Need tires - Suggestions???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: West TX
Need tires - Suggestions???
My tires are shredded and I need new ones. I have the stock 96 rims, and I believe the tires are the stock size. Anyone recommend a larger sized tire for better performance? What brands do you recommend???
Thanx
Thanx
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,548
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member, Inland Empire Chapter
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (LT4 2 Fast)
Mine had the standard Goodyear GSC's and I wasnt at all impressed with them. I just switched to Kumho Ecstas and love them. The performance is much better all around (especially hard cornering), it rides quieter and stops faster. Plus the Kumhos are about half the cost or less of most others. Check out the Tire Rack here in the Forum Mall. I ordered them real late on a tuesday nite, regular shipping, and had them in my garage early friday morn.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
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From: Vette-hid.com Lost in DFW texas
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (DarkHalo)
I just switched to the kumho Mx's got 1000 miles on them now . the are the best so far and cheap too just make sure the lube up vead when they put them on the sidewall is pretty rigid
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (LT4 2 Fast)
If you are looking to save money, go with Kumho. But if you want the best tire there is, gotta go with Michelin or BFG.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 86
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (crash1mac)
crash1mac, I had Kumho MX's installed on my car about a week ago. Drove home and parked the car for a week (rain). Finally drove it Saturday and the tires shook so bad I could hardly hold on the the steering wheel. After about 5 miles everything smoothed out. Does your tires develope flat spots like this, if you car sits for a few days?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,716
Likes: 0
From: Cartersville GA
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (STL94LT1)
Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP, have em on mine and could not be happier! Excellent traction wet or dry, quiet, nice looking tread design and not too pricy!...check the ratings on any tires you are considering at http://www.tirerack.com
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: West TX
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (ANTI VENOM)
Thanx guy. I'll definitely look into the Kumhos. My current tire are 255/40/17 on the front and 255/45/17 on the rear. Will a different size offer me better performance? Any one have experience with Pirelli? Are the worth the price?
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (LT4 2 Fast)
These are NOT the correct size tire for a 96 LT4!!!!
With std suspension should have 285/40/17 on rear & 255/45/17 on front.
With Z51 should have 275/40/17 all the way around.
With std suspension should have 285/40/17 on rear & 255/45/17 on front.
With Z51 should have 275/40/17 all the way around.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: West TX
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (LT4BUD)
Should I stick with what should be on it then? Will a different size offer me better performance? Thanx to the idiots at the dealership for putting on the wrong size. :cuss :mad :cuss No wonder the middle of the tire was shredded.....
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
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From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (LT4 2 Fast)
When I bought my wheels out in CA, They had a special on Dunlop SP Sport 8000s. They were less than half the price of Goodyears. So, I tried them. I was pleasantly surprised at the ride and quietness. I don't Autocross or Drag race so I can't give you a report on that. They do go around a corner, but that might be the Vette working, too. My advice on size: Go with the size it was designed to have.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (LT4 2 Fast)
I would stick with the OEM sizes or larger. Going undersize doesn't make sense and could be dangerous.
Since the tire sizes are all screwed I would suggest you confirm what size wheels you have. With std suspension should have 8.5's up front & 9.5's in back, Z51 has 9.5's both frt & rear.
Since the tire sizes are all screwed I would suggest you confirm what size wheels you have. With std suspension should have 8.5's up front & 9.5's in back, Z51 has 9.5's both frt & rear.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 0
From: Corona CA
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (LT4BUD)
:iagree:
I would go to the stock sizes after making sure that the rear rims are 9.5". (Hopefully they haven't put the rims in the wrong place).
I put in another vote for the Firestone Firehawks as the best tire.
I would go to the stock sizes after making sure that the rear rims are 9.5". (Hopefully they haven't put the rims in the wrong place).
I put in another vote for the Firestone Firehawks as the best tire.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 559
Likes: 6
From: OKC OK
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (Gar)
Hiya,
I know I'm a newbie here and I'm opening myself to some hellacious ribbing...but wth...
Needed tires for my '85 w/Z51...dunlops were shot and trying to kill me! For poopies and giggles I searched ebay...long story short I hooked up with a fella there that has a tire concern in the Carolinas. He introduced me to a brand called Aurora. Had all the right specs expect for traction (A instead of AA). Very aggressive tread design. I was hurtin so I did the deal. I've had the tires on for two weeks and I love'em! They trued-out with very little weight...surprisingly little weight! I had the tires mounted and computer balanced at Firestone and had a "Advanced Street Specs" four wheel alignment done at the same time. WOW! I get some (tiny bit) tire noise (squeal) exiting the freeway on the clover leafs (leaves?) But she holds the line like she's on rails...I prefer spirited twisties to straightline driving but that's just me. If anyone is interested in checking out this dealer lemme know and I will pass along the skinny... :cool:
I know I'm a newbie here and I'm opening myself to some hellacious ribbing...but wth...
Needed tires for my '85 w/Z51...dunlops were shot and trying to kill me! For poopies and giggles I searched ebay...long story short I hooked up with a fella there that has a tire concern in the Carolinas. He introduced me to a brand called Aurora. Had all the right specs expect for traction (A instead of AA). Very aggressive tread design. I was hurtin so I did the deal. I've had the tires on for two weeks and I love'em! They trued-out with very little weight...surprisingly little weight! I had the tires mounted and computer balanced at Firestone and had a "Advanced Street Specs" four wheel alignment done at the same time. WOW! I get some (tiny bit) tire noise (squeal) exiting the freeway on the clover leafs (leaves?) But she holds the line like she's on rails...I prefer spirited twisties to straightline driving but that's just me. If anyone is interested in checking out this dealer lemme know and I will pass along the skinny... :cool:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (LT4 2 Fast)
My controversial opinion?
Kumho V700 315/35/17ZR's all for corners. See Tire Rack. $171.00 ea.
Second choice: BFG KDW2's 315/35/17ZR's. This is a new tire not listed at the Tire Rack. Not cheap.
BIG JIM
Kumho V700 315/35/17ZR's all for corners. See Tire Rack. $171.00 ea.
Second choice: BFG KDW2's 315/35/17ZR's. This is a new tire not listed at the Tire Rack. Not cheap.
BIG JIM
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,383
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: Need tires - Suggestions??? (Mr Mojo)
If you are looking to save money, go with Kumho. But if you want the best tire there is, gotta go with Michelin or BFG.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/max.jsp
I've got the 2nd half of my Eagle F1 GS-D3 set coming in the mail today.