new tires - GOT MY WHEELS!

[khan0165]

Re: getting new tires

ok, so going to 215/65R15 has opened up a couple more options...

1. BFG Radial T/As S-rated 112mph
2. Firestone Indy 500 S-rated
3. Mastercraft Avenger T-rated 118mph
4. Mickey Thompson Sportsmans T-rated

My current setup, I am running 245/50R16s, BFG KDWs Z-rated (168mph plus)... These are top of the line tires. So I realise I will be giving up some performance going to big sidewall 15s.

At the same time, I'm on a budget...
I've had experience with Radial T/As. A friend has had bad experience with Indy 500s. The Mastercrafts just sound like a bad idea (when you compair other big brands out there). And I've never used Mickey Thompson, but they are a reputable racing brand; but are they a reputable mild street machine brand?

The Indy 500s and Radial T/As have both sizes I need. The other 2 brands, I may have to mix-match different part # tires a little. And non of these tires have a great rating (below 118mph)

Sorry, I'm the most indecisive person on earth...
what do you guys think?

 

[axisg]

Re: getting new tires

I have been shopping 15" tires all summer and figured that 225/60/15 is about the biggest 15" tire you can run if you don't want to run BFG, Coopers, or Eagle GT2's. They make larger tires but you have to mix-and-match brands.

I was hoping to upgrade to 235/60/15's on all 4 corners on my car but we will see whats available in the spring as my rears will need to be replaced by then.

if you square the car up and run the same size front and rear then you have more options. 225/60/15's will get you into the V & H ratings I believe you are looking for.

 

[454muscle]

Re: getting new tires

None of those sounds like a good option, I wouldn't do any of those on my g-body.

My first advice it to eliminate #3. You don't want a Canadian Tire store brand tire on your g-body.

BFG Radial T/A's are well known and advertised and look good in the magazines, but performance reviews are not promising, to say the least.

The Firestone Indy 500 S rated is a good tire, they look good and hook up well, I just don't dig the fact they are a Firestone store brand name (that's just my opinion) but that has no bearing on anything.

The M/T Sportsman T will hook as good as the BFG Radial. Why not try a M/T drag radial? Mickey Thompson, Hoosier, Nitto. Surely you have other options... also keep in mind if you go onto a manufacturer website, they don't display all tire sizes for some reason.

For example I want to eventually get Nitto 555 drag radials and I don't see all sizes on their website, but I know they carry 325/50/15s. I'd recommend that you go to a wheel shop and see what they can get you -- you'll find more options are available.

 

[khan0165]

Re: getting new tires

all good arguements...
and now I'm starting to think I should not even bother. And just stick with my IROCs. Last year I spend an enormous amount of time refurbishing the IROCs, detailed in this thread I composed last summer.
http://gbodyforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12962

And as much effort as I put into them, they did not come out as nicely as I had hoped. And everytime I look at them, I'm disappointed. This, amoung many other reasons, is why I wanted to change to the Rallys.

The clear is again starting to chip off and scratches are making their way back onto the fine finish. They don't fit very well with such large backspacing and they are too far tucked in. My 245/50R16s are too short and look awkward at times. And I can't just throw on a bigger tire because it will rub due to the big backspacing.

However, they are alloys, so interms of weight and performance, they are probably a better option. The Z-rated tires are also a great setup. They bring a unique theme to the G-body style, and overall they are shiny and attractive to the eye.

... so now I don't know what to do...

I know if I keep the IROCs, a small part of me will always be upset. And if I use the Rallys, my budget will compromise good tires, and my performance will hurt.

who thinks I should just keep the IROCs? I got the Rallys for cheap, so I could probably sell them at a good price after sand blasting and recoupe my money

 

[khan0165]

Re: getting new tires

heres some photos of the GP with IROCs

they look good upfront, fill up the wheel-wells

they look tiny in the rear

these are old pictures, when the IROCs were gold, but it shows how they look small on this car

these are my slicks, I'm not saying the rear tires should be this huge, but I would like to achieve a similar stance

 

[khan0165]

Re: getting new tires

 

[IhaveNoPantsOn]

Re: getting new tires

who thinks I should just keep the IROCs?

ME! I think they look really good on your car. Or you could ship em off to me for $25. Whatever you wanna do.

 

[axisg]

Re: getting new tires

why not ditch the rallys and the IROCs and pick up some 16" ZQ8 wheels ? I see them pop up on Cl and Kijij every now and again for less than $500 with rubber. That way you will get you the proper BS ( the 2wd s10/sonoma is the same as a gbody ) and you have a larger selection in 16" tires.

 

[khan0165]

Re: getting new tires - wheels sandblasted

so, I had already gave the wheels in for sandblasting. They are done now, and I need to have them painted. I will find out what it costs to powder coat them, but I imagine is something I can't afford.

Also, I had two full sets, sandblasted for $35/wheel. Which is a good deal, but $35x8 = $280, plus the original set cost me $140, and the 2nd set cost me $50, so in total I am at $470... which doesn't sound bad, but I am WAY over my budget already.

Anyways... if I can't afford powdercoating, I will likely paint them myself... It won't be great cuz I don't have space, a compressor, a gun, or any painting equipment. It might have to be a spray-can job... sadly...

So I'm wondering, how do I properly clean the wheels before applying paint? I don't want any residue left on the bare metal. And I've heard people using water and lemon juice...

by the way... I need to recoop some cash cuz I was stupid and didn't figure out how much I can afford... Anyone want a set of sandblasted rally wheels for $300? two are 15x7s and two are 15x8s

 

[exhauster]

Re: new tires - SANDBLASTING FINISHED

khan, I hear you about the cost but that really isn't too bad to sandblast them. If you think about it, if you just bought an air compressor then you could get a small cheap sandblaster and spray gun to do it yourself.

Just think if you do stuff in the future too, you will save money. You can buy a small siphon sandblaster for about $30 and a cheap spray gun for about the same. The only thing that gets expensive is the air compressor.