I'm sure this tire question has been asked before. The current tires on my '96 LT1, when I got it, are Goodyear GS-C. They're about half worn down, the rears more then the front. As a senior retired guy, my vette is essentially my DD. I think these tires are run flat also. At any kind of cruising speeds, I'm getting a lot of road noise, including a lot of thump thump. I want to replace them. I'm not interested in out in out performance, but am looking for a quiter ride. I live in NC so snow is not a problem. I have a set of Kuhmo's on our Camry and are happy with them I was considering Kuhmo Ecsta 712's. Can't beat the price either. Any opinions? Thanks

 

we are probably almost the same age, and for sure our 150 mile an hour days are behind us..although putting my foot deep into the bucket on occassion is still fun. I also needed tires for my '95 vert, did alot of research..settled on some Coopers..nice tread design..in and out the tire dealer for $750.00..that included balancing, mounting, stems, taxes and a 4 wheel alignment..Kumhos come in about the same price..so take your pick. I was tempted to order from tire rack, but by the time you add up the other costs it was cheaper to buy from a local tire dealer. I am real happy with the Coopers..took my vette out in a driving rain today and it stuck to the pavement like peanut butter.

 

Well, cost was a factor when I put mine on last year as well. But I wanted a good tire. What I found were Falken Ziex ZE512's. They are a realy nice tire and were reasonably priced. 4, 275/40 x 17's installed, mounted and balanced were $540 out the door. I have liked them so well that I just put a set on the wifes' Volvo S80. I bought them from discounttiredirect.com Good price, quick service (ordered them on Weds they were delivered here yesterday (friday)) and shipping was included in the price.

 

Highly recommend Goodyear Eagle F1-GS-D3s. Super sticky especially on wet roads, very quiet at cruise. The grooves are three times the lenght of the tire contact. Water cannot get trapped. Also have the rim guard too. I just had my second set put on last Saturday.

 

You can't go wrong with the Goodyear CS-D3s. Remember that with tires, like anything else, you usually get what you pay for. Not saying the Kuhmos are bad, but they are not at the same performance level as these GY.

 

I don't think you'd be at all disappointed with the Kumhos for your purposes. They are quite a tire for the money. I had a set of their Ecsta MXs, which is just a higher performance version of the ones you're looking at. They were extremely predictable and provided reasonable life considering the abuse they saw on my car. The 712s are an even longer lasting tire and many people around here have been very pleased with them.

 

Thanks for the good advice.

 

I've had a couple of sets of the Kumho 712's. Excellent tire all around. Yes there may be a stickier tire out there but it doesn't sound like that is a priority. My Kumho's have been quiet and great in the rain.

 

Check out the Toyo Proxies, they are about half the price of Goodyear F1's, same tread patern, and they ride about the same. (I replaced F1's)

I have had them up to 125 on the track at MIS and they are good on wet pavement.

Jim

 

I've been looking at what tires to put on our 94 LT1 Coupe within the next year or so.

Here's a few points I plan on considering.

Once we increased the tire pressure on our OEM Goodyear GSC EMT's to 33 all the way around, the tires rode very well and much smoother, albeit still just a little bit noisy, but so much better than at 30 psi, I was amazed (bought them last year used with rims with only 12k on them and have brand new selective Ride shocks all around).

The write-ups on the Goodyear F1 GS-D3's replacements seem to put them in the same class as the GSC's, albeit quieter and I believe still available as EMT (zero pressure) tires.

The Michelin Pilot Sports on our 2000 Pontiac Trans-Am have been great, nice and quiet and great in the rain (n/a since you may not ever drive your vette in the 'rain' - ) albeit the very center tread band is wearing away faster than the rest of the tire (by about 1/8" versus the rest of tread -- as if over inflated -- but they have not been -- odd, thankfully this hasn't affected the traction, noise or ride).

Do you have a spare tire (at some time Vettes stopped having them)?

If not, you might want to consider staying with an EMT (zero pressure) tire, just in case.

There is a good write-up either here or on the CAC about tires, specifically about the lack of repairability of many EMT (zero pressure) tires if driven with no air (I think only Goodyears were good for 200 miles, one was for only 50 miles, and the rest could not be repaired).

Hope this helps...

 

chim, this has been said before so I'll repeat only because you may not have seen it. There are many things you can save money on, and everyone would like to. But tires may not be a real savings.

Let's just say you no longer do 125 or daily burnouts (as Vince said ). The fact is, the positive characteristics of your tires may determine what happens to you and your wallet, i.e., that savings you banked when you bought your tires.

Just imagine this: you're driving along, having a nice ride, and come back to "reality" just a bit slower due to all the stars being aligned in your direction ---yet, a situation is happening in front of you. Your reaction time may be the same as 25 years ago--or not.

If your Corvette, based on the tires you select, can stop just 10 feet shorter from 60 mph, or hold an evasive, corrective line without skidding out, what will that "save" you in real dollars (or pain)? Remember, this is your Corvette's front end we're talking about. Maybe I'm too optimistic: let's say it stops a mere 5 feet shorter than it would with a different, less controllable and/or sticky tire? Yes, your car is insured and so is your body, and the body of the other person, but....

I've heard nothing but good about the Kumhos, Proxes and others. But I've read and heard better about some other tires. It's something you might like to take into consideration in your figuring out which tires to get for your car. Brakes, tires, shocks, steering are nothing to compromise on in my opinion. And of everything that makes up your car, your tires are the only things that touch the road.

Good luck.

 

I have BF Goodrich KDWS on my vette.... I like the traction, the wet road handling, and the wear... they have lasted longer than any tire I have had to date...

 

When I bought my wheels, they ran a sale on Dunlop SP Sport 8000s. I've had them for about 15K and I still like the ride, grip and quietness. I should be able to get another 15K out of them judging the amount of tread left on them. You have lots of choices out there and I agree with VinceC4 about buying from a local dealer. Just pick a dealer that will take care of your wheels.