15" Avon CR6ZZ compared to 17" performance tires

[Pman1961]

I have about made up my mind to replace the 15" wheels with 17" wheels and performance tires. Possibly the Nitto NT05's. 600+hp can not be fully appreciated when your tires offer unsatisfactory traction. I currently have 7 year old Yokohama Avids. First gear is useless, second needs to be feathered. However, I prefer the look of the 15" rims and taller tire sidewall. I have been spending so much time reading about tires on the Internet my girlfriend thinks I'm up to no good! My question this thread. Will the 15" Avon's provide similar traction when doing a spirited run through the gears compared to 17" performance tires? I'm sure the 17's are better in the turns but I'm more of a straight line person. Again, I'm not opposed to go 17's. I would like to know if anyone had experience with 15" Avon tires and changed to 17's along with their comments. Another concern is I feel like Avon will offer the 15" tires for the Cobra among other classic cars for many years to come. I hear chatter about the offerings of the 17" wheels are becoming more and more limited.

[vatdevil]

Avon compound is much softer, but it has more tread. My guess is the Avons with grip better than the NT05.

[750hp]

I don't know how much rain you have to deal with in TN, but if you're a straight line (in the dry) kinda guy have you looked into the MT Drag Radials?
They offer traction like no other tire I've ever felt on the street.

[G-Pete]

Too many guys running the Avon's, they will not discontinue this segment. Would Avon be American - they would be gone 10 years ago. Just keep in mind the US market is not the main market for these tires.

[Pman1961]

Very true G-Pete!

[Pman1961]

How about I ask this question. Has anyone had the Avon C6ZZ 15" tires and then switched to a taller rim and tire combination? If so, how much of an improvement if any of traction, ride quality, etc. over the Avon's? Again, I'm tired of spinning my wheels!!

[Snake2998]

If acceleration is your thing and not so much G force around corners why not look at some of the MT street/strip tyres like the ET street Radial.

[Voyager]

I would think any 7 year old tire would spin…

Can’t answer your question directly, but I’m running 15 inch wheels and intend to go with Avons or BBs as my next tire. Personally, I’m willing to sacrifice some ultimate grip to retain more authenticity. If I tracked my car, I might have a different answer.

[Tim7139]

Based on your input of use with the question you will spend a fair amount of money and see zero practical difference.
If you track the car and are good enough, expect better corner times. That does'nt sound like your objective. This is why modern supercars with 19"-20" wheels will do the same thing with traction control switched off.

[lippy]

I run the Avons with a 640 HP ERA. I can say it's almost impossible to break them loose on hard acceleration and they are very predictable and comfortable. I really like the look of 15" tires in general and the Avons in particular.

[rodneym]

There's few slam dunks in this hobby.
You'll be happy with the Avons.

[G-Pete]

Well, Bill has Avons....


[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btqQrpnpXj4"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btqQrpnpXj4[/ame]

[Detroit Bill]

He is looking good! Not that it will matter on the street but they appeared to get slippery as they got hotter. Pretty impressive.

[Pman1961]

That is the response I was looking for Lippy and Rodneym. To answer the question if I had considered Mickey Thompson ET tires. I prefer to run a similar tire on all four corners. I know a few people on this forum have run the ET's on the front as well and were content. I would be concerned with stability with the softer sidewall and heavy steering. I do like the looks of the ET's on the Cobra!!

[scootter]

I just purchased the PS2 for my car running the 335 rears. That is the only option left in the 335/35/17. 335/35R17 Tires | Michelin Tires. I really debated on going back down to the 315/35/17, but not a whole lot of choices there in the 17". I did email Nitto about the comp series tires, but they are not made for long drives which we do a few of every year. Competition Tires.
Scott

[Pman1961]

Scott, I've ridden in a Cobra with a Roush 427R motor and PS tires. I was quite impressed with the cornering and straight line traction. What size are your front tires and any rubbing issues?

[scootter]

The fronts are 275/40/17. I am currently running the Pilots, but they are getting to be around 7 plus years old. That is getting up there in age!! The rears don't rub anywhere. The fronts only rub when the wheel is cranked all the way to the right or left. I have the 514 putting out some good power!!

Scott

[SPF1061]

Originally Posted by 750hp

I don't know how much rain you have to deal with in TN, but if you're a straight line (in the dry) kinda guy have you looked into the MT Drag Radials?
They offer traction like no other tire I've ever felt on the street.

I run Avons. I bought MT Drag Radials and mounted them on a spare set of knock offs to swap when I went to the drag strip. The MT's make no improvement over my launch or my ET. At the top end at 125mph the Avons feel more solid than the MTs. The Mts are a lot cheaper and I don't sweat laying big black patches at the starting line. Just my experience.

[750hp]

Interesting to hear a back to back comparison of the Avon to the drag radial. Thanks!

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by scootter

The fronts are 275/40/17. I am currently running the Pilots, but they are getting to be around 7 plus years old. That is getting up there in age!! The rears don't rub anywhere. The fronts only rub when the wheel is cranked all the way to the right or left. I have the 514 putting out some good power!!

Scott

Scott how did the older PS hold the power when they were newer?

I am between Nitto NT05

255/40/17
315/35/17

And Pilot Sport 2.
275/40/17
335/35/17

The PS2 are twice as much and one of my concerns is that they will age out before they wear out. I don't mind spending the money I want the best straight line acceleration and handling that I can get.