Help me pick out some tires.

[quake101]

Now that tax time is around and I already have a brand new set of 17" cobra's waiting for tires, I think I should set my mind on some tires. I need your guys help to pick out the best tires for me. I was told by a very wise person *cough* Mr. Black *cough* that these...

245 45 17
or
255 40 17

.. sizes would fit my car the best. Now I don't know a damn thing about tires so I don't know what size to pick, what brand, what "rating", etc, etc.

HELP!

[huts02ragtopGT]

It looks to me like you are putting these new tires on 17x8 rims on a fox right? You could prolly get away with 275s on the back if you wanted. The Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 are supposedly best all around tire and if they weren't 2x as much as the Sumitomo HTR Z(which I have been very happy with) I would have gotten them. I was also limited to b/c there are only 3 tires availiable in 315/35/17 and my wifes logic was "Get the cheaper ones, you are just going to burn them off anyway." Isn't she great...sounds like she is either giving permission or just knows me well.
Click on this link. This place has about the lowest prices you will find anywhere and have all the answers to your questions.
 http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?resultsNumberSelected=Y&displayResults=10&shipquote=N&compare=true&partNumber=&make=&model=&clarifier=&width=255%2F&ratio=40&diameter=17&sortCode=&type=T&newCompare=true&autoMake=&autoModel=&autoYear=&autoModClar=&compareList=&RunFlat=All&goWhere=%252Ftires%252FCompare1.jsp&AddToUser=true&startIndex=0&sortValue=1

[GotTorque?]

Okay...

Your wheels are 17X8, correct?  If so, I would agree with Mr. Black's suggestion of P245/45R17 tires.  Do not go lower than the stock load/ speed rating (this should be on the vehicle placard).  95W, or something like that. 

FYI, unless they're Nittos (which are undersized), DO NOT put a P275/40R17 on a 17X8 rim.  The rim will be too narrow.

[quake101]

The rims are:
17x9 with a 5.78" backspace(+20mm offset) . The lug pattern is 4x4.25 (108mm).

[Mr. Black]

I stick with my size ratings for that wheel. 

Yes you can do a 275 out back all day long and I have done it many times but for you joe keep it so you can rotate your tires.


As far as brands, you tell me what you can spend (PM if you want) and I can tell you what is best for the money.

[Chowder Head]

Listen to Cara.

She showed me the way.  All I need to do is scrape together the dough, lol.

[quake101]

So these tires will work with the 17x9's

[GotTorque?]

The tires will fit on the rims, no problem.  But Blackie's right... if you get different sizes front/ back... if you get normal tires, you will only be able to swap them side to side, and if you get directional tires, the only way you can 'rotate' them is if you demount/ remount the tires 'backwards' to swap them side to side.  It'll be easier if you get 245s all the way around. 

[quake101]

ok,
I'm set on the tire size now. 245x45x17.

What about brands? This is a street car that will see the track a few times. I would like to stay around or lower then 125 per tire. What do you guys think?

[GotTorque?]

Are you willing to swap out tires at the track?  I'd recommend a good street tire and a dr or a slick for the track.

[quake101]

Are you willing to swap out tires at the track?  I'd recommend a good street tire and a dr or a slick for the track.

You know what. I think that would be a good idea. I do still have my stock turbins. Plus I can keep in eye out for a better set for the track. I would just need rears right?

[GotTorque?]

Yep, Joe.  That's what I do.  I can get you a *very cheap* set of aluminum 15X7s for the track if you don't mind a few scratches on the face of the rim.  I would very much recommed two sets of tires. 

Okay- I forget- do you need all season tires, or summer only?

[quake101]

Summer only.

[GotTorque?]

Okay… the Kumho 712s, I didn't like at all, but they're cheap.  Good in the wet, but not impressive for much else except wear.  I've heard other people having luck with the other types of Kumhos, but I don't have any experience with them.

The Fuzion ZRi I would highly recommend.  It's really similar to a Potenza RE750.    Great value.

The Potenza G009 are an all-season, but still pretty sticky.

I honestly don't know much about the Yokahamas or Avons, but I would highly recommend the Firehawk Wide Ovals- that's my street tire, and I absoultely love them.

I'd also recommend the BFG g-Force T/K KDW, the Pirelli Pzero, and the Potenza RE050A, but that's getting pricey.

[quake101]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Fuzion&tireModel=ZRi&partnum=445WR7ZRI&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&place=8

I'm looking at these.

[Chris Wilson]

Good advice here so far, but here's my take.  You'll likely have a rub issue going with 255s if you're car is lowered.  I had to install an extra set of rack limiters on my 93 which has the bigger fender in order to avoid that issue.  I have just put a set of the Nitto 555 tires on the Cobra and we've installed numerous sets on our cars over the years.  I like them fine, but we're also getting good Service from a set of the BFG's as Cara noted, these are on my Mom's car. 

[quake101]

Well, I just placed the order for the Fuzion ZRi.

[NUTTSGT]

Taking pics of smoking the old tires?

[quake101]

Taking pics of smoking the old tires?

I might be able to do that.

[NUTTSGT]

oh yeah...

[David Claflin]

The Fuzion ZRi I would highly recommend.  It's really similar to a Potenza RE750.    Great value.

Does Potenza makes these? Just curious if this is like a store brand where the parent company makes a similar tire to their name brand and just sells them at a lower price. I'm going to be buying new tires for my LX soon, 245/45-17 front and 275-40-17 rear.

[GotTorque?]

It's a common uncooked tire as one of the BSs.

[David Claflin]

uncooked?

[GotTorque?]

uncooked?

uncured.

[David Claflin]

I ordered Kumhos Ecsta SPT for the LX today. 285/40-17 rear and 245/45-17 fronts, I know it affects rotation but I am not worried about it on this car. I did however rotate tires on the wifemobile this morning.