Tire suggestions for my cobra

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by Antny

I just put new tires on mine. I went with the Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T Radials. Much stickier than the BFG's they replaced, and the tread pattern appears much more suited to wet road conditions than the BFG's. Tire sizes on mine were 245/60/15 front, 295/50/15 rears....I changed to 275/60/15 on the rears. Slightly taller tire, but the width is a much closer match to the fronts. The car handles much better now. Also changed them to look like Billboards....total cost: tires delivered to my door: $540. Mounting and balancing at the local garage: $80. Stencil kit: $60. Paint: $10. Results: priceless... :-)

The Mickey Thompsons S/Ts and Cooper Cobra tires are the same tire with the same treadwear of 440 and T speed rating, but the MT S/Rs look different and maybe stickier? The S/Rs are H rated (130 mph), but I can't seem to find a treadwear rating on them. The Avons are definitely a step up--a race compound tire with a wear rating of 80. Not that it matters much, but Avon is owned by Cooper, which also owns the Mickey Thompson brand.

I also need to figure out which tires I'll run on my new ERA, but I've got some time to do it. It's good to read a direct comparison of MTs to the BFGs, as they're in the realm of the reasonable. The Avons are ~$450 each and by the time they're mounted and balanced (needs to be done in a race shop) it's north of $2k for a set that will likely last less than 10k miles on the street. Sure would be nice to be able to get Michelin Pilot Super Sports in 15s!

How do the MTs behave at the limit? Do they break free gradually or grip well then release?

[66gtk]

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

The Mickey Thompsons S/Ts and Cooper Cobra tires are the same tire with the same treadwear of 440 and T speed rating, but the MT S/Rs look different and maybe stickier? The S/Rs are H rated (130 mph), but I can't seem to find a treadwear rating on them. The Avons are definitely a step up--a race compound tire with a wear rating of 80. Not that it matters much, but Avon is owned by Cooper, which also owns the Mickey Thompson brand.

I also need to figure out which tires I'll run on my new ERA, but I've got some time to do it. It's good to read a direct comparison of MTs to the BFGs, as they're in the realm of the reasonable. The Avons are ~$450 each and by the time they're mounted and balanced (needs to be done in a race shop) it's north of $2k for a set that will likely last less than 10k miles on the street. Sure would be nice to be able to get Michelin Pilot Super Sports in 15s!

How do the MTs behave at the limit? Do they break free gradually or grip well then release?

You have only 2 good choices when it comes to tires you want to use aggressively on the track. Avons or 17" ultra performance summer tires. Huge selection of very affordable ultra performance tires in 17" sizes that will fit our cars. I have had the Cooper Cobras on a couple cars and they are just fine for street use. I opted for the Mickey Thompson STs for my current project just because I prefer the sidewall over the Cooper and wanted to give them a try. I don't suspect any difference from the Coopers. The SR's have a very different tread pattern that I just can't accept for a Cobra and I've read here that some prefer the STs for the street over the SRs.

One option is to have 2 sets of wheels/tires. A set of 15" inchers with affordable street rubber (like Cooper) and another set of 17" inch wheels/tries for track days and such. Best of both worlds. It doesn't take long to swap them out, especially with PIN drive wheels.

[Mattstl]

Wow thanks for all the good fast advise. Also no negativity I think I'll like this community better than hondas. I looked at Mt sr and cobra and they don't seem sticky enough for me. I will be driving it on the street with the occasional autocross.

[Mattstl]

Originally Posted by 66gtk

You have only 2 good choices when it comes to tires you want to use aggressively on the track. Avons or 17" ultra performance summer tires. Huge selection of very affordable ultra performance tires in 17" sizes that will fit our cars.

One option is to have 2 sets of wheels/tires. A set of 15" inchers with affordable street rubber (like Cooper) and another set of 17" inch wheels/tries for track days and such. Best of both worlds. It doesn't take long to swap them out, especially with PIN drive wheels.

I think I'm going to do this thanks

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by Mattstl

I think I'm going to do this thanks

If you're going to seriously autocross (not like what I'm toying with--just going out to test the car's traction limits and learn how it handles), then having a second set of 17s seems like a great way to go. Even sticky 15s are not going to handle like ultra-performance low profile 17s.

A little plug: Troy's got a nice looking set for sale