Firestone / Firehawk experience anyone ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Newburgh Indiana
Firestone / Firehawk experience anyone ?
Hi Corvette Comrades , It is time for new tires and I have the opportunity to get a good price on the Firestone / Firehawk tires . I intend to change the rims at the same time to the ZO6 style in stock size since I don't have a widebody conversion . Does anyone have real world experience or even an educated opinion on the tires ? They are the same size as the Goodyear run flats : 245/40ZR 18in. , 285/35ZR 19in. run flats . I don't autocross , just occasionally have to teach a pesky Mustang a lesson in physics . Thanks in advance for any help . Larry 
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 125
From: laguna niguel ca
I've got a set on my 05 Z51. There great! Ride well no noise. They Handle as well as any other. I got tired of paying $1900 a set for Goodyears. These were $1034 out the door. The car is a daily driver with a forged 427 making 525rwhp/500rwtq. it wouldn't make any difference what tire was on the car, in 1st or 2 nd gear, yet when it does hook in 3 rd the tires work well. I recommend them. I hope they keep making them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
We put them on our 2000 coupe and found them to be a great improvement in ride, grip, etc. Softer compound though, so they may not last as long.... plus vote from me. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
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From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
I have them on my '07 coupe w/Z51 pkg. They beat the GY's hands down. They replaced my BFG KDW NT's and seem to have traction and handling that is just as good. I've already run them on the Dragon two weeks ago and they were supurb !
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Newburgh Indiana
Much Thanks
Thanks to all that took their time to answer my question . The salesman did mention that the Firehawks would not last as many miles as the Goodyears , which I assume is due to the rubber compound . I was concerned that traction would be greatly compromised with a Vette that is not stock , but as you point out , NO TIRE will help in certain driving conditions . You helped me with this difficult decision ... again ... THANKS FOR THE ADVICE . I'll be getting mine next week . Time for a good " burnout " on the old tires !!! Larry 
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Thanks to all that took their time to answer my question . The salesman did mention that the Firehawks would not last as many miles as the Goodyear's , which I assume is due to the rubber compound . I was concerned that traction would be greatly compromised with a Vette that is not stock , but as you point out , NO TIRE will help in certain driving conditions . You helped me with this difficult decision ... again ... THANKS FOR THE ADVICE . I'll be getting mine next week . Time for a good " burnout " on the old tires !!! Larry
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
I've got a set on my 05 Z51. There great! Ride well no noise. They Handle as well as any other. I got tired of paying $1900 a set for Goodyears. These were $1034 out the door. The car is a daily driver with a forged 427 making 525rwhp/500rwtq. it wouldn't make any difference what tire was on the car, in 1st or 2 nd gear, yet when it does hook in 3 rd the tires work well. I recommend them. I hope they keep making them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
From: Central Coast CA
I have the Firestone Firehawks on my 06/Z51/A6. Goodyear Supercars only lasted 10k and I have now passed 21k on these Firestones and treadwear looks minimal. Tire noise is also significantly reduced. However, GY's are definitely stickier once hot. For my driving purposes, I will stick with Firestones.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 4
From: Central Coast CA
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Venice Florida
I put them on my o6 Z51 2000 miles after I bought the car.
I now have 32,000 miles and virtually no noticeable wear!
I dont drive the car hard except as you say the occasional pesky stang or ricer.
Handling seems good and since I live in Florida where we see a lot of rain in the summer wet performance seems better than the original Goodrocks. Well worth the money!!
I now have 32,000 miles and virtually no noticeable wear!
I dont drive the car hard except as you say the occasional pesky stang or ricer.
Handling seems good and since I live in Florida where we see a lot of rain in the summer wet performance seems better than the original Goodrocks. Well worth the money!!
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 198
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UTQG rating does not guarantee an accurate tread life as each tire manufacture tests their own tires so there may be some variation. For example you may go into a store and see a set of off brand tires with a 500 UTQG number and the same size of michelin with a UTQG number of 380. Theoretically the off brand should but usually will not. I was never a Goodyear fan when I sold tires. Very, very overpriced on Highperformance applications. Firestone with Bridgestones technology makes a hard to beat tire for our corvettes. I may consider them instead of the 2k option. We'll see what they have available when I am ready.
