BF Goodrich Radial T/A or Cooper Cobra GT

[Gaijin]

Deciding on which tire manufacturer to go with? Requesting feedbacks from owners that have experience with either of these two tires.

BFG Radial T/A or Cooper Cobra GT. Upsizing to 235/60R15 for the fronts and 275/60R15 on the rear. Weld Racing Draglite 4-lug, two-piece forged aluminum wheels.

PS. I did consider going with Vintage Halibrand Replica Wheels but I found out my current Dralite are about five pound lighter and still "maintain" the classic look as the Halibrand's.

[rich grsc]

I think you'll be happy with the Cooper Cobra GT.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I’ve built 3 cars for customers with Coopers. All are pleased with them for their “street cruiser” purposes. I think the BFGs are often called “hockey pucks” for a reason ;)

Jeff

[Daddy O]

+1 on the Coopers. Had good luck with mine.

[JMD]

I've put a few hundred miles on my Cooper Cobra tires and highly recommend them. They have much better traction than I anticipated and seem to do so over various surfaces. I think they're an excellent street tire and actually love the look of the blocky tread, especially on the 295 width tires. I did a good bit of research before buying them and the general consensus seemed to be the BFGs had noticeably less traction than the Coopers.

I didn't care for the extra 'Cobra' lettering on the tire either, which is why I put them blackwall side out.

217333

[MikeHolt]

I initially had the BF Goodrocks. Traction was not good at all!

I now have Mickey Thompson Sportsman’s. Much better!

[cadtdi]

Have the tire mounted with the lettering IN if you get Coopers, unless you like the lettering.

I bought my car with brand new Coopers, the lettering is OUT and I don't care for it. The actual tires seem to be fine for daily driving...1800 miles so far this year.

.c
.

[Avalanche325]

I wouldn't put either one of those on Cobra. They are simply not high performance enough. Look at tires in the 200 treadwear range.
Tires are the main thing that make you stop, turn, and accelerate.

[mrmustang]

I've had Cooper Cobras on my last three Cobras replacing BFG's on two of them. Also have them on my 70 GT350 convertible, and again, also replacing BFG's. As long as I can get the size I require, I'll never go back to BFG's.......Never.


Bill S.

[Jeff Kleiner]

If you don't like the Cooper lettering turn them around, smooth out the sidewall and make yourself some fake Billboards with the cutout letters from Tire Stickers.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=164907&d=1648894480

Jeff

[JMD]

I wouldn't put either one of those on Cobra. They are simply not high performance enough. Look at tires in the 200 treadwear range.
Tires are the main thing that make you stop, turn, and accelerate.

It really depends on how much power you have and what you want to do with it. I've been surprised at how much grip I have with mine, both lateral and acceleration. I thought even with a 302 I'd be sliding around a good bit and it really does not at all. I wouldn't even describe it as tailhappy unless I poke it real hard or jerk it around aggressively with the intent to unsettle it. Even then I've got to work to upset them and they're very predictable and regain grip surprisingly well. My car isn't a beast, but it's darn quick and very much handles more like a go kart than a traditional muscle car...even with these tires. If you had a 427 they would feel very different, I'm sure.

[JMD]

If you don't like the Cooper lettering turn them around, smooth out the sidewall and make yourself some fake Billboards with the cutout letters from Tire Stickers.

Jeff

How did you go about smoothing the sidewalls, Jeff? I've thought of doing this as I do love the period correct look. Not decided yet, but curious about how it's done.

[Jeff Kleiner]

How did you go about smoothing the sidewalls, Jeff? I've thought of doing this as I do love the period correct look. Not decided yet, but curious about how it's done.

I only removed the major lettering on the blackwall side and left the smaller DOT markings and sizes. I first used a drum sander (probably 80 grit...it's been a few years) on a pneumatic die grinder then blended with a DA using something like 80 down to 220 (again, it's been 3 or 4 years). Cleaned and glued the individual letters on. By the way, I did this with them inflated and it took about an hour per tire. This was on a full build and was fun because it was a surprise for the owner who didn't know until I delivered the car to him :)

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=217393&d=1754742428

Jeff

[kevin j sullivan]

Owned a tire and repair shop for 15 years. Had both on mine over the years. It's a no brainer - Cooper.

[Gaijin]

Read in a couple of write-ups that the Cooper runs narrower. Asking those of you that have owned or own Cooper tires how true this statement is? I want to go widest footprints especially on the rears.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Read in a couple of write-ups that the Cooper runs narrower. Asking those of you that have owned or own Cooper tires how true this statement is? I want to go widest footprints especially on the rears.

The car in the photo I posted in reply #13 has Cooper Cobras with 235/60-15 in front and 295/50-15 in the rear on the FFR Halibrand replica wheels. Comparing specs for BFG vs Cooper in those sizes:

For the front the 235/60 BFG section width is 9.5" with a tread width of 7.8" and the Cooper section width is 9.1" with a tread width of 7.6"

For the front the 295/50 BFG section width is 12.2" with a tread width of 10.0" and the Cooper section width is 12.2" with a tread width of 10.1"

Jeff

[JMD]

The size difference is fractional and not noticeable on the car. Even if it was noticeable, would you prefer the slightly larger but worse tire? You can go with a 245 width up front if it means that much to you. The 295s in the rear are plenty beefy.

[Gaijin]

Jeff, thanks for your informative feedbacks. Your car is a good representation of the Shelby Cobra roadster.

I'm very much convinced with going Coopers in part from the inputs I've received here and other online searches. Yes. The T/A might have the better block lettering and all plus the name recognition but the tire technology dates back older than the parts I have holding my Cobra roadster together. I will go with the 235 on the fronts. Plenty big for my car but will push the envelope on the rear tires according to what fits my wheels. Speaking of wheels. I have a four lug Weld Racing Draglite wheels. They are somewhat period correct since the Draglites came out originally in the late 1960s. But it's not the Period! correct wheels such as the Halibrand Replicas most common on the Cobra. I'll be looking around to buy a PS Engineering replica wheel and will buy the first one I come across at reasonable price. Or maybe convert to a five lug and open up the wheel selections.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Might be in the minority here but I favor 315X35X? for rear tires with anything approaching 400BHP. The stock 427 tire in 1966 where tire sizes varied a common setup for the 427 Cobra included 275/60R15 in the front and 305/50R15 in the rear. The 289ci @ 271bhp had pretty skinny tires.

Interested in your screen name. I know the meaning of Gaijin as I was one on numerous occasions on the job.

[Gaijin]

Interested in your screen name. I know the meaning of Gaijin as I was one on numerous occasions on the job.[/QUOTE]

My screen name goes back to the advent of car forums back when they were pretty much listserves. It coincided with my tour of duty that got me to Japan. As you know, it means foreigner or to be exacting, someone who isn’t of Japanese birthrights. Hiragana prononciation, “gahjeen.” You might see it in some of my other car forums affiliations including Rennlist, Corvette Forum, etc. I’m either founding, chartered or very early member.

Dōitashima****e!

[GoDadGo]

Have you considered Mickey Thompson Sportsman tires?

https://www.mickeythompsontires.com/street-tires/sportsman-s-t

[JMD]

Have you considered Mickey Thompson Sportsman tires?

https://www.mickeythompsontires.com/street-tires/sportsman-s-t

I've read several reviews about them. From what I've read, they are also superior to the BFGs and have similar performance and traction to the Cooper Cobras.

The 295's are plenty big to handle my ~280-300 rwhp, but my engine isn't a torque monster and that's really what's going to break them loose. I can get them to spin in the first two gears, but only if I'm really hammering on it...and even then they hook back up fairly quickly. I think they're great for a car at or under 350 rwhp. More than that and you're probably going be do more sliding around than you want and will need to go bigger and/or stickier.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Interested in your screen name. I know the meaning of Gaijin as I was one on numerous occasions on the job.


My screen name goes back to the advent of car forums back when they were pretty much listserves. It coincided with my tour of duty that got me to Japan. As you know, it means foreigner or to be exacting, some who isn’t of Japanese birthrights. Hiragana prononciation, “gahjeen.” You might see it in some of my other car forums affiliations including Rennlist, Corvette Forum, etc. I’m either founding, chartered or very early member.

Dōitashima****e!

Arigatō

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I've read several reviews about them. From what I've read, they are also superior to the BFGs and have similar performance and traction to the Cooper Cobras.

The 295's are plenty big to handle my ~280-300 rwhp, but my engine isn't a torque monster and that's really what's going to break them loose. I can get them to spin in the first two gears, but only if I'm really hammering on it...and even then they hook back up fairly quickly. I think they're great for a car at or under 350 rwhp. More than that and you're probably going be do more sliding around than you want and will need to go bigger and/or stickier.

Thats why with mid 200's to 700+ horsepower in the cars guys asking about tires should always say how much power they intend to run.

[MikeHolt]

Interested in your screen name. I know the meaning of Gaijin as I was one on numerous occasions on the job.

My screen name goes back to the advent of car forums back when they were pretty much listserves. It coincided with my tour of duty that got me to Japan. As you know, it means foreigner or to be exacting, someone who isn’t of Japanese birthrights. Hiragana prononciation, “gahjeen.” You might see it in some of my other car forums affiliations including Rennlist, Corvette Forum, etc. I’m either founding, chartered or very early member.

Dōitashima****e![/QUOTE]

Not to take the thread too far off topic, where was your tour of duty in Japan?
I spent three years at Yokota AB, Oct 89-Oct 92.

[Gaijin]

My screen name goes back to the advent of car forums back when they were pretty much listserves. It coincided with my tour of duty that got me to Japan. As you know, it means foreigner or to be exacting, someone who isn’t of Japanese birthrights. Hiragana prononciation, “gahjeen.” You might see it in some of my other car forums affiliations including Rennlist, Corvette Forum, etc. I’m either founding, chartered or very early member.

Dōitashima****e!

Not to take the thread too far off topic, where was your tour of duty in Japan?
I spent three years at Yokota AB, Oct 89-Oct 92.[/QUOTE]

Forward forward-deployed aircraft carrier and flagship, both homeported in Yokosuka.

[MikeHolt]

Not to take the thread too far off topic, where was your tour of duty in Japan?
I spent three years at Yokota AB, Oct 89-Oct 92.

Forward forward-deployed aircraft carrier and flagship, both homeported in Yokosuka.[/QUOTE]

Ah yes. Made several trips down to Yokosuka. You had much better shopping on base, there!
Got to take a tour of the USS America. Stood on the approach end of the deck and saw how short the “runway” was! Confirmed my belief the God put 10,000’ strips of concrete all over the World for a reason! :D

[Gaijin]

Got to take a tour of the USS America. Stood on the approach end of the deck and saw how short the “runway” was! Confirmed my belief the God put 10,000’ strips of concrete all over the World for a reason! :D[/QUOTE]

Thank you for your service, Mike! I've had my share of catapult launches and tailhook arrests as a non-aviation community member. It's interesting to see the postage-stamp-like aircraft carrier from an altitude as the aircraft's pilots are lining up to land. My first aircraft carrier landing was somewhere in the Persian Gulf.

[MikeHolt]

Got to take a tour of the USS America. Stood on the approach end of the deck and saw how short the “runway” was! Confirmed my belief the God put 10,000’ strips of concrete all over the World for a reason! :D

Thank you for your service, Mike! I've had my share of catapult launches and tailhook arrests as a non-aviation community member. It's interesting to see the postage-stamp-like aircraft carrier from an altitude as the aircraft's pilots are lining up to land. My first aircraft carrier landing was somewhere in the Persian Gulf.[/QUOTE]

We took off out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in the C-5 having awaited some Emergency Leave folks to transfer to us from the USS John F. Kennedy. The Ship’s Captain came as close to shore as possible to facilitate getting them to us. Upon departure, we spiraled up over the ship. I remember the Acft Cmdr commenting “Boys…this is a case of big meets bigger!” :D

[Mick40]

Jeff, do you know what size letter these are? I was going to go with 1.25. These look bigger. Nice look.

[Higgybulin]

If you don't like the Cooper lettering turn them around, smooth out the sidewall and make yourself some fake Billboards with the cutout letters from Tire Stickers.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=164907&d=1648894480

Jeff

Are those 295's in the back, 235's in the front?
Higgy

[Jeff Kleiner]

Higgy,
Yes, 325/60 and 295/50

Mick,
I did those on a customer build several years ago and don't recall but I'm sure that they're larger than 1.25". I'd bet that they are 2" (which would be too big for 17s or 18s).

Jeff