Handling Mods

[Lincolnmania]

Have anyone used Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's? Those are a cheap RWL tire option and I want a set in 255/70/15's for my truck with 15x7 wheels (I think that's the widest that'll fit). I'm not gonna take it on the track or offroad, I just want to know if they grip the road pretty well.

have a set on my 95 dakota.....they were called firehawk ss20's at the time.....same tire.....they are decent and affordable, but only t rated

[1987cp]

Any experiences with these Cooper Cobras that I'm seeing in such a huge variety of sizes? After reading recent posts I'm getting cautious about the handling virtues of most S-rated tires, but I'm wondering how these compare to typical competitors like the Radial T/A, Indy 500, Eagle GT-II, and Avid S/T.

[88Vic]

The list of tires i'm looking at (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...None&x=55&y=11)
What do yall recommend between these? The Indy 500's and Dunlop GT Qualifier's seem good, but I have no experience with any of these.

Sorry about the thread jacking Colin

[1987cp]

The list of tires i'm looking at (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...None&x=55&y=11)
What do yall recommend between these? The Indy 500's and Dunlop GT Qualifier's seem good, but I have no experience with any of these.

Sorry about the thread jacking Colin

I do know that the Radial T/A is a decent tire as such things go. I had good luck with mine both in the dry and in the snow, though they were easily pushed into predictable slides in the wet. They also (from what I can remember) seemed a little more stable and grabby than the Avid S/Ts I have on there right now, for whatever that's worth - though the Avids seem to be a good deal better in the rain.

[85crownHPP]

look at the number of sidewall plies - only one ply is mush, two or more plies is beter

[torquelover]

I do know that the Radial T/A is a decent tire as such things go. I had good luck with mine both in the dry and in the snow, though they were easily pushed into predictable slides in the wet. They also (from what I can remember) seemed a little more stable and grabby than the Avid S/Ts I have on there right now, for whatever that's worth - though the Avids seem to be a good deal better in the rain.

Next time you're out here swap my wheels/tires onto your car to see what driving tires designed in this century feel like


I had the Radial T/A's successor on one end of my MK8 and the probably Chinese-made Summit Siempre IVs on the other end were vastly superior. Too give you a perspective of this tire's age, way back in 1990 we compared the then-old Radial T/A to the Dunlop D40M2, SP Sport 8000 and the just-released Goodyear Eagle GS-C on two Mustangs, an Infiniti Q45, and a turbocharged Dodge Omni GLH. The radial T/As were out of their league way back then when compared to the also outdated luminaries of the tire world.

Problem with these fat tires in 15" and 16" sizes is you get into tires made for supposedly sporty light trucks and old muscle cars, which are usually neglected by the tire companies since most of these applications are for cruising and for the most part, looks. Old technology not suitable for good handling in the 21st century.

Again, my Korean made Kumhos kick ass for the money, and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s and Falken Azenis kick the Kumhos for two to three times the price. These are not found in the size range of the mentioned popular street tires of the 80's, and require a major jump in wheel diameter and width. I might have some sticky summer compound tires in a 35 series 18" size going on one of my cars this summer. It should be interesting.

If you're doing it for looks, go old school small diameter wheel and huge wide meats (Works really well on your CP, Michael). For performance's sake, try to follow in the path of Mr. Ltd and Blaze86. They are definitely headed in the right direction in regards to handling hands-down.

[88Vic]

I got these on it now: http://www.performanceplustire.com/p...-15#prodAnchor
(the lower P235/75-15 not the "LT") Exceptional wet handling my ass.

[88Vic]

look at the number of sidewall plies - only one ply is mush, two or more plies is beter

Where do you see the number of sidewall plies? Like where can I find out on the page I gave a link to with the four different tire choices?

[1987cp]

I actually don't recall normally seeing number of plies listed online ... though it's more than possible I just haven't been paying attention. They're definitely listed on the side of the actual tire, but that poses logistical nightmares when comparing a large number of models.

BTW, what's the idea with these funky off brands like Remington that sell for about the price of their name-brand competition?

[Lincolnmania]

i gave up on radial t/a's in the 80's......used to get 15,000 miles out of a set on my 78 cougar.....but they sure did look pretty.......needed tires once and i didnt have much, got a set of cheapo radials and the car handled better and i got 25,000 miles out of those tires

[1987cp]

Sounds similar to my experience durability-wise with the Radial T/A. Mine were cooked after about 3 years of service, and I doubt I was topping 3-5k per year.

[torquelover]

The BFG G Force line is pretty respected in the tire community. Anyone ever try a set? I tried them on an SVT Contour (KD-Ws) and they were great. I liked the car, too

How are these Chinese-made tires? All the local tire dealers have them as their value tire. I almost went with a set of Kumho KR-21s, but after I found out they were from China, I kept them off the family truckster. Next car I sell that needs tires, I'll try them out.

BACK ON TOPIC

Colin, how does your car feel now? The stock box civilian suspension is pretty floaty in my faded memory. Do you have any vids of how the Magna handles?

[Lincolnmania]

greg my crown vic has runway tires......215/70/15 hr rated.......they came on a 88 grand marquis that ended up being parts......got tons of miles on them and holding up great

[1987cp]

I thought Kumhos were made in Korea? Or are only certain models made in China?

BTW, I looked at some sidewalls today .... all the tires I have now that hold air all claim to have a two-ply sidewall. That includes the Eagle RS-A, Avid S/T, my remaining two worn-out Radial T/As that didn't literally get shipped to Australia, and my Kumho Road Ventures I use for snow tires.

And what are "runway" tires?

[torquelover]

greg my crown vic has runway tires......

You lost me there Scott, LOL. Is "Runway" a brand or some sort of slang I'm not hip to?

I thought Kumhos were made in Korea? Or are only certain models made in China?

And what are "runway" tires? All I got in my head is me tearing away from a Chinese guy trying to sell me tires yelling " You going da wong way! Wong way!!

I thought they were all Korean as well. As long as they aren't North Korean I guess it's not so bad. I am going to give China a few more years before I trust them to anything more than shoes and throw-away items.

I don't know about you guys, but, unless I am in a bad financial situation, I would gladly pay more for an American made product. Maybe I should trade my Fusion and POS in for an American made car, Like a Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry.