jerryp58

I was looking recently for new tires at http://www.tirerack.com/tires/SearchTires.jsp? and I started wondering what the group was using speedrating-wise for tires.

I know this is going to depend a little on the drivetrain you have and what you expect your top speed to be. I've never reached top speed on mine, but I wouldn't think it'd be much above 120 MPH (I know there are cars here that go quite a bit faster than that).

Right now I have S-rated on my car. I feel a little uncomfortable about that 8 MPH if someone else were driving the car (even though there's probably a safety factor in there somewhere), but I'll probably get S rated again if I see a big price increase in the higher rated tires.

Thanks for any input.

daily_driver

the only tires i run are BF goodrich t/a's S rated.

255/60/15's all around


im a cheap bastard!!

:lol: :lol:

PRNDL

My (limited) understanding is that a higher rated tire doesnt just give you a safe higher top speed but gives you better all around performance and safety at all speeds. I recently bought a set of BFG Comp T/A HR4 that are H rated. Blackwall only in 225/70 size. MJ


[Modified by MNJack, 10:33 PM 12/10/2001]

Chris Fowler

My car is into redline at the S tire limit...so I don't think I have to worry about it. ;)

Gameshow Bob

I currently have T speed rated tires, but next time around I'm going with atleast V. Pirelli Scorpion Zero's are V rated, $88 each for 255/60/R15 at tirerack.com

daily_driver

wow 88 bux!! thats very reasonable!!

:cheers:

73 LS-4

Z rated here, not so much for the speed rating but for handling purposes.

:cheers:
Pat Kunz

figment3

mine too are comp t/a.s H rated black wall.good all round tire

SmokedTires

Z rated, but don't ever plan on getting near their limit ;) .

Jughead

Goodyear Eagle HP-Ultra-Plus 255-50-ZR-16....great tire!

72 Stingray

The speed rating indicates the sustained speed at a given load that a tire can maintain without basically exploding due to centrifugal force. The forces are related to the mass and diameter of the tire which are of course higher when you get into larger aspect ratios and wide treads. Its tough to make a wide, tall tire that will hold together at high speeds. Thats why most of the hi-po 15" tires that fit C3s are H-rated at best. There are some higher, like the Yokohama AVS Intermediate that comes in a P235/60VR15, but 235mm is too narrow for most people!

MasterDave

'S' rated here, seem fine to me.

jsimpson

Pirelli makes a V-rated 255-60VR15 for SUV's. Or least they did a couple of years ago. Haven't seen the tread though.

Jvette73

Even an S-rated tire(112) can safely do 120mph if you dont hold it there long. The ratings are done at sustained speeds to build heat in the tire. The heat from friction is what tears the tire apart. Climate could make a difference too. I say if you plan on doin a sustained 120mph then yur gettin on the edge anyway and the more expensive tires could make you feel better. All I gotta say is, at 120mph, you find bumps in the road that you never knew were there before.

I run V-rated BFG 235/60-15 VR4. These tires have a 26.1" diameter, so they're not real big to fill the wheel well on the rear. I got longer spring bolts to lower the rear 2" and they look good on there now. If the car is slung low enough then the 235/60's look good. Only available in blackwall. About $100 each from tirerack.com. tire pressure is important to. You need to increase the pressure for sustained high speed use. The VR4's have a max recomended pressure of 44psi. S-rated tires have max recomended of 35psi.