Firestone Wide Oval Tires, thoughts please!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Originally Posted by Rick Church
Our local tire shop can get me new Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval tires for othe ZO6, the front tires are $221 (265 40 R17) and the rears are $255 (295 35 R18). This includes mounting, balancing, road hazard, and changing out my rims for some chrome ZO6 wheels I already have.
Has anybody tried these tires or know much about them? Internet searching tends to lead me to believe that they are average tires at best but the price is very attractive since I can get it done locally.
Thanks in advance, Rick in Tennessee
Has anybody tried these tires or know much about them? Internet searching tends to lead me to believe that they are average tires at best but the price is very attractive since I can get it done locally.
Thanks in advance, Rick in Tennessee
At the time I bough them, they were less expensive than anything else out there. (250 front, 275 rear)
to their credit, they are quieter than OEM goodyears, and seem to provide a better ride than the OEMs.
Fronts are ok,
but
Rears are very slippery in colder weather.
Even with AH/TC On, once the temps get into the 40s and lower, the rears tend to break loose rather easily/quickly, especially in 1st, even after a 3hr 70+mph interstate run.
However, on dry, warm road, they stick very well.
AJ
NBM 01 Coupe
MN6
R8C
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 2,106
From: Left Coast, San Diego
Originally Posted by aj98
I have firehawk SZs EMTs on my coupe.
At the time I bough them, they were less expensive than anything else out there. (250 front, 275 rear)
to their credit, they are quieter than OEM goodyears, and seem to provide a better ride than the OEMs.
Fronts are ok,
but
Rears are very slippery in colder weather.
Even with AH/TC On, once the temps get into the 40s and lower, the rears tend to break loose rather easily/quickly, especially in 1st, even after a 3hr 70+mph interstate run.
However, on dry, warm road, they stick very well.
AJ
NBM 01 Coupe
MN6
R8C
At the time I bough them, they were less expensive than anything else out there. (250 front, 275 rear)
to their credit, they are quieter than OEM goodyears, and seem to provide a better ride than the OEMs.
Fronts are ok,
but
Rears are very slippery in colder weather.
Even with AH/TC On, once the temps get into the 40s and lower, the rears tend to break loose rather easily/quickly, especially in 1st, even after a 3hr 70+mph interstate run.
However, on dry, warm road, they stick very well.
AJ
NBM 01 Coupe
MN6
R8C
Excellent review!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 29
From: St. Louis Mo.
St. Jude Donor '08
I have them and they are a great deal for the money. Had them about 4 months and they seem fine.
Here is a thread from a couple months back might help
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...04&forum_id=49
Tim
Here is a thread from a couple months back might help
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...04&forum_id=49
Tim
Administrator
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I've heard good reviews on them. Depending on what size wheels I eventually get, I would certainly consider them. Just wish they made them in more sizes.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 29
From: St. Louis Mo.
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by Rick Church
Tim,
Thanks for the link to that thread. That settles the issue in my mind. I really appreciate the help sir!
Rick
Thanks for the link to that thread. That settles the issue in my mind. I really appreciate the help sir!
Rick
That's what this forum is all about.
Tim
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Hudson FL
Considering the FSWO myself please post pics
Originally Posted by Rick Church
I bought the Firestones, I'll post pics tomorrow! $809 mounted balanced, road hazard warranty, and life time balance and rotation, and 9.75% sales tax! I guess the rotation part dosen't count on a Vette!
Rick
Rick
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,975
Likes: 1
From: Northwest Iowa
Originally Posted by fjm59vette
Most definately - please post pictures and note sizes. Im am considering the FSWO and GS-D3. The FSWO are about $60/per tire cheaper so I am leaning towards the FSWOs. But I've heard a lot about them being much narrower compared to the GY's in same width's.
And about the width, because of the "Wide Oval" design, the tread width is narrower for the same size tire (e.g. 275mm-295mm) as other manufacturers. I can't rememebr where I saw it (maybe it was tirerack's site) that showed tread width compared to tire size. So I did the same thing and ordered wider sizes than standard C5 sizes. I did the 265 fronts and 295 rears. They look better and no problems with the car.
Don't be mad at me, but back in June, Tirerack was selling these for $185 a tire and Firestone had a rebate of $88 total for 4 tires. I think I paid a total of around $720 installed.
Last edited by HawkIVette; Dec 31, 2005 at 11:34 AM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 502
Likes: 1
From: Fountain hills AZ
Originally Posted by Rick Church
Our local tire shop can get me new Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval tires for othe ZO6, the front tires are $221 (265 40 R17) and the rears are $255 (295 35 R18). This includes mounting, balancing, road hazard, and changing out my rims for some chrome ZO6 wheels I already have.
Has anybody tried these tires or know much about them? Internet searching tends to lead me to believe that they are average tires at best but the price is very attractive since I can get it done locally.
Thanks in advance, Rick in Tennessee
Has anybody tried these tires or know much about them? Internet searching tends to lead me to believe that they are average tires at best but the price is very attractive since I can get it done locally.
Thanks in advance, Rick in Tennessee
I don't face cold weather driving her in Phoenix, so cannot speak to cold driving. They do well in rain and hook up far better than GY runflats or Kumhos which I had previously.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Ventura California
I run the WO's on my 2000 FRC. 17X9.5 front with 265X40X17 and 18X10.5 rears
with 295X35X18. The rears look a little stretched on the rim, I think due to the curb saver. All in all I have ran them hard a few times
and for the money savings, I'll buy them again. Just wish they made a 305.
with 295X35X18. The rears look a little stretched on the rim, I think due to the curb saver. All in all I have ran them hard a few times
and for the money savings, I'll buy them again. Just wish they made a 305.
Last edited by gknight; Dec 31, 2005 at 01:35 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Hudson FL
Please Post some pictures showing FSWO from Rear
Originally Posted by fjm59vette
Most definately - please post pictures and note sizes. Im am considering the FSWO and GS-D3. The FSWO are about $60/per tire cheaper so I am leaning towards the FSWOs. But I've heard a lot about them being much narrower compared to the GY's in same width's.
Does anybody have any pics of 285/40 17's FSWO from the rear so I can see how wide they look. If so please post
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Hudson FL
Originally Posted by fjm59vette
Does anybody have any pics of 285/40 17's FSWO from the rear so I can see how wide they look. If so please post
Thanks
Thanks
I trying to see how they look compared to the wide look of the OEM GSC's
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 14,604
Likes: 3
From: Glendale, AZ
i think you might be able to get them cheaper at tire rack
i saw the 295/35-18 for $188 ea.
might want to give them a look - i KNOW it won't cost you $70 PER TIRE to swap out rims, mount and LIFETIME balance - even at discount!
i saw the 295/35-18 for $188 ea.
might want to give them a look - i KNOW it won't cost you $70 PER TIRE to swap out rims, mount and LIFETIME balance - even at discount!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 0
From: Titusville FL
Originally Posted by aj98
I have firehawk SZs EMTs on my coupe.
At the time I bough them, they were less expensive than anything else out there. (250 front, 275 rear)
to their credit, they are quieter than OEM goodyears, and seem to provide a better ride than the OEMs.
Fronts are ok,
but
Rears are very slippery in colder weather.
Even with AH/TC On, once the temps get into the 40s and lower, the rears tend to break loose rather easily/quickly, especially in 1st, even after a 3hr 70+mph interstate run.
However, on dry, warm road, they stick very well.
R8C
At the time I bough them, they were less expensive than anything else out there. (250 front, 275 rear)
to their credit, they are quieter than OEM goodyears, and seem to provide a better ride than the OEMs.
Fronts are ok,
but
Rears are very slippery in colder weather.
Even with AH/TC On, once the temps get into the 40s and lower, the rears tend to break loose rather easily/quickly, especially in 1st, even after a 3hr 70+mph interstate run.
However, on dry, warm road, they stick very well.
R8C
I have had them on for about a month and they are MUCH better than the OEM goodyear runflats. They are definitely not a cold weather tire, but I really don't have to worry about that in FL
