Good place in ATL for tires and balancing

HSSS427 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2005, 07:35 PM

Looks like it's time to replace the Goodyears if I'm going to go to get the car on the track. They're probably way beyond their life expectancy in years (about 10 I think).

Was wondering where the best local place is to either get tires, or at least get them properly mounted and balanced correctly. I sense that the discount tire and high production passenger car places aren't going to be the most precise or reliable. Where do most of you guys go and who would you recommend in the area?

Also, what's been the experience with buying tires from web based dealers like Tire Rack? Oh yeah, and might as well pose that on-going, eternal debate question - what's the best tire for a 15" wheel? Pretty sure I want to stick with an American name (even if foreign owned ie Firestone).
Thanks!
Scott
Thanks!

mzhun · #2 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 05:45 PM

I seem to remember a place called Grand Turisimo or something like that in Gwinette that did high end ballancing and suspension set up. Do some searches on this sight and you should find the thread.

olblue66 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 06:14 PM

Hay Scott . Just had some bfg's put on at GRAN TURISMO . They ballanced them and there are great.

Call 770-455-0347 . There in Chamblee off shallowford rd. You have to make a appointment i think.

olblue

ToyCollector · #4 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 07:13 PM

A 3rd vote for Gran Turismo. I don't know if they [i]sell[/] tires, but they are the place for alignments and balancing. Racers purposely go there when in town from out of state just for the above. There reputation goes beyond state lines!

I have had serious balance issues with some mail order tires, but it was only one set of 6 ordered via mail order over the years.

HSSS427 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 07:27 PM

Thanks guys. Sounds like Gran Turismo is the place, and I assume with that name they have the video game set up so you can play while you wait.

I'm looking at internet ordering some more Goodyear big letter competition tires, and have a message in to Roger Krause racing via the following link I picked up on CC http://www.rogerkrausracing.com/gyCobra.html
Seems kind of crazy to buy tires from a place in Oakland, CA, so was wondering if you've found anyone local, or closer to town, that deals in these performance tires. Web searches are giving me every Tom, Dick & Harry related to tires.
Thanks!

Dave Crace · #6 (**permalink**) 05-30-2005, 08:42 PM

Scot,
I have used Butler Tire in Marietta to install my Goodyear Tires. They spent a lot of time getting them balanced, at least a couple of hours. They charged by the job, not by the hour. The tires were balanced while on the car, which was not easy because I have knockoffs.

427 S/O · #7 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 03:51 AM

Scott, I always stand near to make sure they do it right and not scratch the rim, one little trick you might use, 'if any needs 5 or more ounces', have them rotate the tire 180 degrees on the rim, this helps sometimes. Make sure they position the weights as close to the center as possible, then use duct tape to secure the weights.

HSSS427 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 06:06 PM

Ordered the tires today and having them shipped to Gran Turismo - a bit closer to my house and saw a lot of positive comments about them on other car forums as well.

I got the Goodyear slicks and Roger Krause is going to cut a tread into them. There's another post on CC about this with a picture if you're interested. He said that's been their best performing tire and it actually ends up being a little bit cheaper than buying the treaded tire. I guess the biggest reason I'm getting them from Roger is that I emailed him yesterday and he called me today to discuss at length the pros/cons and options of various tires. I'd say that's pretty good service.

I'll post a pic when I get them installed.

Now on to the next item - a passenger side roll-bar so I can do the NASA HPDE school. Any ideas on a removable passenger side roll-bar that you don't have to cut into the body to install?
Thanks!
Scott

Excaliber · #9 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 07:23 PM

I had a weird problem on my old Excalibur with tire balance, I could never find anyplace that could get those tires "right".

Finally in desperation I heard about this place (sorry, Ohau) that would gaurentee the right balance,,, but for $25 bucks a tire! Tire Spin machine (off the car) and take a reading, if the reading is "to far off" they rotate the tire on the rim and try it again. Uses the least possible wheel weights. They broke down and repositioned two of the four tires. Smooth as silk when they were done! Hard to find a place like that.

HSSS427 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 08:08 PM

Now if I could just get one of those Chitty Chitty Bang bang boat conversion kits for the Cobra I could just set sail out to Hawaii and get the tires balanced right!

I have seen a couple of mentions though of the idea of moving the tire on the wheel if the initial balance it too far off. We'll see if the guys at Gran Turismo are as good as the on-line references indicate.

ToyCollector · #11 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 09:36 PM

I have seen my local guys rotate rim on tire when they couldn't get it to balance right and tell me about a magical Hawaiian ritual and ask I contribute $20 more per wheel. It did the trick however. Take it to Ernie's place in Hawaii now that I think about it...you'll be fine (shipping and handling not included however).

HSSS427 · #12 (**permalink**) 05-31-2005, 09:51 PM

I think we need an exchange program like they do in high schools. Ernie comes here and experiences beautiful Hot-lanta for a few weeks and I go to Hawaii and live the island life! Then we start up with the New Zeland guys and you drive the other guys cobra while in his "country." It could work

chipperb · #13 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 04:41 PM

Gran Turisimo East are THE guys. One of the owers has an ERA Cobra and the other owner, the alignment guy, is a motor head as well. Both have owned the shop 30 plus years. Lot of racing participation by the two, and the walls are covered with vintage race car pics, including a GT350 once owned by them. And they true your wheels and spin balance them ON THE CAR with old Hunter machines. Just had work done there on my GT350 clone.

Excaliber · #14 (**permalink**) 06-01-2005, 05:00 PM

You don't see that "spin balance on the car" thing much anymore. When I was in high school I worked at a tire shop where they used that method. But only for the "high rollers".

Hmmm,,, yeah, an exchange program!