Hey all, my stock tires are P245/50R16 right now. crappy "T" rated.

I am planning on picking up some Z rated tires. Should i go for the same size? Can i fit 45 series tires on my car?

Also, what is this "Y" rateing for tires now, is it better than the "Z" rating? Y seems to be rated at a higher MPH then the Z's.

Thanks!

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1986 IROC Camaro
305 TPI "LB9"
3.23 gears
Doesn't know enough about cars.
AIM: jesusathome

 

You can fit 245/45 on the 16 IROC rims but I would shy against it for two reasons. I currently have them on my car and first off they make too much space in the wheel well, even with my lowered car. Also the 50 serios is what the car is made for and handles best with them on. Just my opinion. ZR rated tires are the highest speed available.

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1988 IROC-Z T-Top "MATTSTOY"
350 Crate engine
370ft. lb Torque STOCK
5speed Centerforce clutch, Spohn Sub-frames, Jamex 1.5 Lowering springs, 2 1/2' Exhaust,ram air setup

 

Cool, thanks, didn't think about that.

If Z's are the best, why are Y's rated for 186 MPH (Z's are 149)

I have heard the speed rating is BS, its just a rating for stiffness, but I still wonder.

Anyone have any tires they could suggest? I have heard there are some inexpensive Z rates which were pretty worth it. If anyone has any suggestions, that would be great!

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1986 IROC Camaro
305 TPI "LB9"
3.23 gears
Doesn't know enough about cars.
AIM: jesusathome

 

Z-rated tires are rated up to 255mph the highest you can get. I just got a set of kuhmo exta supra 712s for my car. I have several friends that have these tires and they love them they have excelent wet traction. One of my friends had them on the back of his stang and nitto 555s on the front, and in a recient hard rain the front tires kept breaking loose but the rears stayed planted. All my friends that have them say that when you heat them up they have excelent traction on the track. One other atvantage is that my tires (245\50\16s) cost only $85 a piece for them plus mounting and ballanceing. They also look real mean.

 

I second the Kumhos. Good traction for the money you pay. Although, my brother has Brigstone RE71's on his 4th gen and those definatly have more grip. They are 116 each if you're willing to pay more. I plan on switching to these tires, but still praise the Kumhos!

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85 2.8L Sport Coupe 5-speed.
Mods: Hpertech chip and powerstat, MSD 6A-L, Crane fireball coil, Accel Cap and Rotor, Dynomax hi-flow cat and catback system with a dynomax magnum race bullet muffler on the i-pipe, K&N filterchargers, Gutted Air Boxes, 8mm Wires, Eibach Sportlines and Tokiko springs/shocks setup, Global west sub frames, Suspension techniqs front and rear sway bars, and good ole 88 IROC wheels with Kumo Ecstas on em!
"It's not the ricers, it's those damn V8's!"

Wins: 2000 V6 Accord, 69 302 Mustang, 2000 Auto VR6 Jetta, 89 Toyota MR2, 90 Civic Si, 76 350 Camaro, 2000 3.8 5-speed Camaro, ~68 Chevelle 350, 92 CRX Si.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I notice on tirerack.com they have a really poor rating for road noise? Are they noisy somehow?

Seem like great tires besides, and the price can't be beat.

Thanks for posting!

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1986 IROC Camaro
305 TPI "LB9"
3.23 gears
Doesn't know enough about cars.
AIM: jesusathome

 

The 245/45 are shorter, but on a lowered car they look ok. I got my GS-C's a few months ago for 62 a tire. Check my website for some pics of how the tires look. They handle way better than my old 245/50 BFG comp T/A's.

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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

 

Z rated tires are good to a non-specific speed in excess of 149 mph. It's up to the individual tire manufacturers to determine what that upper limit is. The "Z" simply means "at least". The W's and the Y's, on the other hand, have definite upper limits. An additional note: at higher speeds, increased inflation pressure and reduced load considerations apply.

Higher speed ratings normally require a stiffer tire structure (the carcass) in order to limit tread squirm and other flexing that takes place. Eliminating the possibility of a standing wave shape is also a consideration (just the thought of a tire that tries to stay flexed in a sort of squarish shape at 155 mph is the makings of a pretty good nightmare).

Norm


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1979 Malibu w/some cornering tweaks and a few other interesting things

 

The shorter sidewall on the "45" series will handle better than the taller sidewall on the "50" series. Probably not much better, but less sidewall to give.