Tire suggestions

[Frosty]

So what tires are you guys running.

It's time to do a full set on the GTA, stock sizes(245/50/16). I'm not looking to break the bank but I'm not looking to only spend $70/tire either.

I had a few ideas but wanted to see you guys suggest. I don't have much experience with tires.

[Slow-V6]

KDW

[BigAls87Z28]

I was lookin at the Rack, and there seems to be a big jump in price from the 100 mark to 145+
I have heard good things about the BFG SS tires, but they dont seem to be getting good ratings.
@146 a tire, the Pilot Sport 2's arent bad priced, when you factor that there is a $70 rebate when you buy 4. Thats about 515 bucks for 4 tires...killer deal IMO. And a fantastic tire.

[Frosty]

That's not bad at all. Hmmmmm......

[FlyingDutchman]

general exclaim. they are 98$ a piece for your size too so ~400$ for all is a killer deal as well

[Frosty]

Well I was looking at their Ultimax HP's or whatever they're called...a local place has them around the same price. Decent reviews.

I was also looking at the Hancook Ventus HRII's since they're cheap...but if the Pilot Sports are as cheap as Al says then I might be worth the extra $$$

[BonzoHansen]

general exclaim. they are 98$ a piece for your size too so ~400$ for all is a killer deal as well

as a former conti-general dealer you couldn't get me to use general tires unless they were free.

[Frosty]

That bad Scott?

[FlyingDutchman]

as a former conti-general dealer you couldn't get me to use general tires unless they were free.

Care to tell us why?

[BigAls87Z28]

Concur...***** General/Conti tires.
We used to have a name for the belts shifting in the ContiTouring tires...the Continental Shift.
Sooo...515 bucks for Pilot Sport AS 2's, good deal and top notch customer service.

[BonzoHansen]

Al hit it. I made a lot of $$ replacing bad continental/general tires. belt shifts, thumping, poor wear. there are too many other brands out there to choose from.

[BigAls87Z28]

Even the top end stuff they sell is good but priced like tires from Michlien and Bridgestone so what's the point. I will say the contis on this CTS coups is very sticky.

[BonzoHansen]

Even the top end stuff they sell is good but priced like tires from Michlien and Bridgestone so what's the point. I will say the contis on this CTS coups is very sticky.

you know better than to go by what a given brand new tires does. if we did that we'd all buy good-for-a-year tires.

I had a set of h-rated contis on my olds for 40,000 miles. I got them damn near free, lol. When they warmed up they handled well. They rode real hard, thumped cold or if they sat a few days. Got squirrelly in the water about 50% worn. Al, they were very much like the old Pirelli P6, right down to the square-ish tread pattern. I'll give them this, they didn't fall apart.

Of the major players, I've always been impressed with the first to last mile consistency of michelins, toyos and to bit lesser degree Bridgestone/Firestone. not every model of course, but in general terms.

Cooper makes a nice hoop for the price. BFG is michelin's step child and are usually decent tires for the $$. I've liked Dunlops in general as well, but I'm not sure now that GY bought them. I made nice $$ selling a rebranded D40 (iirc, and no longer made), and they made my favorite snow tires (also now disco'd).

I've never been real impressed with the long term performance of goodyears, conti/generals or pirellis.

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

My Continental Contitcontact EcoPlus in that size could not be any worse. I can spin at 70 mph. Especially when its cold out and they're cold, prepare to drive in s shapes.

[BonzoHansen]

My Continental Contitcontact EcoPlus in that size could not be any worse. I can spin at 70 mph. Especially when its cold out and they're cold, prepare to drive in s shapes.

that is how gatorbacks used to be, for those of you old enough to have driven 3rd gens when they were still relatively new.

Recipe for excessive oversteer:

Michelin MXX2s in front, Goodyear gatorbacks out back. Under 45* the back of the car was like driving on ice!

[Frosty]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I still have some life left in the tires so I'm not hitting the panic button yet. Headliner and fuel pump come first, getting done in the next week or two.

[Ls1dreamin02]

NITTO NT 555 all the way. Made in the USA. Rides really nice and are quiet. 300 tread wear and A on traction. Great tire IMO

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

that is how gatorbacks used to be, for those of you old enough to have driven 3rd gens when they were still relatively new.

Recipe for excessive oversteer:

Michelin MXX2s in front, Goodyear gatorbacks out back. Under 45* the back of the car was like driving on ice!

Yes. these tires suck. They're a little louder than the Toyo Proxes on my truck, and they're an actual performance tire. They thump loud too, and are rock solid, so they ride like crap. All without a benefit of traction or something to make the tradeoffs worthwhile in any way shape or form.

[Pampered-Z]

NITTO NT 555 all the way. Made in the USA. Rides really nice and are quiet. 300 tread wear and A on traction. Great tire IMO

Another vote for the Nitto 555s! I think people overlook these tires thinking they are DRs.

[BigAls87Z28]

Nitto doesnt make a tire int hat size.

[WildBillyT]

Nitto doesnt make a tire int hat size.

Yup. 555 is not offered in a rim size smaller than 17".

[Frosty]

I'm still debating on what to do but I'm holding off for a bit. Getting the headliner done tomorrow and the fuel pump done next week...seeing your wideband read 17 or lower when you hit boost is a scary thing lmao

The tires can wait another month or so.

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

Did they stop making the KDWs in our size 245/50/r16? I can't find them on tirerack, etc.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=1&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoYear=1995&autoModel=Camaro+Z28+Conv.&autoModClar=&width=245/&ratio=50&diameter=16&sortCode=46450&skipOver=true&minSpeedRating=S&minLoadRating=S&tab=All

[WildBillyT]

Did they stop making the KDWs in our size 245/50/r16? I can't find them on tirerack, etc.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=1&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoYear=1995&autoModel=Camaro+Z28+Conv.&autoModClar=&width=245/&ratio=50&diameter=16&sortCode=46450&skipOver=true&minSpeedRating=S&minLoadRating=S&tab=All

Yes. That's the size I have used on my GTP for years and BFG does not make them anymore, in any of the KD, KDW, or KDWS lines. I had to replace the whole set (with Riken Raptors) when 2 of mine went bad.

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

Well it looks like the vert might be getting new tires so I'm open to suggestions/reviews from everyone as well.

[NJ Torque]

Its a very hard size to get tires for... I don't make anything in a Goodyear/KS/Dunlop...

[97Formula]

I currently have BFG G-Force Sport (summer tire) in the same size (245/50-ZR16), and they are very sticky (compared to my old Eagle GS-C's). Fairly inexpensive too.

[Anti_Rice_Guy]

I currently have BFG G-Force Sport (summer tire) in the same size (245/50-ZR16), and they are very sticky (compared to my old Eagle GS-C's). Fairly inexpensive too.

Those were the ones I was actually looking at right now. They seem like the new KDW. How is the sidewall flex on corners?

[WildBillyT]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Firehawk+Wide+Oval+Indy+500

15% off if you act fast:

http://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/tire_promotion/show_tire_promotion.jsp?id=10000266

[Frosty]

FML, I was gonna wait until spring(tires are getting low, right at the inspection passing limit), the car won't be driven much, if at all during the winter, but that deal is nice. That's like $90/tire. Blah, I think gauges come first.

[BigAls87Z28]

The BFG SuperSport AS took over the KDW.

[FlyingDutchman]

The BFG SuperSport AS took over the KDW.

Had those for a year, def an excellent tire which id highly recommend :nod:


Had great wet weather traction, even in the freezing temps. Even saw some snow (~2-3inches) never really slipped/spun (abs didnt go off either). I put about ~8k on them and believe it or not the frilly things from the tire molds were still there on teh rears (not the fronts though, they got a bit warn down from excessive handling haha)