15's vs. 17's...... - Page 2

Jack21 · #21 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 07:02 PM

Agonized over this one for more than I care to admit.

All the Cobra people were saying, "Go with 15"s. All the tire people were saying, "Go with 17"s.

Try to make a long story short. Went with 17"s.

Behind the wheel, 17" have it all over the 15" in the go, stop, turn corners on both wet and dry roads. You won't believe it's the same car. And on the car, they look factory installed and all business. This is one instance where I went against the originality grain, listened to the tire experts and followed their recommendation. No regrets.

In the mid '60's through mid '70's, radials were just coming into their own, performance cars used 15" tires, while grocery getters were using 14", and econoboxes were using 13" tires. The BFG T/A radial was THE performance tire. Todays technology has changed all that.

The 17" is not a smaller tire. It just does not have the sidewall bulge that a 15" does. Treadwidth is the same, or slightly wider, and the diameter is the same ~25".

Even with all that, if there was a (bona fide) performance tire in a 15" in the sizes appropriate for a Cobra, I might have been swayed. But there isn't. Not in 16" either.

Ended up with TeamIII wheels (at $300 ea., as opposed to Compomotive $500 ea.), and Falken tires (on-line from vulcantires.com for $495 for the entire set including shipping).

After much research on tires, the finalists were Bridgestone and Falken. Tirerack.com has an end user satisfaction forum. The big names weren't getting good scores from end users. The Bridgestones were going to cost about $800 from Tirerack.

Wheels are 17" x 8" front, 17" x 9 1/2" rear. Tires are 235/45ZR17 front, 275/40ZR17 rear. At 14,000+ miles there is minimal wear and expect at least 30,000 miles before thinking of replacement. No Complaints with the Team III's either. Just wash 'em and they clean right up.

Snak Iyz · #22 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 09:21 PM

Do you have some pictures to show off the wheels. I am pretty sure Backdraft uses the 17 inch TeamIII set-up?

Thanks

Chris Portinga · #23 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 09:42 PM

All in what you want the car to do, ride, handle... And what looks "right/good" to you. You'll be the one driving and looking at it the most so again it's all up to you.

I love the 17's I have from Compomotive. The 315/35/17 BFGOODRICH Comp TA/KD's in the rear grab like nobody's business.

This is what looked "right" to me...

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/s...t=1&thecat=998

Isn't the agony of the decisions GREAT!!!

Snak Iyz · #24 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 10:05 PM

Chris,

Thanks for the pictures and the feedback.

First off, great looking car. Your wheels/tire set-up, to me, seems to be one of the better looking (filling up all the spaces properly). Could you have gone wider on the fronts....?

I am not sure if it is the agony of the decisions or the anticpation of getting the car that's killing me more.....

aumoore · #25 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 10:18 PM

I just ordered a set of these 15" tires for track duty. On the street I run 17" boy am I confused

http://rogerkrausracing.com/GyCobra.html

look at Item "C"

They are not DOT but they are basically the same tire that is run on some Winston Cup cars. Real Slicks and they stick like glue.

The Guys at Roger Kraus said that a lot of cobra owners are running the "B" tires. Not DOT but they do have tread and are a little harder compound than the "C" race slicks. SAme Big Goodyear letters.

I am running 17" Kumhos on the street. EXSTA 712"s. Great street tire but they are not that great on a track. For that matter hardly any true street tire is going to be great on the track.

Curt C. · #26 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 10:26 PM

Damn those crappy 15inch tires. I currently run 305/50/15 in the rear and 265/50/15 in the front (Euro TA's which are no longer available). Now my choices are a POS comp TA (S rated -112 MPH) or the non DOT Goodyears (trans am rain tire). Or....I could step up to a 17 inch wheel and run 335/35/17 in the rear and 265/40/17 in the front. The 335 is 26.2 inches versus 27 inch for the 305. Fronts remain the same height - 25.5. I am seriously considering doing this. Who wants to get anywhere near 100 MPH with an S rated tire? I run Goodyear slicks on the road race courses, but these do me no good on the street. The 15 inch tire market will only continue to dwindle...

sllib · #27 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 10:48 AM

I've been back and forth between 15" and 17" for a long time. I never liked the Halibrand-style Cobra wheels, but I love the painted Torque-Thrust D's. I found a company out in LA (Vintage Wheel Works) that makes a great looking copy of the old straight spoke American mags in a 17". Life is sweet.
Bill Stradtner

tritoncobra · #28 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 12:35 PM

Nobody's mentioned Yokohama 15" performance tires. I'm getting exactly that on my new Cobra, 285 wide in back - how will these compare to performance 17" tires?

When talking to Dean at Dynamic Motorsports, I asked him exactly this question. His response was that the 17's do hold better, but for a beginner he recommended the 15's for the following reason: The point at which 17's lose their grip is more of an "oh ****" situation than for the 15's. It was his opinion that 15's would be better to start with as they indicate earlier than the 17's when the car is being pushed to its limits, apparently offering a more safe and forgiving emergency response.

Not that this necessarily helps when taking a corner; my understanding is that any loss of traction = spin out, unless you're in a perfect drift. Maybe 15's drift better than 17's...

Does that make any sense?

Do I need 17's?

Cracker · #29 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 12:44 PM

Tritoncobra - a word of warning.

When writing your last post I assume your speaking in terms of race tracks/road coarses; if not, remember these cars are much more safe when pointed straight rather than ('s. I don't care what kind or size of tire you use these can bite you bad. As one of our local club members says "it's the fastest eggshell + V-8 of all time". Handling, aggressive driving & track duty - stay with the 17's and be careful.

tritoncobra · #30 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 01:51 PM

Thanks, and yep - I won't be pushing the limits in this car unless its on flat airport asphault in an autoX session.

Excaliber · #31 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 01:56 PM

Ok OK, I'll get the stinkin' 17" chrome wheels with those cool spinner things that go around in the middle while your parked at the car show (pass the wax please). LOL

Ernie

Wayne Maybury · #32 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 02:56 PM

I'm using Team III 17" wheels with 245 45's up front and 315 35's in the rear. Both tire sizes are almost exactly the same height. My only complaint is that the ride is a bit harsh since the side walls don't "cushion" out the bumps as well as taller 15" tires would.

Wayne

rdorman · #33 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 03:37 PM

What Yokohama performance 15" tires? The only ones I am aware of that come in a 285 are the Avid S/T. They are M&S rated tires like the rest of them and do not hold a candle to the ultra high performance tires.

With that said, they may very well be the best there is of the all weather 15" street tires in the sizes we typically use. You may even see a set on my car!

Rick

Snak Iyz · #34 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 03:52 PM

Guys,

For those of you that have been chiming in with the 315/35 & 265/40 set-ups, I would love to see some pictures, if you have them.

Thanks!!

Wayne Maybury · #35 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 05:29 PM

I will go out and take some pictures then see if I can remember how to post them here.

Wayne

Jack21 · #36 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 06:48 PM

Have not yet learned how to post pix here. (Duh...!)

Send e-mail to jwalsh21@ix.netcom.com. Will return pix.

Snak Iyz · #37 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 06:54 PM

Jack,
You have email.

thanks

Nuke427 · #38 (**permalink**) 10-25-2003, 12:00 PM

I love the looks of 16" on my BDR. 17's to me look too modern. 15's aren't too small, I just like a little bit larger wheel. I run 265/50/16 on the rear and 245/50/16 front.

Snak Iyz · #39 (**permalink**) 10-25-2003, 12:58 PM

Thanks for the picture. The car looks great!!!!! Are you saying you wish you had bigger tires...?

As a BDR owner, I would also be interested in your feedback on the car in general. As things look right now, my chassis will likely be in the #100-110 range. Outside of the 15 vs. 17 issue my next biggest hurdle is trying to finalize the color. I am having a REAL hard time deciding between titanium/ black stripes or pewter/ black stripes....

I am happy to call you offline if it is easier and if you don't mind talking about your car....

Feel free to shoot me an email with your number if that works.

Thanks again

Nuke427 · #40 (**permalink**) 10-25-2003, 01:14 PM

I like the size of my tires. I actually may go to a narrower tire on the front. I've adjusted the front springs recently to avoid the front tires hitting the outside inner part of the fender well under higher speeds and hitting dips in the road. That's one of the nice things with the BDR, adjustable suspension.

Snak Iyz, I've sent you an email.