eddie jr

Just curious what tires all you 2.8 er's have. If ya went wider than the 215's....say to 235, did you notice a change in mileage or would you say no effect??

TechSmurf

My 88 is wearing 235/60R15s... rolling resistance is noticably higher than the V6 wearing 205/65s.... gas milage difference is highly likely, but degree unknown.

vsixtoy

Based on the "35mpg realistic" thread, I'd say yes. I run 245/50 16 very sticky tires and get about 14mpg at best.

Xophertony

omg look at those tie rods!

vsixtoy

Look familiar? I'm Agood2.8 http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/518752/2

85f-bird

did ya have to change ur name for the mods? couldn't remember.....as i recal, you have a very very very well handling lil sixer, along w/ an intake manifold that'll make people go gaga....how's that coming?

vsixtoy

Like I care what the Mods think...They ban me for doing their job and exposing the people that post misleading knowledge that can cause innocent people hard earn cash. I come in here because it is a very good tech board source, better than any others I have seen- and theres lots of activity on the suspension board. I arrogantly know anything currently availiable suspension wise on these cars and have fabbed many things others still don't have (heck I should go into business making and selling parts here- but then its no longer a hobby, and thus no longer fun) This site helps me brainstorm for new suspension ideas when its late and I'm unwinding the day on the computer. I always try to bring new ideas to this site.

Latest plenum info:
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=239836

Dale

iTrader: (12)

Daily- 235/60/15, 2 being cobra something (look almost like bfg tires), and two futra grand sport or something (elcheapos)

Autox- 245/50/16 Firestone sz50ep's, almost down to tread bars.


The firestones grip like nothing else I have ever drove on, but any slight angle/dip/flaw in the road, and it highly exagerates it.

The others, smoother ride, decent on wet roads, dont toss the car or wheel. Grip moderatly.

camaro_junkie

I have 215/65/15 all around... Michelin Rainforce. Michelin is my favourite brand in terms of bang for buck. The tires grip pretty good, but cut through puddles awesome. I don't like how the Camaro planes so easily, so I got these tires to solve the problem.

85f-bird

heck, when i was running my ole' 215/65s that car didn't hydroplane for a crap....i swear i can only remember one time of hydroplanin, and that was because i really applied the brakes hard, and was attmepting to turn the wheel at the same time. I have on the other hand, felt that back end get loose, and that's never any fun, try in the snow at 50 mph on a two lane highway. My normally 3 hour drive took me near 6, and the only cars i saw on the side of the road (in the ditch) were camaro's , firebirds, and mustangs...........

camaro_junkie

Well, the tires that were on the car when I bought it had very little tread, but I still didn't like how easily it hydroplaned, so I decided to play it safe. Even with the tires I have, I wouldn't say it never planes. I definitely like the tires though. But I live a rainy city, so you have to be able to drive in the rain.

vsixtoy

The tires I posted in the picture are the best all around tire you can buy. I kid you not when I say this car performs 9/10's its potential on wet surfaces and about 7/10's on heavy downpour. I can drive this car faster around corners in a heavy downpour than I could see ahead of me and still have very good traction (I don't drive blind though).

Dale, The twichyness of the tires is bumpsteer, not the tires. The wider tires will magnify this affect though, and may not be noticable at all with softer sidewalls and narrower tread.
(ps I'm getting to your E-mail right now- been busy today)

Rebel 92 F-bird

[QUOTE]=Daily- 235/60/15, 2 being cobra something (look almost like bfg tires)

Must have been Cooper Cobras. Very good everyday street tires. They get excellent wear. I have a full set of 4 215/65R15's. I know they are good because we sell them at work.

br()bert

I had elcheapo cobra tires on the car when i got it. They sucked for traction wet and didnt fair too well dry either. Then i bought some Yokahama db uhp 225's (still too skinny) They work VERY good when wet and dry. Worked great when i had the 2.8.

85f-bird

hey brobert
know it's off topic but how did the v8 turn out. i remember you stating how much work you had to do, but was just curious if you're happy w/ the results. And when do we get to see some timeslips for the lil thang.

br()bert

Im Very happy with it. Im done the swap now. This past weekend i drove from my house in Philly to hamilton NJ. On the way back i used just under a 1/4 tank. (before we went i had to tune the carb a little, it was gulping gas down)

The trans has had some work done to it,.The guy told me when i got it it had a shift kit and a corvette servo in it. I didnt believe him, well 1-2 shift is VERY hard. Spins the tires everytime. It slide sideways when it rains just from the shift (the reason why i said the tires aint cutting it anymore)when its dry out i get a long bark and some tire smoke. It gets pretty annoying!!!!!!2-3 isnt too bad though.

oh, and i got my stitches out too!

Everything went pretty good, z28guy83 was there the whole time with the swap. But when i think back to doing those damn motor mounts i still cring.

If i had to do it all over again i wouldnt! I would not mess with those damn mounts ever again, instead i would just drop a 3.4 in! Sure i wouldnt have as much power as i do now but the swap would have been much easier.

Ill get some times as soon as i get money to go racing. Unemployment sucks and is running out fast!!!

Sorry to get off topic....

Im thinking about some 245-255 tires to put on now. I dont wanna go with some massive tires. I like the stock look of the firebird. (main reason why i dont wanna change the hood.)

Dale

iTrader: (12)

ok, just looked, tires are not cobra, they are "VIPER TR". Some elcheapos.

Vsix, I thought I wouldnt have to worry about bumpsteer tell I lowered it? I guess my springs are just that worn out. Guess that would explain the 3rd set of shocks blowing out on the rear.

85f-bird

got the same viper TR's on the back of the bird right now, definately elcheapo's, they work ok i guess, and their tread wear thus far has been really really good.....meaning i won't need a freakin new set of them for another 100 years. .... damnit.

mory

dude im runnin 245/50/R18 front and back should i change this? the car seems fine tread is perfect. is this wrong yall? i like the look and the tires.

85f-bird

don't know why mory, if you're running the tires, have plenty of tread left, and enjoy them (aka: no complaints) then i don't see why it is that you'd really find a need to change them off. Unless you just wanna jump on a smaller tire rim size bandwaggon....what type of wheels do you have w/ the 18's?

Dale

iTrader: (12)

mory, people change wheel/tire size alot. If you like what you have, dont worry. Only thing I "might" see wrong, is that the combo is larger in diameter, thus throwing your speedo/milage off. Trade off is that generally, larger diameter tires ride smoother.

85bird, I havent looked at the tread wear on them, they have only been on a few months. Nothing to brag about, but they get the job done. If they wear really good, I'll get another set.

pvt num 11

Glad to hear we have somwone who knows their stuff back on the boards. (I sure don't...) I have... um... lumps of black stuff on these crummy 'rally' rims on my F'bird... The GTA blew a front tire (Aquatread, what was I thinking?!) at the autocross event I ran at. New tires a generic stock replacements. I'm going to run the F'bird at another autocross event in September, in complete street trim. Well, my wife is. I'll find out who makes those black lumps and get back.

vsixtoy

Forgot you aren't lowered (purposely ). I doubt if sagging springs would give you enough geometry change to encounter bumpsteer. It could just be alignment (toe). You'd generally see that on the tire wear though. This is one of those things that I'd have to see the car (bounce it, wiggle things etc..) to see why its walking on you going down the road. My car never has done that no matter what tires I run- and I have had the SZ50's on it before the Goodyears.

Shocks blowwing in the rear could be from sagging springs and stock height shocks bottoming out and causing damage internally. Again would have to see things to properly diagnose whats the cause. Do check the bumpstops on the rear-see if the axlepads (where the rubber bumpstops will meet the axle if grounded out) are shiney from regular contact.

eddie jr

So what have you guys experienced as far as mileage changes when going to wider tires. I am thinking of going from 215's to 235's but staying at the same overall height (60 aspect instead on 65). What have you guys noticed, any difference when going a little wider but not taller?

Dale

iTrader: (12)

Thanks vsix. Alignment is slightly off, but not alot. Waiting tell I do a few things before I get another

215/65 to 235/60, you might noticed a little mpg difference, not alot. All you will be getting is more friction. My racing tires are ever so slightly smalle diameter, I dont notice alot.

85f-bird

don't think i noticed a difference w/ my 215 to 235 swap. At the same time, my 235's aren't "sticky" and i really wish they were. I'm now thinking of ditching them next time around, for something in a 225, but that has a little more aggressive tread pattern.

mory

i have chrome iroc rims on it. the rims are 16x8 the 88-89 rims.

eddie jr

So when you guys are referring to "sticky" tires, your BFG radial TA's and Goodyear eagle type stuff, although advertised as performance tires, would be considered normal and not "sticky"??? Am I on the right track?

vsixtoy

There is a big difference between Goodyear F1's And Goodyear F1 GS-D3's. They are not the same tire.

The GS-D3's (pictured above in this post) and the FIrestone FIreHawk SZ50Ep's are both "max performance" street tires. The closest thing you are going to get next to an "R" compound race tire- but without the radical wear (Only semi-radical ) I go through tires about once a year.

BFG radial T/A's are about as slippery of a so called performance tire there is- Dunlops are worst. GOodyear F1's are average. F1 GS-D3's and SZ50EP's are well in a league of their own- there's no comparison, not even close.

85f-bird

ah mory, u meant R16, was wondering what rim you were running those 18 in tires on.

And to Eddie.....and in response to agood. YEH, WHAT HE SAID!

Dale

iTrader: (12)

yea, my firehawks have noticed some wear in them, and I bet I havent drove 500 miles on them. Of course, them werent "easy" miles either

And when they smoke, do they ever smoke!!! Make sure you have a resperator mask on, cause it will gag the hell outta you!!

Dennis91RS

im running 215/65R15 on the front and 275/60R15 on the rear on my 87 bird

Doward

245/50/16 Eagle HP Ultra's up front
255/50/16 Goodyear ZR50's in the back.

Going to go 245/50/16 Kuhmo Ectsa 711's all the way around, till I get the spare $$ for some SZ50's

mory

devianb

I went from 215/65 to 245/50. I didn't notice any change in milage. I get lots more traction with the 245s, and they look better.

eddie jr

What brand are they? are they super sticky performance or...?

devianb

They are NITTO 450s. Not a great deal of traction when its wet out.