Sportsman S/R Radial Street/Racetrack Size: 26X12R15

[KarlzEE Bebout]

Kevin, I've run through two sets of Coopers and am on my third. I prefer the stickiness of the MTs but realistically, with my Briggs & Stratton powered Cobra, I don't need that stickiness enough to pay about twice the cost for MTs. BTW, The only time I'd ever consider the BFGs would be if I wanted to enter a smokey burnout contest since they seem to be about as hard as a brick.

[RallySnake]

The short wheelbase, wide tire Cobra is a twitchy machine. Add a twitchy set of tires to the mix and you’re asking for trouble. When I look at smashed Cobra’s, I want to see what tires they are running. Most of the time I see Goodrich TA’s. Their hard compound rubber works great and lasts a long time on heavy vehicles. But, not on light weight cars. I had more unexpected spin outs with those tires than any other.

Most people never push their cars to the traction limit. To me, that’s when the fun begins. I especially like wet or snowy pavement to test my car control abilities. I once drove my Cobra, with the hardtop on, from Santa Barbara to Las Vegas on the 12 hour Starlite Rally with the slick Hoosier auto cross tires. It rained all the way! We were in a perpetual state of drift most of the way. I was so much fun!

RD

[DanEC]

I remember when I had big T/As on my Trans Am back in the 70s, I could just ease into the throttle in first or second gear at any speed and effortlessly light up the tires at will. Lot of fun but not much good for go.

[Kit Coyle]

I have the Mickey Thompson ST tires on my ERA and like them. When they were installed
they were "round" and needed almost no weights for balance. Is the Cooper Cobra tire
considered a better tire? They are both made by the Cooper Tire Company and I assumed
they were pretty much the same tire with different logos on the sidewall. I also assume
they are similar price points and hardness ratings.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by Kit Coyle

I have the Mickey Thompson ST tires on my ERA and like them. When they were installed
they were "round" and needed almost no weights for balance. Is the Cooper Cobra tire
considered a better tire? They are both made by the Cooper Tire Company and I assumed
they were pretty much the same tire with different logos on the sidewall. I also assume
they are similar price points and hardness ratings.

same tire, different tread pattern. I had techs from both groups on the horn talking about this a few years ago, and they both agreed that they were basically the same. The MT ST is a branded Cooper Cobra...

[KarlzEE Bebout]

Same company but very different compounds between the "Cobra" and the MT S/R.
Heat up a S/R and it will bite!

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by PDUB

same tire, different tread pattern. I had techs from both groups on the horn talking about this a few years ago, and they both agreed that they were basically the same. The MT ST is a branded Cooper Cobra...

The tire carcass is the same, the tread pattern and compounds are different.

[DanEC]

I’ve heard the ST compound is slightly better than the Cooper Cobra compound but I tend to question that. The last time I checked their ratings for temp, tread wear, speed rating and traction they were the same - so I’m not sure. But that being said, I have STs on my ERA and they balance and ride great. I don’t really push it hard enough to offer anything first hand on handling.

[FUNFER2]

What front tire would you use ?

All I see are for the "skinnies" for the Pro-Street days. Those who are old enough and remember. the "Fat and Skinny" days. Ah,....what memories.....

[FUNFER2]

Bump....

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

The ... compounds are different.

Well, not according to the guys with which I was in contact at both companies on the same phone call... they agreed the MT ST was a branded Cobra - different visual appearance/tread pattern - that's it. I am only passing on information I got first hand - that is all I can go on at this point. Please provide some documentation to the contrary if you have it. It is certainly possible that they were wrong... though not likely.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

What front tire would you use ?

All I see are for the "skinnies" for the Pro-Street days. Those who are old enough and remember. the "Fat and Skinny" days. Ah,....what memories.....

Are the 10” too wide for up front?

https://tiresize.com/tires/Mickey-Th...l-26X10R15.htm

[KarlzEE Bebout]

DanEC, "Are the 10” too wide for up front?" Depends on the wheel offset, body height, and tire clearance. If the 10" would fit without rubbing, I'd see no issue with running them, other than maybe a litter harder to steer if you don't have PS.

[DanEC]

The next step down in 26” diameter is a width of 8.5”.