What Make of Tire are You Using?..

[Brock Samson]

well i done wore out my Dunlops doing burnouts the last couple weeks..
and I'm open to suggestions as to what you may recommend as a high performance tire...
I am familier with the Dunlops GT Qualifiers of course having used them exclusivly since the mid '80s on all my cars and vans.
(save the 300 M on which i have Continentals)..
  So,..  Good Years, BF Goodrich radial TAs,.. Coopers, Kelly Chargers..etc. what ya' runnin?..
  & what do you suggest.... (prices would be nice too, the GTQs are aprox $ 109.oo per tire)..

  Thanks in advance...
  Strat! 

[Silver R/T]

Ive got Daytons Daytona SR on my Charger. Nice tire would be Nittos

[Old Moparz]

I haven't bought a set of performance tire in ages. The last set was for my wife's Mustang GT, a set of Cooper Cobras which were fine. Been buying Coopers for several other vehicles over the years, including my F-150 & a Pathfinder I had. My Scamp has a set of el cheapo "blemished" tires, called "Regal Sport" or something. Got them for $45 a piece like 15 years ago, at Mother's Performance on Rte. 46 in NJ.

I do like the Goodyear Eagles with the yellow lettering, they look cool to me.

[almerkel]

I use Kelly Chargers for the heck of it. 

[MorePwr]

I'm a bit biased cause I sold bridgestone firestone tires for five years...I put bridgestone potenza g009's on the wife's subaru, great all around tire. $130ish...Firestones Indy 500II is super sticky, decent handling and has kind of a square shoulder, that I think looks good on a muscle car. $100...Cooper makes a great tire, best snow tire made in my opinion. Their cobra line looks great. and if your looking for a tire that spins easy and smokes a lot, they are the best. $120

check out TireRack.com they test and rate all the tires out there. good web site for research.

[Ghoste]

BFG Radial TA's, but mostly just because of the look and the price.  They are okay for a performance tire but they are far from being the best.

[TruckDriver]

I'm actually thinking of buying Dunlops GT Qualifiers for mine this coming spring. I like the lettering on them. Either that, or Firestone Firehawks. Every Firestone I ever had has lasted a lot of miles with no complaints

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Radial redlines

[plum500]

(Bridgestone) Fuzion ZRi's

[Brock Samson]

i've been driving the R/T for the past week to work and home,..
Going is slow as i hit the school kids (not literally  ) as they are getting out of school,.. 
but going home i take the "long way" home, a secret route i wont divulge here, just in case... anyhow the lights on this industrial Blvd. which is empty of traffic at midnight are timed for 35 MPH,.. so, by doubling that i hit em all just right..
I've been having some adventures there as i'm not the only motor head blowing out carbon...
  So  last night i was finally stopped by the fuzz who said "We clocked ya doing 40 in a 25...  slow it down"... 
I saw them early and had slowed it down... they were really nice about it and seemed to understand. I think they just wanted to see the skunk...

whew...                                                                                                         

[chargerboy69]

BF Goodrich Radial T/A's. They are a good tire for the price.

[Neal_J]

BF Goodrich T/A's on the Charger and Goodyear Eagles on the Olds. 

I prefer the ride of the Eagles to the T/As.

Neal

[Manfred318]

Mastercraft Avenger G/T. They ride and handle very well and for around $65/each. I also ran Firehawks on my '84 Ram and liked them alot as well, dont remember how much they cost though.

[Brock Samson]

i went again with the Dunlops, found the exact same tread design that's on there pretty suprising since they change them so often and it's been 5 years but i'm gonna hold off on mounting them though till i compleatly use up what's on there...



                                                                                                                                                         

[Ponch ®]

I do like the Goodyear Eagles with the yellow lettering, they look cool to me.

I don't think they make them anymore.

I once put on a set of "Caliente" tires on a leased corolla I was about to return. $150 for all 4, out the door. 

[THE COLONEL]

BF Goodrich Radial T/A's. They are a good tire for the price.

Same here.  I have had nothing but the best experience with B/F Goodrich Radial T/A's.  I have used them for years on all of my cars, not just the The Colonel.

[MGBRingo]

I run Goodyear bias ply on my Charger.   Not performance of course but I like the looks.

I also run Mastercraft Avengers on my Fiero GT for the last 6 years and like them a lot.  Do a lot of spirited driving with it as it holds the corners extremely well.  The tires do very well.  And the price is good.

[Khyron]

Dunlop GTQ on mine....

I just love the look.

[myk]

BF Goodrich Radial T/A's. They are a good tire for the price.

Got them here also, raised-white-lettering turned inside, of course...

[Dans 68]

BF Goodrich Radial TAs   

[Brock Samson]

no ones got prices?. or sizes?. too late now anyway,..  i was just wondering.. thanks anyhow.. 

[deputycrawford]

I run T/A's in the front, 245/60-15. Cost around$75 ish each. The rear has Mickey Thompson Drag radials, 275/60-15. They are around $160 ish a piece. I'm on my second set of Drag radials in three years. They hold the road surprising great in the corners. Never skip a beat in the rain, and I air them down to 14 psi at the track and hold 1.8 sec 60 ft times. I will probably never run anything else. I only get about 2000 miles outof them but I wouldn't trade that kind of traction for anything.

[MorePwr]

Here is a handy link for others looking for tires   http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=PAS

[Chryco Psycho]

I will not run a BFG until they figure out how to make them round , one of the worse tires I have used or seen on a consistant basis
Nitto has a great drag radial

[MorePwr]

I will not run a BFG until they figure out how to make the round , one of the worse tires I have used or seen on a consistant basis

Yup, A tires quality can be measured by the amount of weight it takes to balance it.

[RallyeMike]

I will not run a BFG until they figure out how to make the round, one of the worse tires I have used or seen on a consistant basis

They are fine for a run around town tire but not more.

Tires are marked for out out of round by manf's and should be mounted with the mark matching the valve stem hole in the wheel. Most tire busters have no idea that out of round issues can be reduced by mounting the tires correctly to the wheel, and most tire stores wont take the time the mount them this way for you. They just look at you like you're a trouble maker and tell you they will make it up on the balance machine.

[MorePwr]

I will not run a BFG until they figure out how to make the round, one of the worse tires I have used or seen on a consistant basis

They are fine for a run around town tire but not more.

Tires are marked for out out of round by manf's and should be mounted with the mark matching the valve stem hole in the wheel. Most tire busters have no idea that out of round issues can be reduced by mounting the tires correctly to the wheel, and most tire stores wont take the time the mount them this way for you. They just look at you like you're a trouble maker and tell you they will make it up on the balance machine.

Phase Matching has been around for a while, it's a tire busting 101 class, at Firestone anyway. can't speak for the other companys, never dealt with anyone else. if the technician told me he'd make it up on the balancer, I'd go talk to the service writer, cause that's BS! most tire machines can't detect if a wheel and tire are out of phase, it's not entirely a balance thing, it has something to do with radial tread patterns and harmonics that you dont feel till you're rolling down the road.

Hey , correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think phase marks are only on "T" rated tires and above.

[Brock Samson]

anyone running the firestones here?.. they look great on the tirerack chart.

[Rolling_Thunder]

BF Goodrich Radial TAs   

what he said....       I am however going to be going with American Racer 285/60/15's in the back when i put the big block in....       the BFGs dont grip enough for my driving habits....       guy I know is cutting good 60ft times with them so i'll give them a shot.

[Johnny SixPack]

anyone running the firestones here?.. they look great on the tirerack chart.

I've got Firestone Firehawk 500s on the daily driver, and I'm totally satisfied with 'em.

When it comes time to replace the BFGs on the "70 I'll be going that route too.

Excellent traction and if you get stuck out in the rain, they are better than anything else (well in their price range) I've run up to this point.

I've got Dunlops on the "69 and not at all happy with 'em.

[RallyeMike]

Phase Matching has been around for a while, it's a tire busting 101 class, at Firestone anyway. can't speak for the other companys, never dealt with anyone else. if the technician told me he'd make it up on the balancer, I'd go talk to the service writer, cause that's BS! most tire machines can't detect if a wheel and tire are out of phase, it's not entirely a balance thing, it has something to do with radial tread patterns and harmonics that you dont feel till you're rolling down the road.

Hey , correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think phase marks are only on "T" rated tires and above.

Phasing tires is like driving the speed limit. Most folks have at heard of it, but nobody actually does it      Not sure about the marking on T and above because I only bother when I buy high speed-rated tires.

[Ghoste]

How do they mark them?

[gnrl01]

I run BF Goodrich on mine...just always like the looks and the tread design..

[RallyeMike]

How do they mark them?

I have usually seen a yellow paint dot, but I'm not sure if there is a standard.

[Brock Samson]

Are the Firehawk 500s still the hot ticket as last I heard?.. need a recommendation. thanks!

[404NOTFOUND]

Totally happy here too with the BFG Radial T/As. They look great and I can get 1.90 60ft times on em.

[GL0169]

I have been using Firehawk Indy 500 for many years - im pleased with them - nice look - nice preformance - i like them better than BFG

[twodko]

Are the Firehawk 500s still the hot ticket as last I heard?.. need a recommendation. thanks!

Hi Dave,

I run Firehawk Indy 500 and am happy with them.

[bill440rt]

I've got BFG's, decent tire for the price.
I'm looking into getting a set of radial redlines, Diamondback does the mod on the Firehawk tire. Speaking with Diamondback, they also offer it on a BFG tire however the guy I spoke with recommended the Firehawk tire over the BFG.
I'm going with the Firehawk's when I'm ready to place the order, & curious how they will perform over the BFG's.



http://www.dbtires.com/specials_promo.html

[Nacho-RT74]

anyone running the firestones here?.. they look great on the tirerack chart.

just mounted last week, after MANY YEARS wanting them, finally on my car ( note the blue protecting layer was still at white letters. pic was taken just minutes before mount them )



making the story short.

I run from the begining ( back in 98 ) Dunlops GTs. Got the time to change and wanted Indys, but they were out of stock everywhere on the size I wanted ( 255/60-15 ). It was an emergency so I had to got locally whatever I find. Went with Dunlops again, but locally GTs were discontinued and now there are SP SPORTS instead. One week later, FUNNY, Indys were back in stock again, but I had to die with what I got.

in last 4 months were searching locally for Indys again since my Dunlops need to be changed. Suprise!!! Birdgestone/Firestone dealers told me those weren't to be imported again to Venezuela. So went to ebay, and found all 4 tires in $480 delivered to Florida ( actually couple of bucks less ). Got them at home last week and mounted two days later

[Nacho-RT74]

this is the website from the ebay seller I got

http://www.thetireclub.com/content.wws?fname=firehawk_indy_500.html

[Nacho-RT74]

I did a quick search about indys, and dunno but... does loook they are becoming out of stock everywhere ? discontinued maybe ?

[BlueSS454]

I've been running the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires on my cars for years.  Best tire I have ever used

[c00nhunterjoe]

Wow, old thread. I ran the american racer's (formerly Mcreary) on my mustang. They were great at the time but the drag radials are the way to go by todays technology.

I run bfg radial ta's on my car and love them. So many people hate on them that I may try something new this time around. Thinking about the mickey thompson sr's. They have a higher speed rating and stiffer siewall so cornering should improve and the have more size choices.

[Back N Black]

Another one for Firehawks. 

[Musicman]

I have the 295 BFG Radial T/A's on the rear, and 235's up front, RWL's out... I bought them because they look good. They're not as sticky as I would like, but they're good enough. Mine are the older pre-famine version, but I heard somewhere that the newer ones are made using a little better compound.

I think if I was going to move up, I would be looking at the previously mentioned M/T Sportsman SR's. There are two things I don't like about the M/T's however... No.1 being the price tag, and No.2... They don't come with a Raised White Letter option!... Lets face it, depending on the car and the color scheme... sometimes RWL's look good out and sometimes they're best hidden from view... but at least give me the option.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Those are the same reasons I havnt bought them, mainly the white letters.

Mt has their direct competiton with the bfg's that do have white letters. I was debating getting those instead but the sr's speed rating is very tempting.

[472 R/T SE]

I avoid the BFG simply because everyone runs them.  Hey, I'm a paraplegic driving hot rides so I'm already a little different.

Past 2 sets of rubber I bought for my classic rides has been Goodyears.  Good lookin' tire imo.

[Patronus]

Goodyears 

[UH60L]

I use the BF Goodrich Radial T/A white letter tires on Crager wheels.  I just love the way they look on the car.

[Fred]

Yokohama for me. I've been using them for years.
Excellent road handling. 

[440]

I've tried to buy Yokohama 352's a couple of times and they are ridiculously expensive compared to other brands.

I had them on my fairlane and loved em.

[Fred]

They are expensive yes and don't last as long as goodrich but they stick well and that to me is very reassuring
And compared to what the car cost me, they are a relatively cheap insurance.

[GreenMachine]

Wow, old thread. I ran the american racer's (formerly Mcreary) on my mustang. They were great at the time but the drag radials are the way to go by todays technology.

I run bfg radial ta's on my car and love them. So many people hate on them that I may try something new this time around. Thinking about the mickey thompson sr's. They have a higher speed rating and stiffer siewall so cornering should improve and the have more size choices.

I've been running BFGs for years mainy due to price/coolness. After getting my BB Dart going, I just put the biggest tire I had laying around that would fit on the back, which was a 235/60R15. That was like driving on a wet road all the time.

I decided to go with Mickey Thompson S/R  http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MTT-6640/  They are twice as much, and I'm not sure how long they'll last, but I'm sold. The car is more fun to drive now that it grips. They still spin, but not near as much as the BFGs.

[HPP]

I talked to MT about tread wear rating on the SRs. They basically said they don't do UTQC ratings because the make specialty tires. However, they have had field reports of 15-16k miles out of a set of SR if you are gentle with them.

Me, I'm willing to give up mileage iif they grip decent. Since this is an all new deisgn that is used across a number of 17, 18, and 20 inch sizes, I'm hoping the compounds are soft enough to be comeptitive with some of the other decent plus sizes.

[68blue]

Cooper Cobras. 295/50/15  265/60/15

[Neal_J]

T/As.  No complaints.

[Brock Samson]

Thanks for the input, as far as coolness factor, i don't know how one could beat the "Kelly Supercharger" RWLs..  I was just wondering if the musclecar tire tech. had improved Sig. in the last four Yrs. looks like it's still the usual suspects.. 

[HPP]

I haven't been able to find 15" stuff with Nitto or Yokahama What sizes do they offer and where are you finding them?

[Stretch]

How do they mark them?

I have usually seen a yellow paint dot, but I'm not sure if there is a standard.

Most tires have a yellow dot and a red dot. You line the red dot up with the valve stem hole on toyotas, The yellow with the stem on everything else.

I center the tire manufactures name with my valve stem on all of my tires and only use weights to ballance on the inside cuz I'm a tad anal. If they arnt all mounted the same it drives me bat shit crazy. If one tire takes alot of weight. I turn it on the rim untill it takes less weight and spins nice then I change all the rest to match.

Told ya I'm anal! 

[jaak]

On my 69, I bought BFG T/A,  235-60-15's (front and rear).



On the 73 I had, it had If had Futura GLS Super Sports (235-60-15's front, 295-50-15's rear). The previous owner had them installed right before I bought the car, they were a good riding tire and had a good looking tread. The only thing I didn't like about 'em was he had the RWL mounted out   ,didn't ever switch em around before I sold it.



Jason

[Fred]

I haven't been able to find 15" stuff with Nitto or Yokahama What sizes do they offer and where are you finding them?

I've got 15"  Yokohama on my car

(275/60/15) rear
(235/60/15)  front

so they are definitely available.

[Chargerguy74]

Anyone run Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/Ts?

[Dino]

14" Firestone tires.  205 wide and that's about all I know.  Comes on most bicycles I think....

[RECHRGD]

I bought the redlines from diamond back classics several years ago.  They are actually Firestone Firehawks 275/60/15 & 235/60/15.  I'll probably replace them with something different when the time comes.  They look great, but there's just no traction when at the track.  If I try to get anything better than a 2.3 second 60' time they just go up in smoke......

[XS29L9B2]

my tires are michelins

[HeavyFuel]

Would it be totally wrong to go with something like a Hankook (H725) modern radial?   I'm looking at 225 70r14.

Would the modern tire look totally kill the overall classic look of the car?

It's tough as hell to find a decent modern tire in the original size.....F70 x 14 -ish.

[billssuperbird]

Goodyear

[Cooter]

On my BB Dart, I run Hoosier 295/50/15's and LOVE 'em. Fronts are something off the wall. 165/15"..

On the Charger I run Cooper.

on the Challenger, I run BFG's.

Onthe truck I run some kinda off brand All season tire.

Lawnmower, I run Carlisle Turf Savers..

Trailer I run Cooper Trailer tires.

[charge69]

Anyone have anything to say, good or bad, about Mickey Thompson Sportsman ST tires? They are raised white letter tires. Seem to be reasonable and come in a variety of 15" sizes. You can see them at Jeg's.

[Brass]

Anyone have anything to say, good or bad, about Mickey Thompson Sportsman ST tires? They are raised white letter tires. Seem to be reasonable and come in a variety of 15" sizes. You can see them at Jeg's.

I have them and they're fine.  They handle okay for most street driving but I wouldn't expect them to hook very well.  They also had a slight "high point" which made them a little tricky to balance without using external weights.  Still a good choice for 15" RWL tires since options are becoming fewer and fewer. 

[charge69]

Thanks for the reply.  I am considering putting them on one-piece chrome, all aluminum Cragar mags.  Jeg's still has the Cragars and they are specifically drilled (4 1/2") for MOPARS, not unilug! They have a 2 week shipping date so, I think they must be custom ordered. The M/T tires would look nice on them.

[chargerboy69]

Nitto 555.  I have had a couple sets, love them.  

[bzabodyn]

Redline radials - T/A's - 245/60/15, 275/60/15.

BZ

[WHITE AND RED 69]

BFGoodrich G-Force T/A KDW2 on my 69.   

[XH29N0G]

Redline radials - T/A's - 245/60/15, 275/60/15.

BZ

Where did you buy your tires?

[bzabodyn]

Great tires - had them before on a daily driver in 19's and loved them. I'll definitely go with them when I do 18's on my next b-body project.

BZ

[Dino]

Pretty soon I'll have Nitto 555's up front and 450's in the back.