Best tire for 96 LT1

[kingman]

The tires on my vette look like they have enough tread to last the spring but then l will need all four tires.

But how deep or l should say how much tread on a vette should be the minimum before replacing them.

What are the better brands and what should l expect to pay for all four.

 

[vader86]

go to tirerack.com to get prices

I like Firestone SZ50, Kumho. Kumho is the best for the price, Firestone is the best all-around (but expensive)

Michelin Pilots and Yokohamas are also good.

To check for tread depth, take a penny and stick it in the tread, if you can see all of Lincoln's head, time for new tires.

 

[kfehling]

I prefer the Bridgestone Potenza 730s as a nice all around tire. They are very quiet and ride much better than the GSCs that it came with. Good in the wet--although I only tested this a few times and very nice in the dry. I paid about $800 out the door a few years ago. If you drive your car with care and don't really risk it, it could really come down to price and what tread design you like. Most tires today, even the cheap ones, perform fairly well. Good luck.

 

[dburgjohn]

Good Tire, Low Price

I just tried a set of BF Goodrich KDWS. I love the ride and the price was good. Best of all is the quite ride compared to GSCs

 

[UB2 SLOW]

I have used the SZ50's and NITTO's. For regular street use, I go with the 315/35/17 Goodyears.

 

[Skant]

It's not just tread remaining that's the issue. Ultra performance tires get hard and lose their grip with age... even if they have tread left.

Because of this, it's really your own judgement call at what point you want to replace the tires. Under normal circumstances, they'll lose their grip long before they're in danger of falling apart.

As far as tread depth, the 'penny test' is still a useful rule. Place a penny in the tread grove... if the tread doesn't at least reach lincoln's head, then the tire is in serious danger of hydroplaning in the rain.


As for which tire brand to choose... that question always generates a myriad of different answers. Competition between the various tire companies is very strong. And a great deal of information and disinformation floats around the forums.

In particular, I'd watch out for claims that Goodyear tires are so poor. Goodyear makes the stock tires on these cars (and these stock tires are not the best tires that Goodyear offers, to be sure). When folks buy X new tire from another manufacturer to replace their old worn out Goodyears, they report that the new tires are dramatically better than Goodyear. When, in fact, ANY tire will dramatically outperform the old wornout tires they had on the car... including the same kind of tire.

I haven't found any source of unbiased information about tire comparisons anywhere (and no, I'm not convinced that Tire Rack is at all unbiased). My research suggests that the top ultra performance tires from each of the manufacturers out there are _very_ close to eachother in terms of pure street performance. You could buy any one of them and not 'go wrong'.

- Skant

 

[wx briefer]

I tried Michelin Pilot Sports my last go around. I had to exchange the rear two as they were out of tolerance and considered defective. The front two are still on the car and continue to vibrate above 85MPH. I am going back to the Goodyear as soon as these detestable, sorry made, aggravating, 'bouncy-bouncy',.......well, you get the idea. The only positive thing about the MPP's is that they stick like glue to the dry pavement and are very predictable in breaking loose.

I might add that a few thousand miles ago, I had smoothed them up a bit by adding pressure to 40/35. But now that they are wearing, the vibration is back.

The Goodyear supercar tire looks intriguing to me. If they will just come out with sizes for the F1 '96 suspension, I'll be SOOoo there.

 

[LT1Vettepilot]

I recently put a pair of Continental Contisport tires on the front end. I am very impressed. I had to throw 245s on instead of the OEM 255s because that is all that was available at the time. However, even though they are a little narrower, they stick like glue! With the the narrower contact patch, the car doesn't have nearly as many problems with tracking in all the ruts in the roads around here. The ride is better than the stock GSCs as well. I did a little research and unfortunatly they don't produce anything wider than 265s. Meaning, although they can be bought for the front end, you can't get a matching set for the rear ad . Otherwise when it comes time for my rear tires, that is what I would be jumping on!
FYI, right now I have OEM GSCs on the back, which have been great, but a little too much grip around corners, allowing for the car to plow when pushed hard. I don't like understeer at all. With the Contis up front, not only does the car no longer understeer when pressed, but the front end has about about the same amount of grip! This gave the car a much more neutral balance when being pressed. It doesn't just come unglued all at once. When pushing the car into and around corners, I can feel just when the rear end is wanting to let go. Just as the rear starts to come loose, the front end starts reaching it's grip limits as well. It happens very gradually, so instead of drifting around a corner sideways, you have plenty of time to decide what to do. So far, letting up slightly on the throttle brings the rear end under control and stabilizes the rest of the car...glue the front back down. There is one particular corner that is EXTREMELY sharp near where I live, 15MPH posted caution. Previously my best speed around this corner has been 50MPH with the front end plowing a little bit and all 4 tires yelling at me, however the car stayed completely in my lane. With the Contis up front, 50MPH around this same corner is like a Sunday cruise. No complaints from the car at all, tires are quiet, and the only thing that gives away how fast you're actually going are the g-forces which are attempting to meld you with the door!
Recently we had about 6-8 inches of snow on the ground. I expected such a sticky summer tire to have NO traction in the snow. To my amazement, the Contis stick great in the snow! In short, I'm very impressed, and wish they made a matching set for the Corvette! Just a little more FYI...Continental also produces an even higher performance tire!:J Also not in OEM rear size
Best of all...PRICE!!! I haven't found anything with compatible ratings for nearly the same price (last I checked anyways)

My disclaimer...I don't suggest anyone attempt the manuevers expressed in the preceeding statement, nor do I suggest anyone exceed the posted speed limit. I do not attempt high speed manuevers with passengers in the vehicle. SAFETY FIRST Always wear your seat belt.
I didn't do it, nobody saw me do it, you can't prove a thing!

 

[CKA_Racing]

Guess you missed the reply's here http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?postid=181877#post181877

on your tread questions.

 

[LouBelleraVideo]

I love the Goodyear Ultra HP Tires..Great ride and looks great too!