295/50R-15 and 245/60R-15 tire options

[SPF1061]

I have logged over 16,000 miles on Avons. I am on set # 3. Just over 7000 miles per set. I have forgotten what my car was like before Avons and I don't want to remember.

[bret a ewing]

Here are the prices listed for Avons through Sascosports. It took me 3 week to get them once I ordered them. Roger Krouse on the west coast shows the same price.
http://www.sascosports.com/products/...php?type_id=39

AIM in California has some 275/55 15's for $328, good price IMHO
http://www.aimtire.com/typ_category....&ObjectID=6497
If there is enough interest for a group buy, we could ask.
Bret.

[bret a ewing]

Thanks Karl.

[Excaliber]

I'm afraid the front tire being so TALL with the Avon's will create a clearance issue on my ERA. And I don't want to lift the car to get more clearance.

[bret a ewing]

No clearance problems on CSX4000, can drop as low as needed, problem is the bellhousing gets REAL close to the ground.
Put in some neg camber, that may help.

[Learjockey1]

I have ERA frame 539 and use the Avon 235 up front and 295 on the rear. I was told/read here the 245 may hit the front so I went with 235's as I did not need the drama. The 235's touch a little on the rear of the front inner fender wells on tight city turns. I have mine lowered to 5 inches frame off the ground front an rear. I want 245's bit will have to open up th fender well about an inch. The 295 fit with no issues and look sweet filling up the space . I can tale my hands off the wheel at 130 mph and steering wheel is solid smooth. Only tire I will ever use. I just hope they keep making them. If someone is interested in two 235's with only 300 miles and no track time I may sell them for 245's this winter as I set the car up for winter mods

[Excaliber]

Grubby, what is that you don't like about the Bill Boards, by the way. I've run them and what I like about them are several things, that over weigh any other potential problems.

#1. They look great! While the Avon's, don't look bad, Bill Boards take the lead here.
#2. The Bill Board price is right! Especially compared to Avon's, like, DAM!
#3. The traction is good, in particular the wet traction, which is outstanding. An important issue for me, living in Oregon, where it does rain on occasion.

I'm currently running Goodyear GT-II's, I had to replace the Bill Boards on short notice when it came time to move to the mainland from Hawaii. The GT-II's are totally worthless when it comes to traction. The tires are downright scary in fact. Wheel spin in first and second gear is possible under any and all conditions. In fact, it is highly likely, I have to drive like I have an egg under my foot. The risk of swapping ends in a corner, with no warning, is a constant threat. I find this most disconcerting. I'll be returning to Bill Boards in the near future. While I'd like to try the Avon's the price is just to high for my taste.

So, I'm watching this thread closely for ideas on tires other than the Avon's.

The G7's are a bit taller than the Bill Boards, perhaps about the same kind of clearance issues (if any) you would find with the Avon's.

[bret a ewing]

Exc,
I believe Jamo went from Billby's to Avons, email him and ask his opinion.

[Excaliber]

Oh I've read the various threads/posts on both tires, Bill Boards and Avon's. Jamo, in particular, seem's to like the idea that the Avon's are a bit more robust in strength (for trips and such) than the Bill Boards. Still, in either case both are "race" tires at the end of the day.

I was wondering what Grubby disliked about the BB's in order to add to my understanding of what folks in general don't seem to like about them. "Wandering", for instance, seems to be a common complaint, personally I never expierenced that to speak off. Or, it was never a big issue for me. To sticky is another one, but if they weren't sticky that wouldn't have superior traction either! Sticky is a plus from my book. Thin wall, fragile, eh, I guess you could say that (extreme light weight is pretty cool). But there is plenty of folks who put a bunch of miles on them, including me, without any undue issues. All though, I avoid dirt roads like the plague.

From what I'm seeing on THIS thread, Avon's are good for about 7,000 miles or so? Unacceptably low mileage for the cost per tire.

[Grubby]

The Billboards are very stick and look great.

They are soft and pick up a lot of gravel. This is hard on the paint.

My car hunts really bad on most roads.

I don't have any plans to race the car.

It now has Mickey Thompson ST tires. The ride is smoother, I can now drive with one hand on the highway. The look is not as good as the Billboards. The traction is OK for street use, but not nearly as good as the billboards.

I am satisfied with the tire swap. The Mickey Thompsons are camparable to BFG or Firestone 500s.

John

[dcdoug]

The only thing I really don't like about BB's is the way they throw stones. Can't beat the look and the weight. If you inflate them a bit more for the street, they don't wander much and the traction seems decent, but I don't have much to compare it too since they are all I've owned.

[VintageUpgrades]

Here the M/T SR tires. So far, we like them. Wish they had white letters though.

Mitch

[Fullchat289]

Nice BRM's!

- Allen.

[Mdman352]

i have used 325 MT drag radials on the rear since I have owned the car. I recently took the 325's off with 10,000 miles on them and replaced them with 275's. They are fantastic. i do not use them on the front although others have. They are fine in the rain. if you have a Cobra, traction is an issue. In my mind, this is the only tire to have if you are going to really use the car. I have a set of billboards and I will try them. I like the lettering thing but am concerned about the 'wandering' issue. if it becomes an issue, they wil come off and I will try the Avons.
I really wonder why anyone who owns a Cobra, with all the toys like aluminum blocks etc. would even consider *****ing about the cost of tires. Are you kidding???
Drag radials will give you exceptional traction. Be sure to hold on tight.

[bret a ewing]

Mdman,

Not sure which model tire you are refering to? Are these tires DOT? If so, what is the speed rating?

[Mdman352]

Originally Posted by bret a ewing

Mdman,

Not sure which model tire you are refering to? Are these tires DOT? If so, what is the speed rating?

Bret,
Listed below are the specs from Summit Racing's website. The tire is DOT approved. There are different diameters/sizes available. I had used the 325's, getting 10,000 miles out of them and they still looked great. I am now using a 275. I don't know the speed rating but they are running these tires on Mustangs that are turning in the 7's at 200 MPH. Don't know about you but I've only had my Cobra up to 145.
Here is the info. Check out Summit or Jegs. For under $200 you just cannot get a better traction tire.
Brand Mickey Thompson
Manufacturer's Part Number 3754R
Part Type Tires
Product Line Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial Tires
Summit Racing Part Number MTT-3754R
UPC 029142619185

Tire Size 275/60-15
Wheel Diameter 15 in.
Sidewall Style Blackwall
Tire Construction Radial
Directional Yes
Tire Diameter 28.00 in.
Section Width 11.00 in.
Tread Width 9.50 in.
Minimum Recommended Wheel Width 7.50 in.
Maximum Recommended Wheel Width 9.50 in.
Asymmetrical Tread Pattern No
DOT-Approved Yes
Tube Required No
Tire Compound R2
Quantity Sold individually.
Tool Transmission Lookup
Calculator Gear Ratio Calculator


Mickey Thompson's legendary race tire technology comes to the street with these all-new ET Street Radial tires. Built using the latest in high-tech radial construction techniques and years of drag racing experience in compound development, these DOT approved, street legal drag radials will get your car down the track in record time and still provide you with an excellent ride on the way home. Other important features include reduced rolling resistance, a low-void directional tread pattern for maximum dry-weather traction, and polyester ply/steel belted construction for long lasting strength and durability.

[Mdman352]

Here's what they look like....

[Snakebit]

Check out the Mickey Thompson S/R Radial tires sizes 26x12x15 rear and 26x10x15 front. Rated 130mph. Wide and stickey. Unable to up load pictures.

[Mdman352]

[Larry N Johnson]

Have both Billboards and Mickey Thompson S/T
2 sets of wheels.

My opinion:
- Billboards for show and track as they are so lightweight that on the street they could be subject to damage given the possible ci=rcumstances
- Mickey Thompson S/T tires are excellent. Way better than GY Eagle GTII as far as smooth ride and raw traction. One person in our group took his M/T S/T's to Miller Motorsprt track on his Kirkham: he said they were excellent there too. Go figure.

Billboard


M/T S/T on the left; Billboard on the right


M/T S/T


Best of both worlds; no regrets!