Home page
SPONSOR AD SPONSOR AD

Topic: Tires

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


Tires

Posted: 10/8/14 2:41pm Message 1 of 15
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Erda, UT - USA
Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 200
Vette(s): 1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).
It's been 10 years since I put new tires on my car. They have 4000 miles on them, but, 10 years old. Time to replace I think. I'm running 225/70/15 right now. (Firehawk) I was told when I bought them that this was the direct replacement for the factory GR/70/15. They look OK, but, I always thought they were a tad narrow. I'm thinking that I should have installed 235/70/15. I stopped by a Firestone dealer today, and found that the only street tire made this size now is the Destination. It looks and sounds so wrong. Goodyear does not make an Eagle this size anymore. This car came with Firestones, but, Goodyear tires were also installed on them. That leaves me with  B.F. Goodrich as my only apparent choice. Have any of you ran into this? How wide of a tire will fit on a factory rim without rubbing? Thoughts?


SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

Re: Tires

Posted: 10/8/14 2:56pm Message 2 of 15
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Gig Harbor, WA - USA
Joined: 10/2/2014
Posts: 405
Vette(s): 1973 L82 4 Speed Coupe - Very original, well documented driver/survivor. 2016 Bend Regional NCRS Top Flight.
Just put a new set of BFG Radial T/A's on my '73. I stayed with the 225/70R 15's which are the correct replacement for the GR70's. Very happy with the look and the ride of the T/A's, they have been the go to tire for many years.


John Sigmund
valkman57@sbcglobal.net
NCRS Member 61302
NW NCRS Chapter Member



Duct tape is the new Black !!

Re: Tires

Posted: 10/8/14 3:05pm Message 3 of 15
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Erda, UT - USA
Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 200
Vette(s): 1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).
I was told that the 225 was a direct replacement also. If you look on the BF Goodrich tire chart though, it says that it fits 6" to 7.5" rims. The factory rims are 8", which is correct for the 235. I would go wider if it did not rub.


Re: Tires

Posted: 10/8/14 3:11pm Message 4 of 15
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
One manufacturer's 225/70R15 may not be the same as one put out by another tire maker.  The measurement is the cross-section of the tire, but the actual tread width or footprint can vary greatly.  Tire makers can cut manufacturing costs by narrowing the actual tread...especially on a now obsolete and slow selling tire size like what our Corvettes use.  I would stick with the proper size.

I used to sell tires many years ago and still won't buy tires without physically looking at them.  Photos on the web don't get it unless I've decided on what I want and am looking for the best deal.

As already said, the BFG T/A is today's standard others are compared against.  The Cooper Cobra is also an excellent tire.  The Pep Boys Futura is their version of the Cooper Cobra.  The name on the sidewall and some minor changes in tread pattern are the only differences between them.  There were other good alternatives but most aren't made anymore.

Since these lines of tires aren't generally continually made, but occasional runs by the tire makers, shortages seem to occur with distressing regularity.  Be prepared to do some searching and have an alternative should your first choice be unavailable.  



Re: Tires

Posted: 10/8/14 3:42pm Message 5 of 15
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Ash Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
Gunslinger said:  Since these lines of tires aren't generally continually made, but occasional runs by the tire makers, shortages seem to occur with distressing regularity.  Be prepared to do some searching and have an alternative should your first choice be unavailable.  


I used to work at Goodyear/Dunlop Buffalo.  It's one of the few plants left that can do short runs of tires in an economical way.  I was told once that most plants were only doing 1 or two compound changes during a 24 hour span.  We would oftern do 20 in an 8 hour shift.  The real probem comes in changing molds.  Cleaning of a mold can take 4+ hours so that is a real deterrent to changing tires.

I went with the Futura from pep boys, 235/60 15 but I have an 81 and don't know if they will fit your car(lots of info about that here).  I love the look and added traction.  I have about 4800 miles on them this summer and like them.  I did bring them back to Pep Boys to have them re-balanced at no charge.



Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!!      Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"


Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192


Re: Tires

Posted: 10/8/14 8:10pm Message 6 of 15
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Erda, UT - USA
Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 200
Vette(s): 1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).
235/60/15 are 9.5" wide on a 7" rim, 26.1" tall. The stock tire, GR70/15 was 8.6" wide, 27.5" tall. No rim size given on the chart I was looking at. Currently running 225/70/15 which is 27.4 tall, 9" wide on a 6.5 inch rim. My car is not here to physically measure, but, I thought it interesting that 6.5 to 7.5" was recommended rim size. The 235/70/15 is 9.5" wide on a 7" rim, 28" tall. The tires I have look good, I just thought a little tiny bit wider would look better. I don't want the car any higher really. Maybe you can send me a pic of yours Dave, so I can see how it sets. The 60 series seems to be pretty low.


Re: Tires

Posted: 10/8/14 8:25pm Message 7 of 15
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1535
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport M7 convertible.
I have Cooper Cobra 235/60 15's on my car.  They are one speed rating higher than the BFG TA's.


   

Re: Tires

Posted: 10/9/14 5:00pm Message 8 of 15
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Erda, UT - USA
Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 200
Vette(s): 1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).
I'm curious if any of you are running a 255/60. 10.2" wide on the Cooper. 10.5" wide on the BFG. Both are 27.1" tall on a 7.5 inch rim. If you are, have they ever rubbed?


Re: Tires

Posted: 10/10/14 7:59am Message 9 of 15
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
New Albany, OH - USA
Joined: 8/17/2010
Posts: 173
Vette(s): 1980 Coupe / Snowcrest White / L48, 350 / Comp Cam / Edelbrock Heads / Cyclone Intake / Holley Carb / Holley Fuel Pump / Patriot Headers / Dual Exhaust / Magnaflow Mufflers / 1964 Coupe / Riverside Red / L76, 327, 365hp
For whatever it's worth, I have P255/60SR-15 Goodyear Eagle GT II tires on my '80.  Since they are the same size as the original Eagle GT tires, I have never had any trouble with the fit.


Chuck

Re: Tires

Posted: 10/10/14 10:31am Message 10 of 15
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1535
Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport M7 convertible.
CCasey said: For whatever it's worth, I have P255/60SR-15 Goodyear Eagle GT II tires on my '80.  Since they are the same size as the original Eagle GT tires, I have never had any trouble with the fit.


Might want to check the date on those.



   

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)