Tires
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 623
From: Thunder Bay
Tires
I'm in the market for new tires for my '79. I'm running 255/60-15 B F Goodrich Radial T/A's. I've had them for more years than I care to admit, but I've been very happy with them. The only tires I can find in the 255 size are the BFG's and Firestone Firehawks. I'd like to hear from anyone with any experience with either, or preferably both of these tires. I would be happy with the BFG's again, but are the Firestone's better?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,659
Likes: 953
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
I've got the BFG T/As on my '69. For street use they keep the frame from rubbing on the ground as well as any other tire.
For autocross or track use, the requirements are a bit more demanding, and you'll have to look at completely different tires.
For autocross or track use, the requirements are a bit more demanding, and you'll have to look at completely different tires.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 943
Likes: 73
I didn't have BFG's on my 80 before putting on the Firehawks, so I can't compare the two. The Firehawks are a decent tire. If there weren't so many other things to fix on it at the time, I probably would of looked for larger rims to expand my tire choices. If you do a search, I am sure there are numerous posts on wheel selections.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 61
From: Kona Hawaii
Stones on the 76
Running 255/60/15 stones...No complaints,even in the rain they have good grip.Wanted to keep the stock look with the slotted wheels and these fit the bill perfect.For a stock street tire they are performing great!The price was also a big plus....
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Good Luck ......
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[/IMG]Good Luck ......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
Coker tire bought the moulds for the 295's from BFG. You can still get them, but they're pretty proud of them now. It would be less expensive to put 17's on.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
The Firestone indy 500 are supposed to be very good. But they are going to stop making them so if you want them get them soon.
The are ranked #1 at Tirerack for all season performance tire. Not many tires fall into that group, and I don't think cooper is sold by tirerack, anymore so not sure how it rates to other tires in the UHP groups now.
I am replacing my wheels so I can run 17" tires as 15" is just about dead. 17 and 18 are the new 14 and 15 from back in the day. Heck a new Chevy Cruze comes with 16" and a option for 18" now.
A 15" Indy 500 cost the same as a 245/45-17 I am going to move to.
The are ranked #1 at Tirerack for all season performance tire. Not many tires fall into that group, and I don't think cooper is sold by tirerack, anymore so not sure how it rates to other tires in the UHP groups now.
I am replacing my wheels so I can run 17" tires as 15" is just about dead. 17 and 18 are the new 14 and 15 from back in the day. Heck a new Chevy Cruze comes with 16" and a option for 18" now.
A 15" Indy 500 cost the same as a 245/45-17 I am going to move to.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
If you could.... please explain how I can still get BFG 295-50-15 BFG's ?? Been trying for 5 years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,398
Likes: 941
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
The Firestone indy 500 are supposed to be very good. But they are going to stop making them so if you want them get them soon.
The are ranked #1 at Tirerack for all season performance tire. Not many tires fall into that group, and I don't think cooper is sold by tirerack, anymore so not sure how it rates to other tires in the UHP groups now.
I am replacing my wheels so I can run 17" tires as 15" is just about dead. 17 and 18 are the new 14 and 15 from back in the day. Heck a new Chevy Cruze comes with 16" and a option for 18" now.
A 15" Indy 500 cost the same as a 245/45-17 I am going to move to.
The are ranked #1 at Tirerack for all season performance tire. Not many tires fall into that group, and I don't think cooper is sold by tirerack, anymore so not sure how it rates to other tires in the UHP groups now.
I am replacing my wheels so I can run 17" tires as 15" is just about dead. 17 and 18 are the new 14 and 15 from back in the day. Heck a new Chevy Cruze comes with 16" and a option for 18" now.
A 15" Indy 500 cost the same as a 245/45-17 I am going to move to.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Mar 6, 2012 at 05:52 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 61
From: Kona Hawaii
Bummers about the stones being discontinued.I really like the old school look with the white letter tires and the slotted wheels.Those Firehawk's are a good performing tire for the price.I wouldn't hesitate to buy another set for sure..JB78L-82 got any pics of those SLP wheels and tires on your Vette.Most of the C3's with 17-18 inch wheels that I've seen kinda make the wheel openings look much larger and the tires look too small.Did you lower your car ? Aloha's
Last edited by iokepakai; Mar 6, 2012 at 07:20 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
There's 20 of them on Feebay right now:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160697159707
Last edited by Ben Lurkin; Mar 7, 2012 at 12:49 PM. Reason: fixed link
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,398
Likes: 941
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Bummers about the stones being discontinued.I really like the old school look with the white letter tires and the slotted wheels.Those Firehawk's are a good performing tire for the price.I wouldn't hesitate to buy another set for sure..JB78L-82 got any pics of those SLP wheels and tires on your Vette.Most of the C3's with 17-18 inch wheels that I've seen kinda make the wheel openings look much larger and the tires look too small.Did you lower your car ? Aloha's
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,398
Likes: 941
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Bummers about the stones being discontinued.I really like the old school look with the white letter tires and the slotted wheels.Those Firehawk's are a good performing tire for the price.I wouldn't hesitate to buy another set for sure..JB78L-82 got any pics of those SLP wheels and tires on your Vette.Most of the C3's with 17-18 inch wheels that I've seen kinda make the wheel openings look much larger and the tires look too small.Did you lower your car ? Aloha's
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
Bummers about the stones being discontinued.I really like the old school look with the white letter tires and the slotted wheels.Those Firehawk's are a good performing tire for the price.I wouldn't hesitate to buy another set for sure..JB78L-82 got any pics of those SLP wheels and tires on your Vette.Most of the C3's with 17-18 inch wheels that I've seen kinda make the wheel openings look much larger and the tires look too small.Did you lower your car ? Aloha's
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 61
From: Kona Hawaii
Nice looking,really balanced!
Next project lower car & 17 inch wheels and tires,when the Firestones wear out.Just when you think your happy with your Vette something else catches your eye....That's why we name our cars after women I guess....Aloha's
Next project lower car & 17 inch wheels and tires,when the Firestones wear out.Just when you think your happy with your Vette something else catches your eye....That's why we name our cars after women I guess....Aloha's
