise?

[ForTehNguyen]

dont get a hardcore track version of the street tire. Why I run regular PSS and not cup 2s

[MrCreosote]

ForTehNguyen, how do the PSS hold up? Could you compare them to 2000 vintage Pilot Sports?

[MrCreosote]

Michelin Mileage Warranty Table

Looks like my choice would be the Pilot Sport A/S 3 all season tire (which they call a Ultra High Performance Sport Tire) with a 45k warranty.

Followed by the Pilot Super Sport summer tire @ 30k

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

If you really want to drive sub-zero and/or on snow and ice you can do what Team Viper did:

Buy four FRONT OZ-Racing wheels, and install 4 Bridgestone Blizzaks on your snake. The rooster-tails of snow and ice were amazing! All available from PartsRack. Really.

[MrCreosote]

Good one!

I'm trying to think the coldest I've ever driven, maybe 20-25*F. Any colder and I find something to do around the house.

I found this video amusing: The Dodge Viper Video Series - Episode 7 - Viper Winter Experience

[TA Two Oh]

Thanks for the chart; great info, all in one place. I think the factory Gen V ACR front tires are 19's though.

[MrCreosote]

OT FORMULA ONE: Cold Cracking: I'm guessing F1 uses tire blankets just for that purpose which is interesting because in 2021 blankets will be outlawed. They're also going from 13 to 18in rims - still 405's in the rear but a decrease from 305 to 270 in the fronts. Ever notice how stretched those tires are?

[ForTehNguyen]

ForTehNguyen, how do the PSS hold up? Could you compare them to 2000 vintage Pilot Sports?

never tried pilot sports, but super sports are suppose to be a big upgrade over Pilot Sports. PSS on my G5 were quieter, smoother, and grippier than the Pirelli Poop Zeroes that came from the factory

[dirtyboot]

Michelin Mileage Warranty Table

Looks like my choice would be the Pilot Sport A/S 3 all season tire (which they call a Ultra High Performance Sport Tire) with a 45k warranty.

Followed by the Pilot Super Sport summer tire @ 30k

Keep in mind the limitations in the bottom right:

"Some vehicles come from the vehicle manufacturer with “split fitments”– meaning different size tires on
the front and rear axles. Because these tires cannot be rotated as recommended by Michelin, the mileage warranty on each rear tire will cover half
the number of miles as the standard mileage warranty for that particular tire design"

[MrCreosote]

Thanks didn't catch that about splits. However I was using the warranty just as an indicator of how many miles the tires are capable of. The 30k for the Pilot Super Sports is definitely not bad and did you notice the Cups aren't even listed on the page?

I was trying to find Michelin Warranties for the "vintage" tires like MXX3 and Pilot Sports.

I wonder what the "MX.." refers too? Given the current MXM4 and MXV4 models I wonder if the MXX3 was related? (Like "MX" Series: M4, V4, and X3 variants.

[MrCreosote]

Just found that the Gen V ACR had 295/25r19's in front - so I updated the table.

Here is what I found in another thread: https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...-on-Gen-IV-ACR
Stock Gen IV wheels are 18X10 front.
Stock Gen V wheels are 18X10.5 front.
Stock Gen V ACR wheels are 19X11 front.

Stock IV ACR front tires were 295/30/18. ~24.9 tall.
These ACR Kumho are 295/25/19. ~24.8 tall.
This is based on math, not real world as tire size can very a bit from their specs.

[Steve M]

For the Gen IV non-ACR, the stock tires were Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 C1. It is my understanding that the C1 Viper-specific tire had a softer compound than the regular PS2. This seems to fit with what I witnessed on my '08 - when I bought the car, it only had 9,500 miles on it, and the tires were worn to the point of needing to be replaced.

[GTS Dean]

Tire technology improves just like automotive technology, and frankly those of us who raced on MXX3s have no desire to see them reappear. I would just call Jon B. , as he suggested, and get the best, newer generation tire you can, since you are asking questions that indicate you will be driving plenty of miles.

I know Bill's comments are over a year old, but the MXX3s were very competent tires in cool weather conditions. They were extremely predictable, the sidewalls were just right stiff, and as long as ambient temps were below 70F, the compound really was nice and sticky on the track. Once air and track temps got up there, they got greasy. The tread compound on the Gen 1 XGT-Z was really good in the hot temps, but they had very soft sidewall shoulders and you had to be very gentle with inputs to keep them happy. The XGT-Z casings were the foundation for the Michelin Club Slick that Viper Days ran for about a year. They were very grippy, but had the same soft sidewalls and were particularly camber sensitive. People wanted to treat them like Hoosier R3s and couldn't get any life out of them.

[Malevin]

I'm sure this is a dumb question: But are the SX MXX3 in '96 sizes no longer in production? Only could find MXX3s in 16" wheels. Correct that PS2's are the only available if you want to put Micheline's back on?

Thanks for any info!!

-Max

[GTS Dean]

The PS2s are about it. The tires are almost identical dimensionally, carry the exact same load rating as the MXX3s and are produced with relative regularity. They are good, quiet tires with a nice highway ride and decent track performance. Continental/Hoosier has begun making their Contact line in a number of Viper sizes, but they aren't all available yet. BFG may have some as well, but the rears are usually the tough ones to get.

[Malevin]

The PS2s are about it. The tires are almost identical dimensionally, carry the exact same load rating as the MXX3s and are produced with relative regularity. They are good, quiet tires with a nice highway ride and decent track performance. Continental/Hoosier has begun making their Contact line in a number of Viper sizes, but they aren't all available yet. BFG may have some as well, but the rears are usually the tough ones to get.

Perfect- thanks GTS dean!!