Please offer you recommendations for new tires on my 87 GT with stock 15 x 7" wheels. I'm interested in the best performing Summer tire possible but the pickings are slim. I would prefere 215/60 in front and 225/60 or 235 in the rear but would consider 55 series as well. DOT legal tires would also be OK. So far all I can find is BFG G-Force in 205 / 60 front and 225 / 60 rear which isn't bad OR Kumho ECSTA LX Platinum in 215 / 60 front and 225 / 60 rear which is my size preference. I am concerned about Kumho quality. What advice do you all have for me? Thanks,
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03:06 PM
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olejoedad Member
Posts: 19823 From: Clarendon Twp., MI Registered: May 2004
Tire Rack says they still have Sumitomo HTR 200 although they have been discontinued for a while. They are the best tires I have ever had on my Formula....and one of the cheapest! I am running the stock sizes....205/60/15 and 215/60/15. I am not easy on the car, but I don't go out to find it's limits either, and these tires have been really great.
Welcome to the Forum!
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 05-19-2011).]
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05:32 PM
Dogcreek Member
Posts: 478 From: Spokane, WA, USA Registered: Aug 2006
I have been running on Yokahama Avid H4, 205 60 front and 215 60 rear for the last few years and have been very happy with the handling on the wet and dry mountain roads in our part of the country. Harry
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12:43 AM
nitroheadz28 Member
Posts: 4774 From: Brooklyn, NY Registered: Mar 2010
i plan on running 235s on the rears. but it gets pretty much all you can stick on there these rims.i heard people putting 245s on the stock rims. but i dont know if that is doable or not.
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01:05 AM
bnevets27 Member
Posts: 264 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2007
I've run the Falkan ZIEX ZE512's in the 225/60 rear - 215/60 front for the last two years on my V-8 Formula and I'm happy with them.
Inexpensive as well.
Close to the same setup as me, I'm on 50 series. Stock V6 but upgraded suspension. For the price they are definitely a good choice. Might have went with a bigger sidewall in hind sight, purely for looks.
[This message has been edited by bnevets27 (edited 05-20-2011).]
I wish somebody sold P235/55R15. That would be my pick, a bit wider than stock but retaining the same gearing as 215/60. As far as I can tell it doesn't exist though.
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02:25 AM
olejoedad Member
Posts: 19823 From: Clarendon Twp., MI Registered: May 2004
I used to run 195/60 F and 235/60 R on 7" wide rims, but I could not find 'H' rated tires in matching sets in those sizes. I wanted to go wider on the front, hence the current 215's.
The previous setup gave the car a very mean looking stance, but pushed alot when driven hard. The car is now very neutral by comparison.
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10:44 AM
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rourke_87_T-Top Member
Posts: 1347 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jan 2009
I like the 205-55-15 on the front better. Pirelli P6 but they are 4 season's, they are not intended for performance, I have other sets of wheels and tires for summer.
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11:57 AM
Bruce Member
Posts: 2189 From: Ventura, California, USA Registered: May 99
I ran 245/50 rear, 225/50 front on my 87 GT stock wheels. 245 is borderline fitting, but I did have acceptable wear from them, and they looked great. The diameter was pretty close to stock as well, and at the same time, gave enough more meat on the road to help handling quite a bit. (well, I also had Koni's all around, and added a rear bar...)
Edit to add: I was running BFG Comp T/A R1 soft compound for autocross in that size. For the street, Dunlop D40's, which they probably don't make anymore...LOL...sucks getting old.....
[This message has been edited by dsnover (edited 05-20-2011).]
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01:55 PM
jim94 Member
Posts: 1228 From: jacksonville, fl. usa Registered: Jan 2010
I discovered I have GT wheels (the GT on the hub cover should have been a clue). The last time I had one (rear) off I see that it's marked 15x7, but i understand some GT wheels are an inch wider for the back than the front. I had already bought new tires (all the same size) when I discovered this. When you specify different tires for front and rear is that because the rims are different widths? Would it matter if the tires were not?
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07:32 PM
May 28th, 2011
tednelson83 Member
Posts: 1993 From: Santa Clarita, California, USA Registered: Jul 2002
I discovered I have GT wheels (the GT on the hub cover should have been a clue). The last time I had one (rear) off I see that it's marked 15x7, but i understand some GT wheels are an inch wider for the back than the front. I had already bought new tires (all the same size) when I discovered this. When you specify different tires for front and rear is that because the rims are different widths? Would it matter if the tires were not?
isnt that only on the 88 gt's?
anyone know of any good performance tires for the 15's? we dont have much rain here, and about once every 10 years we get enough snow to just start to stick, so snow is no concern at all. im looking for a good max performance dry tire, but just looking at pictures doesnt help.
[This message has been edited by tednelson83 (edited 05-28-2011).]
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03:57 PM
olejoedad Member
Posts: 19823 From: Clarendon Twp., MI Registered: May 2004
Thank you tednelson83 and olejoedad. That's about what I thought. I don't know where they came from. I spend so much time looking and reading in order to save money and screwups yet still manage to buy tires without noticing the GT on the hubs even though I had seen a book stating that 88 GT''s had staggered wheels. The Firestone guys even asked did I maybe want to get only the rear tires (the tire that came apart was a rear).
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04:29 PM
May 30th, 2011
Zac88GT Member
Posts: 1026 From: Victoria BC Registered: Nov 2004
If performance is what you're after then don't worry too much about finding the widest section width you can fit, 205 front and back is plenty. Instead, focus on the rubber compound. For tread wear ratings 50-100 look at the Toyo Proxes R888, Nitto NT01, and Yoko Advan A048. For tread wear 100-200 look at Bridgstone potenza RE-11, Dunlop Z1 Star Spec, Kumho XS, and the Hankook RS3. Most of these are only available in 50 series or less for a 15" wheel but that's even better for performance. For a daily driven street tire I would probably lean more towards the 100-200 tread wear region, for price and heat cycling longevity. My buddy has the 205/50/15 RE-11's on his 86 GT and they're phenomenal for autocross and really well behaved on the street. I love the Dunlop star specs that I have but next time i'll be stepping up to the Hankook RS3.
I started the reference thread and appreciated the response from you Fieroguys. For reference I have new stock rubber control arm bushings or excellent originals on a 39k mile 87 GT vehicle. I ended up trying the Sumotomo tires in the standard 60 series sizes. They grip well and are very quiet (at least now). The ride comfort is excellent!! Under normal spirited driving on the street they handle nicely. My complaint would be that if you jerk the wheel left and right quickly, the car will sway and over react to the input. It is actually a bad feeling. To minimize the feeling I am running the following pressures: 32 PSI in the front - I chose this to reduce the immediate response from the front end AND to improve ride comfort. It seems quite good at 32. In the rear I am at 36 PSI and will probably try 40 next. My reasoning is the rear ride comfort is still great at 36 and the higher rear pressure calmed the overreaction to quick left right steering input. Question for anyone with Eagle GT tires or any other high priced tires: If you jerk the wheel left and right on a stock 87GT, will the car seem to overreact and sway left and right objectionably?
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06:29 PM
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cypherbane139 Member
Posts: 261 From: sunnyvale CA usa Registered: Jun 2010
im running a set of potenza grid-09's 205/60r15 front, 225/60r15 rear. they are pretty stiff, and have decent grip. i dont like how they are starting to cup on the inside. apparently they all do that for some reason. ive been told to try the firehawk wideovals, or if i have the money the re11's or re760's. btw i work at a firestone store hence all the brands are from them >.>; i dont get any swaying action when i go left/right like you say, and i have alot of stock nasty looking bushings i need to take care of.
<----- haters.
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08:14 PM
Gall757 Member
Posts: 10938 From: Holland, MI Registered: Jun 2010
Compared to the lower profile tires, I think there is more sidewall roll, so 32 lbs. may be a bit soft. I probably don't drive as hard as you do, but I have all four of mine at 38 lbs. and they still seem smooth. Is this your first Mid-engine car? They tend to throw the back end around a little quicker.
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 06-03-2011).]
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10:41 PM
Aug 18th, 2011
nitroheadz28 Member
Posts: 4774 From: Brooklyn, NY Registered: Mar 2010
I just wanted to bump this thread instead of making a new one. I was planning on picking up a set of 17" Enkei RPF1s with Dunlop Direzzas, but I think I might pass for now and just get new tires for my stock wheels.
I'm looking to run 215/ 235 or 245, I haven't been able to find anything like that. Anyone have suggestions? I know mattwa is running 255s on his stock wheels so they must be out there. Thanks.
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02:09 PM
Aug 20th, 2011
nitroheadz28 Member
Posts: 4774 From: Brooklyn, NY Registered: Mar 2010