Tires for my 78

[eanderso]

I have a 78 Silver Ann. with the L48 with some minor modifications. I'm looking for a good set of tires. I think the current ones are 225 70 R15. There 20 years old. I don't drive it that much but I would like a good wet and dry traction tire. I've seen suggestions like the Goodyear F1 and the Kumho Ecsta but they don't make these tires in my size. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I don't think you need to purchase anything so expensive as that...my own 78 is a daily driver in all kinds of weather (except snow/ice) and I have been happy for the past 12 years with Firestone Firehawk tires, SS20 series.
My 78 has a GM crate engine and with current mods we are at about 300hp and these tires keep us on the road in the mountains when we're having fun.

The only trouble I've experienced is toad-choking Southern rains. The water pools on the roads and doesn't have time to drain off so I am careful about watching for standing water or 'rivers' of water on the slopes since these fat tires want to float and not drive right through the water. I drive slower and more thoughtfully during heavy rains. Be alert. Lerts live longer.
Heidi

 

[Fishman]

Welcome to the CAC eanderso...

I have been using the Goodyear Eagle GT2 255/60R15 (with raised white letters) for several years, good performance and longevity. I think I paid about $110 per tire.

Later... Brian

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I agree with fishman. 255/60/R15 GT2's are really good in the rain.No stopping for toadsoakers!
Check out www.Tirerack.com for prices. I got mine last year for $75.00/tire.

Pete.

 

[eanderso]

Thanks for the responses everybody!!

 

[mvftw]

Yoko's from Tirerack

 

[pgtr]

Most of the tires available in your sizes (225/70-15, 235/70-15 and 255/60-15) are the S or T rated. At a bare bones minimum I would recommend an H rated tire on ANY vehicle such as an econobox grocerygetter or soccormom minivan. There are a precious few V rated all season performance radials in your sizes. Tirerack.com is a good research tool but recently I've noticed there selection is not as complete as it once was - you can always take a printout and negotiate a competitive price locally as tire prices are typically negotiable. A quality H or V all season performance radial will usually command about a 15% increase in price over an S or T tire. To me it's worth the safety, strength, heat resistance and performance margins you get and well suited to a Corvette.