There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
Yep, me. First I'm too embarrassed to mention how old the tires on my IROC were, though there weren't many miles on them. At any rate, I attributed issues I was experiencing to steering. Ahem, those issues, all of them, disappeared with a new set of tires. Good grief! Ok, to the tires themselves. I thought I'd discovered what I wanted on tirerack (a BFG summer or BFG all season tire), but a third party convinced me to try Falken 245/50R16 ZIEX ZE950 AS 97H. So far, they're terrific (and a $70 rebate didn't hurt) but I suspect that any replacement would have been a marked improvement. Lesson learned.
JamesC
JamesC
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,812
Likes: 110
From: Central NJ
Car: 86 Trans Am
Engine: 408 stroker sbc
Transmission: TKO600
Axle/Gears: Moser full floater m9, 3:70 trutrac
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
Amazing what new tires will do!
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 9,945
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From: Chicagoland
Car: 1989 IROC-Z. Original owner
Engine: LB9. Dual Cats. Big Cam
Transmission: World Class T-5
Axle/Gears: BW 3.45
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
I replaced the original Gatorbacks on my '89 when they were 20 years old. They looked mint, but felt like ice skates when driving, plus I was afraid drive over 30 MPH. The first time I hit the brake pedal on my new F1 tires, it felt as if I had swapped 13" Brembos for the stock brakes.
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 378
Likes: 17
From: Ontario, Canada
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: L98 5.7L
Transmission: MD8 700R4
Axle/Gears: G80 GW6 3.27:1
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
Good reminder for us all.
Years back I had a belt break while on the freeway in my Chevelle. The Michelins looked good before hand and were properly inflated but were also 12+ years old. Lesson learned, I now change tires every 10 years at latest regardless of tread condition.
Years back I had a belt break while on the freeway in my Chevelle. The Michelins looked good before hand and were properly inflated but were also 12+ years old. Lesson learned, I now change tires every 10 years at latest regardless of tread condition.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 270
Likes: 17
Car: '86 Iroc Z & '91 RS
Engine: 305 TPI & 305 Qjet - Future LC9
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
My Iroc had 55K-ish miles on it when I put the new tires on, now it's at 61K. LOL Doesn't get driven much. Fortunately I'm not planning on taking it on any road trips. The tires on my Formula are nearly as old, but the rears have been replaced once or twice while the fronts just keep going. Not sure why the rears keep going bald. 
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
Ok, I'll fess up. The tires were 14 years old. I'm still amazed at what the new tires brought to the car and my enjoyment of it.
JamesC
JamesC
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,225
Likes: 1,150
From: Il
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
LOL, don't feel bad, I think the good years on my car now are from 03 ish?
Maybe I shouldn't be running the car to "elevated" speeds that I do buuuut....
Maybe I shouldn't be running the car to "elevated" speeds that I do buuuut....
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
Well, after a few days of driving on all surfaces, rough and smooth, city and highway and after setting the Koni Yellows to full soft (I'm in the process of experimenting), I feel as if I've purchased a new car. The ride is more comfortable and the steering more precise—and perhaps more importantly, I'm enjoying the car again. 
JamesC
JamesC
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 46
From: Double Bratville
Car: '89 Formula
Engine: LS2
Transmission: 4L65E
Axle/Gears: MW 3.42 12 Bolt
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
A Large Body of Scientific Literature Supports a Six Year Tire Expiration Date
http://www.tiresafetygroup.com/tires...-in-six-years/
http://www.tiresafetygroup.com/tires...-in-six-years/
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 8,464
Likes: 219
From: Florida
Car: 87 IROC-Z, 82 Pace Car
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
You put H rated tires on your car? How do they feel in the corners? I put the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 on my car and had to return them. The car rolled through corners and was very soft. I replaced them with BFG Comp 2 sport. They are much better, except for the improper weight installation that needs to redone!
My last set of tires were Michelin Pilot Sports and I had them on since February 2009. In that time, I put 6k miles on them.
My last set of tires were Michelin Pilot Sports and I had them on since February 2009. In that time, I put 6k miles on them.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
You put H rated tires on your car? How do they feel in the corners? I put the Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 on my car and had to return them. The car rolled through corners and was very soft. I replaced them with BFG Comp 2 sport. They are much better, except for the improper weight installation that needs to redone!
My last set of tires were Michelin Pilot Sports and I had them on since February 2009. In that time, I put 6k miles on them.
My last set of tires were Michelin Pilot Sports and I had them on since February 2009. In that time, I put 6k miles on them.
JamesC
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 4,184
Likes: 575
From: Meriden, CT 06451
Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
speed limiter sitting in the passenger seat
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 8,464
Likes: 219
From: Florida
Car: 87 IROC-Z, 82 Pace Car
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
Ok, am I wrong in thinking that the speed rating also affects the tires performance? H rated tires are sufficient for my car also because I don't see me driving extended periods at high speed either, but I thought that rating also addressed sidewall and performance.
Supreme Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 48
From: CA
Car: 1991 Camaro B4C
Engine: 305
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
But yes, tires make a huge difference. It also surprises me when people go for cheap tires.
Supreme Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,356
Likes: 15
From: northern VA
Car: 88 Sport Coupe Camaro
Engine: V6 2.8
Transmission: Borg-Warner T-5
Axle/Gears: RPO/GU6: 3.42
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
My rule of thumb on performance tires is three years, whether the tread is worn out our not.
My tires sit outside in the weather for the six months they are on the car before the seasonal swap.
You may be able to stretch a bit farther if you can keep the tires out of the UV light when they aren't actually rolling.
Old tires become soft where they are supposed to be rigid, and they become rigid where they are supposed to be soft.
The up-side is you can run those performance tires pretty hard, and wear them out before you have to throw them away just because they got old. That's what I call winning.
My tires sit outside in the weather for the six months they are on the car before the seasonal swap.
You may be able to stretch a bit farther if you can keep the tires out of the UV light when they aren't actually rolling.
Old tires become soft where they are supposed to be rigid, and they become rigid where they are supposed to be soft.
The up-side is you can run those performance tires pretty hard, and wear them out before you have to throw them away just because they got old. That's what I call winning.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
A quick update:
With new tires, new ball joints, a four-wheel thrust alignment, the Koni Yellows set to full soft, and a return to the OE steering shaft and its rag joint (I chucked the Astro van version), I'm smilin' from ear to ear.
JamesC
With new tires, new ball joints, a four-wheel thrust alignment, the Koni Yellows set to full soft, and a return to the OE steering shaft and its rag joint (I chucked the Astro van version), I'm smilin' from ear to ear.
JamesC
Member
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 477
Likes: 41
From: Toronto, ON
Car: '89 'ROC
Engine: 5.7L
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
James how are you finding the Koni Yellows at full soft on the street? I was strongly considering this
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...oducts_id=1143
+ new moog springs then read a member who did exactly that and “went too far” on harshness for his street/strip objective. I realize myself I’ve tracked once this summer and driven to work 100 times in a land of potholes and speed bumps with a few blessed clear higher speed straightaways in between.
For more color I’ve got new Monroes up front on purchase last summer but some much older NAPA shocks out back. Hence I was thinking to only do the B6 HDs out back for way way less money (Canada) than Konis all around and amortize the Monroes a little longer. Bonus: pretty close to the factory setup from a historical angle.Downside: besides a few harsh ride comments here and there the konis get wildly positive reviews.
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...oducts_id=1143
+ new moog springs then read a member who did exactly that and “went too far” on harshness for his street/strip objective. I realize myself I’ve tracked once this summer and driven to work 100 times in a land of potholes and speed bumps with a few blessed clear higher speed straightaways in between.
For more color I’ve got new Monroes up front on purchase last summer but some much older NAPA shocks out back. Hence I was thinking to only do the B6 HDs out back for way way less money (Canada) than Konis all around and amortize the Monroes a little longer. Bonus: pretty close to the factory setup from a historical angle.Downside: besides a few harsh ride comments here and there the konis get wildly positive reviews.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
James how are you finding the Koni Yellows at full soft on the street? I was strongly considering this
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...oducts_id=1143
+ new moog springs then read a member who did exactly that and “went too far” on harshness for his street/strip objective.
Downside: besides a few harsh ride comments here and there the konis get wildly positive reviews.
http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...oducts_id=1143
+ new moog springs then read a member who did exactly that and “went too far” on harshness for his street/strip objective.
Downside: besides a few harsh ride comments here and there the konis get wildly positive reviews.
JamesC
Last edited by JamesC; Sep 19, 2018 at 03:38 PM.
Member
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 477
Likes: 41
From: Toronto, ON
Car: '89 'ROC
Engine: 5.7L
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
Great advice as always, thanks James. I think I’ll hold off on the konis (easy to do when they’re a freakin fortune to get to your doorstep up here) and snag the bilsteins to tighten up the back a bit.
Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: topeka,kansas
Car: 91 bird
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: 4 speed automatic
Axle/Gears: factory
Re: There's No Fool Like an Old Fool
Yep, me. First I'm too embarrassed to mention how old the tires on my IROC were, though there weren't many miles on them. At any rate, I attributed issues I was experiencing to steering. Ahem, those issues, all of them, disappeared with a new set of tires. Good grief! Ok, to the tires themselves. I thought I'd discovered what I wanted on tirerack (a BFG summer or BFG all season tire), but a third party convinced me to try Falken 245/50R16 ZIEX ZE950 AS 97H. So far, they're terrific (and a $70 rebate didn't hurt) but I suspect that any replacement would have been a marked improvement. Lesson learned.
JamesC
JamesC
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