I am not sure if this is where I should post this so here it goes. I have an 89 Firebird Formula 350 that I have to drive in the winter. I have cober cobra tires in there now and it was really bad trying to get around in the winter last year so I am wanting to put snow tires on my car this year. I have 16" rims on the car and I was just wondering what others would reccomend for tires to put on the car for the winter. If you could tell me the brand of tire and the size, be realistic dont want 4x4 tires on the car, of tire to put on I would greatly appreciate it. I dont want all weather tires I want snow tires for my car. I am in Iowa so winters can be hectic around here. I am also thinking of putting sand bags in the back, one on either side to give more downward pressure on the tires. I am a very cautious driver in the winter. Taking it very slow, keeping my distance from other cars and even put the car in neutral when coming to a stop to take the power away from the wheels, I have an automatic car. This seems to help a bit but once I stop it is hard to get going on snow and ice with the cobras. So any help would greatly be apreciated.

 

Take a look at Bfgoodrich g-force KDWS. They are rated for snow KDW"S". There is no snow in my part of CA so I cannot attest to their snow rating, but the Wet rating would be a 10 IMO. They worked so much better than my Eagle GTII's. Stuck to the ground like crazy in the rain. If they work half as good in the rain as they do in the snow you should be very safe.

 

go to www.tirerack.com

and check out their winter tires...a lot of different brands and opinions...it depends on how much you want to spend...

As for size, get a narrower tire to fit the 16" rim..

I had a set of KDWS on my 95 Eagle talon TSI AWD...and wasn't that impressed...the traction was ok...not great...and they wore quickly...

I would get some Blizzaks...or Pilot Alpin...etc...and make sure they are for winter only...the softer compound will wear quicker...

HTH,

 

I would recommend getting a pair (or four) 14" or 15" plain steel wheels and some relatively narrow snow tires for them. Something like a 205/75R14 or a 205/70R15. Maybe some Bridgestone Blizzacks or something like them.

Pete

 

Narrower is better in the snow. I would go with what he said, for the price of having the tires changed you could probably get a cheap set of rims. The only thing is I don't know if you will get going at all with the 350 and tires that narrow.
Thats the whole trick in the snow, you cannot stop moving once you do your screwed, I drove in the snow last winter with Cooper Cobra tires (about 3in on the road, just me and the 4x4 trucks), anyway I only got stuck once when I was forced to stop. Just slow down way in advance and slowley roll up to the light so that by the time you get there is is green and you can accelerate again without a full stop.

 

I've used Michelin Arctic Alpins and Bridgestone Blizzaks in the past and liked them both.

The Michelins were on my '00 Lightning, so I know all about keeping the momentum and not using the gas pedal.

 

Bridgestone Blizzaks are Great!!!!!!!! Had them Loved them. I would definately get some 14" rims and appropriate sized tires with about 205 width. The will eat thru the snow.

 

Snow tires? What are snow tires?

So. Cal. - home of the 80* day in January

 

I drove my Camaro last winter in the snow and it wasnt too too bad. I have BF Goodrich snow tires on the back (205/75/15 I think) and I put 2 75lb bags of sand in the rear hatch. I had no problem at all, but with the extra weight in the back you gotta be careful when stopping fast because of the weight balance difference.

 

Can anyone tell me if I will have a problem putting 15" wheels in the back for snow tires and leaving the 16 up front? Just kind of curious. I am looking to get a set of 14" rims for winter but was just wondering incase I can't get them.

 

No problem at all, as long as they bolt up.
Have fun, and be careful..

Pete

 

Just remenber with just snow tires on the rear, how are you going to steer with those wide summer tread front tires. I used snow tires on all four corners for best results in bad weather conditions.

 

As for bolting up, I think they should work since they are coming off of an 84 firebird. And also for the front tires, I was planning on putting snow tires on them if I put the 15's on. I would put the 15's all the way around but I only have 3 of them. So if I can't get the 14's I will have to take 2 of the 15's and put snow tires on them and snow tires on the 16's up front.

 

You must run snow tires on all 4 wheels!!! after i was srtanded in 4 inches of snow with my Yokohama AVS's i went out and bought a set of Firestone Winterfire tires from tire rack. About 65 bucks piece evry bit as good as the Blizzaks and better tread wear and a stiffer carcass (relatively speaking). i bought 215/65 15's and mounted them on my old 15 x 7 rims. They were incredible in the big storms NYC got last year!! it was fun driving in the snow and i would regularly drive around SUV's in the storms. I Highly reccomend them. I just got a set of BFG KDWS's this fall in hopes of getting through without the snow tires this year but as of yet we haven't gotten any snow, however this weekend we are expecting some. I'll update this if we get any accumulation.

 

I have a question about the fitting of the rims if anyone can help me. I am looking to get a set of turbo finned rims just like the ones that were used on the Knight Rider car and using these for my snow tires. I know they will bolt up but someone mentioned to me that they didn't think they would bolt up if I had the 1le performace option on my car. How can I tell if I have this option. They said they are bigger disc brakes than normal but was just wondering if I could check the VIN to tell. Any help is appreciated and I want to thank everyone on their help with this. We had our first snow and I really need to get some tires soon. I was told that this snow should melt off so hopefully I can have my new rims and tires on before that.

 

No such thing as rear performance 1LE brake option. You may have the improved PBR Aluminum capliers and 11.655 rotors on your 1989. No reason why any 3rd Gen wheels shouldn't fit. Your rear brakes shold look like this:

 

Except when I tried to put the 15" rally wheels from my 1987 Camaro over those calipers, the ridge inside the rim prevented the wheel from seating against the hub, making the swap impossible without spacers or different 15" rims.

Fit over the front disc brakes just fine though...

 

My 86 SC is a daily driver in New England winters.

Best advice: Get studded tires, not just winter tires.

I suffered for years with horrendous traction, wheels spinning on 1/2 inch of snow no matter how much weight I put in the back, tire places kept telling me not to bother with studs. Finally I tried 4 studded tires, and it made all the difference. Traction, what a concept.

Seriously, if you put 4 studded tires on, you'll never go back to plain winter tires.

 

Stids are great, however they are not legal in all states.

 

I had my first expreince in the snow with my camaro today!!! My five friends and me after school went out behind Kohls parking lot and did donuts and 360s. It was Pretty funny wathing a 91 z28, a bronco, a hyndai, a pathfinder and a civic doing donuts at the same time.
But anyway i was wondeing is snow chains would work to give me a little more traction?

 

had my first experience with the KDWS's in the snow today. We had 6-8" today and they faired pretty well. They are no match for the winterfire's but they got me home pretty uneventfully. The only problem i had was starting out gently enough. I have a HSR 383 with a 5 speed so this is pretty understandable. If we have any more big storms i will go to the winterfires but for now i'm confident i can get home with the KDWS's

 

sup laiky, good to hear you made it alright with that beast. After trying to make it home tonight, I think I need to invest in some tires of my own. Now I'm wondering how I'll fare next winter with those springs on!

Editing for DJP87Z28: Studs are great, however they aren't legal in all states.

 

Hey Cayse

Well you know how i feel about the prokit, this is my advice. Get good HP all season rubber to go with the suspension, then get an old set of 15x7's and put some tall snowtires on them. I have 215/65's on my old rims. It helps ground clearance with the low stance. You might also want to invest in some spare chin spoilers, i almost lost mine in last years 20+" blizzard.