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I am looking into some new tires for the '69, and am looking at the KDW's or the Kumho's, and was wondering on your opinions of handling and wear. I wish I could get the Nitto's, but they are not available in 245/50/16.
Please help!! (I have the F-1's now, and they are very slippery on the track).
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I have the Kumhos (275/40/17) on my SS (also had them on my 1994 Z28 (245/50/16)). I really like them for daily driving duties, especially for wet surfaces. Some of my friends that road-race/auto-x say they are good for cornering (haven't tried that). But for drag racing the F1s are better. The Kumhos do last quite a while, I'd say a bit longer than the F1s. I can't compare them to the BFGs, as I have never owned BFG. Posts: 63 | From: Santa Clarita, Ca | Registered: Sep 2001
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Based on TireRack info the KDW handles better but sacrifices ride and noise. It also costs a bunch more. Looks like those are theonly ones available for your application.
Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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I had KDW's installed on Friday and so far I love them! The Kumho's were my second choice but I wanted to try the BFG's first. I have driven about 150 miles and I do not notice any negative differences from the stock F1's. Road noise and ride quality are good, about the same as the F1's. Handling is OUSTANDING. I didn't like the Goodyears' handling...IMO they really sucked. I could get wheelspin/lowtrac light just going around a corner or curve that had a bit of an incline. Even going in my driveway I would sometimes get a loss of traction. But the first time I turned a corner with the BFG's I could feel the difference. Overall the tire handles better, rides about the same and hooks much better.
I haven't had the chance to drive in the rain yet and likely won't until the fall. However the wet traction is supposedly very good, one of the main reasons I bought the tire for my car, a daily driver. If you don't drive in the rain then you could go with the KD's however if they don't come in your size then the KDW's will be fine.
-------------------- Mark H.
Whoever said you couldn't run away from your problems obviously wasn't driving an SS.
Posts: 942 | From: Santa Barbara and Ventura, CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by poSSum: KD's don't come in your size.
Based on TireRack info the KDW handles better but sacrifices ride and noise. It also costs a bunch more. Looks like those are theonly ones available for your application.
I thought the W was for wet. Anyway, I have Comp T/A's on the SS right now. I have a set of KD's on the original wheels. They are like night and day. The KD's were really good at Lime Rock. THe Comps seem good on the street but not close in perfomance. They feel mushy!
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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I just put a set of KD's on last week, but have only put about 50 miles on them. Haven't really had a chance to check them out yet (other than the way they look). Although they say they're the same size as the F1's that I took off, they look like they must be an inch or so wider. They don't look like they would do very good in the wet stuff, but I'm expecting good things out of them on dry pavement!
-------------------- Jeff 2000 Camaro SS #1315, M6, Factory Hurst, Lou's Short Stick, !CAGS, MTI Clear Lid w/ Holley PowerShot 323 RWHP 333 ft lbs torque Posts: 121 | From: Gresham, Oregon USA | Registered: Oct 2000
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Steve, I am looking at the KDW's to replace my poor F1's that you saw while I was in shop a few weeks ago. Tirerack has $50 rebate until mid June.(http://www.tirerack.com/tires/bfg_promo.html). There is also a new KDW2 out, anyone heard about these yet? -Matt
[ 07 May 2002: Message edited by: MattB ]
-------------------- 2000 SS #1620 Black, M6 w/Hurst, Bilstein, Dual-Dual, T-Tops, Chrome 5-spoke wheels Lou's Short Stick, BMR STB, Whisper Lid Posts: 11 | From: Portland, OR, USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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posted
KDW's all the way. My room mate works for Discount Tire. He did a drive test with KDW's, Nitto's, and F-1's. KDW's out performed all of them. Wet and Dry. If your just looking to save some cash the Kumohs are a good tire. But, over all performance, wear, treed life, etc... Definatly KDW,s. He went and got some the next week. That should say enough. If you want more info let me know, and i'll ask spacific questions?
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Another note he own's a stock Z28 00'. We ran it at the track we only lost .2 tenths of a second from drag radials. Posts: 232 | From: Houston,TX | Registered: Apr 2002
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Though you didn't ask, I'm putting in a plug for the Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP's. I just got them about 2 months ago and they are wonderful. Exceptional wet and drive grip, much better than my F1's. I don't know if they are available in your size or not, nor do I know how they compare with the KDW's, but I like them. Also, a Firestone dealer will pricematch places like Tirerack, so that's convenient.
Just my $0.02.
N.SS
-------------------- NiravSS
Posts: 156 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Oct 2000
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Thanks everybody. I think I will go with the KDW's for now on my same size tires I have now. And maybe install the larger wheels/tires 17x9.5 wheels with 275/40/17 Nitto tires later when I have more money. Posts: 1443 | From: Lake Oswego, Oregon | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Steve da Wrench: Just ordered the KDW's from tire rack....$119.00 each plus shipping .
Oh, REALLY? Funny how you failed to mention this when we talked on the phone three times today! (You're busted, mister.)
I guess this means when I sell my sailboat I have $1000 to go play with.....hmmmmm....I see another set of white, 16" Anniversary SS wheels, with new tires, in my future.
Oh, REALLY? Funny how you failed to mention this when we talked on the phone three times today! (You're busted, mister.)
I guess this means when I sell my sailboat I have $1000 to go play with.....hmmmmm....I see another set of white, 16" Anniversary SS wheels, with new tires, in my future.
Love ya!
Gotta love it when your wife is a car-chick, and the only "jewelry" she wants is trim parts for the cars!!!
Posts: 1443 | From: Lake Oswego, Oregon | Registered: Dec 2001
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Whoaaa. Mrs Possum!! Woohooo. What a pleasant surprise. Only one comment it is a good one. Short and to the point. I think it stays cold in Winn. way too long!
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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They don't look like they would do very good in the wet stuff, but I'm expecting good things out of them on dry pavement!
