Tire decisions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 228
Likes: 13
Tire decisions
I'm planning on properly upgrading my '86 to take 17" wheels and 275/40/17 tires. I've narrowed it down to Kumho ecsta pa51s or General g-max as-05s. I've run Kumhos on all my other cars with no issues but the Generals are a bit cheaper and seem to have good reviews too. Both seem to tolerate colder temps that we see here in the NE. Neither will be run in snow or rain (if I can help it). The car is just a cruiser that sees the occasional spirited jaunt through the back roads but not often. The Kumhos seem to have more comfort, which isn't bad considering the car already rides firm on its Z51 package and PA roads but the Generals seem to handle/perform better, though this is of lesser importance.
I guess my two main concerns with the Generals are they are reportedly loud in some cases with a lot of road noise. Some even compare it to a 4x4 on mud tires, lol. I don't want a ton of road noise like that. The other is that they are "responsive". I'm hoping this doesn't translate into "dartiness" particularly going square on 275s all around on an early car like the '86. The Generals just seem to review better overall.
I guess my two main concerns with the Generals are they are reportedly loud in some cases with a lot of road noise. Some even compare it to a 4x4 on mud tires, lol. I don't want a ton of road noise like that. The other is that they are "responsive". I'm hoping this doesn't translate into "dartiness" particularly going square on 275s all around on an early car like the '86. The Generals just seem to review better overall.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 290
From: Farmington MO
I have General AS 05 tires. Have had them more than a year and put at least 8000 miles on them, so I'm comfortable expressing my opinion. The tires are not at all darty. Also, for me, they are overall quieter than the summer performance tires they replaced. There is a certain rain grooved concrete on which they do make excessive noise (they scream), but I rarely encounter said concrete in my normal driving. When I have, it has usually been in short stretches. A non-issue for me.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 697
Likes: 162
From: Huntington WV
I just put these on my car. Its just a cruiser so I'm pleased with them.https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tyt-196230
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,786
Likes: 425
From: North Georgia, USA
We have General GMax AS05s on Magoo, our 2012 Cadillac CTS. Love them. They aren't silent like riding on a cloud, but they aren't particularly loud. In the CTS, you're mildly aware your riding on tires on a road surface. In most C4 Corvettes I've been in, I doubt you'd even hear them.
As for "responsive," I would describe them more as remarkably grippy. Our CTS handles great with them, in spite of "luxury" suspension (soft springs, old, high mileage shocks). I ran one autocross in Magoo, just for fun. It rained before our runs. We still pulled 1.1 lateral G at some places on the damp and drying course.
As for "responsive," I would describe them more as remarkably grippy. Our CTS handles great with them, in spite of "luxury" suspension (soft springs, old, high mileage shocks). I ran one autocross in Magoo, just for fun. It rained before our runs. We still pulled 1.1 lateral G at some places on the damp and drying course.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 228
Likes: 13
I just put these on my car. Its just a cruiser so I'm pleased with them.https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tyt-196230
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,146
Likes: 1,730
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I have run Kumho in the past, they are grippy when new, after about 3-5K they tended to get much more slippery.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,092
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
For the love of god, do not put Toyo Extensas on your car. These are not good-performing tires. They are round and keep the wheels from touching the ground, and that's about all the good one can say about them. Also, do you really want a tire that sounds like a medicine to cure ED?
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 228
Likes: 13
For the love of god, do not put Toyo Extensas on your car. These are not good-performing tires. They are round and keep the wheels from touching the ground, and that's about all the good one can say about them. Also, do you really want a tire that sounds like a medicine to cure ED?