Tire opinions

[76Datsun280z]

In the near future, I'm going to have to replace the tires on my 280z as their right on the wear mark and have some cracks. The size that are on it now are 205/60r14 Federals on 14x7 rims. By researching this size online and by going to a couple tire stores, this size is very hard to come by and I can only seem to find about two brands that carry that size out there right now. I'm thinking of maybe going up to a 225/60R14. I personally like the look of a slightly bigger/wider tire on a Z and would really prefer not to go back to the stock size of the car (195/70-14 ). What size and brands of tires are you guys currently running on 14x7rims? I'm not looking at buying tires for it tomarrow or anything, but would like to have in mind what I will want to buy for it when it comes down to it. Thanks for your opinions.

(And I have used the search button!! )

[MAX]

Nice looking 280.

Did you check tirerack.com. They seem to have a large assortment of tires and a great customer feedback section..

I am running a set of Yokohama AVID H4S (205/65/15) on 15 inch Panasports.

[76Datsun280z]

Nice looking 280.

Did you check tirerack.com. They seem to have a large assortment of tires and a great customer feedback section..

I am running a set of Yokohama AVID H4S (205/65/15) on 15 inch Panasports.

Thank you, it's gettin' there but it's still in a work in progress.

I have gone to tire rack to look at a bunch of different sizes and brands, and I think if I was going to use the same size that is already on it now (205/60r14) I would probly go with these.

http://www.victoriatire.com/tires.html?cart=1063230954983470&brand=Falken&NAME=Ziex%20ZE-512%20%2860%20Series%29

If I end up going with a bigger size as I'm thinking about (225/60/14), I've read some good reviews on those Yokohamas that you have, so I might decide to go with those if if that's what I decide to do. Basically, the handling and performance of the tire would be one of main things that I would be looking for and want from the tires.

[jmark]

Nice looking 280.

Did you check tirerack.com. They seem to have a large assortment of tires and a great customer feedback section..

I am running a set of Yokohama AVID H4S (205/65/15) on 15 inch Panasports.

Same set up I am running on my 280Z. Check here as well: www.discounttiredirect.com.

[76Datsun280z]

Which size will give out better handling and performance, the larger 225/60r14 or the same size that I've got on it now, the 205/60r/14? In your opinion, what rout do you think I should go on this?

[Utah Z]

I just put a set of Falcon ZE 512 205/60R14 on my 240z. They were $69.99 each at Big O Tires. They weren't in stock, but only took a day to get them. I haven't put many miles on them, but they seem to handle well.

[Caen Fred]

I have Kenda Komet in 205/65r14 stick like glue on dry and average on the wet, but hey... I don't drive my Z on the wet anyway.

[ktm]

The problem with finding replacement tires for 14-in. wheels is that there is not a great selection.

Your 205/60s will be too small compared to the 'stock' 195/70s. Check your rolling diameter:

Stock 195/70s

14 in. + 195*0.70*2/25.4 = 24.75 in.

205/60s

14 in. + 205*0.60*2/25.4 = 23.69 in.

Your speedo will be off by a fair amount in addition to other issues. If you stick with 205s, you should get the 70 profile:

205/70

14 in. + 205*0.70*2/25.4 = 25.30

A good replacement for 195/70s is 225/60s, which is one of the reasons why I selected the 225/60s we talked about:

14 in. + 225*0.60*2/25.4 = 24.63

[MAX]

In general it would seem like the wider tires would give you better handling performance but I'm certainly no expert. My original tires on my 73 were 175SR14 and I went to the 205-65-15 and the car does seem to handle better in curves.. It just seems to grip the road better..

Does anyone know how the SR translates into the profile number?

thanks

[ktm]

MAX, Arne would be the best source of information, but if I remember correctly 195/70R14s are nearly equivalent to 175SR14 .