recomend a tire please!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2006
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recomend a tire please! Can someone please recommend a decent all around tire? It has to be a 245(or 255)/60/15. I will be participating in a few different events. Hopefully an autocross, a track day, and maybe a road rally. The car will be driven to these events. Unfortunately I am on a budget, I would like to keep it under $500(not including shipping if needed). I have searched the web and the obvious places and cant find anything other than BGF radial T/A. These will be going on my 79 firebird. I'm not all that concerned with top speed or tread wear. These will be my first performance driving events and I'm sure I wont be hitting high speeds.
Thanks
Zack
Thanks
Zack
On a budget as well, and I put Firehawks on my 81 TA. I have 1988 TA GTA 16x8 mesh wheels on the car, and use 245/50/16 tires. Needed this combo to clear 12" Wilwood front brakes (still stock disc on back) - and it barely clears. I'd go with 17" wheels, had I to do it over again.
At any rate, the tires were $150 a pop, a year ago, from Tire Rack. I don't know if you have drum or disc on the back, but wheel offset is important when putting the GTA wheels on a 2nd Gen. I actually have the "rear" wheels on the front, because the E-brake rod on the passenger rear side scraped the edge of the wheel.
In a couple years, I'll pony up the dough to get 17x9.5 wheels (probably Centerline custom order - relatively cheap, strong, light and you get to specify backspace) and a set of race-only tires (Hoosier, Goodyear, Firestone?). Then, I'd drive to the track on the GTAs, switch my rolling stock and drive like I stole the car
At any rate, the tires were $150 a pop, a year ago, from Tire Rack. I don't know if you have drum or disc on the back, but wheel offset is important when putting the GTA wheels on a 2nd Gen. I actually have the "rear" wheels on the front, because the E-brake rod on the passenger rear side scraped the edge of the wheel.
In a couple years, I'll pony up the dough to get 17x9.5 wheels (probably Centerline custom order - relatively cheap, strong, light and you get to specify backspace) and a set of race-only tires (Hoosier, Goodyear, Firestone?). Then, I'd drive to the track on the GTAs, switch my rolling stock and drive like I stole the car
Agreed 100%. I couldn't find squat for 15s when I first started looking. You'll find a ton of normal street tires and drag tires, but nothing really meant for corner carving. I traded into the GTA wheels from a buddy who wanted the set of 15x8 snowflakes I had for a TA he was restoring to original. If you're trying to stay on the cheap end, getting a similar trade may be the way to go.
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Brett Foote
Teching In
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Judging from the wheels available at TR:
245/45-17
AD08 for track and street
RE11 for track and street
Star Spec for autocross and street
R1R for autocross only
NT01 for track only
And that size is about 1/2" short so consider the 245/45-18.
245/45-17
AD08 for track and street
RE11 for track and street
Star Spec for autocross and street
R1R for autocross only
NT01 for track only
And that size is about 1/2" short so consider the 245/45-18.
Last edited by B Stead; Aug 26, 2011 at 07:55 PM.
So, let's look at the spectrum of what's available. At the bottom end, assuming a VERY tight budget, we're probably looking at something on a stock rim for the Firebird. Based on the tire size he originally mentioned, he's probably got 15x8 aluminum wheels.
In good condition, I would sell them to someone looking to restore their 'bird or TA. They are probably worth enough to cover the cost of a used set of 3rd gen 16s. Fbodywarehouse.com has unrestored 15x8 WS6 snowflakes and turbo wheels for $150 a pop. Full set of turbos for $475. There's a guy selling a pair now on Ebay for $500, with BFG 275/50/15 drag radials included.
Incidentally, Hoosier R6 Track/Competition tires are available at TR in this size, for $266 a pop. You should be able to score 16" wheels and new performance tires for south of that.
If the current wheels are 15x7 or smaller, choices in a decent road-race tire pretty much don't exist. Sell yours and buy bigger wheels. Going cheap? get 3rd gen 16x8s. There are tons available and you should get able to get them relatively cheap. That puts you in the 245/50/16 size, which had a good variety of performance tire offerings.
At the top end, get new or used 17s. One guy here on LS1tech got 315s on his car, without tubbing it. I plan on putting 275 or 285 40/17s on mine, when time and budget permit.
In good condition, I would sell them to someone looking to restore their 'bird or TA. They are probably worth enough to cover the cost of a used set of 3rd gen 16s. Fbodywarehouse.com has unrestored 15x8 WS6 snowflakes and turbo wheels for $150 a pop. Full set of turbos for $475. There's a guy selling a pair now on Ebay for $500, with BFG 275/50/15 drag radials included.
Incidentally, Hoosier R6 Track/Competition tires are available at TR in this size, for $266 a pop. You should be able to score 16" wheels and new performance tires for south of that.
If the current wheels are 15x7 or smaller, choices in a decent road-race tire pretty much don't exist. Sell yours and buy bigger wheels. Going cheap? get 3rd gen 16x8s. There are tons available and you should get able to get them relatively cheap. That puts you in the 245/50/16 size, which had a good variety of performance tire offerings.
At the top end, get new or used 17s. One guy here on LS1tech got 315s on his car, without tubbing it. I plan on putting 275 or 285 40/17s on mine, when time and budget permit.
Last edited by 1981TA; Aug 28, 2011 at 12:39 AM.
Teching In
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Responding to the subject in general:
One way to get current tires on the car is with 18" wheels.
I often mention the SSR three-piece wheels (two of the pieces are welded) which can be configured in choice of bolt pattern and offset.
But I just found that American Racing Custom Shop wheels in 18 x 9.5 can be ordered in choice of bolt pattern and backspace.
Also, US Mag Custom 2-piece in 18 x 9 can be ordered in choice of bolt pattern and backspace.
.
.
This subject here might be interested in 255/40-18 to 275/40-18 tire sizes.
.
.
One way to get current tires on the car is with 18" wheels.
I often mention the SSR three-piece wheels (two of the pieces are welded) which can be configured in choice of bolt pattern and offset.
But I just found that American Racing Custom Shop wheels in 18 x 9.5 can be ordered in choice of bolt pattern and backspace.
Also, US Mag Custom 2-piece in 18 x 9 can be ordered in choice of bolt pattern and backspace.
.
.
This subject here might be interested in 255/40-18 to 275/40-18 tire sizes.
.
.
Last edited by B Stead; Oct 7, 2011 at 05:38 PM.
Let me toss this out for general conversation: at what point does wheel size begin to be counterproductive, with regard to weight and handling characteristics? Is 16 to 18 inch pretty much the "sweet spot?"
