Stock tire choices...what do you like?

[loudoun]

I have a Series one car with period slot mags.  I am currently running 185/70 R14s on them.  However, it is time for a new set of all season tires.  What does everyone like for their stock cars?  Do you recommend going to 195/75 R14?

Thanks!

[ta240]

I'm curious to see what the recommendations are too.

I'm currently running 195/60 R14s but the pickings in that size are getting thin.   The BFGoodrich G-force super sports I'm running now aren't terrible but they are no where near as good as the Bridgestones that I ran for years until they were finally discontinued.  The BFs have a lot harsher ride.

I like my wheels but I've thought of going to 15" ones to have more choices but it looks like anymore even in 15" size there aren't that many really  good tires available.

[zKars]

Definitely watching. There are more than a few "purists" on here with quite stock restorations that should share what they've shod their beasties with... Zup etc?

[loudoun]

Just to clarify, I am not a purist concourse, guy even if I do keep my Z's fairly stock.  However, I am interested in a good street tire choice like perhaps a Kuhmo Sense or Michelin Defender.

 

[Diseazd]

If you decide to up size, you might as well go to 16 inch rims. 15 inch choices are slim pickings and even the 16's are getting tough to find a good performance tire.

[ta240]

4 minutes ago, Diseazd said:

If you decide to up size, you might as well go to 16 inch rims. 15 inch choices are slim pickings and even the 16's are getting tough to find a good performance tire.

That's one of my issues.  By the time I get to where I think I'd be okay with larger rims on my Z then that size is too small to have choices and I have to try to adjust to an even larger size.

[grannyknot]

21 minutes ago, Diseazd said:

If you decide to up size, you might as well go to 16 inch rims. 15 inch choices are slim pickings and even the 16's are getting tough to find a good performance tire.

But I've read many times over the years of guys having rubbing issues with 16" wheels, especially on the rear.         Did you having any rubbing?

[zKars]

Right Size, Great Handling, Available.  Pick two. 

Well except, Right Size and Available.... or Right SIze and Great Handling.... Wait....

[LeonV]

41 minutes ago, grannyknot said:

But I've read many times over the years of guys having rubbing issues with 16" wheels, especially on the rear.         Did you having any rubbing?

Wheel diameter doesn't matter, it's tire size that will cause rubbing. For stock bodywork and zero offset wheels, 205/55-16 seems to be a sure thing. I run 16X7 0-offset Panasports with 225/50-16 Bridgestone RE11-A rubber but my front valence and rear fender lips are trimmed.

I ran 16X7 +6 Panasports on my previous Z with 225/50-16s with no rubbing issues, although I was running an aftermarket air dam. Also keep in mind that tire width can vary wildly between makes and models of tires, Tirerack is a good resource for more true-to-life numbers as they actually measure the tires so that you can compare apples-to-apples.

Here are some common tire sizes that match OEM diameter and should fit the wheels wells. It succinctly describes the current situation of running smaller wheels than 16". Using Tirerack to evaluate availability:

14": 195/70-14 - No performance tire options

15": 205/60-15 - One tire, Yokohama A048 (R-compound, not for cold weather or standing water)

       205/50-15 - Lots of great options but a much smaller tire diameter than stock

16": 205/55-16 and 225/50-16 - TONS of great options

 

In short, are there tires available in the proper sizes for 14" and 15" rims? Yes.

But if you want anything else besides cheapo econo-car tires or truck rubber, you need to go to 16" or run a non-factory rolling diameter tire.

[Diseazd]

I agree with LeonV.......the 205-55-16's are the perfect size for 16 inch rims if you don't want rub issues. The gold and orange car run 205-55-16 inch tires.....no issues. The green car runs 225-50-16 inch rims.....some adjustment required, but they will fit with some minor mods. IMO, the 16 inch rims are the way to go if you want a decent choice of rubber.

[S30Driver]

Zup is away this week in PA on business or I know he would comment.  FWIW, I know he runs Goodrich 195 70 R14's on the Libre wheels he has on his 73 almost all of the time.

[NVZEE]

Not all-season but adding this 14" to the discussion: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+ZII+Star+Spec&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=86HR4Z2SS&tab=Sizes