Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP RFT with UNI-T AQ

[6 Shooter]

Born at Indy,® Performs Everywhere.™ The Firehawk SZ50 EP with UNI-T AQ™ offers relentless consistency. With UNI-T AQ technology, you can count on wet performance excellence as the tread wears down. Whether the pavement’s wet or dry, whether the temperature’s hot or cool—the ultra-high extended performance Firehawk SZ50 EP with UNI-T AQ is there for you!

Does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[Edmond]

I thought they discontinued these tires? Or was that just the SZ50's without all the other fancy letters behind it?

 

[warren s]

I have them on my 99 C5, love them. Very quiet smooth and they dig in well at the track.

Only issue I had was some Firestone stores that sell them dont mount them.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Firestone Firehawk/vrs. Goodyear Runflats

6 Shooter,
I have this tire on my 2000 C-5 Coupe, the second set of tires since of course the original Goodyears and they seem to be really good. I have about 10,000 miles on them and they handle good and ride good, and perform real good on wet roads as well as dry. As with any RunFlat they do make some road noise but so did the Goodyears., maybe more, but every bit as much! I would buy them again for sure over the Goodyears. . . . . . I never got very good mileage from the Goodyears, and of course they are very proud of that name so you pay for that too!

Bill Barkdull
Indiana

Born at Indy,® Performs Everywhere.™ The Firehawk SZ50 EP with UNI-T AQ™ offers relentless consistency. With UNI-T AQ technology, you can count on wet performance excellence as the tread wears down. Whether the pavement’s wet or dry, whether the temperature’s hot or cool—the ultra-high extended performance Firehawk SZ50 EP with UNI-T AQ is there for you!

Does anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[Hib Halverson]

For information on C5 tires, there's a good article right here on the CAC

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/question.php?qstId=515

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

Great article on fun-flats Hib. I am wondering about one thing though. I tend to always like Good-Year tires on my Vettes amd I like the runflat ability. I am just wondering if Good-Year hasn't improved their runflats in the past year or two? I have an 02 Vette and would like to know if the 04 or 05 versions of runflats are improved.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

Goodyear vrs. Firestone Firehawks

You could very well be right on improvements on the Goodyear Run-Flats, I know there is a lot of improvements on the C-5 since then. I like Goodyear as well, the look, the ride and etc. but I just never got real good mileage out of them. The Firestones are considerably less expensive and unless something happens to change my mind before I need another set for the differance in the money I will purchase Firestone again. I just think Goodyear gets too much money differance for the NAME! To each his own as I always say; but for my money Firestone is a better buy.

Have a great day and rest of the week-end.
Bill

Great article on fun-flats Hib. I am wondering about one thing though. I tend to always like Good-Year tires on my Vettes amd I like the runflat ability. I am just wondering if Good-Year hasn't improved their runflats in the past year or two? I have an 02 Vette and would like to know if the 04 or 05 versions of runflats are improved.

 

[Hib Halverson]

The Goodyear F1 GS EMT, introduced in 1997, has not changed.

The new F1 GS-2 EMT, on the C6, is a much better tire due to design changes to reduce road noise. What remains to be seen is if Goodyear will release the F1 GS-2 EMT in the C5 sizes. I raised that question with Goodyear about four months ago and they told me the idea was being studied.

 

[bluecoupe]

6 shooter,
You may feel a difference in handling after changing the brand of tire. The C5's suspension was tuned to compensate or should I say tuned to take advantage of the very stiff sidewalls on the Goodyear F1 GS EMT tires. If you do decide to change brands and the ride changes too dramatically for you there are many things you can do to tweak the suspension.

1. Make sure the alignment is correct and ride height is set to where you want it. (Follow the GM specs when lowering or adjusting the car's height. If you go beyond it you'll have a tough time getting the alignment right.)
2. Switch to Aluminum sway bar links. (Good idea anyway for handling and safety. The front plastic links tend to twist and can snap. The rear steel links are very thin. (Type of stock end link depends on year of car.))
3. Replace the Z51 shocks with a set of stock "2004" Z06 shocks. (I've heard good things. Even though the rear of the Z06 is lighter due to the Titanium exhaust and smaller rear glass people report an improvement in handling and comfort.)
4. A Z06 front sway bar may also help. It is slightly larger. Unless you do track days you may not feel any difference. (The Z51 rear sway bar is as thick as the Z06's **depending on the year and who you ask.)
5. Changing to a Z06 rear spring may help keep the rear tires planted better. (Since you have the Z51 option you don't need to up grade the front spring they are the same size.)
6. Some folks have changed to stiffer Urethane suspension bushings. (I have not heard good thing about this.)

• If you like the handling with the Goodyear runflats and it is the noise that bothers you look into putting in some sound insulation material in the rear cargo area. (Do item 2 on the list anyway you decide.)
• If it is the hard ride that bothers you then run 28 lbs (and definitely not over 30) in the rear tires or do Item 3 on the list.
• If it is the poor wear mileage. I don't understand the problem. I think they last ok for a performance tire as long as you keep the alignment correct and limit the burnouts.

Hope this helps,
Frank (bluecoupe)