Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: 347Thunder on April 18, 2010, 07:11:16 PM

Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: 347Thunder on April 18, 2010, 07:11:16 PM
ok, I have 275/50/15 on the car now but they no longer make that size in a street tire, I was thinking of putting on 275/60/15 but I don't know if they would look too big. Does anyone have pictures of my similar year with that size? otherwise I will have to go with a drag radial wich I don't want because it rains a lot in the shunshine state.lol
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: softtouch on April 18, 2010, 11:38:03 PM
They would about 2" taller.
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: Cad-T-Bird 500 on April 19, 2010, 12:00:27 AM
Tire rack still show two possible choices.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?skipOver=true&width=275/&ratio=50&diameter=15&x=9&y=11

TED
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: 347Thunder on April 19, 2010, 07:24:03 AM
I want street tires not drag radials
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: Aerocoupe on April 19, 2010, 09:22:20 AM
What about a 295/50/15?  If you can go the extra width they are still made by BFGoodrich.  It will also make the tire a bit taller (26.7" versus 25.8") but not as tall as the 60 series tire.  If not then it may be time to change to a larger diameter wheel which is most likely not the answer you are looking for.

What is the width of the rim these are going on?

Darren
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: 83Heritage on April 19, 2010, 10:17:20 AM
The overall diameter of a 275/50/15 is 25.83". The overall diameter of a 275/60/15 is 27.99", so you are looking at a difference of 2.16". I don't have any pictures, but hopefully that will give you an idea.
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: V8Demon on April 19, 2010, 02:19:20 PM
275-60/15
http://www.gripston.com/search?q=275%2F60%2F15

295-50/15
http://www.gripston.com/search?q=295%2F50%2F15

FWIW - I run a 255-60/15 out back.  27 inch tall tire.  Fills the wheel well nicely.

(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk191/V8Demon/IMG_4466a.jpg)

This is the only good pic I have with the new tires.  I'm currently running them on the 10 holes....... I'll be putting them on an 8 inch rim soon....
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: 347Thunder on April 19, 2010, 02:30:50 PM
Quote from: Aerocoupe;318845
What about a 295/50/15?  If you can go the extra width they are still made by BFGoodrich.  It will also make the tire a bit taller (26.7" versus 25.8") but not as tall as the 60 series tire.  If not then it may be time to change to a larger diameter wheel which is most likely not the answer you are looking for.

What is the width of the rim these are going on?

Darren

I don't know if those will fit in the wheel well the rims are 8.5 wide
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: 86T-bird on April 19, 2010, 03:50:07 PM
I hear you on the drag radial, but I can offer a suggestion on a DR which you may find acceptable. 

I have run Nitto 555r's for at least 6 years (on my 2nd set).  I have found them to perform very well in the rain and of course when it's dry (I've taken it on three Power Tours).  It is (IMHO) more of "middle of the road" tire, offering considerably more stick than a standard street radial, but with a "real" tread pattern to drive in most weather (you don't have to worry about snow...).  The life of the tires can be as much as 15k miles, but in reality, if you run them in the rain, they are done in 9k-10k miles (fewer burnouts could give them a bit more life).

On a powerfull car, I have found them to offer an additional safety factor when driving a little harder (the back end is less likely to come around on powershifts or when giving it power around a corner). 

Keep in mind they have substantally less hook than tires like the M/T DR or the new Nitto NTO5R, but those examples have virtually no tread and are pretty scary in the rain!

I have a set of Nitto's for the street and a set of M/T DR's for the strip. 

With the power of your 347, I suspect you may appreciate some traction on the street.

Mark
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: Aerocoupe on April 19, 2010, 04:15:31 PM
Yeah, 8.5" is a little on the skinny side for a 295.  I am running a 275/40/17 on a 9" wide wheel.  My buddy ran the 295/50/15's on a 15 X 10 Drag Star and it filled the rear on his 86 GT.  Sounds like the Nitto 555r's are a good compromise and they are available.  Cost may be another issue though.

Anyone else run the Nitto's on a car that sees rain?

Darren
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: 347Thunder on April 19, 2010, 07:34:32 PM
Quote from: 86T-bird;318886
I hear you on the drag radial, but I can offer a suggestion on a DR which you may find acceptable. 

I have run Nitto 555r's for at least 6 years (on my 2nd set).  I have found them to perform very well in the rain and of course when it's dry (I've taken it on three Power Tours).  It is (IMHO) more of "middle of the road" tire, offering considerably more stick than a standard street radial, but with a "real" tread pattern to drive in most weather (you don't have to worry about snow...).  The life of the tires can be as much as 15k miles, but in reality, if you run them in the rain, they are done in 9k-10k miles (fewer burnouts could give them a bit more life).

On a powerfull car, I have found them to offer an additional safety factor when driving a little harder (the back end is less likely to come around on powershifts or when giving it power around a corner). 

Keep in mind they have substantally less hook than tires like the M/T DR or the new Nitto NTO5R, but those examples have virtually no tread and are pretty scary in the rain!

I have a set of Nitto's for the street and a set of M/T DR's for the strip. 

With the power of your 347, I suspect you may appreciate some traction on the street.

Mark

 hey did you get my pm
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: 86T-bird on April 19, 2010, 09:56:22 PM
PM?  Sorry, no I haven't.

Mark
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: Cad-T-Bird 500 on April 20, 2010, 01:33:29 AM
Quote from: 347Thunder;318839
I want street tires not drag radials


Sorry I did not even notice what they were, I only saw the size.

TED
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: blackcougar71 on April 20, 2010, 11:25:01 PM
heres some old pictures of 275/60/15's to get an idea.the first two are on a 15x7 wheel and the last picture is on a 15x10 wheel.(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii52/blackcougar84/exterior%20pics/PIC-0066.jpg)(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii52/blackcougar84/exterior%20pics/PIC-0065.jpg)(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii52/blackcougar84/PIC-0232.jpg)
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: bike70ride on April 23, 2010, 03:19:52 PM
Not to hijack, but what is considered to be "stock" size in the 15"?  According to the load placard, it's a 225/60-15.  I run that now, but find that my speedo is about 2 mph off (reads high).  Car is the LS which originally had 14"s.  I think if I go up one or 2 sizes I'll get the height correction.  But, I don't want to get too "tall" looking.  I have 10-holes which I think are 15x8?  Or is it 7?  I wouldn't mind trying a 50 or 55 series if I could come up with something that'd work...and not rub...
Title: tire size delima?????
Post by: V8Demon on April 23, 2010, 06:08:02 PM
10 holes are 15 X 7. 

You could run a 235-60/15... Would be slightly taller....