Tire choice
#41
Melting Slicks
I love the look of 15's, and I'm even debated going back to them and running AVON CR6ZZ but at $420+/ea they are a bit pricey, so it's a bit of a gamble if I would satisfied with this combo. Still tempting to try though for the vintage look.
For now I'm running 17's. In this pic I was using Michelin Pilot Sports PS2's (235/50ZR17), which are 26.6" tall so they filled up the wheel wells fairly nicely IMHO.
For now I'm running 17's. In this pic I was using Michelin Pilot Sports PS2's (235/50ZR17), which are 26.6" tall so they filled up the wheel wells fairly nicely IMHO.
#42
Administrator
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Guys, feel free to debate this topic all day, but let's leave derogatory references to where people are from out if the conversation. I removed it in a couple posts now. Attack ideas, not personal details about fellow members, thanks.
#43
I'm running 275 60 15's on the back and 225 60 15's up front.
Unfortunately, our BFG's are pretty much the best bet in town, as there simply are very little options. Cooper has a few, but I've never been a fan of their tires.
When I veer away from my stock rallies, I'll either go with 17's or stagger an 18 on the back and 17 up front. This will do theee things.
First, it will open up visually all the hard work that took place behind the wheel, as a Torqer ll will show off this work.
Second. It will open up a plethora of tire possibilities.
Third. It may ride a little firmer, but it will out handle the old BFG's bigtime
Unfortunately, our BFG's are pretty much the best bet in town, as there simply are very little options. Cooper has a few, but I've never been a fan of their tires.
When I veer away from my stock rallies, I'll either go with 17's or stagger an 18 on the back and 17 up front. This will do theee things.
First, it will open up visually all the hard work that took place behind the wheel, as a Torqer ll will show off this work.
Second. It will open up a plethora of tire possibilities.
Third. It may ride a little firmer, but it will out handle the old BFG's bigtime
#44
I don't know why it always turns into some kind of a measuring contest, just state your opinion and let others do the same.
I have owned 2-300 C-2 and C-3 Corvettes in my lifetime and never had a single accident.
One of my current cars a 69 with a 500 cubic inch BB, big heads, roller cam, big intake, carb, and big exhaust making at least 600 horsepower, and I am running 225/60/15 BFGs front, and 235/70/15 BFGS rear with no problems, and they hook up decently too.
#45
Race Director
I have BFG 245-60-R15's all around on my '73. I've been out on some very nice twisting, winding country foothill roads. I've pushed my '73 through the curves and on the open roads just to see what upgrades I want to do to the motor, drive train, suspension, and brakes before I start my frame off restromod. The two year old BFG's have held up and performed very well. I would love to stay with the 15" wheels, however I am upgrading to larger rotors and 6 piston calipers and found the tolerances between the 15" wheels and calipers are just to tight, so I'm "having" to go to 17" wheels. I am staying with Vintage Wheel Superlites and in the photographs I've seen posted on the forum, I can live with the look of a 17" on my '73. LOL
#46
Change
The very fact that 20 years ago you could get an H rated T/A Radial and today only an S rated tells me something has changed. In addition BFG is pushing their G-Force Comp-2 as the go to performance tire.
#48
Pro
Leave the T/A radials for the 75+ crowd.
#49
Instructor
What rims are those? They look very nice. Could you share tire size and rim specs. Thanks
#50
#51
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Royal Canadian Navy
Absolutely! I went with 18"'s all around with Michelin Pilot Super Sports. If tire technology of today was available back in the day, performance cars would have come with 19" and 20" wheels with Z rated tires. 15" wheels and tires are OK for getting around but for real performance, there is no contest with today's tire size's and technology.
#52
Tech Contributor
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I don't see any G-Force tires that will fit 15" Corvette wheels, as the OP was asking about. Correct me if I've missed them somewhere.
#54
#55
Le Mans Master
Exactly!...there are no true ultra high performance summer only tires available for the 15 inch rim for street use.....You have to bite the bullet and select a 17/18 rim that will fit a C3 and you can live with. Modern ultra high performance tires are one of the biggest upgrades that you can make for your vette.
#58
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Exactly!...there are no true ultra high performance summer only tires available for the 15 inch rim for street use.....You have to bite the bullet and select a 17/18 rim that will fit a C3 and you can live with. Modern ultra high performance tires are one of the biggest upgrades that you can make for your vette.
For track days, where I'm not limited to Corolla type speeds I have a few sets of track wheels and performance tires (inconveniently, in 15", 16", 17", and 18" sizes).
If you're doing track days, get the high dollar tires and wheels. If you're just driving on the street in a sane manner the BFG T/A's are just fine.
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#59
Instructor
Tire choices
In my case, I have a 1978 Pace Car and have 255 60 R15 Cooper Cobras on all four Pace Car rims. I would like to upgrade to more modern high performance tires but if I change the rims I will be negatively impacting the value of my car since it is a Pace Car. What options do I have? Apparently, none. Am I wrong?
#60
Le Mans Master
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The Avon CR6ZZ is a very high performance tire. Now they are ridiculously expensive, but are DOT legal, V rated, sized right for our cars in a few different widths. They also live an ok number of miles when street driven. Look on some of the Cobra forums, as a good number of these guys are running them and I have yet to hear any negatives on them. Some guys use them as a wet track tire and they do great on the track dry. So it is simply not true that a good tire is not available in 15's. Just have to pay to play. My 69 will wear them one day soon.
Bill
Bill