Tire sizes

[w-lewis]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[MaSnaka]

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]

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]

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]

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

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]

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]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

What size wheels?

15x7.5 sunbursts

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

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]

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

[66gtk]

Originally Posted by ACHiPo

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


ERA 472 also had the same wheel/tire size up front, but 295/50 in the rear:


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]

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]

Thanks for all of the great feedback.

[Buzz]

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.

[AC Ventura]

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.