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RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? #885793
12/22/10 10:24 PM
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Hi All,
Looking to buy some 15" RWL tires for my '67 Plymouth.
Will be going on 15x7s on the front and 15x8s on the rear.
I'm in Oz, and have very limited access to such tires. The Firehawks and Radial T/As are very limited size wise, hence the odd sizes.
So, choices are:
BF Goodrich Radial T/A
225/70/15 and 255/70/15 ($840 for the four)

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
215/65/15 and 235/60/15, or 235s all round ($800 for the four)

Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T
225/60/15 and 255/60/15 ($880 for the four)

As you can see, there's litte difference in price between them. So they're all fair game.

I've read great reveiws of the Firehawks compared to the T/As, but would prefer something wider than the 235/60/15.

The Sportsman S/Ts have better choices regarding sizes, and have a higher speed rating, but can't find too many reviews/opinions on them.

I'm leaning towards the Sportsmans, but would like to have some user opinions on them?

It should be noted that these are simply 'street' tires, I'm also getting a pair of drag radials for track duty. As such, tire width for performance may not be the deciding factor.

Of those three choices, what would you choose?

Cheers!


Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: Damned67] #885794
12/22/10 10:35 PM
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assuming '67 b-body?

I'd stick with the 15x7s on the rear, none of the tires listed need more than 7" & the 8" wheels backspacing would have to be "dead nuts" to fit properly in the '67s quarters. Is the car mini-tubbed?

BF Goodrich Radial T/A wheels 6" front & 7" rear
225/70/15 and 255/70/15 ($840 for the four) 225/70/15 is tall, is the car sitting high in the front? Is there a smaller (215) front tire available?

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 wheels 7" front & 7" rear
215/65/15 and 235/60/15, or 235s all round ($800 for the four) 235 = small rear tire Is there a larger (245) rear tire available?

Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T wheels 7" front & 7" rear
225/60/15 and 255/60/15 ($880 for the four) 225 = small front tire - too short!!

If the your choices are limited to the above tires, The Firestones would "fit" best.
The Radial T/As would be my choice, but clearance may be non-existent on the front corners.


Last edited by 6bblgt; 12/22/10 10:52 PM.
Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: 6bblgt] #885795
12/22/10 10:44 PM
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Of those, I've had the T/As & Firehawks on a few cars, and they were fine on the street. None of those cars were driven in the rain, though. Firehawks are about 40% less here than what you have to pay, and quite a bit less expensive here than T/As are.

Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: Damned67] #885796
12/22/10 10:44 PM
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I have had many sets of Firehawks!


Admiration For Multiple Carburetor Vehicles...
Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: topside] #885797
12/22/10 10:51 PM
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With the Sportsman S/Ts, I can also source 225/70/15s and 235/60/15s.

The rims I'll be buying (again, very limited in selection) are 15x7 with 4" BS and 15x8 with 4.5" BS. I know people have fit 275/60/15s under the 67 B-bodys (although, sometimes with difficulty, hence my choice to stick with 255s), so I'm simply assuming that a 255/60 on a 15x8 with 4.5" BS will fit??? I've been wrong before....

This is why I'm asking these questions, so I can be pointed in the right direction. It's an investment that I can really only afford to make once, so I need to get it right.

Cheers!

Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: Damned67] #885798
12/22/10 10:54 PM
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BF Goodrich Radial T/A
225/70/15 and 255/70/15 ($840 for the four)
I didn't know there were other tire besides BFGs!!!
A 215/65/ should have never been produced, they are too short for any car.

Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: skullbucket] #885799
12/22/10 11:11 PM
12/22/10 11:11 PM
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I have the MT tires on my 2wd truck after using the BFG radial T/A in the past. The MT is a better tire in my opinion and will likely last longer since the tread lugs are much bigger.

Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: 6bblgt] #885800
12/22/10 11:43 PM
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approximate tire heights -

225/70/15 ~27.44" and 255/70/15 ~29"

215/65/15 ~26.02" and 235/60/15 ~26.12"

225/60/15 ~25.63" and 255/60/15 ~27.05"

I've never used them but the Sportsmans in 235/60/15 (F60-15) front & 255/60/15 (H60-15) rear sound like a good combo.
I'd get confirmation on the fit of the 8" wheels, '67 wheelwells with the low opening are small.

Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: 6bblgt] #885801
12/22/10 11:48 PM
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Jason, I pulled the Satellite out of the garage to take some pictures so you can contrast to my setup. As I've told you, I wish I had gone a little bigger with my tires. My combo is 245/60-15's on 15x7's in back and 225/65-15's on 15x6-1/2's in front. 255's will definately fit on 7" rims. Cant immagine they'd be too much different on 8's.

Here come some pics.....


LemonWedge - Street heavy / Strip ready - 11.07 @ 120
Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: StealthWedge67] #885802
12/22/10 11:50 PM
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Fronts: again, these are 225/65's. I think 225/70's would be perfect.

6372818-P1060645.JPG (475 downloads)
Last edited by GEnsrud; 12/23/10 12:06 AM.

LemonWedge - Street heavy / Strip ready - 11.07 @ 120
Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: StealthWedge67] #885803
12/22/10 11:51 PM
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Rears: 245/60's. Witdth is good, I just wish they were taller. I think 245/70's would be the perfect choice.

6372829-P1060646.JPG (551 downloads)
Last edited by GEnsrud; 12/23/10 12:09 AM.

LemonWedge - Street heavy / Strip ready - 11.07 @ 120
Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: StealthWedge67] #885804
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rear fenderwell clearance: these are perfectly squared up with equal clearance on inside and out. rims have 4-1/4" bs.

6372831-P1060652.JPG (428 downloads)
Last edited by GEnsrud; 12/23/10 12:03 AM.
Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: 6bblgt] #885805
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Quote:

assuming '67 b-body?

I'd stick with the 15x7s on the rear, none of the tires listed need more than 7" & the 8" wheels backspacing would have to be "dead nuts" to fit properly in the '67s quarters. Is the car mini-tubbed?

BF Goodrich Radial T/A wheels 6" front & 7" rear
225/70/15 and 255/70/15 ($840 for the four) 225/70/15 is tall, is the car sitting high in the front? Is there a smaller (215) front tire available?
Car isn't sitting high. Sadly, nothing smaller than the 225/70/15

Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 wheels 7" front & 7" rear
215/65/15 and 235/60/15, or 235s all round ($800 for the four) 235 = small rear tire Is there a larger (245) rear tire available?
Unfortunately, the next step up is a 275/60/15, which is VERY borderline in the 67s

Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T wheels 7" front & 7" rear
225/60/15 and 255/60/15 ($880 for the four) 225 = small front tire - too short!!
With the Sportsman S/Ts, I can also source 225/70/15s and 235/60/15s.







Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: StealthWedge67] #885806
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stance with worn out leaf springs.

6372844-P1060647.JPG (513 downloads)

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Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: StealthWedge67] #885807
12/23/10 12:17 AM
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I've used all three and I like the Sportsmans the best!

Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: Damned67] #885808
12/23/10 12:19 AM
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The S/Ts are made by Cooper and look alot like the Cooper Cobras, I would never go back to the T/As and liked the Firestones, I'd like to try the S/Ts tho.
Down your way I think you can get the Maxxis Marauders, they come in lots of muscle car sizes.
I bought A set for my Challenger, they look great but I won't be driving them untill spring.

Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: StealthWedge67] #885809
12/23/10 12:36 AM
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Quote:

rear fenderwell clearance: these are perfectly squared up with equal clearance on inside and out. rims have 4-1/4" bs.




Thanks for that Gary (and for all the pics).
So the trade off would be whether to run with the 15x7 @ 4" BS or the 15x8 with the 4.5" BS. Either way, a 255 tire should fit (at least, it looks like it will).

Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: Damned67] #885810
12/23/10 12:43 AM
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Quote:

Quote:

rear fenderwell clearance: these are perfectly squared up with equal clearance on inside and out. rims have 4-1/4" bs.




Thanks for that Gary (and for all the pics).
So the trade off would be whether to run with the 15x7 @ 4" BS or the 15x8 with the 4.5" BS. Either way, a 255 tire should fit (at least, it looks like it will).





If everyone is measuring backspace the same - the bigger 255 tire on a 8" wheel would be 3/4"+ closer to the wheel lip.

I don't think there's room for that.

Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: 6bblgt] #885811
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Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

rear fenderwell clearance: these are perfectly squared up with equal clearance on inside and out. rims have 4-1/4" bs.




Thanks for that Gary (and for all the pics).
So the trade off would be whether to run with the 15x7 @ 4" BS or the 15x8 with the 4.5" BS. Either way, a 255 tire should fit (at least, it looks like it will).





If everyone is measuring backspace the same - the bigger 255 tire on a 8" wheel would be 3/4"+ closer to the wheel lip.

I don't think there's room for that.




Got me thinking now....
The section width on the tire in the photo (Dunlop GT Qualifier, 245/60/15) is reported to be 9.6" on a 7" rim.
The Sportsman 255/60/15 is reported to be 10.25" on a 7.5" rim. Accounting for the difference in the backspacing, the Sportsman on a 7.5 rim would, indeed, sit ~0.6" closer to the lip. How much would an 8" rim change the section width?

Re: RWL tires: Radial T/A vs Firehawk vs Sportsman S/T? [Re: Damned67] #885812
12/23/10 08:59 AM
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on my 67 Coronet, I'm running a 275/60 15" Diamondback redline tire. These are the Firestone tires.

The rears are on a 15x8 rim and the drivers side has 1/4" extra offset moving the tire closer to the centre of the car.

The 275/60 are around 28" tall.

It fits and fills out the wheelwell

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