[myam]

I'm looking to some new tires and wonder what suggestions you guys have. I want a wide tire and will still work well on the front.

[Grand73Am]

What wheels, and wheel size, are you using?

[myam]

I'm running my stock 15x7 rally2's. I currently have 235/70/15's and want to go wider.
I'm thinking about 255's. Will they clear in my front wheelwells for turning? What brands do you like?

[77 Canamman]

The good old standby for me.. BFG Radial T/A in size P255/60R15.

[Grand73Am]

I also like the Radial TA's. For 7" wide wheels, I'd use 245-60-15's. I just bought a new set a few weeks ago and the car has never rode better. And I like that it's about 1/2" lower than stock.

The 235-70's you were running were pretty tall. So, you need to go to 60's when going wider to keep the height down, or you'd be even taller.

[myam]

Thanks for the help. I feel you guys are right. BFG's it is. I wasn't sure which way to go and now I do.

[rexs73gto]

Do you plan on changing wheels any time soon? If so hold off & get some tires that are a bit wider. You can go as wide as 295/50-15 in the rear with out any problem at all . All you need is a wheel that is at least 8"s wide. The 8' snowflake wheel will hold that size with no problem & look correct with no tire sidewall bulge.

[myam]

I think I'm going with the 255's all around for a even look. I'll most likely stick with the rally 2's. thanks guys

[77 Canamman]

I have run that size tire on 7 inch Rallys for 20 years. The tires have not been wearing funny. I tried 275's once, and they were way too wide for the wheel.

[myam]

J got a deal on cooper cobra's. But I want to be sure that the 255's won't rub in the front wheel wells when I'm turning.

[rexs73gto]

I run 235/50-15's on the front of mine & they don't rub. What size 255's are you looking at to put on the front of your car?

[myam]

I'd like to run 255/60/15 on the front with hopes they don't give me a problem. Otherwise I would go to a 245/60/15.

[Grand73Am]

Other people run them with apparently no problems. I've read where some people might get a little rub on the sway bar in a tight turn, but that's all.

I can't say personally, since I only run 245-60's on mine.

[rexs73gto]

you do know that the difference in the size of a 245 & 255 is less then 1/4 inch in width.

[myam]

If that's all it amounts to maybe I'll just go 245/60/15s. I'm not that knowledgeable about tires. 1/4 inch isn't worth messing with.

[leeklm]

Hey Myam, did you ever get a new set of tires? Previous owner put a new set of 215/65/15 goodyears on mine, which go up in smoke way too easy, plus look too small on the car.

I would like to eek out a littler more ground clearance for the headers, so am leaning towards the 255/60.

I noticed that the 255 is 10 pounds per tire heavier than my 215's. That is a lot of rubber! I wonder how the wider tires are going to steer with a manual steering box compared to my little donuts??? I need to workout more anyhow...

[myam]

I have been running my cobras a few times now and I am pleased with them. Steering is much more solid and ride is great. I feel much closer to the road now. On a scale from 1 to 10. I give them a solid 9. On my car's steering ratio it feels a little tight or touchy. Not sure about headers, you might want to be more careful on driveways.

[cdrookie]

as far as how big you can go:

i have 325/50/15's on 15x10 wheels on rear. my offset is off a little so i will slightly rub the lip on big bumps and have about an inch of clearance to the frame.

front's are 275/60/15 on 15x8 wheels

manual steering, nitto 555 drag radials all around and i don't recommend drag radials on the front. these cars have HUGE wheel wells!

[leeklm]

I ended up ordering a set of 225/70/15 Mickey Thompson's. They look identical to the Cooper, so assume they are from the same mfg. The 225's are a little taller at 27.4" which should help fill the wheel well some. Maybe not a big deal, but I assumed a little narrower tire would be better with manual steering.

[myam]

I tend to agree. I'd still start building some muscle. Like Grover on Seasme Street.