New Tires

[Kafn8td]

Gonna pick up 2 new tires. I plan on doin wheels and tires this winter, but if I am going to Gingerman, gonna need 'em before then. Question is what should I get? Throw the 2 good ones I have up front and Get some Nitto 555's on the back (a little wider)? How are the Nittos as far as turning left and right? Any suggestions???

[John M]

Rick, I dont know how much you drive your car but I always liked Nitto DRs on the back. They are much cheaper than Goodyears but only last around 12,000-15,000 miles. If you like get them on all 4 corners for maximium left and right turning. The 275s fit really nice on stock rims too.

[silversnake]

Rick,

Be very careful with putting on just two tires. That's especially true if the brands/models are significantly different. Slip angles and handling characteristics can become very unpredictable if the fronts have different turn-in than those on the rear.

For a quarter mile run, it doesn't make a lot of difference, but for handling it's a different deal. Since BFG doesn't make the OEM tires you have anymore, you may be stuck needing to buy four if you want predictable results. When you buy them, the sizes front and rear can be different, so long as the tire models match.

You could run 245/45's on the front and 275/40's on the back, but the 275's will be a little bit funky looking, as they are technically too wide for the 8" rims. (The 275/40 size matches the 245/40 dia.)

You could almost buy four of the Nitto's for the price of two Z-rated BFG CompT/A KD's I think.

Dave

[Steelgrave]

Don't even think about using drag radials at Gingerman. The 555R's (and all drag radials) are designed with a single purpose, to stick in a straight line. The sidewalls are very flexible.

The 555R2's on the other hand are designed for OT use. The sidewalls are very stiff.

Being your first time OT'ing, I wouldn't worry about having "track" tires, as you'll very likely not outdrive your car.;) Also since I'm guessing your suspension is essentially stock, adding wider tires to the rear is probably unecessary. The mustangs have such a large amount of understeer to begin with that wider rears could even make the problem worse.

What dave said about brands is also true. If your looking for 2 tires to get you through gingerman and the winter, I'd just buy 2 of what you already have.

[Kafn8td]

Ok, someone find me a couple of BFG KD whatever the heck came stock on the 01's that they don't make anymore. Like I said, planning on FR500's this winter which are 18's, so I hate spending the money and not getting the use out of 17" tires...unless I can talk Chryse into an early Christmas present...or wait, better yet her birthday is coming up, anyone think she'd like to have some rims and tires?:grin:

[DNeinstadt]

Originally posted by Kafn8td
Ok, someone find me a couple of BFG KD whatever the heck came stock on the 01's that they don't make anymore. Like I said, planning on FR500's this winter which are 18's, so I hate spending the money and not getting the use out of 17" tires...unless I can talk Chryse into an early Christmas present...or wait, better yet her birthday is coming up, anyone think she'd like to have some rims and tires?:grin:

Hmm... I have some stock '01 polished wheels on a certain '90 GT that have some tread left........

Need to borrow them?

Dan

[Kafn8td]

Thanks Dano that would be great! Anyone want some 17 x 8 Eagle polished Saleen look alikes? Found a guy in Chicago with 4 for sale with new tires cheap.

[DNeinstadt]

Originally posted by Kafn8td
Thanks Dano that would be great! Anyone want some 17 x 8 Eagle polished Saleen look alikes? Found a guy in Chicago with 4 for sale with new tires cheap.

How much?

[Kafn8td]

Asking $500, can probabaly get them for less. Here's a pict...

[Kafn8td]

and another