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Topic: The "Perfect" C3 Tire

in Forum: C3 Handling Components

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The "Perfect" C3 Tire (1/28)
4/21/09 9:18pm

C3LVRNAK
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Big Lake, AK - USA

Vette(s):
1971 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 350/330hp

Joined: 8/4/2008
Posts: 21

Hi All,

Realtively new owner (2nd summer) and want to get some new tires for my 71. I can still remember how good BF Goodrich Radial T/A's looked and have found some. Currently she has 3 different brands but all tires are 225 70 R 15's and needing attention. Owners manual says use R70-15 from the old days.

My questions is to all you C3 guys, should I stay with 225 70 R15's, do you like the raised white letter BF's? Or would you reccomend another brand? I have original rims on her and love the BF look

Any reccomendations appreciated

Thanks in advance

Bob

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The "Perfect" C3 Tire (2/28)
4/21/09 9:24pm

C3LVRNAK
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Big Lake, AK - USA

Vette(s):
1971 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 350/330hp

Joined: 8/4/2008
Posts: 21

Also, forgot, I will be installing an composite spring and a set of KYB's this summer. Might make a difference

Bob

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (3/28)
4/21/09 9:50pm

indy99
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Newport, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.

Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932

There are a lot of opinions on tires. I purchased Firestone Indy 500 based on reviews and opinions of corvette owners and they look good too with the raised letters.

______________

Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (4/28)
4/21/09 9:55pm

Jeffm
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Sebago Lake, ME - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary L82 4spd (M21) Red Leather. Pace Car is in the hands of a new caretaker.

Joined: 2/15/2007
Posts: 964

The radial T/A's are a nice looking tire. See them on a lot of Vettes. The '80 I picked up about a month ago came with a "like new" set of them in that same size. Smile

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The "Perfect" C3 Tire (5/28)
4/21/09 10:22pm

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Sykesville, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops

Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4238

My tire guy ( and friend ) is a BFG dealer and he reccomended the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires. Better dry traction, better wet traction, better ride! And by the way, mine has the composite spring and Bilstein shocks and it rides and handles terrific. One more thing, the Firestones can be had for a great price!

Barry

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The "Perfect" C3 Tire (6/28)
4/21/09 10:34pm

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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

The original was actually F70-15. That is the same outer diamiter as 255/60-15 or avout 211/70-15 But the 225/70-15 is the common replacement, though slightly larger the OEM.

The Goodyear is a nice tire and looks good. I have the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500, and I love them.

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (7/28)
4/21/09 10:50pm

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North Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1975 L48 AT AC T-top

Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176

I have used both the T/As and Firehawks on my C3s. I like them both. I think they equally look good on the car. The Firehawks did seem to be a better all weather tire. I think either is a great choice. I currently hace T/As but the next set will probably be Firehawks

Scott.

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (8/28)
4/21/09 10:51pm

71Shark
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Edmond, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1971 Brands Hatch Green L48 Coupe Automatic Driver - restored 1995

Joined: 7/13/2006
Posts: 400

You are right! BFG TA Radials are the best(IMHO). That is the only tire I have run on my '71 since I bought her in '93(3 sets I think). I run 235 60/15 with no problems and they look great. I will run these until I can no longer find them or convinced otherwise.

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (9/28)
4/21/09 11:37pm

C3LVRNAK
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Big Lake, AK - USA

Vette(s):
1971 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 350/330hp

Joined: 8/4/2008
Posts: 21

Man this site is the sh%&, I posted less than 2 hours ago and you C3 lovers were all over it! Thanks for all your input, I tend towards the BFG's but I'll check some pricing that may be the difference

Thanks sooo much

Bob

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (10/28)
4/22/09 12:23am

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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am

Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7195

BFG T/As are on "The Toy" and "BIGBRRD". Have been happy with the ride and performance of those tires on both cars. I know a lot of folks like the Firestone Indy 500s but the only Firestone tire I ever had good luck with was recalled (the big Explorer mess).

When replacing the original skins on "The Beast" went with Goodyears becuz there aren't many manufacturers who make a 315.

Lots of discussion on tires in this forum. Scroll down a bit and you'll find several threads on the topic.

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"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (11/28)
4/22/09 7:03am

sundew
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Eagan, MN - USA

Vette(s):
Gone, but not forgotten: 1974 Coupe Red, matching numbers, Black Interior, L-48 w/ 4 speed; The “Admiral”, also gone and never to be forgotten. 1994 Admiral Blue LT-1 coupe, Black Interior Automatic

Joined: 6/18/2007
Posts: 427

BFG/Firestone.....BFG/Firestone....The debates rages on. I don't think you can go wrong with either brand. I run T/A's on my Corvette because I have run some form of T/A on my street cars for many years. I like BFG tires. As far as performance is concerned, I don't push my car hard enough to get to the adhesion limits of the tire and I never drive it in the rain (Well, OK, once, coming back from LaCrosse, WI.). The best all-weather tire I have ever had on a my daily drivers is the BFR traction T/A. IMHO

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The "Perfect" C3 Tire (12/28)
4/22/09 7:17am

KeBo
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Kendall Park, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 - 59 Beige over Cinnebar leather. Edlebrock top end, 2200 stall w/shift kit, 3:55s, Mufflex maniback exhaust, nice stereo, 16 in AREs w/BFGs

Joined: 3/9/2005
Posts: 789

Its funny, the Firestone and the BFGs are the tire of choice, I do not think there is a wrong a wrong answer. Me, I have the BFGs, I think they are the Comp T/As (the sport 3 season tire that sucks in the rain). I have a 340 comp spring and KYBs. I never use the car in the rain and I love the tires.

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (13/28)
4/22/09 7:42am

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Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Black L48 T-Tops

Joined: 1/3/2006
Posts: 1560

BFG's on all my vehicles, long trail TA's on the trucks and Radial TA's on the baby.

She came with Kumho's that took around 30 to 45 minutes to warm up. Before warm-up they rode like a lumber wagon.

Had bad wear experience with Firestones, they seem to wear out quick on the trucks.

Ya can't go wrong w/the BFG's!!!

Bottom line: personal choice - you have to live with them for 30/50K miles.

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (14/28)
4/22/09 8:00am

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TOPTON, PA - USA

Vette(s):
71 454 convertible, mulsanne blue,a/c, matching numbers, 48K miles

Joined: 5/5/2002
Posts: 313

I have the Firestone Firehawks and love them.

______________
Tom
71 454/365 Mulsanne Blue Convertible

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (15/28)
4/22/09 8:40am

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Elma, WA - USA

Vette(s):
Red 1973 Convertible. L-48 Auto #'s matching Red 1970 LT-1 Convertible #'s matching

Joined: 6/25/2007
Posts: 692

This was my exact same question 2 months ago. I finally decided on the Firestones, (Best tire not the best LOOKING tire) and ordered 255/60-15's.
Well they were too big and hit the front of the tire well. Now we are going with the BFG (Best LOOKING tire, not the BEST tire) and a size of 245/60-15.

I just hope the 245's fit!

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (16/28)
4/22/09 11:55am

MK's78
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Dover, DE - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary Corvette-White/Red 99% Original

Joined: 1/4/2009
Posts: 65

Just put a set of Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 RWL(P225/70R15's) and they look and ride great.

They replaced a set of P255/60R15's RWL BFG's which were much too big, hard to steer etc.

I am very happy with the new ones.

Good luck and happy riding.

mike aka mk's78

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (17/28)
4/22/09 11:55am

rearn2go72
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Bladenboro, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv., sunfire yellow, blk interior, blk vinyl and convertible top. Off frame restoration with American Speed 383 stroker engine producing 500hp plus a 200hp NOS system. MSD ignition. Hooker super competition headers with chambered exhaust.

Joined: 1/22/2006
Posts: 1058

I'd rather "want" a Firestone Firehawk than "have" a BFG.

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (18/28)
4/22/09 3:58pm

Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior

Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

Buy what you think is best for you. Asking about tires can start fights...like asking opinions which car wax is best or motor oil.

I had the BFG's on the '78 I owned and thought they were excellent tires and, at least in my opinion, the best looking raised white letter tire available. That's simply aesthetics and very subjective, but regardless of that, the BFG is an excellent tires and probably the standard others are judged against for a C3.

On my '69 I wanted white stripe tires since that the way the car was delivered with new and I bought a set of Cooper tires...so far they've also been excellent, plus the local dealer is outstanding to do business with...locally owned and very customer service oriented as well as competitive on pricing. Since then, all our cars but one now wear Coopers...the one that doesn't still has the factory tires installed.

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (19/28)
4/22/09 4:18pm

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Dorr, MI - USA

Vette(s):
71 Colonnade Hardtop Coupe Torch Red with black interior originally L48 built to push around 360hp

Joined: 8/21/2002
Posts: 2581

I put 2 BFG T/A's on my 71 last year. After I finished roasting the old rears I put 2 more on just this week. Love em. "T"

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The "Perfect" C3 Tire (20/28)
4/22/09 7:53pm

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Waterford, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Red coupe

Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1735

Just make sure the old tires you take off and the new tires you put on have the same outside diameter or your speedo will be off. I changed from a GoodYear ST 225/70-15 to a BF Goodridge Radial T/A 235/60-15. I had to change my speedo gear because the new tires were smaller by around a 1/2" in height.

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73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (21/28)
4/22/09 11:12pm

C3LVRNAK
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Big Lake, AK - USA

Vette(s):
1971 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe 350/330hp

Joined: 8/4/2008
Posts: 21

You are all awesome and I very much appreciate the advise!!! Found some Cooper "Cobras" that look excellant and you buy 3 and get the 4th for free!! For that price I'll be checkin them out, smoke em if I "need" too!! :)

Again, thanks to you all

Bob

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (22/28)
4/23/09 10:55am

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COPPERAS COVE, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 corvette stingray convertible 2007 coupe

Joined: 7/6/2002
Posts: 417

I run Dunflop's on mine, so far so good.

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The "Perfect" C3 Tire (23/28)
4/23/09 11:39am

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DUNEDIN, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1969 COUPE CORTEZ SILVER, BRIGHT BLUE INTERIOR 383 cu. in. 512 HP. Hooker headers w/ side pipes PS PS AC AM FM STEREO. 68,000.MILES C5 5oth Anniversary Coupe , auto.350hp

Joined: 10/22/2004
Posts: 832

BFG`s here always will.

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (24/28)
4/23/09 2:00pm

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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am

Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7195

[QUOTE=C3LVRNAK] ... Found some Cooper "Cobras" that look excellant and you buy 3 and get the 4th for free!! ... [/QUOTE]

When we bought "BIGBRRD" it was wearing Cooper Cobras. I don't know how long the car had been sitting before we bought it but all four tires had flat-spotted so needed to be replaced. I know it is boring looking at so many cars with BFG T/As but they do look good.

I couldn't get RWL in a 16" T/A when I switched "The Toy" over from 15s, but not having RWL looks better on those wheels IMO (click on the image in my signature to see what they look like).

Norsky2009-04-23 11:01:37

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Jim Olson

"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

The "Perfect" C3 Tire (25/28)
4/23/09 3:19pm

dskopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!

Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

BFG is where it's at!! Good Tires! Rolling On The Floor Laughing

Rolling On The Floor Laughing

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The "Perfect" C3 Tire (26/28)
4/23/09 4:17pm

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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...

Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188

No matter your decision I think the white letters will look great against the your white car. How about doing us a favor?

Once you buy your new tires post up why you chose them and what you like or dislike about them. maybe we can learn something new from your experience.

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The "Perfect" C3 Tire (27/28)
4/23/09 6:37pm

dskopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!

Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1958

I'm with the tux guy! We wanna see um !! And the good and bad points about them.

Dan

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The "Perfect" C3 Tire (28/28)
4/23/09 7:53pm

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Summerville, SC - USA

Vette(s):
My 1974 Vette sold last August 2014. I am still willing to show up to events and local gatherings if anything happening No new vette yet.

Joined: 8/31/2005
Posts: 660

i have the firestone firehawks Indy 500 and i love them

Jeremy H.

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