Tires for SPF 15"

[jstinson]

I just purchased my 1st Cobra. SPF Sport Model # 633. It needs new tires. Current tires are Dunlap GT Qualifires Ft: P255/60 R15 R: P275/60 R15. The front tires rub on the fender a little in a sharp turn. So I'm thinking I should go down to P245 width.

Two tire stores are recommending either Cooper Cobra, or BF Goodrich Radial T/A.

Recommendations? Also can I go to a smaller width on the front and still use the same rims?

[eschaider]

In terms of ride, handling performance and good period correct looks, with a modern radial design, your #1 choice is the Avon CR6ZZ 245 x 60 x VR15 fronts and CR6ZZ 295 x 50 VR15 rears. If you need a bigger footprint in the back to hold your power then you ought to look at the 325 x 50 R15 or the 275 x 60 R15 Nitto Extreme Drag Radials.

Here is an excellent tire size comparator that will allow you to A / B two different tire sizes, click here => Tire Size Comparator. You will find the Second Strike Gearing Calculator (<=clickable) very helpful in matching final drive ratios, tire sizes and transmission overdrives.

BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires are an accident looking for a place to happen with your car. They should not be considered. The Cooper Cobra's ar very nice tires except for their raised white lettering. As nice as they are the Avons are nicer. A good admonition is not to skimp on tires. On these cars the quickest way to the cemetery is tires that are not up to the job.

When it comes to tires you get what you pay for. Avons are the priciest of the tire choices for the car — and they are the best for their size without going to race tires.


Ed

[ront49]

Originally Posted by eschaider

In terms of ride, handling performance and good period correct looks, with a modern radial design, your #1 choice is the Avon CR6ZZ 245 x 60 x VR15 fronts and CR6ZZ 295 x 50 VR15 rears. If you need a bigger footprint in the back to hold your power then you ought to look at the 325 x 50 R15 or the 275 x 60 R15 Nitto Extreme Drag Radials.

Here is an excellent tire size comparator that will allow you to A / B two different tire sizes, click here => Tire Size Comparator. You will find the Second Strike Gearing Calculator (<=clickable) very helpful in matching final drive ratios, tire sizes and transmission overdrives.

BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires are an accident looking for a place to happen with your car. They should not be considered. The Cooper Cobra's ar very nice tires except for their raised white lettering. As nice as they are the Avons are nicer. A good admonition is not to skimp on tires. On these cars the quickest way to the cemetery is tires that are not up to the job.

When it comes to tires you get what you pay for. Avons are the priciest of the tire choices for the car — and they are the best for their size without going to race tires.


Ed

My '04 BDR came with BF Goodrich rubber...seemed to be a good tire but after 16 years it was way overdue for fresh tires. Went with the Cooper Cobra's and had the raised whites turned to the inside. Tires seem to perform very nicely, not a whole lot of noticeable difference but seem to stick a bit better.

[8Ball]

Do not put BF Goodrich on your Cobra. Many here know why!!!

[Blas]

Congrats on your purchase. This is the beginning of a great adventure.
While I have heard all the comments regarding tires expressed here so far, a lot depends on how you plan to drive the car. Is it strictly a road car pleasure vehicle or a part time track car? That would make a great difference in the tires you choose. Drag radials have the potential to cause axle problems if used as they were intended. Sticky tires while great fun when used on a track will pickup stones and fling them against the underside of the fiberglass and cause damage to the paint that looks like stars....
Due to the age of your car there are a few things that should be looked at too. Just as a matter of safety and continued happy motoring.
There are also some simple upgrades that should be considered, things added to later year chassis. And there is one very important thing that should be checked on the rear suspension. The top shock tower mounting bracket.
Easiest thing would be to contact me directly, my contact info is below. 5 mins on the phone vs 30 mins of typing....
Blas

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by 8Ball

Do not put BF Goodrich on your Cobra. Many here know why!!!

I had them when I first got mine finished. I called the my slicks, and not for the tread pattern!

[Voyager]

I must be bored... first post in about 5 years...

I'm embarrassed to say I still have the OEM BFGs on my car. Going on over 10 years and 5K miles... Yeah the car lives under a cover in my garage... The shame...

I'm going to go against the current and say I kinda enjoy the BFGs...

They chirp leaving the line off idle, spin at will and squeal like pigs when I accelerate.

But...

I can enjoy all the many sensations of being "at speed", all the while taking my wife to dinner...

[fastd]

Mickey Thompson SRS are a good option imo

[jacobsed]

Originally Posted by fastd

Mickey Thompson SRS are a good option imo

That tread pattern is pretty awful though

[jstinson]

Originally Posted by fastd

Mickey Thompson SRS are a good option imo

So you like the MT SRs. What size are you running? I am replacing front 255/60/R15 and Rear 275/60 R15. Are you using the same front and rear? The MT 27X6.00R15LT ?

[fastd]

Originally Posted by jstinson

So you like the MT SRs. What size are you running? I am replacing front 255/60/R15 and Rear 275/60 R15. Are you using the same front and rear? The MT 27X6.00R15LT ?

26x10.00x15 front
26x12.00x15 rear

[fastd]

Originally Posted by fastd

26x10.00x15 front
26x12.00x15 rear

If you want, PM with your cell phone number and I can send some pictures.

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by fastd

If you want, PM with your cell phone number and I can send some pictures.

Post the pics up so everyone can benefit from your discovery / choices.


Ed

[KDubU]

Avons are top notch but come at a cost. MT’s are decent for the street.

[fastd]

Originally Posted by KDubU

Avons are top notch but come at a cost. MT’s are decent for the street.

Avon ain’t so great for the street imo.

[jacobsed]

Originally Posted by fastd

Avon ain’t so great for the street imo.

Based on what? They are awesome for the street!

[1985 CCX]

Originally Posted by KDubU

Avons are top notch but come at a cost. MT’s are decent for the street.

Avon's #1
Billboards #2
Goodyear Polyglass

Get soft rubber
Harder tires std rubber made for heavier weaker cars, Short wheelbase lots of power best suited for soft sticky sneakers

[1795]

Whatever you do, do not put race tires on the road. They are not meant for that and sooner or later you will find out why. They do grip well and will wear rather fast and need to be replaced more often. The major concern is that they have minimal tread depth, do not shed water well and will loose traction on a wet surface in a hurry. Racers change to wet tires for the specific reason that the dry tires do not handle well in the wet, and I am not talking just pouring rain, a wet track after a rain is dangerous with dry tires until it dries out. You will see race cars staying in second gear for laps on a wet track. I did a 360 on a straight with my Hoosiers in second gear with a gentle application of the throttle on a wet track.

I know that most cobra drivers swear that they will never take their car out in the rain, so it is not an issue. But, unless it is a garage queen, and therefore it does not really matter, sooner or later you will encounter a wet road surface and that can be dangerous for you and other drivers on the road. I'm done.

[LETSRCE]

Avon's are the way to go.

[Tom Wells]

Bob,

From the movie there's a line that jumps to mind when i hear (read) someone saying they spin ten year (or more) old tires:

"You've got to ask yourself a question: 'do I feel lucky?' "

Yet another meaning for today's commonplace "stay safe..."

Tom