Tires Choices

[racephotoman]

Hi,

I'm awaiting the delivery of my kit (second week Sept.) and figured I would start to get other information gathered in the meantime. I'm fairly new on the forum, and have several unrelated questions, so I figured (hopefully the correct way) I would to post them separately.

I did order 15" rims...and can still changed them to 17". Unfortunately, I maybe 70%-90% love the period big "Goodyear" tire look, so I went with the 15" rim, but, I was wondering if this indeed is the smarter choice. I did read a few forums indicating there is (obviously) a greater selection with 17," and also heard that the few billboard type Goodyears can and will throw up rocks, thus destroying the paint job. I guess I need feedback from both 15" and 17" owners to smartly guide me in the "better" direction.

I think related, in searching for a paint color, I have noticed several cars were sporting a leather-like covering over the front of the rear-well.....maybe to protect the paint???

Look forward to your answers and help!

Walter

[Jeff Kleiner]

The big question is what are your plans for the car. While perfectly suitable for a street cruiser the majority of 15" choices that are available in the proper sizes are not really high performance tires. If you have plans to do much autocrossing or track time using the same tires as you run on the street you will find a much broader selection in the 17" sizes.

What you've seen protecting the rear wheel flare are typically referred to as "'spats" and you are correct that some are indeed leather. You'll also see them formed from aluminum and stainless steel. Some builders protect the area with a transparent 3M film which a couple of forum vendors offer.

Jeff

[racephotoman]

Thanks Jeff....I will mainly use the car for a weekend cruiser, so I think 15" are the best since I'm going more for the original look. My only problem in searching is while I love the "bill board" Goodyears, they aren't DOT friendly, and from what I'm learning, kick up more than normal amount of debris screwing up the paint job.

What I just found were BF and Cooper Cobra tires instead od Goodyear in the size I see that many other Cobra guys are suggesting:
245/60R15 front
295/50R15 rear
Both seem to fit the FFR 15" rims, and not sure if this is an issue, but both are close to the same diameter (vs using 235s in the front).

Any thoughts to this sizing, and has anybody have experience with Cooper tires?

Thanks Again!!!
Walter

[Jeff Kleiner]

I built this Mk4 for a customer using Coopers.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Untitled-5.jpg

Mk4
Fox width rear end
FFR spindles
FFR wheels
Cooper Cobra tires
235/60-15 front
295/50-15 rear

The owner is happy with the tires

Cheers,
Jeff

[Cobradavid]

Don't forget to check to see if your brakes will fit inside the 15" rims.
David

[CraigS]

Although I think you should go w/ 17s here is another 15 inch tire choice
http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/street.php?item=SportsmanSR
26x10x15 on front and 26x12x15 on the rear. these have gotten good reviews over thas couple of years on the other forum.

[racephotoman]

Thanks Everyone!!!

[2FastCobra]

I went with 17's so I could have bigger brakes and big drag radials.

[racephotoman]

Just realizing that the upgrade brakes FFR offers don't work with 15" rims, any suggestions as to what size 17" tires will look as good as the 235-60R15 / 295-50R15 rears? I've been reading that the 17" do not fill the wells as nicely the 15" do (love the 15" look). I guess, the other option, has anybody gone to the 15" and did indeed get Wilwood that fit the 15." I did hear from Forum menber Dave Hodgkins, and he gave me a lead, but figure to seek others for more advice as well. Again, thanks to everyone so far for all the help in many catagories. Note my kit is planned for delivery second week September, hence my days are running out to cancel either the 15" rims or Wilwood brakes.

Walter

[hrosenthal]

Walter -
Just an FYI. I decided to try EMT tires. Since I plan to use it as a street car, I am concerned about not having a spare. I really don't want my whole day to be ruined because I have to wait for a rack truck to take me home for a blowout. That being said, there are limited options going that route.
I was originally going to go with 245/45R17's on the front and 315/35R17's on the rear. That's what the MK4 at the FFR showroom has (but not EMT's).
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get matching EMT's for the rears, so I decided to go with 245/45R17's all around.
Keep in mind that when you order the wheels, you need to specify both the rim size and width. Mine are all 17"x9". The 315's require 17"x10.5".
Also, note that EMT tires requires a pressure monitor, which I will be incorporating into my dash.
Howard

[CraigS]

Most all the autocross guys in the DC area run 275/40x17 fronts and 315/35x17 rears. There is one who runs 295 fronts and 335 rears on his mkIII. He has IRS so that helps make the 335s fit. I am a huge fan of the 275/315 look and think the replica halibrands in 9 front and 10.5 rear look great.Here are two shots of my car w/ the 275/315s. This was midway through a 4 lug to 5 lug upgrade so the front are 4 lug but they are 9x17 wheels w/ 275s.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/craig-s/th_IMG_0349.jpg (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/craig-s/IMG_0349.jpg)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/craig-s/th_IMG_0342.jpg (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/craig-s/IMG_0342.jpg)