CobaltOwner

Hello All,
So I discovered my tires are 11 years old! and figured with reading all the horror stories out there, I need to replace them asap. Currently on the car are Goodyear Eagle GT II 255/60R15.
I've read some conflicting arguments about if the stock size is 60 or 70 (I have a '78) and was wondering which one is right and which is the best to get.
After doing some research, it seems like the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's are the cheapest, however I don't want to buy a low quality tire. So I was hoping for some input about personal experience on a good tire, and I guess more importantly bad tires to stay away from.
Thanks!

PS- Also, where is a good place to purchase tires, I believe tirerack.com seems to have the best prices, but is there a better place?

TheSkunkWorks

255/60R15's were the optional tire size in '78, skinny 225/70R15's having been standard. FWIW, 245/60R15's also fit nicely. Over the years I've run 15" Goodyear and BFGoodrich radials on C3's, but can't speak to the 'stones. As for getting the best price, I'd suggest you let your fingers do some walking, not overlooking locally owned tire stores.

laytonkopplin

I know firestone had some problems in the past but I wonder do they still? I do know that some people live by them and wont buy anything else but I can't tell you from experience maybe someone out here does know?

vettebuyer6369

Good luck finding T/A Radials if you want them.

leadfoot4

I think that once Firestone got that "steel belt separation" deal behind them in the mid 70s, they've been making good tires. I've used them in the past without any problems, and in fact, LOVED their glass belted S/S Radial, a tire they offered in the late 70s-early 80s.

I know that a lot of people still recall their misadventure with the Ford Explorers, but that deal seemed to rest on Ford's shoulders, calling for 26 lbs. of air pressure in a 5000 pound truck, so the ride quality was acceptable to people who were used to cars.

Rickman

Cobalt,

NOW is the time to acquire your classic Corvette tires. As Vettebuyer found out, the size he (and I) wanted in BFG Radial T/A (235x60x15) is out of stock at TireRack, with no plans to make more!!

I went with 245x60x15 BFG's from TireRack for my 72 LS5. They are a little snug in front, with the 550 lb. BB springs, as they are approx. 1/4" taller & wider than my old 235x60x15's. But they look and ride great!

As far as brand, I went w BFG as it is the safe choice for resale. I actually believe that the Firehawk Indy 500 is the better tire. Read the comps on TireRack. I have never heard of any Firehawk Indy 500 owners on CF complain about these tires. Most love them. They are comparably priced. The RWL's of both tires give your Corvette that classic look.

Having said that, there are a minority of folks who say that they would never buy Firestones because of their past probs.

Bottom line for you is to buy tires now! You do not want to risk any sort of blowout or tire failure at highway speeds w your older tires. There have been horror stories on here plus Corvette Fever. Do not go cheap, either (not that you would, but others read this stuff!). There was a letter in Corvette Fever in the last 2 years about a guy who bought new no-name tires, went out in the desert, and blew a tire at about 85 mph, causing thousands of $$ fiberglass damage to one side. He managed to keep control of his Vette, but what if he hadn't..............?

Rickman

laytonkopplin

currently I have Goodyear eagle GT+4 tires.Which are great tires but
I like the way Firestone Indy 500 tires look. But then I think of all the warnings I was given but I think will give them a try and if I dislike them I wont buy them again and thats that I guess

vettebuyer6369

Rick-

I should mention I recently sent an inquiry to BFG, and they wrote back and said while they do not expect to see another production before "late 4th quarter" on the T/As, they did say that they were NOT discontinued.

Interesting, but I'm not holding my breath, either.

speedreed8

tirerack shows the BFG TA in stock. in shreveport , la.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e&autoModClar=

STL'79

I'm currently on the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's, and have no problems at all. They stay balanced and look great. One of the nice things about the non-central inflation (TPMS) cars is that it's much cheaper to swap out the tires than in newer Vette's. But, I'm only putting about 2000 miles a year on the car, so i'm not demanding too much of the tires, either. Shop around!

BKarol

In 78, if the buyer opted for the 255/60 then the lip of the front fender was trimmed at the factory. Check the lip around the 12 o'clock area and see if the lip is trimmed. If not then 225/70 was original.

Doesnt mean 255's will cause problems but you asked what came with the car originally.

Rollochrome

Goodyear Eagle GT II seems to have an inordinante number of people that take the time to post bad and very bad feedback on a lot of places that I have seen....

I'm in the market now too.....and am leaning towards the BFG..

The Goodyear Eagle GT II seems to be a tire that comes on cars from the factory a lot these days....which makes me think that it is cheaply made perhaps and therefore the tons of bad feedback that I have read may be a result of that.....

JMHO... Your results may vary....

laytonkopplin

hey man do a search for firestone tires or something of the sort and you'll find out alot about about tire and I've read bad things about BFG's on this forum

Rollochrome

Ahhhh great.......

I guess Im going to toss BFG's out of consideration after I do that....

laytonkopplin

lmao!! no way man I love BFG's on my truck I'm sure they are a good tire for the C3 but I like the firestone Indy 500's to and I think they are just as good...

iokepakai

Bought a set of 255/60/15 Firehawk's mounted on the slotted aluminium wheels for my 76.Had them for 3 months and they are performing very well.I do drive in the rain and these tires have been great,just as the ratings show in tire rack.I wanted BF's but no luck here in Hawaii.The local Firestone shop had them in stock! How lucky was that.Back tires are close to the E brake bracket but have had no rubbing issues front or back.
I wasn't to crazy about the white letters at first but when on the car they do look good! Had a set of off brand tires called Radial Trac and they were awful!The sidewalls cracked causing air to leak.When you buy check the date on the tire mine were 4 months old.You don't wanna get a new old set of tires......Good luck shopping!

CobaltOwner

Thank you all for the responses, it seems like the firestones are an alright choice. They will probably fit my needs since I won't be driving much and won't be driving fast.


Thank you for this information, I tried looking to see if it was trimmed but I couldn't tell, I guess I don't really know what I am looking for

leadfoot4

Do a search. This topic was discussed (with good pictures) about 2 months ago.....

TheSkunkWorks

Here you go...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-15-tyres.html

vettebuyer6369

Tire Rack continues to show them in stock, but when you contact them they are unavailable.