Tires!!!!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
Tires!!!!
I just bought a 96 LT1 and it had a set of Yokohama A5Z0 on it. I have driven it in wet weather and am not very happy with these tires. I was reading another forum but just got confused. I am looking to replace only the rear tires. I want the widest and best traction there is for a tire that doesn't do bad in the rain as well.
The set i have now are P255/45ZR17 I don't know if i can fit anything bigger or not but that would be good. I ownded A pair of Yokohama AVID A4 for my 94 Trans Am and was happy with those.
Anyone sure about a good tire? I just need a place for all the power to go or else it is useless.
I saw in the other forum they seemed to favor the Kuhmo or the F-1 tire. I didn't know if it was a old thread and is there anything better out now?
The set i have now are P255/45ZR17 I don't know if i can fit anything bigger or not but that would be good. I ownded A pair of Yokohama AVID A4 for my 94 Trans Am and was happy with those.
Anyone sure about a good tire? I just need a place for all the power to go or else it is useless.
I saw in the other forum they seemed to favor the Kuhmo or the F-1 tire. I didn't know if it was a old thread and is there anything better out now?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,908
Likes: 735
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
I think you'll find several people here like the Goodyear GS-D3's, Kuhmo's are pretty popular here as well. I am going to guess that if your wheels are stock, should be 8.5" in the front and 9.5" in the rear, that 285's are probably the biggest recommended tire. If you want 315's you'll have to go to 11" wide wheels. Depending on what you want to spend there seem to be good tires. I put Falken ZE512's on my 94 and like them very well, however I don't run my car too hard so I can't say how they perform under those conditions. Good luck hunting for those new shoes.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
Kumho is probably the best bang for the buck when it comes to an "Ultra Performance" tire. There are better tires out there but, you pay alot more money for them.
It really comes down to what you plan on doing with the car. If it is a daily driver and you have no intention of trying to be competitive in an autocross event or a track event the Kumho 712 or MX will fit the bill nicely.
If you have the extra cash and want most likely the best all around tire available for these cars go with the Goodyear GSD3. I have heard alot of good things about the GSD3's but have not owned them personally.
I have the '88 Vette a '99 Jaguar XK8 'Vert and a '96 Olds Aurora and they all wear Kumho tires. 712's on the 'Vette and the Jag and 711's on the Aurora.
It really comes down to what you plan on doing with the car. If it is a daily driver and you have no intention of trying to be competitive in an autocross event or a track event the Kumho 712 or MX will fit the bill nicely.
If you have the extra cash and want most likely the best all around tire available for these cars go with the Goodyear GSD3. I have heard alot of good things about the GSD3's but have not owned them personally.
I have the '88 Vette a '99 Jaguar XK8 'Vert and a '96 Olds Aurora and they all wear Kumho tires. 712's on the 'Vette and the Jag and 711's on the Aurora.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 456
Likes: 3
From: Sumner Texas
I would suggest going to the tire rack site and shop by size. Key in your size and then go look at each of the tires and press the overview button. You will get a survey with ratings. Pay attention to the wet traction and hydro resistance ratings.
Good luck and Merry Christmas,
Good luck and Merry Christmas,
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I don't know; is the 9.5" wheel standard for a '96LT1? If so, you should have a 285-40 on the rear.
Are you reading only the size(s) of your front tires which standard are 255/45?
And from everything that I've read there are very sutbstantial tires such as the Kumhos and Firestones, but for maximum grip in the wet, I'd first look at the Car&Driver magazine test on tires (Dec. issue) and make your decision from there. It does seem as if the Goodyear D3s came out on top or close to it. But as said already, they are expensive.
Are you reading only the size(s) of your front tires which standard are 255/45?
And from everything that I've read there are very sutbstantial tires such as the Kumhos and Firestones, but for maximum grip in the wet, I'd first look at the Car&Driver magazine test on tires (Dec. issue) and make your decision from there. It does seem as if the Goodyear D3s came out on top or close to it. But as said already, they are expensive.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 557
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa Ontario
I'm going to need tires in the spring also and am doing a bunch of research. For bang for the buck Kuhmo Extas are it. Very well priced and good for street and track. Price independent? I'd probably go with BFG KDs. That tire was basically designed on a vette.
Others like Yok's and Michelins etc are good but the price on the Kuhmos can't be beat by a long mile.
Others like Yok's and Michelins etc are good but the price on the Kuhmos can't be beat by a long mile.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,175
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Here is a discussion online I have had for the past year on the matter... Corvette Ultra-High Performance Tire thread
I hope this helps - Looks like BFG TA KDW's are it for me
I hope this helps - Looks like BFG TA KDW's are it for me
Originally Posted by tparkhi2
I just bought a 96 LT1 and it had a set of Yokohama A5Z0 on it. I have driven it in wet weather and am not very happy with these tires. I was reading another forum but just got confused. I am looking to replace only the rear tires. I want the widest and best traction there is for a tire that doesn't do bad in the rain as well.
The set i have now are P255/45ZR17 I don't know if i can fit anything bigger or not but that would be good. I ownded A pair of Yokohama AVID A4 for my 94 Trans Am and was happy with those.
Anyone sure about a good tire? I just need a place for all the power to go or else it is useless.
I saw in the other forum they seemed to favor the Kuhmo or the F-1 tire. I didn't know if it was a old thread and is there anything better out now?
The set i have now are P255/45ZR17 I don't know if i can fit anything bigger or not but that would be good. I ownded A pair of Yokohama AVID A4 for my 94 Trans Am and was happy with those.
Anyone sure about a good tire? I just need a place for all the power to go or else it is useless.
I saw in the other forum they seemed to favor the Kuhmo or the F-1 tire. I didn't know if it was a old thread and is there anything better out now?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 447
Likes: 0
From: Titletown WI
I have to say, my A032R's aren't that bad in the wet....if you can stand the noise. 
I had some on my 96 f-body and if I took it easy off the line, they could corner and control faster at speed than I expected could be done.
I've also read they only last about 10k miles on the street. I put mine down to the wearbars in a month...but what a fun month it was!
I do have two friends with DS3's who like them alot, but they rarely ever drive in the rain so they can't vouch for the wet traction yet.
»keith
I had some on my 96 f-body and if I took it easy off the line, they could corner and control faster at speed than I expected could be done.
I've also read they only last about 10k miles on the street. I put mine down to the wearbars in a month...but what a fun month it was!
I do have two friends with DS3's who like them alot, but they rarely ever drive in the rain so they can't vouch for the wet traction yet.
»keith
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 35
From: LaUgH, mOrE!
Hey Tparkhi, I am in the same process of replacing my '96 LT1's rear tires. As mentioned, www.tirerack.com is a very helpful website to do research and apparently to buy. On the site, it'll tell you what the stock sizes are. I have stock wheels and for the rear it's 285 40R17 tires for stock size. Right now I have Goodyear GS-C's in that size. I am looking at the Kuhmo MX's for the look, great grip off the line (but also on wet roads), and good maneuvering test results. They may also closely match the front GS-C's in tread. The downside is they may not be quite as quiet over the long run as the Goodyear Eagle GS-D3. MX's are $143 per rear tire and the D3's are $207 per. Hope it helps.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,175
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Originally Posted by USAFPILOT
I'm going to go with BFG KDW's. I'm just waiting for them to make my size. I would get GS D3's if Goodyear would make them in my size, but the word is they wont.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
Originally Posted by teebee1994
I think you'll find several people here like the Goodyear GS-D3's, Kuhmo's are pretty popular here as well. I am going to guess that if your wheels are stock, should be 8.5" in the front and 9.5" in the rear, that 285's are probably the biggest recommended tire. If you want 315's you'll have to go to 11" wide wheels. Depending on what you want to spend there seem to be good tires. I put Falken ZE512's on my 94 and like them very well, however I don't run my car too hard so I can't say how they perform under those conditions. Good luck hunting for those new shoes.