Tyre Replacement

[PCC]

Looking to replace my Falken's with a set of tyres that have the raised letters.

Current sizes are:

225/50x16 Front & 245/45x16 Rear

There seems to be little choice in Aus for raised lettered street tyres.

So far, the only options I've found are:

BF Goodrichs and Goodyear Eagles GT+4.

However, my problem is that if I want to replace the sizes that are currently on the car both of the above don't fit

Firstly, does anyone know of suitable replacements available in Aus - possibly may be able to play around with the profiles?

If the above is a dead duck then has anyone imported such tryes for street use?

Just spoke to goodyear and they say that tyres can be imported, but again will be dependant upon sizes. Oh and they said if I do go with goodyear they will send a free tyre gauge - now that's a nice offer (spend $1,200 and get a tyre gauge - bargain)


Seems our friends across the pond have a much better selection (A set of NASCAR Goodyears would look very nice!)

Any suggestions????

[David Hodgson]

Peter
I know we all strive to achieve views on what our Cobra should look like, but I would consider grip and wet performance firstly. Due to lack of choice in 15" I was considering upsizing to 16" and found it slim picking also. I even heard that good size Falken's are also to be discontinued. For me at this time 17's are out of the question.
Keep us posted on what you find.

[PCC]

Thanks for that Dave.

I agree both 15 & 16" wheels have rather a limited tyre choice especially when you have odd sized wheel widths.

Wet's are not a problem as I have no roof and therefore only dry weather work.

I was hoping someone had come across a tyre that fitted the bill from both a grip and asthetics view point.

May be able to order some "specials" i.e. including white raised letters although will be at a price.

Shame about the Falkens likely to be discontinued. That is what I currently run on and generally not a bad tyre although on a Cobra they don't last too long at the rear - then what does

[David Hodgson]

I know what you mean about no roof and wet weather Pete, but when youv'e got a date with the Nationals at Goulburn, only torential rain was going to stop me.
I used to have Yoki 352's and would park it if it rained, switched to Bridgestone - different car.

[PCC]

Currently speaking to the local Goodyear Agent to see if he can come up with some specials.

The problem with the "major" manufacturers is that they do limit size choice whereas Yoko etc give more variation.

May be a set of A302R's (Noisy) - we'll see.

[stefanog]

Peter, how did you go with the Australian Goodyear agent? I found these guys useless when I was trying to track down the Goodyear Eagles earlier this year. Couldn't give me a straight answer followed by a ridiculous price! I would probably contact a US agent direct as I did and am getting them shipped to Newcastle via an import agent from California for only US$20 per tyre! If this works for you and you find someone who has the right tyre for you let me know and I will give you contact details and see if it worth your while. Don't think it will be too expensive to have them couriered to Bribane from Newcastle! I'm sure they will work out cheaper in the end (incl. shipping, duty and GST!)

Stef

[PCC]

Stef,

Still waiting for the Goodyear Agent to get back to me.

What tyre's are you importing and is there an issue with using them in Aus on the road????

Would'nt mind a set of Goodyear Nascar's but not sure that they are street legal here in Aus.

[Rebel1]

Hey Pete & Stef..Have you been keeping your eye on this thread.

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...338#post515338

Lets hope in the near future we will have DOT/street approved tires together with a promised track compound.

The trial tyres look ok as far as appearance goes

[Rebel1]

Guys...Another post re same subject

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...598#post515598

Cheers

[stefanog]

Peter, I am going for the authentic look and got the bluestreaks.

I know, I know, cross plys, yuk!

I know the write up has been unfavourable on these but who cares?

Rebel1, yes I have been keeping track on this thread, see what comes out of it. Do you remember the thread I posted (since gone) on the Michelins?

Check them out, only available in 13"-15"

http://www.europeantechnique.com.au/...lassictb15.htm

Click on specs and info. read what it says!

I think these are pretty good as far as DOT, grip & V rating is concerned! They look great in real life! Only thing is the price, approx $500 - $600 per tyre

Stef

[Rebel1]

Thanks Stef, yep, they are very very interesting, but not quite the right size.

I think the point being....15", speed rated, quality road and track tyres are going to be less of a problem.

I currently have Yoko 352 in 235/60/15 and 295/50/15. They look ok but are not what one would call a quality performance tyre.

They'll get me thru rego tho.

I bought em cuz I heard they might have been going off the market......seems this is not so now.

[PCC]

Stef,

Are the blue streaks legal for road use???

I understood in Aus - no.

Cross ply's - Now that takes me back to my Mini Cooper S (not the best), but for authenticity - the best

[Rebel1]

EEEkkkkkk!!... a Mini Cooper S ... I had one of them Pete.

Great lil car...till I went down a huge hill on a wet day a little fast. Hit the brakes and it did an about turn....went down backwards till I sorted the Blu$$y thing. whew!!

Actually I tried to convince the minister of finance that she should have one of the new ones instead of the Lancer. She said it was too small and I agreed

Man..was I in trouble for agreeing!!

[PCC]

The art of driving a Cooper S was not use the brakes!!

Just push down harder on the accelerator

Mine had rather ill fitting rings, but was ideal for losing the car behind you when driving hard round corners.

A mist of smoke would appear and puffff you'd lost him

Its my only car that used more oil than petrol - Oh to be that age again!!!!!

I also fancied a new mini, but the object of the third car was to buy something new and cheap to run. Plus something for the kids to learn to drive in - a BMW Mini - No!

[stefanog]

Peter, no, they are not!

I figure as long as you have tread on them they won't hassle you as they don't really know what is or isn't legal!

I'll take the risk for the sake of authenticity!

Stef

[PCC]

Stef,

Have you received those Bluestreaks yet?

I'm still waiting on the local Goodyear guy to get back to me, but as yet no response.

16" Wheels are proving to be a pain for those authentic looking tyres.

I should sell the dragways and drop down a size

[Batman]

However you choose to go I would stay away from the Goodrich Radial T/As, even though they look the part there is no grip (Great for re-colouring the road in a darker shade of black)
Personal experience says that there is no way you'll stay on the track if you ever put the pressure on them.
Cheers
Batman

[Cameron Parsons]

Batman,

is that the Comp TA, or the Comp TA R1 (or all of the above). I have heard the R1 is a whole different experience, but would like to hear from people who have tried them.

Cameron

[David Hodgson]

Cameron

Goodrich TA Comp R1 are a very sticky, shallow tread, street legal, track tyre.
Far far superior to T/A's or Euro's - totally different league.
Stucky Tyre Service in Melb. are bringing them in in limited sizes; 225/60-15, 235/60-15 and 255/60-15.
Four or five years back Tony Esplin - 429 Robnell - was using a 265/50-15, before he went to 17". When I enquired with Stucky about this size they didn't want to help.
All reports on dry track have been good, +3 to 4 seconds up on street tyres, don't know about wet though.

[Cameron Parsons]

Thanks for the info David,

I think I will start out with a set on play rims... I don't think they would last too long on the street!

Cameron