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Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: V8Demon on August 13, 2009, 02:04:09 AM

Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: V8Demon on August 13, 2009, 02:04:09 AM
I've decided on some new rims for the Cougar.  I'm sticking with 15 inch wheels.  I want a 27 inch tall tire for out back and the rim size will be 8 inches. 255/60-15 is the size tire that'll fit that criteria.

I want something with a blackwall that'll hook yet I can drive all year long.  I've been looking at these:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MTT-1566/?image=large
(http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/mtt-1566.jpg)

Quote
Manufacturer's Part Number      1566
Part Type      Tires
Product Line      Mickey Thompson Sportsman I Tires
Summit Racing Part Number      MTT-1566
Tire Size      255/60-15
Rim Diameter (in)      15 in.
Sidewall Style      Blackwall
Tire Construction      Bias-ply
Directional      No
Tire Diameter (in)      27.00 in.
Section Width (in)      10.40 in.
Tread Width (in)      7.80 in.
Minimum Recommended Rim Width (in)      6.00 in.
Maximum Recommended Rim Width (in)      8.00 in.
Asymmetrical Tread Pattern      No
Tread Depth      12/32 in.
DOT-Approved      Yes
Tube Required      No
Quantity      Sold individually.
 
Give your ride a firm grip on any surface!

Mickey Thompson Sportsman "I" tires are made from a special compound and feature an interlocking "I" tread that wraps around and gives a firm grip on any surface. Nylon cord construction, four-ply sidewalls, and D.O.T. approval for street use round out the features.


Thoughts?  Experiences?  Suggestions?
Another option is the Nitto 555R in the same size.  Lemme hear what you got to say :burnout:
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: Live Fast on August 13, 2009, 03:16:49 AM
I run Nitto 555's on my Mustang all year long and havent had too many problems. As long as you drive like you got some sense in the rain they do ok. Never had them on the highway in the rain though.
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: V8Demon on August 16, 2009, 01:06:38 PM
Perhaps a set of Hoosier Pro streets......black side wall radials with an H-speed rating -- the minimum I'll consider.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOO-19100/'
Quote
ummit Racing Part Number      HOO-19100
Tire Size      28 x 9.50-15
Rim Diameter (in)      15 in.
Sidewall Style      Blackwall
Tire Construction      Radial
Directional      No
Tire Diameter (in)      27.00 in.
Section Width (in)      9.75 in.
Tread Width (in)      8.00 in.
Speed Rating      H
Minimum Recommended Rim Width (in)      7.50 in.
Maximum Recommended Rim Width (in)      9.00 in.
Asymmetrical Tread Pattern      No
DOT-Approved      Yes
Tube Required      No
Max Load Single (lbs)      1,325 lbs.

Those are listed as a 28" tire by part # , but have a measure size of 27".....interesting.

Another option:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HOO-19075/
Quote
Summit Racing Part Number      HOO-19075
Tire Size      27 x 10.50-15
Rim Diameter (in)      15 in.
Sidewall Style      Blackwall
Tire Construction      Radial
Directional      Yes
Tire Diameter (in)      26.50 in.
Section Width (in)      10.50 in.
Tread Width (in)      8.30 in.
Speed Rating      H
Minimum Recommended Rim Width (in)      7.00 in.
Maximum Recommended Rim Width (in)      8.50 in.
Asymmetrical Tread Pattern      No
DOT-Approved      Yes
Tube Required      No
Max Load Single (lbs)      1,235 lbs.

Looks slightly short, but would be a teensy bit wider and most likely look better on an 8" wheel IMHO......


Again, any thoughts?
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: BCA on August 16, 2009, 08:29:16 PM
Paul,

You don't want to run a bias-ply tire on the rear and a radial tire on the front.

From Michelin's website:
DO NOT mix radial and non-radial tires on a vehicle. If mixing tires is unavoidable, NEVER mix radial and non-radial tires on the same axle. If two radial and two non-radial tires are installed on a vehicle, the two radials MUST be installed on the rear axle and the two non-radials on the front axle.

IIRC it's due to the way that the two different types of of tires react to steering inputs and it results in the car having too much oversteer.

Brent
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: V8Demon on August 16, 2009, 08:37:22 PM
Good to know -- thanks.  That takes the Mickey's off the list....I'm gonna call Hoosier tomorrow about the 2 options from them.
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: V8Demon on August 22, 2009, 07:52:03 PM
HMMMM....

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GWM-93-580039P/?image=large

Quote
Rim Diameter (in)      15 in.
Rim Width (in)      8.00 in.
Backspacing (in)      5.000 in.
Offset (mm)      +13.00mm
Wheel Material      Aluminum
Wheel Finish      Polished
Wheel Construction      1-piece
Beadlock Included      No
Beadlock Functional      No
Lug Nut Seat Style      Shank
Lug Nut Shank Length (in)      1.300-1.380 in.
Lug Nut Shank Diameter (in)      0.679-0.687 in.
Washer Outside Diameter (in)      1.250 in.
Hub Centric      No
Center Cap Included      Yes
Load Rating (lbs)      1,200 lbs.
Valve Stems Included      No
Recommended Valve Stem      7/16 in. pull-through
Quantity      Sold individually.
Notes      For 4x4.5 in. bolt pattern use centered lug nut washers; 4x4.25 in. bolt pattern use offset lug nut washers.

I'm leery of the load rating.....

The Drag lite replicas are rated at over 2000 pounds ....
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: V8Demon on August 22, 2009, 09:04:17 PM
OOOOOOHHHH!

They come in 4 lug pattern 17X8!!!!!

http://www.shop.speedunlimited.com/Wheels-Tires/Wheel-Greg-Weld-Prolite/Greg-Weld-93-780039P-p5770023-1-2.html

NOW I HAVE A CONUNDRUM!

Lots more tire sizes to choose from that will make a 27" tall tire as well......behold.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/Department/Wheels-Tires/Part-Type/Tires/Rim-Diameter-in/17-in/Tire-Construction/Radial/Tire-Size/255-50-17/?Ns=Rank|Asc
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: Innes on August 23, 2009, 06:36:05 AM
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MTT-3754R/
chose your size i was thinking of these for myself, my cousin put them on his 550 hp chevy any love them.
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: V8Demon on August 23, 2009, 10:59:43 AM
Those are 28" tall.

These are 27......http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MTT-3756R?autofilter=1&part=MTT%252D3756R&N=700+4294923107+4294922134+1005+115&autoview=sku

Great for dry and the track........not much else.
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: DamonSlowpokeBaumann on August 23, 2009, 08:20:10 PM
Go with the indy profile SS..Much better tire..The dogbones dont hook for crud.  If you are ..MT also makes radials if you want them
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: Innes on August 24, 2009, 10:05:18 AM
That why I said pick your size, my car is a weekend warrior I forgot you drive in the rain.
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: flipnbird on September 04, 2009, 07:18:02 AM
I say go with the BFG KDW's, i had them and they are a  good tire, pretty sticky also. My son now has them on his mustang ( but he can't drive it yet, 2 more years )
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: V8Demon on September 04, 2009, 07:20:47 AM
Only come in raised white letter in the size I want.  I believe the backside is blackwall.  I guess I COULD mount them with the letters facing in....
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: flipnbird on September 04, 2009, 07:23:26 AM
yes, the backside is blackwall, nice looking tire
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: V8Demon on October 09, 2009, 02:53:15 AM
Hmmm.....I believe I have found a tire option in the exact size I want.


Quote
Maxxis MA-S1 Marauder  Performance SUV
Part number: TP39462000

    * Size: 255/60/15
    * Load/Speed Rating: 102H
    * UTQG: 360 A A
    * Weight: 29.2 lbs
http://www.gripston.com/search?q=255%2F60%2F15

Ordered 2 in that size and 2 more in 235/60-15.  Good price for an H-speed rated tire in thaose sizes with blackwall.  The options in these 2 sizes are disappearing.....I was actually perusing the pen 15er website for help.  Those of you who are familiar with pen 15er know one turns to them for "vintage" tires (read: unobtainable).

My current tires are a V- speed rating, but the compound always felt a little on the hard side for a tire of that speed rating.  At over $210 a tire; I couldn't see paying for them again.  Besides, they don't carry the 255's anymore....
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: DVP on October 11, 2009, 12:18:19 AM
Quote from: flipnbird;289840
I say go with the BFG KDW's, i had them and they are a  good tire, pretty sticky also. My son now has them on his mustang ( but he can't drive it yet, 2 more years )

Buddy had some on his LS2 GTO, the scale looking pattern, They always hooked pretty well. Hard 2nd shift barely a chirp. Cheap  he has on there now the ass end almost swings out on the 1-2 shift.

I lit them up in a SRT-4 though, back when I was learning to drive a stick. Still a nice sticky tire imo
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: gumby on October 11, 2009, 09:14:00 AM
let us know how the maxxis tires work out. i knew they were in the off road truck type tire scene, but just recently noticed they do performance car tires now too.
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: V8Demon on November 20, 2009, 01:38:31 AM
So far so good.  Good grip in dry.  Comparable to the Pirellis.  A little better off the line.  They grab faster and there seems to be less wheel hop -- although I've gotten REAL good at eliminating wheel hop in this car :evilgrin:
 I attribute some of that to the wider profile and perhaps an extra 2 or 3 pounds per wheel may have something to do with it as well.  I haven't really driven them in the rain.  THe one time I did there were wet leaves everywhere and we all know that's about as bad as it gets -- worse than ice/snow IMO.

One possible drawback.  They're LOUD.  Not in normal driving, but when you get them to bark they HOWL.  The Pirellis were whisper quiet even when roasting the snot out of them. 

They DO seem to make a lot of performance oriented tires now in lots of sizes at a decent price.
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: mcford on November 21, 2009, 09:22:09 PM
bias ply = suck to drive on.  stick with a radial.
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: V8Demon on December 20, 2009, 06:27:39 PM
Maxxis impressions in the snow........

Muy bueno.
I moved the car out of the driveway to clean the driveway and put it back.  First time I've ever been able to move it in a large amount of snow in my driveway without the car going sideways.  Put it in reverse, gave it a little gas and it just went.  The Pirellis gave me a bit of a fight last year in the same situation.  The Yokohamas I had before that ----- the car just spun....

All in all I'm VERY happy with these tires.  Especially considering the price!
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 21, 2009, 12:21:46 PM
So you just drive it in the winter to move it in the driveway and not on the roads?
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: mcb82gt on December 21, 2009, 03:39:58 PM
Quote from: V8Demon;294166
Hmmm.....I believe I have found a tire option in the exact size I want.



http://www.gripston.com/search?q=255%2F60%2F15

Ordered 2 in that size and 2 more in 235/60-15.  Good price for an H-speed rated tire in thaose sizes with blackwall.  The options in these 2 sizes are disappearing.....I was actually perusing the pen 15er website for help.  Those of you who are familiar with pen 15er know one turns to them for "vintage" tires (read: unobtainable).

My current tires are a V- speed rating, but the compound always felt a little on the hard side for a tire of that speed rating.  At over $210 a tire; I couldn't see paying for them again.  Besides, they don't carry the 255's anymore....


Is it OK to run a LT tire on a passenger car?  My brother thought it was a bad idea.  I figure a tire is a tire......right?
Title: Tire thoughts.....
Post by: V8Demon on December 21, 2009, 04:21:02 PM
Plenty of drag radials have LT ratings.


Quote from: thunderjet302;303418
So you just drive it in the winter to move it in the driveway and not on the roads?

 
Quote
I moved the car [SIZE="5"]out of the driveway[/SIZE][/I][/B] to clean the driveway and put it back.


I didn't go much of anywhere yesterday.  I drive it in the winter, but if I can avoid the snowy conditions I will.  I have 4 cars.