Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!

Best Radial Tires?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-14-2009, 05:23 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
Timinsk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 LS
Best Radial Tires?

I'm in need of some really good radial tires. I was thinking BF Goodrich or GoodYear; can't decide. Anyone throw me some links of what to buy? I have the 15x7 rs rims i believe
Old 01-14-2009, 09:37 PM
  #2  
Member
 
84Z28406's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1984 Camaro Z28 T-tops
Engine: 350
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Best Radial Tires?

Radial as in normal street tires, or as in Drag Radials? If you're looking for normal tires, I'm partial to the BF Goodrich Radial T/As. Had a set of 215s on my 15 inch rims. Getting 255s this summer.
Old 01-14-2009, 10:48 PM
  #3  
Member
 
skiroulertx447's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 86 Z28
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Best Radial Tires?

I've got Radial T/A's on the 15x7 Z28 rims, the tires are 235's. They seem to be a good tire, but I want to get some wider tires on the back.
Old 01-14-2009, 11:27 PM
  #4  
Member
 
84Z28406's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1984 Camaro Z28 T-tops
Engine: 350
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Best Radial Tires?

According to the BFG website, a 7 inch wide 15 inch diameter wheel will accept up to a 255/60R15 or 255/70R15 for radial T/As. They're about the widest all season tire you can get per rim size, though I'm sure each brand has their own.

Last edited by 84Z28406; 01-14-2009 at 11:31 PM.
Old 01-15-2009, 05:44 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
Timinsk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 LS
Re: Best Radial Tires?

Originally Posted by 84Z28406
According to the BFG website, a 7 inch wide 15 inch diameter wheel will accept up to a 255/60R15 or 255/70R15 for radial T/As. They're about the widest all season tire you can get per rim size, though I'm sure each brand has their own.
Where would it tell me it would fit my rs rims? I have an 89 rs with the rs rims, nice big black thick strip on each spoke. Mine are from what told 15x7 or so. BF website keeps telling me they dont have anything for me.. I want radial street. Any direct links to what I should get? I want the most grip for the street, this car is only being used through good summer days, not winter or anything. I'm going to be going to track here and there.
Old 01-16-2009, 02:29 AM
  #6  
Member
 
84Z28406's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1984 Camaro Z28 T-tops
Engine: 350
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Best Radial Tires?

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/specs/radial-t-a/12.html

Thats the data for radial T/As. I'm sure a traction T/A or any of the g-force series would provide better grip at a certain width, but the radial T/As are the widest you'll get on skinny rims.
Old 01-16-2009, 07:36 AM
  #7  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (20)
 
wanab03ss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: chicago
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 385 sbc
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi
Re: Best Radial Tires?

Ive been told by everyone I know who has first hand knowledge that the MT radial will out perform BFG. That coming from 9 different people. Its a great working and looking tire
Old 01-16-2009, 08:01 AM
  #8  
Supreme Member

 
84 z28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 1,801
Received 21 Likes on 19 Posts
Car: 1984 z28
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 4.11
Re: Best Radial Tires?

Originally Posted by Timinsk
I'm in need of some really good radial tires. I was thinking BF Goodrich or GoodYear; can't decide. Anyone throw me some links of what to buy? I have the 15x7 rs rims i believe
Are you looking for a full set or just the rears ?
Old 01-16-2009, 08:22 AM
  #9  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (20)
 
wanab03ss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: chicago
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 385 sbc
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi
Re: Best Radial Tires?

Heres a pic of the MT DR on an 8 " rim but I believe there 255s...... sorry I know its a Mustang......
Name:  untitled.jpg
Views: 51
Size:  115.9 KB
Old 01-16-2009, 12:03 PM
  #10  
Supreme Member

 
Damon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Philly, PA
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Re: Best Radial Tires?

Back in the old days there was a rule of thum that said the wheel should be greater than 70% as wide as the tire, and preferrably over 75%. (This was, however, before the days of ultra low profile "steamroller" tires with aspect ratios under 50-series, so take it with a grain of salt.)

This is an important consideration to ensure that the entire width of the tread contacts the ground properly (maximizing traction), not "bowing out" in the middle and riding mostly on the center few inches of the tread. It IS POSSIBLE that a too-wide tire on your rim can REDUCE traction vs. an appropriately matched size.

Anywho...... here's the numbers:

To convert mm (how tires are measured) to inches (how rims are measured) you first need to divide by 24.3. So it goes like this:

235 60R15 tire is 235mm wide at it's widest point (not at the tread)
235mm / 24.3 = 9.67"
7"(wheel width) / 9.67" (tire width) = .72 (72%. Above the old 70% "rule of thumb," and so acceptable)

Now do a 255mm wide tire and compare the results.....

255 / 24.3 = 10.49"
7" (wheel width) / 10.49" (tire width) = .67 (67%. Below the 70% "rule of thumb," and so not acceptable)

Probably explains why you don't often see a 255 tire on a 7" wheel from the factory very much. Not that there aren't a few exceptions. Like my 1990 454SS truck that came from the factory with 7" wheels wearing 275 60R15 tires! That's the most extreme example I know of that breaks this rule. The vast majority of factory wheel/tire combos conform to it, however. Even today.
Old 01-16-2009, 12:18 PM
  #11  
Member
 
84Z28406's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1984 Camaro Z28 T-tops
Engine: 350
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Best Radial Tires?

Originally Posted by wanab03ss
Ive been told by everyone I know who has first hand knowledge that the MT radial will out perform BFG. That coming from 9 different people. Its a great working and looking tire
Of course an MT drag radial will beat the hell out of a radial T/A. The redial T/A is an all season and the the MT is a summer only drag tire approved by DOT. I only recommended the radial assuming he didn't want drag radials. If he does, then by all means get the better performing MTs.
Old 01-16-2009, 12:35 PM
  #12  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (20)
 
wanab03ss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: chicago
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: 385 sbc
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 posi
Re: Best Radial Tires?

he said hes only driving in the summer and wants a tire for the track....Im comparing the et drag radial vs bfg drag radial.
Old 01-16-2009, 12:46 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
 
Timinsk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 LS
Re: Best Radial Tires?

Originally Posted by Damon
Back in the old days there was a rule of thum that said the wheel should be greater than 70% as wide as the tire, and preferrably over 75%. (This was, however, before the days of ultra low profile "steamroller" tires with aspect ratios under 50-series, so take it with a grain of salt.)

This is an important consideration to ensure that the entire width of the tread contacts the ground properly (maximizing traction), not "bowing out" in the middle and riding mostly on the center few inches of the tread. It IS POSSIBLE that a too-wide tire on your rim can REDUCE traction vs. an appropriately matched size.

Anywho...... here's the numbers:

To convert mm (how tires are measured) to inches (how rims are measured) you first need to divide by 24.3. So it goes like this:

235 60R15 tire is 235mm wide at it's widest point (not at the tread)
235mm / 24.3 = 9.67"
7"(wheel width) / 9.67" (tire width) = .72 (72%. Above the old 70% "rule of thumb," and so acceptable)

Now do a 255mm wide tire and compare the results.....

255 / 24.3 = 10.49"
7" (wheel width) / 10.49" (tire width) = .67 (67%. Below the 70% "rule of thumb," and so not acceptable)

Probably explains why you don't often see a 255 tire on a 7" wheel from the factory very much. Not that there aren't a few exceptions. Like my 1990 454SS truck that came from the factory with 7" wheels wearing 275 60R15 tires! That's the most extreme example I know of that breaks this rule. The vast majority of factory wheel/tire combos conform to it, however. Even today.
Hm i'll keep it in mind, so you want to atleast have 70% or more then correct? or just closest to 70%

Originally Posted by 84 z28
Are you looking for a full set or just the rears ?
a full set

Last edited by Timinsk; 01-16-2009 at 12:50 PM.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LiquidBlue
Wheels and Tires
32
12-10-2019 04:06 PM
BrianChevy
Wheels and Tires
10
08-08-2019 02:16 PM
Cam-aro
Camaros Wanted
2
11-12-2015 03:35 PM
Cole Curtis
Theoretical and Street Racing
9
10-03-2015 12:26 AM
TheCardinal
Exterior Parts for Sale
4
10-01-2015 07:40 PM



Quick Reply: Best Radial Tires?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:32 PM.