Kirkham owners: What size Avons?

[Jamo]

My Billboards have died (or are about to), and I'm thinking of trying the Avons...what sizes fit? 245s/295s?

[RodKnock]

Jamo, I still have my Yoko's (245's and 275's), but I found this thread interesting when Tom Kirkham mentioned going slightly smaller:

"On the street a narrower tire will feel better. This is especially true in the front. A wider tire for a given rim width takes longer to take a set than a narrow tire. I do not like 295 tires. Lets face it on the street maximum G's is something rarely if ever attained. If you are looking for maximum G's on the street you will not have your license or freedom very long. On the street you are looking for balance and feel. The feel of the car is something you can enjoy every moment you are driving the car. On my Sebring car I put 225 (6.5 in rim) and 245 (8.5 in rim). These are also the tires I put on the 427 car we ran at Bonneville. Driving this 427 car on the street felt awesome. Something to think about is most of our cars have close to a 50/50 weight distribution. This has a direct correlation to the tire size...

Here is an interesting article on the subject.

http://www.modified.com/projectcars/...t_2/index.html
__________________
Thomas L. Kirkham, Jr.,
Vice President
Kirkham Motorsports
www.KirkhamMotorsports.com"

http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100520

So, 245's and 295's would be the conventional wisdom, but a narrower tire on both front and rear might make sense too.

[Jamo]

Again...for those Kirkham owners who are running Avons...what size fits? I'm assuming 245s and 295s

Rod...I've been running Billboards for about six years...I track my car quite a bit, and I do want ultimate grip on the freeking road. I've autocrossed and tracked for most of my adult life, so I know what the hell I want from a tire. My frame is painted, my suspension is made of rustable steel, my lifters are solid and four speeds are quite enough. Any variation from that is basically a variation of a Prius.

I choose to drive a Cobra.

I want to know what fits my ass...not whether they'll make my ass look big.

[FrankJohnson69]

Roflmao!!!!!!!

[garry viohl]

http://rogerkrausracing.com/
245/60vr15
295/50vr15
On a superformance
I have avons now, but thinking of gy billboards. Do you like your goodyears? why change?

[Jamo]

I've got the krause sheet...that's where I've always bought my race treads, but thanks.

I love the Billboards...just looking for a change (like from the right hand to the left hand).

Why are you thinking of changing?

[Stentor]

I have the larger size Avons--245s and 295s--for my CSX 4000. And I have been very pleased with them. They fit nicely, look good, and the tires perform very well.

Incidentally, I also have a set of GY Billboards (for point of reference and comparison).

I do like having a set of both--and will be purchasing a new set of Avons when I wear out my current set (at least the rear tyres).

[Mark Thompson]

Mine has 245/275.

Mark

[RodKnock]

Only trying to help. Please accept my humblest apologies. Sir.

[Jamo]

Thank you both. 275s and 295s have the same OD (same as the Billboards), so it's a matter of a half an inch or so on the section width.

The 245s are a bit taller than the Billboard front tire, but it sounds like that doesn't create a problem.

Much appreciated.

[sshurts]

Ron,

245s and 295s work great in Kmp253...

Enjoy

Scott

[Jamo]

Rod...you did see my tongue-in-cheek smiley? I did appreciate your input.

Scott...but you're crazy. Can I trust you?

[sshurts]

Ron,

Sure you can trust me, just use the trick that I did and put the 295s on the front... It will make all the difference

Actually, I don't use the Avons on track. Normally I use slicks, which I have on a second set of rims.
I've used the Avons on track once when we had a little mist and they were good but slicks are the better choice on dry pavement.

Scott

[Jamo]

Thanks buddy.

[Lew Ledyard]

245/60 and 295/50. Excellent tires for KMPs. My car was in my garage untouched since November. I took it out this weekend, no flat spots whatsoever. I can't remember where the tire pressures were in November, but they were 28/28/28/26 after sitting all winter.

I ran the Yokos before these. The Avons provide much better handling and feel. Different league althogether. After the Avons, the Yokos seem unsafe. Wear isn't too bad. I have 6,000 hard street miles, but no track time, on them. They still have pretty good tread left, but probably time for a new set.

[Ronbo]

Hey Jamo, If you could post a comparison of the Avons / BB's after you've run them a while? I'd like to hear what you like / dislike between the two.

Your expected cooperation is appreciated. (I always wanted to use that line.)

[RodKnock]

BTW, the Avon tires have been going up about 5% per year. More than inflation. A set is now $1,550 plus any taxes and/or shipping.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by Ronbo

Hey Jamo, If you could post a comparison of the Avons / BB's after you've run them a while? I'd like to hear what you like / dislike between the two.

Your expected cooperation is appreciated. (I always wanted to use that line.)

It is a good line, ain't it?

Assolutely...will do.

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

BTW, the Avon tires have been going up about 5% per year. More than inflation. A set is now $1,550 plus any taxes and/or shipping.

I noticed that. I download Krause's sheet every year and went back and looked. Better than bank CDs.

[Jamo]

OK, they are, without a doubt, the bestest damn tire for a Cobra. No groove hunting on the freeway, a firm yet supple ride, grip like velcro.

I went with 245s/295s and they fit perfectly.

Assolutely mucho muy goodo.*


*My highest rating.