How much tire does a stock '88 GT really need? (Page 2/3)
olejoedad APR 12, 08:50 AM
If it makes any difference in your purchasing decision, Cooper is headquartered in Findlay, Ohio and is one of the few American tire manufacturers.
mender APR 12, 01:42 PM
We ran Conti DWs as our wet track tire, worked very well for that but lost time to the 200 treadwear tires. Good street tire with good but not Proxes level dry grip, and good treadlife.
Modesto APR 14, 11:07 PM
Well, I decided trying to find "optimum performance" in the 15" rim was unnecessarily limiting really good options, so I just ordered the cs5 Ultras in the stock sizes. I love the look of the stock wheels, but if I end up wanting some performance tires in the future they will be mounted on these 17x7.5s. They are the closest I could find appearance-wise that had decent enough offset and weren't $300+ per wheel.


Edit: The cs5s came to just under $300 from Simple Tire, so I feel like they are a pretty good bargain for the performance. That, and Cooper is currently running a promotion where you get $50 back on those tires, so it's really more like $250 if you buy in the next few days.

[This message has been edited by Modesto (edited 04-14-2020).]

Daryl M APR 15, 05:22 AM
I like my 225/40-18 fronts and 235/45-18 rears.
wftb APR 15, 09:16 AM



My old tires were high performance summer tires in the same sizes. Kumho Ecsta SP . They worked great when they were new, on the track and on the street. There was a gap between track days of about 7 years and as they got older they got rock hard. Howled on every corner last time out. But even aggressive driving on the street I could not get a peep out of them. I bought the tires above for occasional track day use and they are also an all season tire so I can still drive at lower temperatures. For the weight of my car and how it is set up I expect good things on the track but have not been there yet. On the street they are impressive and unexpectedly quiet.

I tried to get a 215/ 255 combo in the same tire but the 215 was not available in a 16" size. As you can see by todays photo at the bottom, no going for a drive today.

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86 GT built 2.2 ecotec turbo
rear SLA suspension
QA1 coilovers on tube arms

fierofool APR 15, 10:49 AM
I'm with olejoedad on the size. I always go up 1 size on all my vehicles. You're a bit limited on the stock 88 front due to the narrower rims.

I ran Goodyears Eagles for a long time, but they seemed to loose their gripping after about 50% wear. I've run Yokohama Avids and though they were great rain tires, they wore quickly and were noisy. I eventually came upon the Kumho tires and have been very pleased with their performance. I've done a lot of extremely hard driving through the mountains and they have never lost traction with me. I've had them on my 87GT for at least 50K miles and there is still lots of tread left.
OntarioKev APR 15, 11:41 AM
You cant go wrong with Micheling Pilot Super Sports, or PS 4S tires, but even in 17 they have limited sizes.

Sadly even 17s are starting to go out of style. Hell my Kia Forte 5 came with 18s stock...
Dennis LaGrua APR 15, 12:49 PM
I've had good luck with Goodyear Eagle All Season tires in sizes.
In the rear I used 225 x 45 x17 . In front 205 x 45 x17 The handling is great but I also run a rear swaybar.
While they look excellent and the handling is good, be forewarned. Although these tires are the same OD as the OEM tires (no speedometer error) it comes at a sacrifice of ride that is much harsher

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 04-15-2020).]

John W. Tilford APR 16, 10:25 AM
I had a nasty wreck in my 88GT because of old tires. Rubber became hard and "non-grippy". A guy at my favorite tire store, right after I got my car back from a Fiero Factory repair and was buying four new tires, told me to never drive on tires older than seven years.

Wreck: driving along, not pushing it, probably 45 mph on a black top road near home. Sudden downpour, curve, rear end tried to pass me on the right and succeeded! I took out two brick fence posts.

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John W. Tilford

imspencer2u APR 16, 12:03 PM
You might want to consider yourself somewhat lucky. An old hard tire will build up and hold heat longer than a newer tire. Heat is the enemy of bonded rubber and steel and will separate to cause failure. One other thing to also keep in mind that most major tire retailers will not service or help to maintain any tire 10 years or older. I replaced almost perfectly new looking Bridgestone Potenza tires that were on my ’88 and stored inside my garage for about 8 years with Yokohama Avid Touring S. Good grip, very little road noise and smooth rolling. Just saying. enjoy, =spencer