Tires and Wheels

DanEC · #1 (**permalink**) 01-16-2012, 03:03 PM

Here is another twist on tires that may interest anyone doing a 427 Street Roadster or FIA. It won't be everyone's cup of tea as they say.

I need room in the rear wheel wells to run 2-1/2" tailpipes and since the ERA Street Roadster is molded with the wider rear fenders I didn't want to go with 7-1/2 inch wheels in the rear - which might have actually reduced room for the tailpipes. I was also limited to an approximately 27 inch tire due to frame clearance. So I went with Vintage SC wheels (7-1/2 and 9-1/2 inch x 15 in) and installed 215/70-15 tires on front and 255/60-15 on the rear. The fronts are slightly under 27 inch and the rear are 27 inches tall.

I was a little worried that they would be too narrow for the wheels and look a little odd but I think they turned out real well or at least exceeded my expectations. Had a few compliments on them when I picked them up after mounting and balancing. No pictures on the car yet - still being color sanded and buffed out.

ERA Chas · #2 (**permalink**) 01-16-2012, 07:09 PM

They look real good Dan-rears not spread out too far on a 9.5" wheel. Be careful with the near 27" fronts rubbing the the rear of the wheel well. At full lock, they may contact that area in front of the headers.
What brand tires are those??

PDUB · #3 (**permalink**) 01-16-2012, 11:42 PM

They look like the Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T...

Someone posted that these are supposedly better than the S/R because of a softer compound. Anyone know/can verify if that is true?

DanEC · #4 (**permalink**) 01-17-2012, 05:14 AM

Yes, they are Mickey Thompson tires. The fronts are slightly taller than ERAs recommendation which I think is 26.5 inches from memory. I'm anticipating that the narrower tire section will allow the extra 1/4 to 3/8 inch diameter (I need to measure how tall they actually turned out mounted). But - I'll have to check that closely when I get them on the car.

Thanks

ERA Chas · #5 (**permalink**) 01-17-2012, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanEC

But - I'll have to check that closely when I get them on the car.

Thanks

Make sure the car is at full weight and ride height. You will be lucky if the tires just 'clearance' themselves on the inner 'glass without making a hole.

DanEC · #6 (**permalink**) 01-17-2012, 10:58 AM

Thanks - I'll be sure to double check that area. I did trim the bottom of the wheel wells back a little when I was finishing them - so that the bottom edge ran perpendicular to the chassis (didn't run back in towards the front at the bottom). Although I think the rear took more trimming than the front from memory.

Dan