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-   -   17" Wheel Dilemma (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/tires-wheels/123806-17-wheel-dilemma.html)

SPF2948 11-24-2013 07:04 PM
17" Wheel Dilemma
 
Though my 3-1/2 year old Nittos still have plenty of tread after 12,000 total miles, they have hardened and I'll be putting on new tires in the spring. I'm not real happy with my choices though that isn't strictly the reason why I'm thinking of road race slicks. My SPF has never seen a damp road and never will. I suspect that these will grab faults in the road surface like any uber performance tire. I do wonder about these picking up sand and gravel though I'm not sure why this should differ from any other performance tire. Any thoughts or any recommendations for tires of any description (slicks or not). I'm not very concerned about DOT certification. My sizes are 335/35 and 275/40. Thanks.

jhv48 11-24-2013 07:31 PM
Once you get a tread wear number less than about 180, the tires tend to pickup every stone and grain of sand on the road and hurl it onto your sidepipes and fenders. So, if you're not racing, stick with a 200 tread wear tire and keep your paint intact.

undy 11-25-2013 02:54 AM
I'm running M/T ET Street drag radials on my Vintage 17" wheels (315/17/35). The really do hook, enough to lift both front tires out of the hole. The lower aspect ratio allows them to perform pretty good in the twisties too. They're DOT rated also.

I'll never run anything else...

750hp 11-25-2013 05:17 AM
Undy - How many miles do you get out of the ET Streets?

undy 11-25-2013 05:21 AM
2500 to 3000 miles.

Here's how they look on 17x11 wheels...

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...newpics001.jpg

SPF2948 11-25-2013 07:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by jhv48 (Post 1273290)
Once you get a tread wear number less than about 180, the tires tend to pickup every stone and grain of sand on the road and hurl it onto your sidepipes and fenders. So, if you're not racing, stick with a 200 tread wear tire and keep your paint intact.
That's interesting and you have me thinking. Thanks.

Quote:
Originally Posted by undy (Post 1273317)
I'm running M/T ET Street drag radials on my Vintage 17" wheels (315/17/35). The really do hook, enough to lift both front tires out of the hole. The lower aspect ratio allows them to perform pretty good in the twisties too. They're DOT rated also.

I'll never run anything else...
Can you give me the exact model name? Is that tire available in 275/40 for the front? Thanks.

blown871 11-25-2013 08:26 PM
wow! like the look.
I want to move up from the 15's but don't wanna loose the 'look'.......

(Yes I know.....I know... don't you all yell at me) %/

Mdman352 11-25-2013 11:45 PM
MT Drag radials are your only hopes of hooking up one of these cars. These are 325's.....

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps6184a695.jpg
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...psb5af00c9.jpg

I tried to get the wheels up.....
http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r.../th_cobra5.jpg

Mark IV 11-26-2013 03:15 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by blown871 (Post 1273432)
wow! like the look.
I want to move up from the 15's but don't wanna loose the 'look'.......

(Yes I know.....I know... don't you all yell at me) %/
For much less than the cost of the 17" wheels and tires you can buy a set of the Avons and have both the "look" AND performance to match! If you are coming out of BFG TAs or Goodyear GTIIs you will think you got a different car!

BTW, I have a set of the early SPF bolt on wheels with Halibrand type centers for sale. Some guys have used them for track or autocrossing where knock-offs are not allowed without locking devices.

undy 11-26-2013 03:26 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SF2948 (Post 1273422)
Can you give me the exact model name? Is that tire available in 275/40 for the front? Thanks.
You don't want drag radials for the front. Pretty much any performance tire will work.

Here's a pic of my rears when new.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps2b9e07d9.jpg

D-CEL 11-26-2013 06:52 AM
DRAG RADIALS ARE THE BEST TIRE FOR A COBRA!
Im on my third set, 8 years and counting

2005
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...EW_TIRES_5.JPG

2013
http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d..._004_small.jpg

vatdevil 11-26-2013 02:22 PM
Nitto NT01s, which are road race tires with enough tread for wet roads. Street, autocross, track. Expect 5-10K miles depending on use and alignment settings.Affordable and you will not want for more traction or cornering capability. I've not had an issue with lots of stone chips..a few but if you're concerned with chips, why drive it?

SPF2948 11-26-2013 03:26 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by vatdevil (Post 1273508)
Nitto NT01s, which are road race tires with enough tread for wet roads. Street, autocross, track. Expect 5-10K miles depending on use and alignment settings.Affordable and you will not want for more traction or cornering capability. I've not had an issue with lots of stone chips..a few but if you're concerned with chips, why drive it?
For me this is the ying and yang of exotic car ownership. Much as I'd like to minimize the stone chip issue, I'll be damned if that concern is going to keep the car mostly undercover and mostly unused.

vatdevil 11-26-2013 04:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SF2948 (Post 1273513)
For me this is the ying and yang of exotic car ownership. Much as I'd like to minimize the stone chip issue, I'll be damned if that concern is going to keep the car mostly undercover and mostly unused.
Mine came prechipped, so I didn't have to fret over the first few.:D

Mdman352 11-26-2013 05:40 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by undy (Post 1273470)
You don't want drag radials for the front. Pretty much any performance tire will work.

Here's a pic of my rears when new.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps2b9e07d9.jpg
Difference between the Street tire and the Drag radial

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...tt-3757r_w.jpg

undy 11-27-2013 03:09 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mdman352 (Post 1273543)
Difference between the Street tire and the Drag radial

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r...tt-3757r_w.jpg
No difference, both drag radials.

M/T has two drag radial patterns. I just cut a 1.55 60 ft time at MIR with a set of the ones I posted with my 07 Z06. You have their "Street radial" and the "Street Radial II". They're both made from the same compound.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...s?autoview=SKU

http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...s?autoview=SKU

SPF2948 11-28-2013 03:39 AM
Maybe I'm just missing it but I haven't seen any of these street/drag tires speed rated - the only 'code' that I've seen are 'passenger' and 'radial'. Given the Cobra's brick-like aerodynamics, I don't do much steady cruising at 130+ anyway but the lack of a speed rating of any description is unsettling. It seems odd to me that speed rating is something that the DOT wouldn't have insisted on.

vatdevil 11-28-2013 06:25 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SF2948 (Post 1273883)
Maybe I'm just missing it but I haven't seen any of these street/drag tires speed rated - the only 'code' that I've seen are 'passenger' and 'radial'. Given the Cobra's brick-like aerodynamics, I don't do much steady cruising at 130+ anyway but the lack of a speed rating of any description is unsettling. It seems odd to me that speed rating is something that the DOT wouldn't have insisted on.
Drag radial compounds are not designed for continuous high speed use. OK for street use, but unwise to use them on a road course.


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