Can anyone tell me if I will notice any difference (handling, cornering, etc.) if I replace my "Z" rated tires with "H" rated tires on my 91 trans am ws6? the "H" speed rating is fine with me, plus they are so much cheaper than "Z"'s. I just want to make sure all I am giving up is the tire speed and nothing else.

Please let me have your opinions. I need tires asap and don't have a ton of cash.

Thanks
Dean

 

GENERALLY speaking, the H rated tires arnt as sticky, and you wont have the same traction as the Zs.

 

the are only 2 good things in having an H rated tire. one is price. they are cheaper than most Z rated tires. secondly is they last longer. higher treadwear rating (this is why the H tire doesn't stick as well as a Z, besides the compund).

what was mentioned previously is true.

 

Usually the speed rating of the tire is dependent on the tread pattern being optimized for a certain speed or where it loses it's effectiveness to handle the road and give proper grip. Tread compound usually is a seperate thing altogether. Most of the time the higher speed rated tires will have a stickier compound which gives it a lower treadwear rating under the UTQG ratings. There are some exceptions to to the rule. For example there BFG G force KDWS tires are Z rated and have a 400 treadwear while Sumitomo HTR are H rated and have a 320 treadwear. So as you can see there are exceptions to the general opinion.

What tires are you looking at specifically?

 

I am looking at either the

Kumho Escta 711 H

or

Visa VK-50G Z

Bother are pretty much the same price but the Kumho has better wet / dry traction from what I have read. That is why I am asking the diferrence between H and Z. I want good handling / cornering.

Thanks