Tire Suggestions for a '65

[sentipede]

Ok,
Well I got my wheels for my 65 fastback yesterday and I was going to order tires. The wheels are 17x8 with a 4.75os. I was originally thinking for get 235/45/17 in the front and 255/45/17 in the back, but have been talked down to get 225 fronts and 245 backs in case i need to drop the car any.

Anyhow, I have been pricing out Kuhmos and BFG G-force sports. Does anyone have any experience with these or any other recommendations? Looking for tires for a cruiser that wont kill me in the rain...also looking for minimal road noise.

Thanks in advace!
:SNSign:

 

[red65]

Goodyear F1-DS-G3 are very nice street tires with good wet traction and excellent manners on dry pavement. I don't hear any tire noise, although there's not much that's audible above my exhaust. These tires generally get pretty good reviews, although they're a little pricey. One caveat - once they get hot on the track, they get a little greasy, and when they get really hot, the treads start rolling over...

 

[krash kendall]

I have Kumhos on my truck and they wear like they are made of steel. I have had poor experience with BFG in the past with regards to wear and structure seperation. As far as handeling is concerned, I can't give you any relevant advice as it would only be truck related.

 

[iskwezm]

i say Kumho over BFG. My 06 GT came on BFG's and it wanders all over the freeway, my Fastback doesnt with Kumho's. I have 215/45/17 and 275/40/17, but for the rear a 265 might be better if you lower it.

 

[1320stang]

I, like KK, have experience with both on a truck and the Kumhos were better, but in a more performance application, the word I get is the Kumhos are a better bet.

 

[sentipede]

i say Kumho over BFG. My 06 GT came on BFG's and it wanders all over the freeway, my Fastback doesnt with Kumho's. I have 215/45/17 and 275/40/17, but for the rear a 265 might be better if you lower it.

Which model Kumhos are you running? Wow, 275/40/17 in the rear, what offset do your wheels have, rolled fenders? What do you think of my recommended application of 225/45/17 rears with 245/45/17 fronts...

I don't know much about tires, but why are youre fronts 45 and your rear 40?

Thanks again!

old wheels

 

[dodgestang]

40s in the rear and 45s in the front is common since the 40/45 is a % of tread width measurement.

I ran 235 45 17 on the front and 255 40 17 on the rear for years. Tires were the same size sidewall.

 

[sentipede]

40s in the rear and 45s in the front is common since the 40/45 is a % of tread width measurement.

I ran 235 45 17 on the front and 255 40 17 on the rear for years. Tires were the same size sidewall.

hmmm.
So, If I run 225/45 front and 245/45 rears, the rear tires will have a larger sidewall and therefore a larger wheel/tire diameter?

I guess im currently running 215/60/14 fronts and 235/60/14 rears...will my new setup have the same wheel/tire diameters?

Thanks for all the help.

 

[dodgestang]

235 60 14 is about a half inch smaller than stock size outer diamter. The 245 45 17 will be closer to stock size outer diamter and slightly larger than what you have now...slighly

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalcold.html

 

[Jimmys66]

I just replaced the same rims on my mustang last week. I went for the Kumho mx tire with a 225 45 17 on the front and a 255 45 17 on the rear. Perfect for me as it still has the muscle car look with the front being a little smaller in diameter.

From the reviews that I read the tire can't be matched for the price. Check out the tire rack for reviews. I was $608 out the door from Belle tire.

 

[iskwezm]

I don't know much about tires, but why are youre fronts 45 and your rear 40?
[/IMG]

i use a 45 in the front to get a little more sidewall, a 40 series can be bad for potholes or those damn steel plates in the ground

 

[mdjay]

Another vote for the Kumho MX's for performance street driving. I have 225x45x17 and 275x40x17's.

 

[57fairlane]

just don't get the ecstas or however they are spelled . . .

Its like a slip and slide on dry pavement if you have any kind of power.

 

[Pbum5]

just don't get the ecstas or however they are spelled . . .

Its like a slip and slide on dry pavement if you have any kind of power.

Can you specify which one you are talking about?

There are a lot of different Kuhmo ECSTA's

ECSTA MX
ECSTA SPT
ECSTA Supra 712
ECSTA 711
etc..

 

[iskwezm]

Can you specify which one you are talking about?

There are a lot of different Kuhmo ECSTA's

ECSTA MX
ECSTA SPT
ECSTA Supra 712
ECSTA 711
etc..

I have the Supra 712's and it will NOT hold 450+ hp, but then again what will

 

[sentipede]

What about the Kuhmo ECSTA ASX's?

 

[coolblue65]

I have G-force KDWS's on my Vette (285/40 17s), and G-force KDW's (245/45 16s) on my mustang, and I am very happy with them. I used to have the BFG Comp TA's on the mustang and am much happier with the g-force series, its also a very highly rated tire.