View Poll Results: Which 245/60-15 tires would you put on a C3 Corvette?
BF Goodrich T/A
73
69.52%
Cooper Cobra Radial G/T
21
20.00%
Bridgestone/Firestone (tell me what you have found)
1
0.95%
Goodyear (tell me what you have found)
3
2.86%
Something Else (tell me what you have found)
6
5.71%
The obligatory Pie
1
0.95%
Voters: 105. You may not vote on this poll
Time for Tires - What Would You Buy? Cooper or BFG
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Time for Tires - What Would You Buy? Cooper or BFG
It's time to buy tires for the '68. I'm mounting them on 15x8 Rally wheels, so the 15 inch diameter is a limiting factor. I'm planning on 245/60-15 all around.
What do you say? Cooper Cobra Radial G/T or the BF Goodrich T/A?
Not that anyone drives in the rain much anymore, that is a much more common thing to get caught in here in Florida, so I have to plan.
Which is better in the rain?
How many miles have you gotten?
Any other brands you are running that you like better?
Remember, the size is 245/60-15, and there isn't a lot of selection showing up on the tire web sites. Going to 16 or 17 inch is not an option. I don't see any that size in Goodyear or Bridgestone/Firestone.
It seems most are larger diameter, narrow tires unless they are ultra high performance unidirectional tires and then they are huge diameter (18 and up) and really wide (usually 300 and wider).
What do you say? Cooper Cobra Radial G/T or the BF Goodrich T/A?
Not that anyone drives in the rain much anymore, that is a much more common thing to get caught in here in Florida, so I have to plan.
Which is better in the rain?
How many miles have you gotten?
Any other brands you are running that you like better?
Remember, the size is 245/60-15, and there isn't a lot of selection showing up on the tire web sites. Going to 16 or 17 inch is not an option. I don't see any that size in Goodyear or Bridgestone/Firestone.
It seems most are larger diameter, narrow tires unless they are ultra high performance unidirectional tires and then they are huge diameter (18 and up) and really wide (usually 300 and wider).
#2
Race Director
I went through this a year ago. It was down to the T/As or MT Sportsman S/T and I chose the MTs because they had a slightly better speed rating and I was seeing good reviews on them. This was for the front- http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/s...em=SportsmanST
For the back I chose the MT ET Street Radials. Unless you have traction issues these are not necessary. http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/s...ETStreetRadial
I'm very happy with both of them, for what it's worth.
For the back I chose the MT ET Street Radials. Unless you have traction issues these are not necessary. http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/s...ETStreetRadial
I'm very happy with both of them, for what it's worth.
#3
Racer
Member Since: Aug 2012
Location: Presently working under contract in Alabama
Posts: 424
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I went through this a year ago. It was down to the T/As or MT Sportsman S/T and I chose the MTs because they had a slightly better speed rating and I was seeing good reviews on them. This was for the front- http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/s...em=SportsmanST
For the back I chose the MT ET Street Radials. Unless you have traction issues these are not necessary. http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/s...ETStreetRadial
I'm very happy with both of them, for what it's worth.
For the back I chose the MT ET Street Radials. Unless you have traction issues these are not necessary. http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/s...ETStreetRadial
I'm very happy with both of them, for what it's worth.
Last edited by Stingray-Jer; 04-19-2013 at 01:03 PM.
#4
Melting Slicks
BFG's for me from tire rack last week front 245/60-15 rear 255/60-15
about $133 ea.
about $133 ea.
#6
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
It looks like the BFG T/A tires are the favorite, but that could be because of availability. They can be found almost everywhere.
I've run them for years, but I'd seen several running the Cooper Cobras, and thought the tread looked a bit more aggressive which should be better in the wet, although that is not always the case.
I've run them for years, but I'd seen several running the Cooper Cobras, and thought the tread looked a bit more aggressive which should be better in the wet, although that is not always the case.
#8
Racer
Here's a new contender, new to me anyways?
a) 255/60-15 MAXXIS MA-S1 MARAUDER 102H (also available in 245/60H/15)
These are cheap and technically for light sport SUV/Truck use, though on the plus side they are "H" rated and they must have stiffer sidewalls etc (which on a relatively lighter weight C3 would be welcome vs the Radial TA and Cooper Cobra "S" types as that's part of what you get when going to 17" rims etc, along with a UTOG of 360AA vs 400AB - 440AB for the usual "S" suspects (i.e. they're softer).
Many were happy running the early speed rated Pirelli Scorpions which were available in 255/60/15 for Lambo SUV's long ago, and these should be similar, so anyone tried them yet?
NOTE: Maxxis Tires are made by Cheng Shin Rubber, one of the largest manufacturers of tires in the world. They are based out of Taiwan and have passenger and light truck tire factories in Taiwan, China, and Thailand. They also produce ATV, motorcycle, lawn and garden, medium truck, and industrial tires.
a) 255/60-15 MAXXIS MA-S1 MARAUDER 102H (also available in 245/60H/15)
These are cheap and technically for light sport SUV/Truck use, though on the plus side they are "H" rated and they must have stiffer sidewalls etc (which on a relatively lighter weight C3 would be welcome vs the Radial TA and Cooper Cobra "S" types as that's part of what you get when going to 17" rims etc, along with a UTOG of 360AA vs 400AB - 440AB for the usual "S" suspects (i.e. they're softer).
Many were happy running the early speed rated Pirelli Scorpions which were available in 255/60/15 for Lambo SUV's long ago, and these should be similar, so anyone tried them yet?
NOTE: Maxxis Tires are made by Cheng Shin Rubber, one of the largest manufacturers of tires in the world. They are based out of Taiwan and have passenger and light truck tire factories in Taiwan, China, and Thailand. They also produce ATV, motorcycle, lawn and garden, medium truck, and industrial tires.
Last edited by doug_dayson; 04-19-2013 at 06:37 PM.
#9
Burning Brakes
I have the Firestone Firehawks on ours currently. The tires actually are very nice. I just hate the words "Firehawk". In fact I have the white letters inboard facing just for that reason. If Firestone would bring back the Traditional looking print and "SS" versions. I would buy again. Al
#10
Team Owner
.....NOTE: Maxxis Tires are made by Cheng Shin Rubber, one of the largest manufacturers of tires in the world. They are based out of Taiwan and have passenger and light truck tire factories in Taiwan, China, and Thailand. They also produce ATV, motorcycle, lawn and garden, medium truck, and industrial tires.
#11
Racer
These are no longer made in 255-245/60/15.
The Cordovan Grand Prix Perf G/T might be similar though as it's also good for 44PSI as were the Firehawks if that actually means anything (Cooper and Radial TA are good for 35PSI)?
The Cordovan Grand Prix Perf G/T might be similar though as it's also good for 44PSI as were the Firehawks if that actually means anything (Cooper and Radial TA are good for 35PSI)?
I have the Firestone Firehawks on ours currently. The tires actually are very nice. I just hate the words "Firehawk". In fact I have the white letters inboard facing just for that reason. If Firestone would bring back the Traditional looking print and "SS" versions. I would buy again. Al
Last edited by doug_dayson; 04-19-2013 at 06:49 PM.
#16
Safety Car
I run the coopers , I have the 295/50/15 in the rear and the 245/60/15 up front , Off the line the coopers grip very good and over all I am happy with them, Plus I run black wall out and that cobra on the side wall looks pretty slick
#17
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
I bought the Coopers. The look good and have a pretty open tread, and they shed the rain well, which I know is sacrilegious to say here.
In fact, the first run on Thursday after tires was around the block in the rain to be sure nothing fell off or quit, then we headed to the gas station about a mile away to fill it with premium.
I'm sure a few were wondering what we were doing int he rain with an old Corvette, but odds are, most never noticed as only members of the Corvette cult seem to worry about rain.
I like how they fit. Here are a couple of pictures.
In fact, the first run on Thursday after tires was around the block in the rain to be sure nothing fell off or quit, then we headed to the gas station about a mile away to fill it with premium.
I'm sure a few were wondering what we were doing int he rain with an old Corvette, but odds are, most never noticed as only members of the Corvette cult seem to worry about rain.
I like how they fit. Here are a couple of pictures.
#18
Melting Slicks
Went with the BFG's one month ago on the 82, happy with the ride and performance of the tire to date. They must have changed the tire compund over the years, as they seem to ride better than previous TA's that I have had on different vehicles.......
#20
Drifting
I'd have to go with the BFG or just go with blackwalls (or if I could find thin striped white walls!).
Out of the brands still available in our size(s), BFG RWLs are the only tires that look 'proper' and 'period correct' on these cars-
While others may make tires just as good or with better ratings, 'Cooper', 'Firehawk' or some other Asian RWL just looks kinda cheesy on a C3 IMO.
Out of the brands still available in our size(s), BFG RWLs are the only tires that look 'proper' and 'period correct' on these cars-
While others may make tires just as good or with better ratings, 'Cooper', 'Firehawk' or some other Asian RWL just looks kinda cheesy on a C3 IMO.