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w-lewis 03-23-2018 08:02 AM

Tire sizes
 
I'm replacing my tires and trying to decide whether to use 235/60/15's or 245/60/15's in the front. Are there any noticeable differences in steering or handling characteristics?

Snake2998 03-23-2018 10:32 AM

I don't know the answer but can speculate - the wider will be slightly heavier to steer but give slightly better handling and braking - but tyre make and type will make far bigger differences. The larger tyre will increase un-sprung weight which will negate some of the gains and cost more.

1795 03-23-2018 02:42 PM

How much clearance do you have on the the fender wells with the tires at full turn? Have you had any issues with rubbing? In addition to the things mentioned in the prior post, a wider tire will also require more room to turn without rubbing.

w-lewis 03-23-2018 07:15 PM

Fender clearance is fine. It’s been suggested the 245’s I presently have, might rub against the frame when making sharp turn or u turn, although I’ve never experienced that, therefore, the 235 is recommended.

Three Peaks 03-23-2018 07:43 PM

Not all 245's are created equal. Some are wider than others, wheel width will also make a difference on contact patch and tire width. Really only one way to find out, if you have a buddy with this tire size, see if you can put his on your car to take a look-see before putting down the cash.

Bob

w-lewis 03-23-2018 07:50 PM

I’m happy with my current 245’s and plan to us them again, but before placing the order, just wondering if there’s any advantage to using 235’s.

t walgamuth 03-24-2018 08:47 AM

A narrower tire will make steering easier, ride better and have more precise feel. Also will follow the road grooves less.

MaSnaka 03-24-2018 05:17 PM

Whats the difference between 235 and 245?? 1/2" and a small amount of sidewall?? I have seen 275/60 on the front of a Superformance. I use the 235/60's and they seem plenty wide. Tough to turn the wheels unless moving. I think its more important to have the meaty tires at the business end of your Cobra.

John

t walgamuth 03-24-2018 07:44 PM

My VSE has 275/40 r 17 front and 315/35 r 17 rear. Pretty wide I guess. It steers very heavily but I need to get some air in the tires, they have 12 rear and 14 front.;) That should help some.

ACHiPo 03-24-2018 07:56 PM

For what it’s worth, I’m planning on running 255/60s all round on my street 427. This is based on cars I’ve ridden in and driven. Handling and ride was great.

t walgamuth 03-25-2018 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACHiPo (Post 1441142)
For what it’s worth, I’m planning on running 255/60s all round on my street 427. This is based on cars I’ve ridden in and driven. Handling and ride was great.

What size wheels?

strictlypersonl 03-25-2018 12:05 PM

50/50 that 255-60 is going to rub on the front. I recommend the smaller 235-60s. The smaller tire is a better fit to the 7.5" rims too.

ACHiPo 03-25-2018 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth (Post 1441171)
What size wheels?

15x7.5 sunbursts

ACHiPo 03-25-2018 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl (Post 1441179)
50/50 that 255-60 is going to rub on the front. I recommend the smaller 235-60s. The smaller tire is a better fit to the 7.5" rims too.

Bob,
Do you think they'd rub on the inside or outside, or both?

Eddie is running the same size tires on his street 427, which is why I figured I'd run the same (his car handles and rides like a dream). I'll ask him, but I don't think he did anything special to avoid rubbing. I know he had to replace the first set (which was a different size) as they did not work.

Thanks,
Evan

t walgamuth 03-25-2018 03:35 PM

I'm pretty sure that 15s won't fit over my brakes. I'd rather have the /60s for sure.

66gtk 03-25-2018 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACHiPo (Post 1441185)
Bob,
Do you think they'd rub on the inside or outside, or both?

Eddie is running the same size tires on his street 427, which is why I figured I'd run the same (his car handles and rides like a dream). I'll ask him, but I don't think he did anything special to avoid rubbing. I know he had to replace the first set (which was a different size) as they did not work.

Thanks,
Evan

I see no reason to risk the 255s up front when the 235s are tried, tested, and true on the ERA cars for decades.

ERA 488 below for reference:
235/60 up front with the 15x7.5 wheels
255/60 in the back on the wider 15x9.5 wheels
http://customshowboards.com/era488/P6240094web.jpg

ERA 472 also had the same wheel/tire size up front, but 295/50 in the rear:
http://customshowboards.com/era472/f...ood472webb.jpg

That being said to the OP, every MFR of car and wheel has their own offsets and sizes to hit for optimal fit so follow what the MFR recommends.

Alfa02 03-25-2018 06:24 PM

I agree with Troy (66gtk) I went with 275-60-15 rear, 235-60-15 front, those will work just fine on 90% of our Cobras, and the look is correct, for my 427 street car. That being said, and with your 255-60-15, can you get the same tire in 235? That was a factor in my decision to with those sizes. Very few tire company's make 60 series 15 inch tires in any sizes anymore. Good luck with your choice. Cheers Tom.

w-lewis 03-25-2018 08:27 PM

Thanks for all of the great feedback.

Buzz 03-25-2018 10:05 PM

This is my early Unique with 275 60 15's in the back and 235's in front. My new axles and LCA's will be 1.625" narrower per side, but I'm considering going with either 255 60's or 295 50's in the rear for the slightly smaller diameter to alleviate rubbing in the inner front of the rear wheelwell under very hard cornering. I don't want to raise the rear ride height - if anything I want it even lower.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/photopost...arquarter1.jpg

AC Ventura 03-26-2018 11:21 AM

Avon 225/65/70 R15
 
1 Attachment(s)
In the UK we use 225/65/70 R15 Avon CR6 ZZ. Nice high profile and same diameter as the 275/55's on the back. My application is an Autokraft Mk IV. No rubbing issues at all, but obviously depends on offset and your cars clearance.
It's simple enough to find the width and diameters of your existing and proposed tyres. Then make thin wood template and run it around the tyre at full lock. You'll soon see if there's any fouling issues. That's exactly what I did.


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