Auto Detailing and Appearance Share tips and tricks on how to make your Third Gen shine! Get opinions on products or how something tasteful looks on your Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird.

Should I get 235 tires?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 08:51 PM
  #1  
85_ZED28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 0
From: St Catharines, ON
Car: '85 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Should I get 235 tires?

No, I don't mean 235 individual tires... (you know someone would say it)

I'm getting new rear tires this summer, I'm not sure what size to get. I want to get 235 series tires, but do they hurt the handling due to the bulging sidewall?

Thanks for any info!
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 08:57 PM
  #2  
Jim85IROC's Avatar
TGO Supporter
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 13,579
Likes: 9
From: Readsboro, VT
Car: 85 IROC-Z / 88 GTA
Engine: 403 LSx (Pending) / 355 Tuned Port
Transmission: T56 Magnum (Pending) / T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 / ?
I never noticed a loss in handling when I went from my 215s to 235s. I didn't notice any more bite during acceleration either, but the Dunlap 235s had 1 more grove than the 215s, so I wound up with the same amount of rubber on the road. I did it purely for looks.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 08:58 PM
  #3  
89rsIMPRTETR's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: westside michigan
depends on the size of the rim, if you got a 15x7 wheel then it will bulge a little bit but wont hurt anything, if you got 16x8 then youll be fine, heck you can even run a 245 on a 15x7 wheel and be fine still, oh btw this thread should probably be in the suspension board and not apperance just a little fyi not being a dick or anything
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 08:59 PM
  #4  
88blkiroc's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 0
From: Orland Park, IL, USA
Car: 88 IROC-Z
Engine: L98
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.45
WTF? What size wheels are you running?? Im running 255's out back on stock 16's without a problem and trust me, the bigger you go the better. 235's are actually a bit too small for our rims, unless you running 15's. I dont know what size they had stock. You can normally go one size larger and be ok though.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 09:03 PM
  #5  
85_ZED28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 0
From: St Catharines, ON
Car: '85 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
I have 15s,

quick question:

Will 235/60-15 tires be taller than stock? The front tires are 215/65-15.

Last edited by 85_ZED28; Jan 22, 2003 at 09:08 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 09:43 PM
  #6  
Joe_L's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
From: Halifax, NS,Canada
Car: 1995 Z28
Engine: LT1
Transmission: Built 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23's - Limited Slip
Tire sizing
-235 is cross sectoin width,

-60 means the height of the tire is in a ratio of 60% the cross section is the sidewall height.
-R, means radial,
-15 is size of rim.

Stock 215/65R15 Tire radius-->13.00 inches dia-->26.00 inch
New 235/60R15 Tire radius-->13.05 inches dia-->26.10 inch


So it will work out perfect for you.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 09:46 PM
  #7  
83firebirdS/E's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Car: 1983 Firebird S/E
Originally posted by 85_ZED28
I have 15s,

quick question:

Will 235/60-15 tires be taller than stock? The front tires are 215/65-15.
Only by a tiny bit. It will not be noticeable to the eye. By the way 235/60 15 came stock on 91-92 RS with the 15" rims.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 10:00 PM
  #8  
1982chevycamaroz28's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 0
From: north plainfield,nj,usa
im runnin 205/60/15's up front and 255/60/15's in the rear and so far the only differnce i see over the 235's i had all around is that the back are wider.
Attached Thumbnails Should I get 235 tires?-car10-3.jpg  
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 11:34 PM
  #9  
Kandied91z's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 13,039
Likes: 0
From: michigan
that's alot of rubber..........why not go 235/55 or 235/50? it will look alot better.

or you could go with some rubber bands like my 295/35's
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 11:39 PM
  #10  
easySPEEDcamaro's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Car: 1992 Camaro Z28 Anniversary Edition
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: Borg Warner 5-Speed
i am running 235/55/16s on my 92 right now, u can go to my cardomain to see pictures, they're all 235.....

http://members.cardomain.com/easyspeedcamaro
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 11:43 PM
  #11  
Justins86bird's Avatar
TGO Supporter
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,838
Likes: 4
From: Another world, some other time
Car: 86 LG4 & 92 TBI Firebird
Engine: The Mighty 305!
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
On a 15x7 rim, GM offered 235/60r15s as an option. I noticed better handling and traction when I switched from 215/65 to 235/60, both were Radial T/A tires.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2003 | 11:50 PM
  #12  
Kandied91z's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 13,039
Likes: 0
From: michigan
of course traction improves the wider the tire........that's why i went to a 295!

the 60 series seems high. i guess it's similar in relation to a 245/50. i just wouldn't want such a tall sidewall, more room for flex with 60% unlike a 50% or 55 if they make them.

i've got 235/60's on my gtp and i can't stand them compared to my old 245/50's. to much flex in the sidewall when taking corners.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2003 | 07:16 AM
  #13  
Jim85IROC's Avatar
TGO Supporter
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 13,579
Likes: 9
From: Readsboro, VT
Car: 85 IROC-Z / 88 GTA
Engine: 403 LSx (Pending) / 355 Tuned Port
Transmission: T56 Magnum (Pending) / T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 / ?
Originally posted by Kandied91z
that's alot of rubber..........why not go 235/55 or 235/50? it will look alot better.
Only if you're into little tiny tires. Those will be shorter than stock, which to most people tends to look funny.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2003 | 10:05 AM
  #14  
bradkeith's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 681
Likes: 1
From: Col, IN
I ran 225/60R15's on my old 15x7 camaro alloys.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2003 | 10:07 AM
  #15  
yesfan2000's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Car: 1987 z28
Engine: L98
I think if you are very familiar with the way your car handles with the 215s, you might find the steering a little more sluggish due to the extra weight of the 235s. Has anyone else noticed this? My '82 Firebird came with 205 70r x 14 from the factory. I upgraded to 235 60r x 14. I noticed that the car felt more nimble with the seventy series tires. There might not be as much of a weight difference between the 215 65r x 15 to 235 60r x 15 swap though.

dave
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2003 | 12:56 PM
  #16  
85_ZED28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 0
From: St Catharines, ON
Car: '85 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Thanks a lot for the help guys. I like the look of a bigger sidewall, and since they are pretty much the same hight, i'm sold
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2003 | 06:37 PM
  #17  
SMURFN' Z28's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood, CO
Car: 1994 Jeep Wrangler
Originally posted by Kandied91z
of course traction improves the wider the tire........that's why i went to a 295!

the 60 series seems high. i guess it's similar in relation to a 245/50. i just wouldn't want such a tall sidewall, more room for flex with 60% unlike a 50% or 55 if they make them.

i've got 235/60's on my gtp and i can't stand them compared to my old 245/50's. to much flex in the sidewall when taking corners.
well, if you are drag racing you want some side wall flex..... thats one of the things the pissed me off about stupid *** F&F, they all had these tiny profile tires and they are sposed to be serious drag racers?!
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2003 | 06:52 PM
  #18  
85_ZED28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 0
From: St Catharines, ON
Car: '85 Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Last question:

Could anyone tell me the diameter of a 225/60/15 tire? Would it be taller than stock?

Thanks a lot!
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2003 | 08:49 PM
  #19  
taturbo's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Sterling, ILL
Car: 3 3rd Gen F-bodies and 7 others
Engine: 305 CFI, 350 TPI & 3.8 Turbo V-6
Transmission: all automatics (stock)
P225/60R15 = 25.6
P215/65R15 = 26.0
P235/60R15 = 26.1
I notice that some of you might not understand about tire sizes. A 60 series is going to be taller depending on the width of the tire. (205 vs. 255) The 60 is the aspect ratio, meaning that the sidewall is 60% of the width. That's why a 215/65 and a 235/60 are nearly identical in height, yet the 235 is wider.
P235/60R15 was an optional size on '86 Camaro's, but not '91-'92's that I've ever seen, although they work fine. This pertains to the 15" wheels, as I know P235/55's were stock on the 16" wheels. One other thing, if you have 16" wheels, it is advantagious to go to the P245/50R16 if you have P235/55's if you want a better performance tire. The 235/55 isn't made in many of the higher spped ratings that the P245 is made in. The highest I have seen in a P235/55R16 is an H rated (130mph). The Goodyear Eagle HP.
Not to give you a hard time, 1982 chevycamaroz28, but most times when you have a large variance in width from the front to rear tires, like 205 in front and 255 in back, it usually hurts your handling more than helping it. The 3rd gen is made to be a good handling car, and putting the back up high, hurts more than helping. This is a proven fact, not trying to flame you!! I know that putting the 255/60's or bigger might be for looks, or for more traction, so I'm not trying to flame anyone who has the big tires in back on 15" wheels. Everyone has their own style, and our cars wouldn't look as good if everyone kept them bone stock looking!
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2003 | 09:54 PM
  #20  
1982chevycamaroz28's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 0
From: north plainfield,nj,usa
well im not takin it as a flmae so i dont really care but im more into straight line racing and not autocross or anything. my car still handles like it did with the 235/60/15's all around. i just notice a bit more traction then before. and i know by raising the assend up it throws the center of balance off. im not goin for the 4x4 look or anything. im tryin to get my car to look good and also handle great in the 1/4 more then like an autocross course. if i was goin for handleing like on an autocross course id lower the car and put some nice wide tires all around.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2003 | 09:58 PM
  #21  
taturbo's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Sterling, ILL
Car: 3 3rd Gen F-bodies and 7 others
Engine: 305 CFI, 350 TPI & 3.8 Turbo V-6
Transmission: all automatics (stock)
Cool, Thanks for not taking me the wrong way, but that makes sense for 1/4 mi. racing.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2003 | 10:31 AM
  #22  
yesfan2000's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Car: 1987 z28
Engine: L98
I created a simple excel spreadsheet where all I have to do is put in the tire size details, and it will calculate the tire heigth. It works for any rim size or tire series. I just enter different tire sizes and it'll tell me if it's taller or smaller than the tires that I'm running right now.

dave
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2003 | 09:13 AM
  #23  
92blackbird's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: plainwell MI US
Car: 1992 pontiac firebird
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: 700r4
I'm running 245/60 x 15 no handling problems other than they "hunt" a little bit when the pavement had dips worn in it.
The speedo's about 2-3 mph slow. 15x7 gold center aluminum wheels.
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2003 | 11:31 AM
  #24  
Ward's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 6
From: Rowlett, TX
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt, 3.45
I am also running 245/60R15's on the 15X7 firebird wheels, and I like them. I like the way they look, too.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LiquidBlue
Wheels and Tires
32
Dec 10, 2019 04:06 PM
mattcanty
Firebirds for Sale
4
Oct 12, 2015 11:08 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:55 PM.