TGB85tpi

Ok, so I've been doing all this research for a good, all weather street tire. BFG G-FORCE Sport Comp 2 is the only choice for the stock 255/50r16. I've read a ton of reviews and am concerned about complaints of tire noise. I currently have 16 year-old Falkens on it that are hard as rocks. I am also considering going down one size to the 245/50r16s, and the A/S version of this tire. And no, I have no interest in upgrading to 17s or 18s. My last choice is retro-ing to 15x7 rallys and RWL 215/65r15 radial t/a's, which for the way I drive would be OK, but just seems like I'm castrating the car.

SmokinBlack

Unfortunately, we are all in the same boat with the early C4's. I am going to likely do what you don't want to and just buy a set of 17x9.5 Zr1 wheels and run 275 or 285/40/17's for my '87. Even those are getting a little slim on options to choose from, but at least there is a better selection than in the 16's.

Dt86

Where do you live? The sport comps aren't too bad on smooth roads. It's the rough roads that cause the tire noise.

xrav22

I just got rid of my 245/50/16 on craighslist and went with toyo r888 255/50/16 I prefer the larger tire by far, and the road noise is a BIT MORE BUT DOESNT DO IT AT 55 MPH.
They don't last as long but I didn't want to go with the bf Goodrich. Sorry caps stuck

tdereggi

I recognize you just said that you are not interested in upgrading to 17". I said the same thing 4 months ago, when I needed to replace my tired, and could only find two BFgoodriches on short order. I also have a 85, I purposely looked for that year, and I was trying to keep it authentic to the year. But the best Upgrade I ever made was an upgrade to 17" rims. I liked the 85 look, that was like a flat disk in the middle. I didn't really like the following years that looked like a propeller fan with curved blade rounded edged surface. I went with a later year rim, that was a combination of the two. It looked almost like the propeller fan type, but the blades have a flat top surfaced area on the front face, as if a sander was put flush all across the rim face. The flat parts polish up real nice. That little detail made a huge different in improved look. They also had the center disk similar to 85. I believe they were stock either on the 93 or anniversary edition. They are the ones that have a larger 10.5" rear rim width, and 9.5" front rim. But they look really sharp on the car, and handling was noticeably better. The best part is I bought them used for $500 for the 4 set, and 4 michellin tires with 70% of the tread still there (although not perfect) were included. So for the price of new BFgoodrich tires, I instead got the rims and tires. And I no longer have to ask the question you asked starting this thread.

WVZR-1

I saw a set of the BFG's mounted and waiting for the customer to pick up. Tires/wheels no car. I paid attention only to the mount and the weights. This shop did well, minimal weights and tires mounted correctly. The tread, best I recall didn't look aggressive enough to create the noise issue you mention others complaining about. I've never read any of the reviews because I've no interest in that particular tire.

I can't help much but it's a "ride to the top" for you and some more exposure maybe!!

If you had 8 1/2" wheels X 4 the 245/50 maybe sounds a choice to consider. NOT ME but it's a "maybe"!! It's somewhat shorter and the rolling radius which is the primary concern might be more than just 1/2 of the advertised diameter, 25.6 vs 26 and maybe branding would make a little difference also. If you've 2 - 8 1/2 + 2 9 1/2 OR 9 1/2 X 4 I'd think I'd want the 255/50 for sure.

hcbph

I happen to have an 86 convertible, it has BFG Comp 2 245x50vr16's on it on 16"x9.5" +38 MM backspace rims when I bought it 3 years ago. They are slightly smaller diameter than the 255's but I doubt you will notice the difference. Additionally my car is a cruiser (street only) and I do not find the tire sound overbearing or objectionable.

I'm in the process of doing a rim/tire upgrade on mine due to the age of the current tires. I am going with a slightly larger diameter because 16's are becoming so hard to find. Additionally I'm planning an extended trip in a couple of years and if something should happen to a tire along the way, it currently would be very difficult to get a replacement 16" in a reasonable period of time.

I'm going to replace mine with rims (18"x9.5" +40 mm backspace) and BFG Comp 2 255x40vr18 tires due to the current age of my tires. I've talked to multiple shops plus run it through a couple of calculators, this combination should virtually match the oem size on the car so no interference, wheel placement etc plus the 18" tires are a lot easier to find at least at this time.

If 16's were easier to find, that would be one thing but I plan to keep the car for a long time and seems like larger diameter wheels are the way to go. I passed over 17's because I expect they will eventually be in the same position that 16's are today - hard to find one day.

My experience and thoughts.

TGB85tpi

I live in Ludington, Michigan. Most of my driving will be on 2 lane back roads and occasional expressway. Thanks for the feedback on the sport comps.

TGB85tpi

Thanks for the input on the BFG's. I guess despite all of the advice to go to 17's or 18's, I can't justify spending a grand on new wheels, plus the tires. Prior to this Vette, i have been a 60's and 70's muscle car guy....mainly Camaros. I think that is why I am most comfortable with what I know and have the most experience with..(gasp) radial T/A's. (I know, this will raise the hair on the back of everyone neck-lol). I had a new-for-me experience this summer with the Vette hydroplaning. I'm sure mainly due to old, hard, tires...but left me a little gun-shy. I have a few more months to hash this out in my brain, and do appreciate everyones experiences and opinions, Thanks!!

OzyC4

Your TA's didn't have to be hard for them to be terrible in the wet.
Earlier this year I sold my 68 Mustang Fastback which was horrible to drive in the wet.
The combination of a 400hp big block and radial TA's on a wet road was truly scary, but I really liked the original 12 slotters and GT hubcaps that were on it. It's become nearly impossible to find a performance tyre in 14" these days to suit the Mustang, so if I had kept it I would have been forced to upgrade to larger rims.

kael

I've got Mirada 255/50/r16 on mine, PO had them on there, newish. No complaints so far. Stock might be low right now.

http://www.tirefactory.net/tire/mirada-sport-gtx-tires/

Larrye

I bought a set of the BFG Sport Comps in 2014, I have been extremely happy with them. Do not consider them noisy at all, handle great and the price is more than reasonable. Have them on my stock rims. Have an additional set of Boyd's billet wheels I bought in 2015 from a former C4 owner with BFG Sport Comps with some wear, and they perform great as well. If you want to keep your early C4 original, the BFG tire is a great choice.

TGB85tpi

Hi Larry,

Thanks for your input, exactly what I was looking for - confirmation that the BFG G-Forces were ok. I guess I get a little paranoid after reading a couple of negative reviews. I like the idea of keeping the car stock-looking. I absolutely love this car - same as yours, 85, auto, leather seats, Bose stereo, 62,000 original miles. Mine is white with a red interior. I just bought it last July and put 3,000 miles on it last summer. I plan on at least doubling that this coming summer.
Thanks again for the feedback!

junkyard_dog72

An option I went with were Firestone Firehawk All Seasons. They do a nice job in the rain and the dry stuff. Tomorrow I'll try to get the exact model for you if you're interested.

TGB85tpi

Ok, so some more waffling. I've always loved torque thrust wheels. So now I've found these inexpensive knock-offs at Jegs and Summit. 17x8 with +19mm offset, along with BFG G-Force Sport Comp A/S 235/50zr17's - will fit in the wheelwells and are close to the stock diameter. What do you think?

Buick350X

Great thread, I have had the same questions. Im close to buying an 85 and I want to keep the stock turbine rims.

I do not like that there is only 1 tire made, or 1 tire I can find sold in the stock size. And ive never been a BFG fan.

245 does have a few more options, a tad smaller gets you off the line, a tad faster, can hurt high end if to much. [ well in one case on my Buick 205/70/15 made it a rabbit, but on highway the stock 225/75/15 had more umph to pass ]

Dt86

I like those wheels myself. I think they look great. You have to make sure they are hub centric. That particular offset will stick out 19mm more than stock.

TGB85tpi

Thanks for the reply! My stock wheels are the 16x8.5, and these would be 17x8s. After drawing it all out on graph paper, the stock wheels and tires stick out almost exactly 4" from the wheel hub. These wheels, with the 8" width, and by dropping down to a 235 tire, gives you 235 (section) ÷2 (outside half of tire)=118.mm minus the 19mm wheel offset= approx 100mm out from hub, with 25.4mm/inch...should be real close to the stock wheels and tires (narrower tires make up for offset difference). The other great thing is the reasonable cost. I did a web search and found nothing but positve feedback on the wheels.

Dt86

Oh I thought you had 8's. 8.5's would stick out about 13mm.

Try this site out.
http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php...t2=19#isPage=1

Silver85

Post pics when/if you go this route. I am in the same boat with my '85. I have 10yr old Goodyears that are showing their age. Plenty of tread but aging. I really like the look of those wheels. Would love to see them on a c4.