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  1. #1

    Default 15" tires - What to get?

    I need new tires and There is a lot of chat about what to get. I have a McLaren and I want to keep the stock rims, so I'm stuck with getting 15" tires. I understand that the cars came out with Gatorbacks or some similar performance tire, but you can't get anything like that in 15s. I wanted BF Goodrich Com T/As, but, again, they don't make them anymore and the G-force sport wheels aren't available in 15".

    So what's wrong with BFG Radial T/As? Besides the price, of course. I hear a lot of people are going with Cooper CS5 ultra touring, which seem to be about the same but half the price.

    Any advice?

  2. #2
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    I haven't bought any 15" tires other than some rollers in years, so I might be wrong. My understand is the first the BFG Radial T/A is a very old design from a technology aspect. Not a big deal for the Show Car or occasional good weather cruiser. They are round, they hold air, and they will fit your wheels, so they work. The other issue I have heard is the molds are getting old and worn down and the tires being produced are less crisp and true for lack of a better term. Again I have NO Experience with this first hand, just what I have heard from others and seen posted on the internet.

    Nothing wrong with BFG and I have had good experiences with them over the years. With that said, I like Cooper tires also and have had good experiences with their products too. There are also offerings from Kumho and General although nothing is really a Performance Tire. I would look at all the options and go from there, but honestly I think BFG would be last on my list unless you just want a tire that looks somewhat "Period Correct". Good Luck!
    Last edited by wraithracing; 11-06-2018 at 10:31 AM. Reason: Spelling
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
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    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
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  3. #3

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    Thanks! The mold issue is news to me! I have a 67 Mustang as well, and I am a big BFG fan on those--old technology. The side walls are rounder on the Radial TAs but I remember that they have a much better ride than the Gatorbacks did. My car is a pretty rough ride as it is, so maybe the BFGs would dampen that some?

    Seems like the 'new' trend is to put a ton of crap on the sidewalls, now, too. So.. Looking hard at the Coopers...

  4. #4
    Moderator wraithracing's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 86McLarenCapri View Post
    Thanks! The mold issue is news to me! I have a 67 Mustang as well, and I am a big BFG fan on those--old technology. The side walls are rounder on the Radial TAs but I remember that they have a much better ride than the Gatorbacks did. My car is a pretty rough ride as it is, so maybe the BFGs would dampen that some?

    Seems like the 'new' trend is to put a ton of crap on the sidewalls, now, too. So.. Looking hard at the Coopers...
    Agreed, the sidewall stuff seems to come from the offroad tires and has trickled down to performance and passenger tires.

    If you have a good local tire shop or Discount Tire have them order in a set of the BFG's and look at them. If you are happy with the tires in regards to how they look, design, and decent mold quality then I say go for it. I don't LOVE the tread design of the BFG, but then again none of the other options really excite me either.

    You can compare all the wear ratings, etc between the tires and see if one is that much better than the others, but I doubt you will notice much difference in ride quality between any of them. They are all the same 225/60/15 size I assume so unless over inflated the ride should be pretty soft compared to most lower profile tires.
    ​Trey

    "I Don't build it hoping for your approval! I built it because it meets mine!"

    "I've spent most of my money on Mustangs, racing, and women... the rest I just wasted."

    Mustangs Past: Too many to remember!
    Current Mustangs:
    1969 Mach 1
    1979 Pace Car now 5.0/5 speed
    1982 GT Stalled RestoModification
    1984 SVO Still Waiting Restoration
    1986 GT Under going Wide Body Conversion Currently

    Current Capris:
    1981 Capri Roller
    1981 Capri Black Magic Roller Basket Case
    1982 Capri RS 5.0/4spd T-top Full Restoration Stalled in TX
    1984 Capri RS T-top Roller
    1983-84 Gloy Racing Trans Am/IMSA Body Parts

  5. #5
    FEP Super Member webestang's Avatar
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    I have 225/60/15 BFG's WWL's on my 88 Turbines and 225/60/15 General Tiger Paws on my 85 10-holes. Bought both sets from Walmart online. Both have been fantastic tires with good road manners. Heck the first set of BFG's on my 88 lasted till 60000 miles and I drove that car all year long including snow.

    Scotty
    1985 Fox Notch 4-banger Ranger tube header Eastwood Royal Blue
    1988 Fox LX 5.0 AOD Vert BBK 170mph speedo Candy Apple Red
    1999 Mustang Coupe V6 Auto Chrome Yellow -Daily Driver.
    Past Pony's.....
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  6. #6

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    OK, I know this will sound terrible but: For my daughters 83 Capri with 10 holes, I purchased Nankang SP-9 Cross Sports in 225/60/15. They seem to get good reviews and they have a very square profile like the old Gatorbacks did. I do not like the looks of the Coopers because they have a more rounded profile.

    She has put around 5,000 miles on them so far. They seem to work great in dry and wet (won't use them for snow). They are not expensive and have no panache', but they look right and ride nice. As a side note, only 1 tire took more than 1 oz to balance (it was still less than 2 oz total). That is fairly uncommon in most tires.

    Kenny

  7. #7
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    I bought Falkin 912 a few years ago when I ran into the same problem. Looks like a Touring tire and performs better than expected.
    Fox Body/3rd Gen MCA Gold Card Judge
    84 SVO 24K miles, 85 Mclaren Capri Vert. 84 GT Turbo Vert.
    88 Mclaren Mustang Vert 20K miles, 89 Mustang LX Sport Vert,
    03 Mach 1 7900 miles, 74 Mustang II, 69 Mustang, 67 Mustang, 07 GT500,
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  8. #8
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    Get the BFG's. A great period correct tire. I like to mount black side out, as I am not a fan of RWL on a fox. Shop around and you can find great deals on the T/A's.

  9. #9
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Had regular T/A on my Ranger. 275/60/15 rear, 245/60/15 ft, black walls out. Then went 245 all 4.
    Got rid of them. Looked good but too many issues.
    Flats, broken belts. Flat spotting until warm. Thread cracking. Air loss.
    Old tech design, very high price. Traction, handling, wear, nothing special. Many avail sizes a plus.

    Now have Firestone blackwalls on the car and OWL on the truck. Stock rims on all.
    Great price, great handling, wear, ride, and all weather traction, especially on wet roads.

    Firestone Precision Sport 215/60/15 on car 25" stock diameter.
    Firestone Destination LE 225/70/15 on truck 27.4", +1" from stock diameter.

    Cooper Cobras on the car were just ok. Good wear, ride, and traction.
    Goodyear Eagle, Wrangler on the car and truck, no good in rain. For some reason they wore out quick.

    The 'Stones and others can be inflated to 44 psi.
    T/A is 35 psi max. Ok for looks on older muscle cars that are not driven much.
    For some reason sporty tire choices are limited in 225/60/15.
    Last edited by gr79; 02-11-2020 at 01:26 PM.

  10. #10

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    I have been on 10holes and Cooper cs5s for 4 years now. They are holding up well (20000 miles) and ride great. Autocross not so great but they didn't roll off the rims either. I think they look good for the style. They also clear the skunks and raccoons. That said... The 225 45 15 federals I use for autocross are awesome. They look odd, of course, but the ride and handling for even grocery runs or highway is excellent. For my next set of tires I may be looking that way. Not sure if a 225 50 or 55 even exists.
    1984.5 G.T.350 5.0 CFI AOD Convertible (TRX package, loaded)
    K&N filter in a stock dual snorkel, GT40 heads, Edelbrock 3721 intake, MSD 8456 Dist., MSD 8227 coil
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    Maximum Motorsports caster/camber plates and strut tower brace, 3.73 rear, dura grip (both Yukon)
    Ford Performance Springs, Firehawk A/S 225/55r16 on LMR TRX r390 wheels (street)
    Federal 595 rs-rr 245/40r17 and 255/40r17 on OE cobra r wheels (race)
    AOD rebuilt with a 6 clutch direct drum, Koline steels stacked with 8 clutches, Kevlar band, superior shift kit, new torque converter. --Everything else stock and fully functional.

  11. #11

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    I have about 500 miles on new Cooper CS5s this summer. These are great tires- highly recommend them!

  12. #12
    FEP Power Member craigerSS's Avatar
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    Go old school, radial t/a's
    here's to the freakin' weekend,I'll drink to that

  13. #13
    FEP Member Mentok's Avatar
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    I'm having a similar issue trying to choose some 15's. The radial T/A's are just too pricey for me. I could replace my 17's for far less it's crazy. I have a set of 4 lug American Racing Vectors in 15x8 that I plan to restore and put on. My 17's are toast, and I've never been that fond of the looks of them. They are OZ or Steeda 5 spokes not really sure. I have 275's in the back and 245's up front. The 245's rub at full lock. I'm leaning towards the cooper cobras in 235/60/15. Anyone run these? My main concern is if the fronts will rub? I have an 83 capri rs with stock brakes and spindles, but it is lowered on FMS springs. My other concern is if the 235's will spin too much? I have 4:11's, svo gt40 alu heads, an aggressive cam, vic jr intake, demon 600 carb etc. I really want RWL to go with the vintage look of the vectors. It's proving difficult to find RWL 15's in staggered width that will fit my car.
    owner of the 666th mercury produced in 1983.......neat fact! black on black 5.0 t-5 capri with no other options but fishnet seats.....coincidence.......perhaps

  14. #14
    FEP Senior Member cb650's Avatar
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    i have 255/60 on 8" wheels on the rear. Had 235 with 10 holes on front but didnt like the way the front felt. All Cooper cobras. just went with fusion touring 225 on front way better

  15. #15
    FEP Power Member vintageracer's Avatar
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    205/75-15 WHITEWALLS.

    Add some curb feeler's and you be stylin and profilin!
    Mike
    Remember, "Drive Fast, Turn Heads, Break Hearts!"

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  16. #16

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    Cooper Cobras look cool but suck for traction! I have had them on a couple of cars. Even a stick 5.0 overpowers them and up they go in smoke. I Doo like that effect but they seem squirrelly at the sight of moisture.

  17. #17
    FEP Senior Member E2ZZGLX's Avatar
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    225/50/15 Kumos...this should be the oem size for your ASC...Attachment 125167
    Current keepers...
    77 Cobra II

    80 Bobcat Sport
    82 GT-first new car is back home!
    85 ASC Coupe
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  18. #18

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    nice. I assume they modded the speedo gear to go that low of profile.
    1984.5 G.T.350 5.0 CFI AOD Convertible (TRX package, loaded)
    K&N filter in a stock dual snorkel, GT40 heads, Edelbrock 3721 intake, MSD 8456 Dist., MSD 8227 coil
    Comp cams XE254H, hypereutectic pistons
    Hooker Super Comp Shorty Equal Length Headers, catted BBK H-pipe, full custom duals
    Maximum Motorsports caster/camber plates and strut tower brace, 3.73 rear, dura grip (both Yukon)
    Ford Performance Springs, Firehawk A/S 225/55r16 on LMR TRX r390 wheels (street)
    Federal 595 rs-rr 245/40r17 and 255/40r17 on OE cobra r wheels (race)
    AOD rebuilt with a 6 clutch direct drum, Koline steels stacked with 8 clutches, Kevlar band, superior shift kit, new torque converter. --Everything else stock and fully functional.

  19. #19
    FEP Senior Member E2ZZGLX's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by emerygt350 View Post
    nice. I assume they modded the speedo gear to go that low of profile.
    Less than a 1/2 shorter and aprox...7% difference at the speedo
    Current keepers...
    77 Cobra II

    80 Bobcat Sport
    82 GT-first new car is back home!
    85 ASC Coupe
    86 SVO
    86 Escort GT
    88 Ranger GT

  20. #20
    FEP Power Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by E2ZZGLX View Post
    225/50/15 Kumos...this should be the oem size for your ASC...Attachment 125167
    The verts. did not come with 50s tires. They came with the stock 60s.
    Fox Body/3rd Gen MCA Gold Card Judge
    84 SVO 24K miles, 85 Mclaren Capri Vert. 84 GT Turbo Vert.
    88 Mclaren Mustang Vert 20K miles, 89 Mustang LX Sport Vert,
    03 Mach 1 7900 miles, 74 Mustang II, 69 Mustang, 67 Mustang, 07 GT500,
    14 Mustang CS/GT, 15 F150 FTX Tuscany, 16 F250 Crewcab, 67 Tbird 47K miles

  21. #21
    FEP Member Mentok's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mudgepondexpress View Post
    Cooper Cobras look cool but suck for traction! I have had them on a couple of cars. Even a stick 5.0 overpowers them and up they go in smoke. I Doo like that effect but they seem squirrelly at the sight of moisture.
    Are they that bad even if I went with say 255/60's on the back? I live in Maine, but I don"t drive it in the snow. It's a daily driver the rest of the year so it does see a lot of rain. I have 275/40/17 yokohamas on it now, and I take off in 2nd on flat ground. 4:11's and t-5.
    owner of the 666th mercury produced in 1983.......neat fact! black on black 5.0 t-5 capri with no other options but fishnet seats.....coincidence.......perhaps

  22. #22

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    I would say yes, even in a smaller footprint they seem squirrelly but others can chime in with their experience. And rereading my comment, it should have said "stock" 5.0, not stick... They look good though.

    My good friend put a 245/60/15 on his 71 coupe, 302,c4, lightly modified. Loves the look, says they are dangerous in the rain. I don't think they are that bad but I wouldn't run them if I drove much in moisture.

    Good luck!

  23. #23
    FEP Member James2488's Avatar
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    My 85 has a set of BFG Radial T/A that came on the car. I've put less than 10k on the car in 7 years and they are alright, I'm not a big fan of the BFGs I don;t like the treads the look or the traction, if you're at a car show in the grass forget it. I have been driving the car this week and yesterday with some moisture there was a lot of spinning. My LeMans has a 245/60R14 and BFG is the only person that makes any anymore, that's why I have been holding out on my '95 Goodyear Eagle STs that are on there.

    I recently bought a set of gold mesh rims that has 2 15's and 2 16's and to keep them the same tire I had gone with the Cooper CS5 Ultra Touring but I have not even mounted the tires on the rims let alone the rims to the car, that'll be a spring thing. I spent like $320 on the set on eBay then Cooper had a rebate at the time.
    Last edited by James2488; 11-30-2018 at 11:54 AM.
    2015 F350 6.7 CCLB Platinum
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    1997 F250 7.3 RCLB ZF5
    1985 Mustang GT T-tops 5.0/T5
    1968 Pontiac LeMans 400/ST-300

  24. #24

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    Thanks for all the input! I ended up going with the Coopers and I have to say that I am impressed, so far. The BFGs were pricey and I am only into the Coopers for a little over $300. They do have one side that doesn't have as much crap on them as the other, so that mental hazard is no longer an issue.

    My old tires were about 20 year old Bridgestones that looked right but.. They were hard as rocks. I also had one rim that was bent on the inner lip probably from running something over--before I got the car. The boneheads at the shop balanced and counter balanced the wheel like 5 times and it was just blatantly obvious that it was out of whack when it was on the balancer.

    I had a good spare that I swapped out and had the new tires mounted and balanced and...the car drives like a dream. It is absolutely AMAZING what a difference in tires can do!

  25. #25

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    ...And, I just saw that Gatorbacks are being reproduced? $325 EACH???? Yowza!~

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