Rehashing the 15" tire discussion

[dls141]

I was reading back through the old posts regarding the "best" 15 inch tires. I noticed the last post was 2009 so I'd like to start up the discussion again to see what's new!

So I'm researching new tires and saw a lot of folks recommending AVON tires - which, from what I can gather, are no longer being made. So I've narrowed the field and would like to know what everyone thinks are the best.

I'm not a track guy but I do like to wind her out on some winding back rounds down here in the hills of VA. So I'm looking for good traction and a smooth ride.

I've got O-L-D BFG's on it now and they just need to go. The tread is fine but they are flat sided from sitting in a garage on concrete for 9 years.

Price is not really an issue

GY Eagles
Mickey T's
BFG T/A's
Nitto

Thanks everyone!!

[SunDude]

Not sure what size you're looking for, but Avon CR6ZZ is still available in 15 inch. They seem to be a favourite for track use or hard driving.

Did you also check out the thread I started back in 2011 about 15 inch tire choices? Ultimately I chose the Cooper Cobras for my SPF.

The Goodyear Eagle GTIIs are no longer available in 15 inch. Not that this is a loss IMO.

[GLS-BDR226]

I too have the Cooper Cobra tires. I understand that Cooper makes MT, Avon and Mastercraft tires.

The Coopers are fine tires. I don't track either and never tried the Avons. Not sure I want to replace after 5-8000 miles.

[Chilibit]

It is not much discussed but braking improves with a superior tire. Better braking can save me and make me faster. Saving me is far more important IMHO. On backroad twisties the AVONs have been a blessing for me and if you are smooth, they last better than their reputation.

[FWB]

i use the M/T SR radials, i had the BFG's too, big improvement

[Benzito]

At least in the West, Les Schwab also carries a proper sized in-house tire brand that is also made by Cooper (I would assume it is comparable to the Cooper Cobra, but LS markets it as their own).

[FUNFER2]

You can still get the Good Year Eagle Billboards. Their not a radial, but you can get decent traction and are correct to the Cobra, if that means anything to you. I like them.

[Cobrakeith]

Roger Kraus on the West and Sasco Sports on the East coast has both Goodyear "Billboard" Sports Car Special and Avon CR6ZZ tires for sale. M/T, BFG, Cooper and Nitto you can get just about anywhere. A lot of people like the Avon's which are high performance radial tires, some like the Goodyear "Billboard" tires but they are bias ply tires and will flat spot until they are warmed up and do hunt or wander over road irregularities a little. The Avon's are DOT approved but the Goodyear's are NOT DOT approved if that makes a difference to you. The M/T, Cooper and Nitto tires are radial tires that get mostly good reviews from those who use them. Most people do NOT like the hardness of the BFG Radial T/A. It all depends on how you drive, the look you want and how much you are willing to spend.

[Bernica]

I run Goodyear Billboards. Got them from Roger Krause. Flat spots? Yes, but once you warm them up they are great. Sticky? Yes, and be ready for rock chips as they pick 'em up like glue and throw them all over the place. First time I took them out, it sounded like popcorn was cooking under my car.

[FUNFER2]

What speed rating are the Avon's ?

Question. Avon's were used on the GT-40's, but did any of the competition Cobras use them abroad or here in the states ?
If not, did any of the cobra's use any other tire besides the Billboards ?

[LMH]

Has anyone looked into Dunlop and their Historic tires? I don't know anything about sizes but I see them on vintage race cars at some of the events I go to.
Larry

[Cobrakeith]

The Avon's are a VR rated tire-good in excess of 130 mph! I don't know about Shelby team cars using other tires but I believe Shelby was a Goodyear race tire dealer back then.

The Kraus web site does list some Dunlop vintage race tires but I've never seen any comments about them. The CR-65 or CR-82 tread pattern both look similar to the Goodyear Billboard tire tread pattern if that is any help.

[Dwight]

BFG G-Force drag radial


I put a pair on the rear of a Cobra last fall and drove it in the rain before the owner picked it up. Very impressed with the way they handled. I going to buy a pair for the rear of my Cobra.

Dwight

[Silversmith]

Ok here go's, I attended a car meet last Sat.(7th) in Concord N.H. A few friends & I went in our rides, a FFR, a Unique & my ERA. We met up with serval other rides, 3 gt40's & mabe 5 or 6 other AC's. It made a really nice entrance group as we were all parked @ the main entrance to the show in a seperate section set up by the promoters. One of the GT 40 owners also had a ERA (his better half's) just like mine only a slightly older FE (428 c/oiler) build, but also top notch, even same color. He had just bought a set of Hoosier tires for this S/C. They are the best fit for a 15" Trigo rim set on a 427 S/C I have seen sence I was a kid; looking at the original set ups! Every bit the style & look of the Goodyear Billboards, & according to him they stick like road racing slicks! They are Hoosier Billboards & Not DOT Approved. But in fact Oval Dirt Track Race Tires. How do they handle in the rain? Who knows; I don't drive in the rain. But my guess would be about the same as GY Billboards. You have a choice of rubber compounds. I presently run MT S/R's & they handle & wear good. But they are no match for these Hoosier's in looks (they fill the wheel wells perfectly!) or Cost! Try less than $500.00 for the set!! If they make the summer (1K to 2.5K mi. est.) with regular & spirited driving! WaHoo!! My guess/hope is they will last/perform as well as Avon's. The GT 40/AC owner seems quite confident they will Below is a listing of what he put on his AC & what I plan to have on mine next spring!! If you wish to view this option for your AC go to Hoosier.com look in the tire catalog. Under "Oval Track Dirt" "Late Model/ E-Mod/Street Stock Dirt" For the rear tire look for Item# 36226. For the front look for Item#36103 All the spec's are listed. Some of you who might be reading this & know who I am speaking of & also know these cars. This guy knows his stuff (IMHO) & I will not list his name for privacy reasons. Any way; It's is another tire option for you to chew on! ENJOY THE ADDICTION THERE IS NO CURE

[vatdevil]

Nittos 555R is a superior tire, if you can fit 275/325 sizes. I run the same tread compound but in the road race NT01 tire. DOT compliant RADIAL, the 555R is grest in the rain. The Nitto compound is sticky when cold but doesn't throw a lot of stones. Heat them up and they become super sticky. The Nittos are R compound technology, slightly less traction than the Billboards and Hoosiers, but much more than all the other tires listed here.

[sspano01]

i just went through this as well with an entire series of track mods that i have done to my cobra. if you want a "good" tire, i would run the cooper cobras. i had them for over a year and did a few track days with them, even some 1/8 mile drag race. the coopers were very nice.

i bought the avons though and have been running it much harder now on the track, the avons are terrific! i saw a guy with a continuation cobra at the track, and it too had the same avons - right from shelby's shop

[Bobcat]

Silversmith ... on the Hoosiers , they make bias ply and radials . Which are these ( suspect bias ply ) .... couldn`t tell from their spec page . Also , do you know what compound he ended up with as they have several listed ?
One of the potential problems with race only tires on the street is that the sidewall construction is not as strong as a street tire ... not to mention the insurance aspect if in an accident and the LEO notices they are non DOT approved .
I`m currently running the Avons on the street and track , and am considering going with the Hoosier A6 road course tires ( track use only ) , but these might be an alternative . BTW , Hoosier recommends 2 1/2 to 3 degrees negative camber with their radials and about 1 1/2 degrees negative with their bias ply , per their race tire engineer I talked to recently .

[Silversmith]

Bobcat, I was with the Gt 40/AC driver today @ a show @ Mt. Sunapee N.H. He didn't have the AC there only the GT 40 & I did not think to ask. From memory of looking @ them last week, I tend to think they are radials. but not sure. The hardness/ratings of rubber can be found at the end of the late model/E-Mod/Street Stock listings. each spec. is listed in rows left to right next to the item #. The rear tire rubber rating is IMCA; and the front is IMCA or H-500 I think. By looking @ the chart you will see the both F & R are listed in the harder side of the chart. Do not confuse this rating with say a B.F G. tire & how they turn into ice skates, after a few thousand miles on the road. My friend fully expects these tires to last 2 to 3 thousand miles or more. Depending on driving style. But @ -$500.00 per set!! Thats less than the cost of one (1) Avon!!! I am going to chance the buy!! Check out the tread patterns; the one's I listed (Rear: item #36226) & (Front: item # 36103) are tread patteren (L). Mabe you will see some thing you would like more? The important thing to remember is the tire size. Keep your choice to the size's listed in the above item #'s & you should be golden! As to asphalt tracking, mabe you should stay with the choice you spoke of. My plan for these is spirited road use. But from what I am told, they are wicked good on asphalt!! I will discover for myself next spring.! Oh, the show to day; I took 2nd behind another awsome GT40 in our class. But my friend who turned me on to the Hoosier's took best of show! MAN WHAT A ROMP HOME TODAY!! 2 GT 40's & a SideOiler kicking it outa Da mountains back home!! P.S lettering can be removed. Oh did I say that out loud.