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  1. #1
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    Default Ten hole rims, not many tire options left

    Hey guys, I'm having a really hard time finding some decent performance tires for these wheels. Many of the options listed in the old threads are discontinued. I looked into the Vredestein Sportrac 5s, but only place that seems to carry them is a place called tiresbyweb.com that I have never heard of. $143 each. I left an email with Tire Rack as others have done in the past, but I haven't heard anything back. In sporty-ish all seasons, Kuhmo Ecstas and Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring are still available. I had the Kuhmos on my last Mustang, and traction was acceptable but not great. Launching was tricky, and I could do rolling no-clutch burnouts in 1st with an exhaust only, full weight, 2.73 geared LX 5.0, and erupt them through 2nd with GT40 head/Comp Cam XE270/Typhoon intake and 3.73s. I assume the Coopers will have similar performance, as I couldn't find a direct comparison.

    I'm planning to install Trickflow Twisted Wedge heads and a more mild cam (TFS1 maybe) on my new '86. So any traction issues I had will be exacerbated with the greater low end torque, overall power, and less weight vs my old car. Any suggestions? I really don't want to change out the wheels, as they were recently refinished by the previous owner and look nice and period correct.
    Last edited by sm41; 05-02-2018 at 12:07 AM.
    '86 Mustang GT T-top. GT40P swap, Maximum Motorsports subframe/coilovers, MGW shifter
    (RIP) '86 Mustang GT, T-top. Cipher's old car
    '91 Wrangler. 4.0, 5 speed, 8.8 swapped, locked, lifted, caged
    -Steve

  2. #2

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    I bought the coopers yesterday to take advantage of a mail in rebate. I am picking them up tomorrow. Will post pics.

  3. #3

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    I have Uniroyal Tiger Paws on the Zephyr, and they seem to stick pretty well for a 225.
    Matt
    1984 Thunderbird -- 1989 302 HO, GT40 heads w/ Trick Flow springs, E303 cam, Edelbrock Performer 289 intake, Edelbrock 600 4bbl, 85 Mustang dizzy, Jegs o/r h pipe, Dynomax mufflers, Mustang AOD & shifter, Mustang 8.8 w/ 3.73s, Mustang front & rear sway bars, KYB 87-88 TC struts & shocks, and Mustang 11" front brakes.

    1988 Mustang GT hatch -- Explorer intake, GT40 heads with Trick Flow spring kit, Crane 1.7 rrs, E303 cam, 70mm MAF, 70mm throttle body, o/r H pipe, Dynomax mufflers, Kirban Kwik shifter w/ Pro 5.0 Deluxe handle, clutch quadrant & firewall adjuster, and 3.27s
    (86 Mercury Cougar 5.0, 89 Lincoln Mark VII LSC 5 speed, 80 Mercury Zephyr 4 door) sold

  4. #4
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    Awesome. Let us know how you like them. The price is excellent at under $300 for a set, as long as they perform reasonably I might be on board.

    I had Tiger Paws on my Crown Vic about a decade ago, and they evaporated in 20k miles. Granted, that car weighed over half a ton more, so it's probably not relevant information in this case. Might think about them as an option.
    '86 Mustang GT T-top. GT40P swap, Maximum Motorsports subframe/coilovers, MGW shifter
    (RIP) '86 Mustang GT, T-top. Cipher's old car
    '91 Wrangler. 4.0, 5 speed, 8.8 swapped, locked, lifted, caged
    -Steve

  5. #5
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    The LMR TRX 16" rims with 245/50/16 is 26" dia.

    Uniroyal is owned by Michelin.

    Most of the older sizes are made in the far east by brand x.
    The major brands now use mfg capacity for 16-20"
    Unless one does not mind splurging 150+ each for old school BFG T/A.

    Car had TRX 190/65/390. Went with 220/55/390 back in the day.
    Liked them a lot but had too many issues. Rim leaks, availability, cost.
    Now using 4 Firestone 215/60/15, 25" dia. Very good overall tire so far.
    Bought from Simple Tire. Will go with them again no doubt. Good prices, fast delivery to door.
    https://simpletire.com/
    215/60 is about the same dia as 220/55/390 and the 190/65/390.
    1" less than 225/60/15 (26" dia).
    215/60 lowers a 225 car 1/2". Adds a little more gear due to smaller size.
    The sidewalls do curve out a bit on turbine rims, not straight up and down. Happy with the look.

    Had 225 cooper cobras at one time. Too big of a look and was close to rubbing in front.

  6. #6
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    Cooper Cobra discontinued their 225/60/15 AFAIK.

    I've ran 235/60/15 on all four corners on 10 hole rims on my 1986GT before. They are a GREAT upgrade compared to the 225/60/15 stock tire.

    The speedometer is slightly off due to the tire being slightly taller. Also unless 87+ racks or a rack limiter is used the tires will rub at full lock turning.


    Still they work great IMO. No regrets.

  7. #7
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    Why are the BFG T/As so expensive?

    While the Cooper Cobra is discontinued, it looks like I can still get some in the 235/60r15. My speedometer gear is wrong anyway, so I can correct that when I decide on a tire size. I can't remember which rack it has, but I know it isn't stock. Car u-turns exceptionally well with 225/60s.

    Got my response from tire rack.
    "Unfortunately, we only show the alternative 225/60R15 option being produced. However, I do not have stock at this time. I would check back with us in a couple weeks to see if we have a better ETA for more stock in that size."
    '86 Mustang GT T-top. GT40P swap, Maximum Motorsports subframe/coilovers, MGW shifter
    (RIP) '86 Mustang GT, T-top. Cipher's old car
    '91 Wrangler. 4.0, 5 speed, 8.8 swapped, locked, lifted, caged
    -Steve

  8. #8
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    BFG is also owned by Michelin since 1988. Model A's had BFG tires.
    BFG= Benjamin Franklin Goodrich, founder. Yah cost lots of franklins (100.00 bill).

    BFG T/A are expensive prob because they cater to special needs, sizes/look for classic cars.
    No doubt factory machinery change over to mold many different size batches is a factor in the cost.
    Niche products similar to Coker Tire, semi gouging classic car owners who spend resto money easily.
    Want/need a radial tire to match the theme. Its the white lettered name mostly.
    Not an OEM muscle car era tire. Those were non-radial belted Goodyear Polyglas GT.
    BFG Radial T/A white letter was common lower priced replacement tire.

    Current regular T/A tire construction is 80's tech, if even that. Good traction in snow, rain. Handle good.
    But only hold 35 psi max, 5 ply 2 poly, 2 steel, 1 nylon belt that flat spots when cold and parked overnight.
    Tire vibration until warmed up.

    Have four 245/60/15 regular T/A on my Ranger. 27" dia. Truck has the tire/wheel well gap look i wanted.
    White letters in. Do not want to constantly clean them. Its a truck.
    Am not buying them again.
    Other brands in same size cost much less. M/T, Cooper Cobra, Kenda (OEM on my Schwinns).

    Unless speedo is corrected for tire size change:
    Taller than stock dia tire= speedo reads lower than actual speed. Easy to be 5-10 over speed limit.
    Smaller tire= speedo reads higher than actual. Less chance of speeding ticket for 5-10 over.
    One size up or down is about 2-3 mph error.

  9. #9

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    They look pretty good- not Gatorbacks or Comp T/As, but they don’t scream economy tire like some of the other options available. I don’t plan to mount them anytime soon as I have other issues to deal with first. At the price, I might pick up an extra set for future needs...

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  10. #10

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    I liked my cooper cobras. The 235/60 fit good on 10 holes. I did have 275/60's out back, but they were a bit wide.
    2 1986 cougars (both 4 eyed and 5.0)
    1 1987 cougar

  11. #11

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    Ran into this problem not too long ago also. Ended up buying some Mastercraft Avenger GT (Same as the Cooper version of the BFGs). Lots of tire noise at highway speed. Got them in 215/65 front and 245/60 rear for a meatier look out back.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    1984 LTD LX, 160k mile Explorer 5.0, Comp XE264HR-14 cam, Alex’s Parts springs on stock GT40 3 bar heads, Unported Explorer intake, 1 5/8 shorty headers, off-road H-Pipe, Spintech 9000 mufflers, Holley Terminator X Max, J-Mod 4R70W, Mustang 8.8 w/ 3.73s, Tubular front and rear control arms, front coilovers, Turbocoupe rear coil springs

  12. #12
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Default 215/60/15 'little' tires for the record

    Thank you for this thread.
    Went out to take pic.
    Left ps window all the way down last night. Hot out yesterday.
    Rained last night, hard at times.
    Did not know it was down. Strange. Only a puddle and in rear pass well and mat.

    Since 1980:
    195/65/390- 8 Michelin TRX
    220/55/390- 6 Michelin TRX-A (A= aggressive tread pattern)
    Switched to turbine rims in 2001. Came with 4 used C Cobras.
    225/60/15- 4 used Cooper Cobras 2001 no pic found yet. Decent tires. The V8 look.
    215/60/15- 2 new Firestone Firehawk SS30 2003 good tires.
    215/60/15- 4 new Goodyear Eagle not that great of a tire.
    215/60/15- 4 Firestone Precision Sport current. Closest to TRX overall feel.

    All tires have been around 100.00 each.
    Every time i try 2 tires, go back year later for 2 more year to find "tire discontinued".
    25" tall has about the same wheel well gap as OEM 195 TRX.

    Car 1 year old TRX 195. All TRX pkg were 195 even on V8.

    new 9/15/2005 Goodyear Eagles 215/60/15 x 4

    new Firestone 195/65/15 ft, 215/60/15 rear. Front 195 too skinny looking on rim.

    new current Firestone 215/60/15 all around on a dirty car, molding off for body work.

  13. #13
    FEP Member Ttopcapri's Avatar
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    Several drag radials are available in 235/60-15. Not sure if you can live with the short life and poor hydroplane resistance but if you want to put down 300+ HP and keep the 10 holes, they're your only real option.
    Currently Foxless

  14. #14
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    I really couldn't do that. I'm not going to take the car out in the rain deliberately, but I do plan on going on a few road trips and would hate to stuff it because it rained.

    I ended up buying a set of Saleen SC replicas after some thought. I figured if it's this hard to find performance tires now, it's only going to get worse in a couple years when I'm due again.

    NOT MY CAR, but exactly like it. This picture convinced me.



    Mine should be here Friday, I'll post pics when I get them on.
    '86 Mustang GT T-top. GT40P swap, Maximum Motorsports subframe/coilovers, MGW shifter
    (RIP) '86 Mustang GT, T-top. Cipher's old car
    '91 Wrangler. 4.0, 5 speed, 8.8 swapped, locked, lifted, caged
    -Steve

  15. #15
    FEP Power Member gmatt's Avatar
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    I'm getting Cooper CS5's this week. Putting them on Riken meshies for My Fairmont.

  16. #16
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    Picked up G2’s in 225/50/16 for my Saleen project. They look like they will be exactly what the dr ordered for a “1985-006” tribute build four eyed car.

    Cooper Cobras in 235/60/15 would be my first choice on a fox followed closely by a 215/65/15 (26”) or a 215/60/15 (25.5”). There are also good options to go 55 or 50 series but watch it so you don’t end up with too wide of a tire for a 7” wheel.

    245/60/15 are not bad out back


    Could always have the 10 holes cut and widened by 3” for the rear then delete the quad shocks and beat out the wheel wells and go big.

    315/35/17” fit on a 10” wise wheel so I’m sure something 335 or 355 on a 15 in a 30 series could also get a similar meaty result. 10.5W x 26 drag radials are always good for bite too once the rims are wide enough.

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by erratic50 View Post
    Picked up G2’s in 225/50/16 for my Saleen project. They look like they will be exactly what the dr ordered for a “1985-006” tribute build four eyed car.

    Cooper Cobras in 235/60/15 would be my first choice on a fox followed closely by a 215/65/15 (26”) or a 215/60/15 (25.5”). There are also good options to go 55 or 50 series but watch it so you don’t end up with too wide of a tire for a 7” wheel.

    245/60/15 are not bad out back


    Could always have the 10 holes cut and widened by 3” for the rear then delete the quad shocks and beat out the wheel wells and go big.

    315/35/17” fit on a 10” wise wheel so I’m sure something 335 or 355 on a 15 in a 30 series could also get a similar meaty result. 10.5W x 26 drag radials are always good for bite too once the rims are wide enough.
    This is a good post.

    One thing to keep in mind, the 10" spindle and non gt cars have the shock closer. I had less then a fingers width between my inner sidewall and the shock with my 235 tires.
    2 1986 cougars (both 4 eyed and 5.0)
    1 1987 cougar

  18. #18
    FEP Senior Member '86 5.0L's Avatar
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    Last edited by '86 5.0L; 05-07-2018 at 12:35 AM.
    Car: 1986 Mustang GT Hatchback || 5.0L H.O. || Borg-Warner T5 || 171,000 Miles || 25 mpg

    Mods: Bfg G-Force T/A KDW || K&N/silencer removed || Hood pins

    Times: faster then a speeding Prius

  19. #19
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    I forgot to mention that if I were shopping and 225/60 is a requirement that Tire Rack has an option from General that’s just what the Dr ordered.

    you can get H or V rated - not sure which on the 225/60/15 but the performance stats look great for the tire they reviewed

    https://m.tirerack.com/tires/ratings...ireDetail=true

    So, what WILL fit? That’s always the question isn’t it!

    When I initially went to 5 lug on my 86 I did it via 83 Ford Ranger rotors and bearing caps on my stock 1986GT spindles. I ran vintage 1996 Monroe struts. They had been adjusted at the spindle by the alignment shop so they had to shove my factory adjustment plates almost all the way in to get one degree of negative camber. They claimed at the time the struts were put in that this helps with performance but we all know the truth on that line of BS.

    Anyway.... a 245/45/17 tire on a 1994-1995 17” tribar wheel (the ones that looks like a 93 cobra R rim but painted silver) *JUST* clears the strut. Those are 17x8.5” wheels. The rim cleared up front but it was so close that the wheel weights did not, I had to go to stick on. Also a 1/8” to 1/4” spacer would have been useful as they rubbed something terrible if I turned a tight corner.

    A 1995 spindle with 1999GT dual piston calipers and slotted rotors is what I run in front now and is all around a much better setup. I jacked my wheel wells up out of the way and screwed them into place when I did the front end rebuild. (Everything - a arm bushings, X2 balljoints, MM bull steer kit, Stock 87-93 struts, low miles 93GT springs, 86 reman rack, etc)

    You can lookup the wheel offset and spindle track width and tire width and get an idea of what you can get away with.

    I can turn full lock and it just barely rubs but my struts are right in the middle of the strut opening then shoved all the way back towards the firewall for max caster now. (Added caster/camber plates). I had to run camber bolts with the 95 spindles to get anywhere in range. I was +6 when I started. I had to get pretty forceful with a bar while a spring compressor took the load off the strut and a jack suppirted the weight of the car to get what I wanted, but I managed to get -2.25 degrees of camber on both sides according to my gauge and that’s with the strut centered. Held it there while a buddy torqued the bolts down. It’s a bit much for street use there honestly - it likes to do the camber thrust thing a bit. Corners like magic though.

    my friend runs 17x9 on his with 255/40/17 with the same setup except factory ball joints and shim washers. Our cars are the same height ground to top of belt molding yet his tires are quite a bit shorter than mine are. Also he had to add rack limiters that are pretty extreme to get his to stop rubbing.

    I should mention my car sits 1.5” lower than stock with this setup due to plates and X2’s. Perfect in my book, the roll center is a lot better on mine too.

    Out back I went 4cyl LX springs with no antiroll bar and tubular lower arms. Sits with a rake until you add 140lbs out back or cut 1/2” off the rear spring. I do t have a panhard installed yet but believe it or not sometimes my car understeers it bites so well like this. I may a small rear sway bar to get some bite out of my inside front tire to stop it from pushing.

    I miss the stock look, but the handling is outrageously good compared to stock. And forgiving. Easy to drive fast. I can scare the living hell out of anyone who knows the factory limits of these cars well or hasn’t ride in mine for years.

  20. #20
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    I guess while on the topic of tire fitment it’s worth mentioning that the SN95 based parts produce a 1/8” per side wider track width.

    The year the 16” rims came out Ford revised the Mustang wheel openings in the fenders and increased K member width. Around 1/2” wider if memory serves.

    2nd chance cobra has a complete 1995 drive train, K member and all, under his 79 Cobra.

    So the K member on the 94-95 is about the same width as the 87-93 when you measure A arm bolt on one side to A arm bolt on the other side. Meanwhile the A arms are quite a bit longer. All told the 94+ setup is 1.5” wider track width than the 79-86 stuff. Shane had to use camber bolts too but for the opposite reason that I had to with my stuff. Way too much negative camber.

    The happy medium if you horse around with rim mods on a 4 lug setup would likely end up being an 87-93 k member with Fox A arms or SN95 arms with 79-86 width K member.

    Just remember that longer arms need stronger springs to hold the same load at the same height.

    one could always put in long lug studs and use spacers with modded rims in order to clear the struts up front too.

  21. #21
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    Got them on tonight. Very pleased with the ride, traction and look.
    Last edited by sm41; 05-10-2018 at 12:51 AM.
    '86 Mustang GT T-top. GT40P swap, Maximum Motorsports subframe/coilovers, MGW shifter
    (RIP) '86 Mustang GT, T-top. Cipher's old car
    '91 Wrangler. 4.0, 5 speed, 8.8 swapped, locked, lifted, caged
    -Steve

  22. #22
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    I have a set of those Ohtsu 225 60 15 sitting in my garage mounted on turbines. They were on my 88gt. I thought they were a decent tire. I ended up putting Cooper Cobra 235 60 on 15x8 Vision wheels (draglite copy) on it. The Ohtsu tires only have a few hundred miles on them, as do the Coopers. I may end up putting them back on.

  23. #23
    FEP Senior Member Patrick Olsen's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by erratic50 View Post
    Could always have the 10 holes cut and widened by 3” for the rear then delete the quad shocks and beat out the wheel wells and go big.

    315/35/17” fit on a 10” wise wheel so I’m sure something 335 or 355 on a 15 in a 30 series could also get a similar meaty result.
    Might want to check the math on those options. Maybe you meant 50 series? Regardless, do sizes like that even exist, or are you just speaking in hypotheticals?
    '89 GT convertible - not a four-eye
    '82 Zephyr Z7 - future track car

  24. #24
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    Yea, size is one thing and availability is another too.

    https://tiresize.com/comparison/

    They make a 315/35/17 which works on a 17x10” or 17x10.5” rim.

    they don’t make a 315/45/15..... it’s about the same height as Stock and the same width as the 315/35/17 but it’s not available

    Btw - for those wondering.... 305/40/16 is also about the same and they don’t make that either.

  25. #25
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    275/50/15 looks pretty good

    A 295/50/15 would yield a car going 93 when the speedometer is 5 past 85 on a stock 85. Close enough.....
    Last edited by erratic50; 05-11-2018 at 12:51 AM.

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