What is a good street tyre

RODA · #1 (**permalink**) 07-24-2007, 05:44 AM

I was wondering what everone thought was a good road tyre.

I am running 17 inch rims.

Also is there a tyre that is good for both road and track.

Rod

sambo · #2 (**permalink**) 07-24-2007, 05:59 AM

People speak well of the Toyo Proxes for both street and track. Apparently they wear well. Not cheap though.

PCC · #3 (**permalink**) 07-24-2007, 04:33 PM

Sambo I didn't think the Proxes were too badly priced when compared with Goodyear or other top brands.

I'm going with Toyo T1R's, a bit dearer than the Proxes but are supposed to offer better grip. Tread wear is not as good, but with only 4,000 kms a year shouldn't be a drama.

$200 per tyre for 16" dia

PCC · #4 (**permalink**) 07-29-2007, 05:02 AM

I got the Toyo's on the front and these are terrific tyres.

My front steering was always suspect especially on an uneven road and since having these tyres the handling has improved 110%.

Any vagueness has disappeared. i always thought it was the suspension, but the Toyo's have made all the difference.

They have a pretty stiss sidewall so pressures need to be high.

Excellent tyre - highly recommended!

Mattt333 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-29-2007, 11:19 PM

I've found a good site for looking up tyres, www.carbonblack.com.au

had a quick check for hte toyo proxes (which I also have myself, recommended (y)) and the site has a couple of reviews on the Proxes, though not many. also looks like a good place to pick up tyres from local dealers!

Aussie Mike · #6 (**permalink**) 07-30-2007, 12:25 AM

Hi Matt,

How do you search for a particular size on that site and then find a price on that site? It's painful to use.

I like Tirerack.com in the US. Good prices and good to deal with. There's also plenty of customer review on the tirerack site for all the brands.

I got 4 brand new Sumitomos from Tirerack shipped to my door for AU$666. that was the HTR-Z in 315/35/17 for the rear and 235/45/17 for the front. Tyres arrived in a week shipped via FedEx.

We are getting stiched up by the Aussie tyre outlets. The best price I could find for the 315/35/17 Sumitomos in Australia was about $350-$400 each. The demand in Australia for the sizes we use just isn't there so we have to pay a premium price.

Cheers

Baz · #7 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie Mike

Hi Matt,

How do you search for a particular size on that site and then find a price on that site? It's painful to use.

I like Tirerack.com in the US. Good prices and good to deal with. There's also plenty of customer review on the tirerack site for all the brands.

I got 4 brand new Sumitomos from Tirerack shipped to my door for AU$666. that was the HTR-Z in 315/35/17 for the rear and 235/45/17 for the front. Tyres arrived in a week shipped via FedEx.

We are getting stiched up by the Aussie tyre outlets. The best price I could find for the 315/35/17 Sumitomos in Australia was about $350-$400 each. The demand in Australia for the sizes we use just isn't there so we have to pay a premium price.

Cheers

Thanks Aussie,

I was shoeing my new Cobra with Sumitomo's and your Email just saved me over $600 big ones. I sent an email off to Fred Helmuth at Tirerack and the 'Wire Transfer' of funds is presently underway. 315/35/17 HTRZ for US$96and 255/45/17 for US$92. Just shows how much they are ripping us off in Oz.

Regards Baz.

Aussie Mike · #8 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 10:49 PM

No Problem Baz, I'm glad someone else managed to save some dollars.

Cheers

macloft · #9 (**permalink**) 08-03-2007, 02:19 AM

Mike those tyre prices are very tempting How much was the Fed Ex cost.
I am going to be in California in 2 weeks with wheels and tyres on my buy list.
Bruce

BigBlockRob · #10 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 11:19 AM

go into a Ferarri shop and see what they use. usually something with Silicon.

Fred Z · #11 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 08:26 AM

I was just wondering.........are you 'down under guys' looking for tires......or 'tyres'? and one other thing........since you are way down there.........and your water funnels the other way 'counter clockwise' vs the normal way...............do you cars' tires do the same?
just couldn't resist it mates..............just couldn't!!!!!!!!
tirerack does have many choices for you........and in the 15 range.....heard the Avons were pretty sticky and good.......in the 'w' ratings.
fred z ................California......where else?

Beejay · #12 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 05:22 PM

Macloft,

Good luck finding Foose Ascot wheels in the right offset.

I have been trying for months.

Ben

stephen low · #13 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 09:32 PM

Looked at tyrerack through Mike's link and liked what I saw but for a 15" tyre what would be a normally tread width for this sized tyre?

I wanted to stay with a more traditional look in this regard but it has got me thinking of a slightly bigger rim and lower profile to fill out the wheel arch in the same manner.

Beejay · #14 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 09:51 PM

Macloft,

If you have found a contact so that you can get Ascot wheels in any offset I would be super interested.

Ben

400TT · #15 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephen low

15" tyre what would be a normally tread width for this sized tyre?

I bought some Yokohama AVID S/T 15" tyres from Tirerack. A significantly better tyre than the old choices we have here - TA's & 325's. Plus heaps cheaper of course.

Front: 245/60/15 (673mm diameter)
Rear: 295/50/15 (678mm diameter)

I went with these sizes so they would bag nicely on original sized 7.5" & 9.5" rims. And it's a compromise against width and diameter.

If you want a bigger diameter you could go with:

Front: 225/70/15 (696mm)
Rear: 275/60/15 (708mm) Lots of Cobras run this size.

If you want an original look, then go with Goodyear vintage bluestreaks(not approved):

Front: 26.5x8.0-15 (665mm)
Rear: 26.5x10.0-15 (678mm)

With larger diameter rims you actually struggle with rear tyre diameter. e.g. 315/35/17(Sumitomo's etc) are just over 650mm in diameter. You would do better with 335/35/17's, but still fall short of diameters of 15" tyres. 18" it is basically worse.

The bigger the diameter the tyre, the lower the car will look as you are filling the wheel arches and gaining clearance underneath.

The downsides of 15" rubber is performance and brake size availability. You can only squeeze in a maximum of 310mm rotors using the slimest of calipers.

At least with tyres like AVID S/T street performance is at least respectable.

Also something like 315/35/17 would not appear any wider from the rear of the vehicle than say my 295/50/15 tyres. My 295's have a overall width of 315mm when mounted on 9.5" rims. A 315/35/17 on a 11" rim would have an overall width of 320mm from memory...amazing hey. But the 315 has a massive 35mm more tread width.

315/17 Sumi's are fantastic value and a good option for wide 17" rubber.

Check the wheel arch sizes on the G-Force, if they are anything like the original Cobra's, you will always struggle to fill them.

Aussie Mike · #16 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 12:52 AM

I'm running 315/35/17 Sumitomos on the rear 17"x11" rims. Since there isn't much sidewall you need a wider rim as they pull in on a smaller rim. I've seen them installed on 10" rims and they look OK but are starting to pull in.

Tyre widths are measured from side wall to side wall and since the 315 has basically straight sidewalls with little or no bulge this translates to a fairly huge tread contact patch.

The fronts are 235/45/17 on 17"x8" rims. They are both similar rolling diameters and whilst they don't fill up the guards like a 15" tyre you can always lower the suspension a bit to get that look.

They may not be the stickiest tyre available but they are great value for money and will probably hang on better than any 15" tyre apart from race compound tyres.

My theory is they will do fine for the street and I'll keep a set of dedicated race rubber for the track. It's only about $80 to get them swapped over at my local tyre shop. I plan to buy a spare set of rims eventually though.

Initially I was thinking about using race rubber for the street but from talking to people who have used them, race rubber on the street is just dangerous. They don't seem to work till they get warm and they only have a limited number of heat cycles till they are stuffed.

Beejay · #17 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 01:28 AM

Craig,

What rubber are you going for on the GT40?

Ben

400TT · #18 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beejay

Craig,

What rubber are you going for on the GT40?

Ben

I have Michelin Pilots:

Front: 225/45/18
Rear: 335/30/18

18's to clear the brakes I have for it.

sambo · #19 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 10:16 PM

"Any offset" hey?

If indeed that's true I'll be pretty happy to have another option when I eventually buy my wheels. Let us know how you go with that.

Paul

sambo · #20 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 05:58 AM

Guys, I find this classic vs. modern wheel size 'debate' gives me headaches. It's interesting and mystifying at the same time... anyway, do you guys use some sort of calculator to determine final tyre width/diameter for a given wheel size or is it trial and error?

Nobody has mentioned 16" wheels yet. 15" is better looking to me but I'm sure 17" tyres perform better (comfort aside). But why no go for 16s? What would be the ideal width/profile/diameter for that size?

Thanks