Which 15-inch radials should I install on my Superformance MkIII?

[SunDude]

The time has come to think about replacing the tires on my Superformance Cobra, either this fall or this spring at the latest.

I'm currently running Goodyear Eagle GT IIs which look the part, but are only S rated for speed and have been no great hell in terms of grip (and they've been discontinued so I can't buy them again even if I wanted to). I'm looking for a modern radial tire that fits my stock 15-inch Halibrands, and that provides the best grip possible for street use/driving.

Tire selection in the stock tire sizes -- 255/60R15 (front) and 275/60R15 or 295/50R15 (rear) -- seems to be rather limited. I've identified about seven different choices, below (am I missing any good ones?).

Of the radial tires currently available in these sizes, which would you recommend I choose for my Cobra? Which tires are you using, and what do you like/dislike about them?

Thanks for the input, Brian

NOTE: No matter how cool Goodyear Billboards look -- and they do look cool -- I don't want a bias-ply, non-street legal tire like this. Too expensive, too likely to lead to stone chips, and too prone to flat spotting. Also, I don't want to upsize my wheels from 15 inch to 17 inch or whatever, as I like the classic, "meaty" look for a Cobra.

*******************

TIRE OPTIONS

S rated tires (max 112 mph or 180 km/h)

BFGoodrich Radial T/A


Firestone Firehawk Indy 500


T rated tires (max 118 mph or 190 km/h)

Cooper Cobra Radial G/T


Mastercraft Avenger G/T (a Cooper Tire brand)


Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T


H rated tires (max 130 mph or 210 km/h)

Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R (in non-metric sizing: 26x10.00R15LT + 28x12.00R15LT)


Kumho Ecsta STX KL12

[Mark IV]

Brian,

A poll will not save your butt in a corner.

If cost is no issue, the Avon CZ66R are #1. Second choice is the Mickey S/Rs.

The BFGs are NFG as far as I am concerned and I am now talking customers out of the Goodyear GT IIs, only a fair tire and Goodyear keeps discontinuing sizes so what you can get today may not be avilable tomorrow if you need a replacement.

The M/Ts are becoming more popular as they give the Avon casing and quailty (Cooper tire owns Avon, and M/T) at the Goodyear price.

[rpatton3]

I thought COOPER supplied M/T and Avon.

The Backraft cars are now using Nitto but the size may be wrong. They're all 17" now.

Get some good ones; these are what keep you right side up and between the ditches.

Happy shopping.

Russell

[James Stern]

"I can spin my tires in any gear thanks to my rock hard BFGs."

[fordracing65]

For radials its avons or nothing, in my opinion.

[Got the Bug]

It doesn't look like Kumho offers anything in the appropriate 15" size for a Cobra.

[SunDude]

Thanks for the feedback so far, guys. Please keep it coming.

Doug, I just double-checked on Kumho Canada's website and they still offer the Ecsta STX in 275/60R15 (107H), but they don't have it listed in 255/60R15 for the fronts. Strange, as my mechanic says he can get 'em and I have seen them listed on other tire sites. Maybe it's old stock.

Rick, I think the Avon CR6ZZs might be a bit hardcore, and expensive, for my needs. I had been leaning towards the Mickey S/Rs, but my mechanic has had some bad experiences with those before (i.e., poor quality tires and hassles exchanging them with the distributor) so he's been trying to find me some options. I also read some guys (on SCOF) complaining of chronic flat spotting and out-of-round problems with the Mickey S/Rs. Any idea how isolated or commonplace these issues are with these tires?

Other than the BFGs and Firestones, all these other tire choices are gonna be special orders up here in Canada. It adds to the hassle factor and is why I'm trying to gather some input beforehand from fellow Cobra owners.

Brian

[wolf k]

Brian,

I just put on a set of Mastercraft Avengers. Very happy with roundness and balance. From the research I did, the Mastercraft Avengers, Cooper Cobras, and MT Sportsman S/T are all the same tire, made by Cooper, just different tread and sidewall pattern.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by wolf k

Brian,

I just put on a set of Mastercraft Avengers. Very happy with roundness and balance. From the research I did, the Mastercraft Avengers, Cooper Cobras, and MT Sportsman S/T are all the same tire, made by Cooper, just different tread and sidewall pattern.

Correct, they are the same casing just tread pattern/sidewall differences. Not bad tires but not really 'high performance".

I have not heard about quality issues with the MT S/R tires.

Drive down here and we will get you mounted/balanced and you can smile at Canadian Customs

[SuperHart]

I have used the Cooper Cobra radials on my roadster since it was built and love them. I also tried a set of Goodyear Billboards and hated them for several reasons which I will not go into here abd went back to the Coopers. First, the Cooper tires were available in the proper widths of 15" for my car. Second, the cost was quite reasonable compared to other brands, and third I kinda liked that they said COBRA on the sidewall and had a cobra snake as part of their logo. These tires wear well, provide good traction, and handle and drive great. For a street only car they are ideal in my opinion. I can't see why I should pay a lot more for another brand.

[roadrod2000]

I have the M/T SR's on my car and have not experienced flat spotting or out or roundness. This is the only tire I have had on the car so far so I can't say how it compares to other brands but for now I'm happy with them.

[FIA-ERA]

I was able to snag the Yokohama Avids before the discontinued them But they are absolutely perfect! If I had to buy now, I would heed everyone's advice here. If the Avon's are what most are calling for, I would lean that direction. The forum here gave the right advice from their experiences and it was dead on. As for the BFG's they should be called NFG's! They are as hard as a Preacher's D..K and they leave flat spots after sitting a while. I don't know about Firestones but that was about the only other option I had at the time. The Avon's are probably the best tire for "Our" cars at this time and definitely when others are dropping the sizes we need! Good luck, Matt

[trg-42]

Hey...fellow Canadian Superformance here

I went with none that you listed. The BF Radial T/As I had on were downright dangerous . Without even trying to spin my tires, the rears were worn out to wear bar after 3K ...the fronts looked new. Gives you an idea how easy they are to break loose

I now have Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial ( 295/55R and 255/60Rs )

These tires are were picking up small stones in the parking lot when I was rolling them store to my truck ! Relatively soft compound

They have no problem handling torque from Dart 427W ( once I'm in 2nd gear )

My only concern is that now car hooks up that much better I will probably start breaking drive line parts

The the tread pattern...or lack thereof

They were less than $200 each purchased locally in Vancouver

[Randy Rosenberg]

Tires are the only part of your car that touches the road - shouldn't you consider Avon's? This is kinda like buying speakers for your audio system - the system will only sound as good as your speakers, regardless of the quality of the rest of your system. Tires are the same. Why skimp on the only part of your car that touches the road?

[cdnus]

SunDude
If you are logging a lot of miles like myself (5-6k mi/year) the Avon's are not what you want. From what I have read here they only last 4-5K's.
I had the Yoko's for years & they were great at the time.
Put a set of M/T's ST on & was amazed at the overall increase in performance & how much nicer the car drives with them. The front end tracks much more comfortable than the Yoko's, it's hard to believe a tire change could have such a dramatic effect.
The overall ride is improved & the hook up is amazing.
I'm using--295/50/15 & 245/60/15. About $145 & $112 respectively plus tax of course.

Craig

[SunDude]

Craig et al., thanks for the feedback.

I looked into the Avons after starting this thread and, while they look like excellent tires (especially for track use), with a treadwear rating of 80 (!!) and a unit cost of $400-500+ they're a non-starter for me.

I've had my car for two years now and am averaging a good 5,000 miles per annum, so with Avons I'd be spending two grand a year in rubber. I saved 10 years to buy my SPF and am just a regular Joe salary wise (not a rich doctor or lawyer or executive), so this is too much for me.

As it stands now, I'm mainly considering the Mickey T S/Rs and the Cooper Cobras. I hear the M/Ts are good for about 2 seasons, maybe a bit more, in treadwear and are half the cost of the Avons.

I'm also trying to locate the Kumho STXs so I can check 'em out in person, to see if they might suit a Cobra (as they're specced as hi-po SUV/truck tires). But I'm skeptical they'll turn out to be the right choice.

In any case I really do appreciate the input from everyone on this thread.

Brian

[cdnus]

SunDude
When I phoned M/T & discussed tire choice with them, (2 tech's ) on seperate occasions, they both stated the S/R was a harder tire than the S/T & recommended the S/T for a Cobra application. The S/R literature spec's states "High Milage"
Also the S/T is a little taller tire & in my opinion looks better on a Cobra.

Craig

[Cbra 65]

I raced formula cars for thirty years and felt my Superformance 427W was dangerous on street radials. Goodyear Bill Boards made a real sports car out of it. They don't damage the body any more than the radials. I'm lucky enough to be able to keep it on a lift. The first time I left it on the ground for two days I thought I had square wheels for the first mile or so. They aren't street legal but, you can go 200mph on a track with them without a problem.
Ed

[decooney]

On my Cobras for street radial 15" I've tried BFG comps, Goodyear Billboards, Yokohama Avids, now running MC GTs which are a good value with decent street handling and grip. IMO the Mastercraft tires have an acceptable shape and profile, with an old school type tread pattern, manufactured at one of the Cooper Tire plants who also produces the Mickey Thompson Sportsman STs and the Cooper Cobra Radials. Some may not be aware of this but Cooper Tire also owns the UK Avon Tyres - yes, Avon.

They must be doing something right, ...a familiar tire bridge at Laguna Seca

[Beastly]

I went from Cooper Cobra 15's to BFG Drag Radials on mine with a modest 351. To be honest the BFG Drag Radials scared the hell out of me until they are nice and Warm. BFG Drag Radials threw everything they touched and had such softsidewalls I felt a squish on modest curves-Promptly put the Coopers back on. Will use the BFG drag radials for straight lines only-Guess thats why the cal them drag radials