Howdy folks, Darryl here again with another question.
If you've been keeping track of my 4.9L swap post, you know that on 9/5/2020 I'll finally be picking up my Fiero, a yellow 88 Formula. I'm assembling my shopping list for the car and will need tires. I'm looking for summer performance tires, trying to stay around $350 max for the full set. Want to retain the stock tire sizes (205-60-15 fronts and 215-60-15 rears). All four tires need to be a matching set. Would prefer at least H speed rated tires.
Do any of you folks have tire recommendations based on that criteria?
You can go to Tirerack and look at what they have in your sizes...The options are limited....I have been using Generals on my vehicles for a while and like them. I use the Altimax RT43 on my Van...General tires are LIGHTER which makes your car perform better and feel better. Here is a link to a search for your sizes; https://www.tirerack.com/ti...o=60&rearDiameter=15
Well, all I can say is a couple months ago I put on a brand new set of 225/50-16 BFG G-Force Comp 2's, and they are easily the most impressive street tires I've ever had on a car. I can hardly believe the tremendous grip these tire have in real-world conditions, which is exactly what I was hoping. I specifically looked for a high-performance tire with a directional tread that would readily shed water and reduce the potential for hydroplaning in a light car with wide tires. Their price is a little higher than you were hoping, but they are still not expensive. W Speed rating (ie up to 168 mph). https://www.discounttire.co...104ca5f699d015e912d4
Ernie
------------------ '87 Fiero 4.9 5-speed
[This message has been edited by Warlordsix (edited 08-26-2020).]
Yeah, unfortunately I only saw those G Comps in 16", which is a shame because I like the sound of them. Another big problem I'm facing is finding a decent matching set of tires with the two different sizes. I can find a set that seems decent in 205s, and in 215s, but not both.
Which poses two more questions:
1: Will I notice a difference in how the stock 88 Formula suspension handles if I change the front tires to 215s?
2: will changing just the front tires to a different size affect my speedometer? I would imagine not, since the drive tires should be the only ones that matter in that equation. Honestly I don't know for sure though, we rarely ever change tire size beyond stock, and when we do it's on a car that's being clocked on the strip, so who cares if the Speedo is accurate?
Hey Darryl, I have an '88 GT that needed tires in the stock size however I do like to use 225s on the rear. They are Cooper CS5 Ultratouring and not too bad at all.
My only concern with changing the tire size is the accuracy of the speedometer. That's always an annoying thing to fix, swapping drive and driven gears and whatnot until you find the right combo. Not exactly a job I enjoy
I switched to 16 x 7 wheels with 205/55 and 225/55 tires...(Size comparo between stock GT tires (215/60-15 (25" diameter) and my new tires (25.7") I had switched out the (85) 4 speed for a later FIERO GT Getrag 5 speed....My Speedo is as accurate as I can measure!
Most stock speedos read a bit high, so going to a bigger tire makes it closer to true.....
Good to know, thanks Jet! Does anyone make a reproduction wheel for these that's 16x7? Would prefer to keep the factory wheels, I'm a big fan of keeping the cosmetics exactly how the car was built to look.
The only decent performance tires available in those sizes are BFG TA and they are almost double your price ceiling at Tire rack.
Tough finding good tires in 15" - they keep discontinuing them. I use 215x60-15s on one of my cars and really need to replace them but the ones I have are no longer made.
If I were you I'd go 215 at both ends and the best one out there seems to be the Yoko Avid Touring-S
I used to use Falken tires on all my vehicles. They stick like glue. Same vendor has both tire sizes with the "H" rating. You'll be way below your $350 budget.
Thanks for the info so far guys! Has anyone used those Ohtsu FP7000 tires before? Those are the ones I've settled on at this point actually. Plan on putting more expensive tires on the car eventually, right now I just want a new set of decent handling tires while I work on the car.
Yep, treadwear doesn't bother me at all. This car will be spring/summer driver only, and I only put about 8,000 or so miles on my truck per year driving it year round. Looking at 4,000 miles on the car a year, give or take a few if I use it to go on a trip.
------------------ - Darryl
[This message has been edited by Reborn756 (edited 08-30-2020).]
For those that haven't seen it yet, here is the Fiero I'm picking up, hopefully on the 5th if all goes well. This will be my first Fiero, I'm formerly a 3rd Gen TA guy. After selling my 86 going on two years ago, I've had that sports car itch and want something more for spirited corner taking. Being a Pontiac guy, I obviously settled in on a Fiero. This isn't my first foray into the world of Fieros though, my dad is one of the dudes that used to cut up 2M4s and turn them into trikes back in the early 2000s (I still cry when I think about it).
Thanks for the info so far guys! Has anyone used those Ohtsu FP7000 tires before?
I used Falken tires for many years on my cars and trucks. Their line of tires is actually very good. As I remember, they are a softer tire so they last around 5-6k miles less than most other tires but I would rather see you pay very little now to get the car on the road while saving for more expensive tires later.
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 08-30-2020).]
Hey guys! Forgot to report that I ordered set of the Ohtsu FP7000 tires. I will be sure to report in on how the car handles with them!
Hoping to have all the issues with the car worked out over the extended weekend (we'll see, picking the car up on Saturday), and then going to get it registered and drive it around on Tuesday. I'll report in then, because I'm taking all day to just gas up and learn this car inside and out.
Only wrench in that gear may be, I ordered the tires from Walmart (Paid $230 for the full set) on Sunday. They were supposed to be here by Friday. Well FedEx naturally screwed something up, so ONE of them is now "possibly arriving end of day Tuesday". That may keep me from getting out with it on Tuesday, at least extensively.
All that dependent of course on whether or not I can get it running by then.
