15 inch tires (again)

[Lew Ledyard]

Is there any real world difference between the BFG Radial TAs, Dunlop GT Qualifiers and the Goodyear 15" tire? I don't see much talk about the 15" Firestone, but it received the best rating by Tirerack. Does anyone have any experience with them or with the Yoko AVIDs? I know that performance is severely limited in the 15" size. However, if you want authenticity, then 15" is the right size. I would be interested if someone has actually been able to compare any of these with each other on the same car.

Thanks

[Chaplin]

Lew-
If you search some of the old 15" tire threads you will see some discussion of it- some of which was probably by me. I have no experience with the goodyears or firestones, but have used both BFGs and Dunlops.

I chose to put the Dunlops on the cobra because in the past I was never really happy with the BFGs. IMO the BFGs always felt too hard and never felt like they were getting good traction. Although I don't have many miles on them yet, I am very pleased with the Dunlops so far.

That's my .02

[TerrysSPF]

Got a buddy with an SPF who's car came with the Dunlops. Switched to the Goodyear Eagle GTII's and said it seemed to handle a little better. Now he switched to Yokohamas and he said it made a BIG difference. Much better traction on turning and during hard acceleration. Problem is, he likes the black sidewall............I like the white lettered tires. Seeing "Yokohama" on the side of a Cobra just wouldn't look right to me. In fact, I don't even think they come in a raised white letter sidewall.
I called a tire shop the other day and they said they can still get BFG Euro TA's in a 305 (but not the Radial TA's). I hear the Euro's are supposed to be good as well (better speed rating also). But, once again, the only come in a black sidewall.

[foothills gary]

Do what Bob Alloway does on his street rods-sand the sidewall. You could even stencil on "Goodyear" in large white letters and Voila!,bye bye Yokahama,hello genuine replica Goodyear racing tires for your replica Cobra. Caution:this action unacceptable if your car bears a CSX number-do not remove under penalty of law!

[grumpy]

I use the FIREHAWKS on all my cars, great all around tire for daily driving, better than the BFG's, GOODYEAR II, and Dunlops. While they do not hold on hard cornering or hard accelerating as well as Yoko's they have twice the treadlife, balance easier, and a better warranty.
grumpy

[750hp]

Oops, sorry. Replied to the wrong thread...

[rdorman]

I have read and researched this to death. From what I am finding go with the Yokos.

The big letter goodyears, not DOT legal. The hoosier, kiss your paint job goodbye and and plan on a new set every year.

Rick

[foothills gary]

I concur on the Yokos-they are definitely gumballs,but treadlife relatively short.But then again,who cares?What's $400. a year for tires?

[deadwood1584]

Yokohama AVID S/T work great for me. Ride and handle well. Great in the rain!

[Zderf]

I called a tire shop the other day and they said they can still get BFG Euro TA's in a 305 (but not the Radial TA's).

BFG stopped production on the 305 Euro's a couple years ago, and I've been around the earth twice only to "Not Find" a single 305 15" tire built or "in stock" by anyone. Even Coker is not planning a 305 at this time..

http://www.coker.com/

Anyway, TerrySPF I would like to get the number of that tire shop to see what they have (the tires may be way old by now).

Can you advise please?

THX

Zderf

[Lew Ledyard]

I wish that Coker would produce 15" tires with some moden compounds. I cannot believe that there is any less of a market for them than some of the other odd-ball tires that they produce.

[decooney]

Has anyone tried the 15" Hoosier radials yet?

- I'm not referring to the Street/TDs, the street radials...

I'd be curious to know if they perform better or worse than Radial T/As. We ran the Yok Avid S/Ts on a friends car, and they were better than BFG/Radials in traction and ride quality, balance, etc, Sidewalls look a bit funny on them unless they've changed recently.

I'm keeping the Big Letter GoodYears for now until a better 15' radial is offered...may try the Hoosier Radials in the future for the street, unless someone has some negative feedback on them yet? I would hope they perform better than the Yok Avid S/Ts, but maybe not?

[decooney]

Lew,
I agree, and have thought about that more than a few times too in regards to Coker and those "OddBalls". Rather strange, you would think there would be a demand...

I called most of the major tire manufacturers and a few of the marketing teams. Still no interest in bringing back a good 15. They say there is just not enough money in it to tool up for it. I was hoping we could get a run of them done, by someone. I was not able to reach Hoosier on it, but may try again. It wouldn't be that hard for them to do a big run of the street radials in a mildly softer compound, who knows... Just talking out of my A** now...

[era427tp]

I have found great handling with Mc Creary roadstars.I have run them on open track plus 3 summers of street use.I tried 305's on the rear of my ERA,they were too tall and rubbed the seams inside the wheelwellThe 295's fit fine

[Bob In Ct]

Every 15 inch tire I've found has siping. Those damn slots pick up every rock they roll across. The high traction tires do the same thing. I wish someone would make a 15 inch tire with a simple block tread, a street compound (not too soft) and belts made out of Kevlar not steel (for ride quality). When cows fly!

Bob

[REDSC400]

Originally posted by era427tp


I have found great handling with Mc Creary roadstars.I have run them on open track plus 3 summers of street use.I tried 305's on the rear of my ERA,they were too tall and rubbed the seams inside the wheelwellThe 295's fit fine

Do you have any Pics of those McCreary tires? Also, where can you get those? I am running BF Goodrich Eurata's in 15" with 265/50 on the front and 305/50 on the rear. Sadly, these are no longer made nor can I find any. These are nice high speed tires. They fit the ERA well in my case.

When it is time for me to replace them it looks as if I will have to go to 295/15 in the rear and 265 or 255 in the front. My task of looking around for tires that will fit, reveal that there are four major brands (BF Goodrich T/A, Dunlop GT, Firestone Firehawk INDY 500 and Yokohama Avid S/T). The Yoko and Dunlops are rated T speed (118 MHP) while the Goodrich and Firestone are rated S or (112 MPH).

All four companies make the nice wide 295/50-15 and these range in price from $79 to 98 without delivery costs or taxes per tire.

The 265/50-15 is only offered by Goodrich and Dunlop, prices being $70 to $97 per tire.

The 255/50-15 is not made by any of the four makers, however they all make a 255/60-15 ranging from $61 to $71 per tire.

The 265/50 is 25.4" in diameter while a 255/60 is 27" in diameter.
I am a bit concerned with that tall a front tire, it would be taller than the rear by .4"

In talking to the local BF Goodrich NE area Sales guy, he informed me that there were no plans at all for coming out with a 305/50-15 tire. Bumma.

I am concerned with sidewall appearance. I prefer a nice clean sidewall, not one that is busy with raised designs. The Zaino tire dressing does not like those crevaces, etc.

[427 S/O]

BF Goodrich has a new DOT approved 15" street drag radial up to 325, don't have them but anxious to hear from someone who does.

[decooney]

Originally posted by era427tp


I have found great handling with Mc Creary roadstars.I have run them on open track plus 3 summers of street use.I tried 305's on the rear of my ERA,they were too tall and rubbed the seams inside the wheelwellThe 295's fit fine

I too considered the McCrearys. What did you do for the fronts? Are they the same sidewall/tread pattern, tall and wide enough for the front? (i.e. 26x8.5x15)? Are the sidewalls pretty soft? Which MC tire/part number do you run? Thanks. DC

[John 550]

While most are looking for dry preformance tires , I am looking for a better tire for wet conditions
( 235 /60 -15 , 295 / 50 -15 dunlops)

Any sugestions ? Thanks

[TerrysSPF]

Zderf: Sorry it took so long to reply but I followed up on my call to the tire shop after seeing your post. The shop I called is named Just Tires. They are close to me in Naperville Illinois. I called and spoke to the manager today and asked him to check on the 305 Euro TA's for me. He said they show up on their computor as being available, but they don't have any in stock. He was supposed to check on ALL tires avail. in the 305-50-15 size and get back to me. .....He never called back. I'll check again tomorrow and see what's up.