15's vs. 17's......

Snak Iyz · #1 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 07:12 AM

Understanding that there is a good mix of personal choice in here, I'd be interested in hearing people's opinions on the 15 inch wheel/tire set-up versus the 17's.

I love the the authenticity with the 15 inch set-up. The polished 17's look at little too 'new' for me, but I have seen the 17's with the matte gray (graphite) centers and polished lip/spinners that look fantastic.

Whatchya think....? Thanks,
Snak Iyz

rdorman · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 07:21 AM

Do some searches and you will find a lot on this subject.

Bottom line:
- 15" - Pros,original and in my opinion, better appearence. Con, $hit for tires
- 17" - Pros, great tire selection. The difference behind the wheel is nothing short of amazing. Cons, Non-original appearence. They don't 'fill' the wheel well quite as nicely. I have seen some with careful tire selection and ride height adjustment that in my opinion don't look bad but I have seen many more that to my eye look like the tires are undersized.

To me it comes to which is more important, the experience behind the wheel or the experience standing and looking

Rick

Snak Iyz · #3 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 07:32 AM

rdorman,

You hit the nail on the head with how some of the 17 tire set-ups looking undersized (width and height).

I was also checking into possibly going midway with some 16's with good wide, high rubber....

thanks for the feedback.

CJ428CJ · #4 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 07:35 AM

I wouldn't go with 16's. I think you'll find significantly fewer tire and wheel choices in that size. 15s or 17s based on personal preference are the way to go.

Chris

rdorman · #5 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 08:00 AM

I second not going with the 16". Tire selection is not good. The main issue is the rears. Getting a tire in the width that most of us are looking for leaves us with little choice in the 15/16" size. I am not aware of any one trying say 16 on the front and 17 on the rear. I do not know how that would look. Any one that says that their 15" tires handle great on their Cobra has never driven on a ultra high performance tire with their Cobra. There are some good handling 15" tires but they have some significant compromises (such as no tread or not DOT legal).

A recent post stated the the closest metric size to the OEM SC size tires are 295/50/15 and 245/60/15. With that in mind you need 26.5" tall in the front and 26.7" in the rear (specs for Avid S/T in those sizes). I had always thought a 275/60/15 in the rear looked right, 27.9".

To get those heights in 17", will be tough. Generally you would have to go to a 18" or more. Most Max performance 17" tires will be about a half to an inch shorter than even the 295/50 size and up to two inches less than the 275/60. That is a bunch visually.

Take a look at this picture of my car as I bought it:
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...t=1&thecat=500

The tire where 225/60 and 275/50. Which are 25.6 and 25.9" tall respectively. Or about the height of the typical 17" tire. Since I have changed to 245/60 and 275/60 the way the tire fills the wheel well, visually, I beleive has been greatly improved (not to mention ground clearence, etc).

Then there is the whole side wall issue. They just seem to look 'right' with lots of side wall. Combine a typically short tire with a 2" larger in diameter rim and you end up with as much as four total inches less of side wall. Big difference in appearence.

With all that said, I am still kicking around a set of 17" rims

Rick

Carroll DeWeese · #6 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 10:53 AM

Unless tire manufactures provide a good, high speed rated 15 inch tires, then serious driving requires 17 inch wheels. Lots of tire choices are available due to the tuner crowd, car manufactures going to larger wheels, etc. The 15 inch wheels are original and better looking, but the tires are not up to the rest of the Cobra. 17 inch wheels are probably in my future also.

Back in Black · #7 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 10:55 AM

Mine are 17 inch Billet Specialties Rebels. The handling is truly amazing and the only downside is the slightly rougher ride. This occurs for much the same reason that they handle better.. the tire is not tall and soft as the 15 inch tires are, so it cannot absorb the shock as well. Pics in my photogallery of my tires/wheels on my west coast. The tires are Z rated Pirelli P-Zeros.

nd4spd00 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 11:40 AM

Black in Black what kind of rims are those.

Colonial Cobra · #9 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 11:41 AM

Go with the 17's.
I have had both on mine and there is no comparison.
I thought it handled good and launched great until I bolted on the new ones. Totally different car. Handles like its on rails, much quicker off the line.
I lowered the car an inch to make up for the difference in tire heights. And the ride is only a bit harsher.
You wont be dissapointed.

Brad

Cracker · #10 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 12:06 PM

If you’re a cobra enthusiast at least.

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...t=1&thecat=500

Unequaled grip, looks and feedback! The car communicates well before letting go compared to any street tires I've ever driven on. If safety is of concern these are the answer, the only drawbacks are burnout's require the clutch (now) and DOT issues. Regarding the latter I've never had an issue but can't rule it out - roll the dice, it's worth it!

rdorman · #11 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 12:25 PM

That is one of the good 15" tires I am talking about. I don't recall if they are Bias ply or radial. The non-D.O.T. rating could be a problem from a legal or insurance perspective. Be sure before you commit to them. They sure do look good!
Rick

RedBarchetta · #12 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 12:28 PM

Another great topic!

As a newbie, I'm considering this same decision. I've seen countless examples of this exact dialogue on Corvette forums, and it basically comes down to what you like best. If you want "retro" look, the 15's are your only choice. If you want superior handling and want to stay DOT legal, along with that "contemporary" look, then the 17's are your best alternative.

Some very good advice here on tire availability, too. Also don't forget that even at the same size, tires vary greatly. I just went to Goodyear Eagle F-1s (17's) on my '93 'Vette (switched out the original style Goodyear GSCs). Oh my gosh!!! What a difference! It's a whole new car in the handling department now....I will bend suspension components before these tires lose their grip!

If you have deep, deep pockets, buy a set of both and suit your mood!

-Deano

Tongue Pirate · #13 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 01:35 PM

I ended up going with 17's due to large brakes. It was tough as I really wanted 15's visually. I can't give you a difference in ride as I have no experience with either on a cobra. The one thing I have found in my research is that 16" tires, as the others have said, are nearly non existant. 15" tires offer a a little bit better selection but 17" are where it's at & there are a number of choices in price range & size!

Excaliber · #14 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 01:45 PM

I like the 16's. Tire selection is better than with 15's. The look is virtually the same as 15's. The ride quality is the same. Best of both worlds as I see it. I ran Yokohama DOT Auto X tires on the Excal. Excellent traction, FAR exceeding that of the T/A's they replaced.

Ernie

Cracker · #15 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 01:49 PM

Excaliber - In that case 17's are virtually the same as 16's.

Snak Iyz · #16 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 02:02 PM

Are the tires on the red car in your gallery the 16's? Looks good, but to my untrained eye it looks like the rear could/should be wider? Was that a limitation or choice.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback and dialogue on this thread.

BTW - wheel/tire set-up is for a BDR

(wider than most).

SI

rdorman · #17 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 02:03 PM

Do you run the A032R? If so, just so everyone knows, the widest available in a 16 is 255. Of course in a 17" you can get them as wide as a 315!

If you are not running the A032R, which are you running and in what sizes?
Thanks
Rick

Excaliber · #18 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 02:12 PM

AO32R, the 255X50X16 just BARELY cleared, in fact, did rub a little when pressed hard in the corners. 10" rim. 9.5" rim on front with a 245. Some replicas have more room than others, the Excal had "inner fender" liners. While they look great, the became the limiting factor in tire size.

I think the 17's push the "look" factor to far. Big 16's make it just right for me!

NOTE: When doing "burn outs" in the skid pad area in some pictures I ran various wheel/tire combinations to make the car slide or whatever easier.

The "on the track" pics are indeed the AO32R's. Compomotive 16" bolt on wheels with spinners. I LOVED that as I could easily buy old Ford wheels and bolt them on for various applications. Slicks, baldies, etc.

Ernie

Back in Black · #19 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 02:51 PM

They are 17 inch Billet Specialties Rebels. I warn you that they are about $450.00 each. A similar less expensive wheel is the American Racing Torq-Thrust II... or the Crager original..

http://www.billetspecialties.com/

HIQ · #20 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 02:56 PM

I guess I am lucky that I actually enjoy the looks of the 17" wheels sold by SFP. In fact, aside from an aluminum CSX or Kirkham (which almost demand the 15") my favorite looking Cobra is a silver SPF, chrome sidepipes, chrome roll cage, and polished 17" rims.