posted
My RIGHT rear tire went flat about a block from the house yesterday. Initial inspection shows that there may have been a nail in the tread, but not 100% sure. Anyway, by the time I realized it went flat, it had already rode around on the sidewalls. Luckily, it didn't damage the rim at all, but the sidewall is a bit chewed, but I wasn't going very fast anyway.
My dilemma is now:
1) buy a replacement Eagle F1 GS tire. (best price locally mounted and balanced is $265)
2) buy another style or brand of tire... all 4 of them.
A little over 20K miles and this happened. Oh well.
I've read a lot on here about the Goodyear Eagle D3 (v-groove), Goodrich KD series tires, and KenC, the tire guru, has no problems with the Firestone Firehawk tire (doesn't seem to be any I can find in stock SS size, though they can be found in 285/40/17)
I know it's a lot of personal opinion, but any suggestions would be welcome. I'm kinda leaning toward the Goodrich KDW or Goodyear D3. No snow or ice for me. I'm up for listening to personal experience opinions once more.
Also, would going to a 285/40/ZR17 cause any known issues?
Posts: 577 | From: Aiken, SC | Registered: May 2002
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posted
'Tis a dilemna, isn't it. I was planning on replacing mine with the GS-D3's when mine wore out (I could probably get another 10-15k miles out of mine). Unfortunately, with buying a house, I'm probably going to have to replace as little as possible.
I've heard good things about both the GS-D3 and KDW (although, it sounds like the G3 is a bit better). Both are a big improvement over the stock tires so you really can't go wrong.
Posts: 1143 | From: Portland, OR | Registered: Nov 2001
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posted
Thanks for the replies. The firehawk is only available in the 285/40/17 according to the local dealer here. So if I went that route, I was still wondering if the .4" diameter difference over stock would knock the speedo off enough to set a code? Of course I could fry them down a little...
Also, the local dealer is trying to find a decent used GYF1 for me just in case. I figure if I spend around 100 bucks and get back to normal, that's even better. Also, again like OBSSD, I'm in the middle of a new home project, so if I don't HAVE to spend it right now, maybe I can limp through another 8 months or so on what I got.
Anyway, if need be, I'll definitely go with some new treads.
I've talked to two guys at the tire shop who both have mid 90s F-bods and they said the KDW tires are great dry traction, but they're noisier. Any truth to that? I don't like noisy tires. So now I'm leaning to the D3 even more....
posted
Oh, yeah. Checked with SLP Performance Parts about their T/O Goodyear F1s with the stock SS wheels....They're gone for good. They sold the last of them a little while ago.
And yes, it's spooky about the tire flats....
Just an FYI
Posts: 577 | From: Aiken, SC | Registered: May 2002
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posted
If you're going the route of buying 4 new tires, I highly stand behind the Firehawk SZ50's. Have to tried tirerack for the stock size? 285's wont knock the speedo off hardly at all (refer to chart below). I think KenC is/was running that size anyways. They have the best wet traction you can get for a performance tire, and quite and the wear rating is very high. I had a set for my SS, and I had my sister buy the same tires for her 02 V6 camaro last week.
Here's what the difference in the 285's: Tire Size: 285/40 17 Speed @70: 70.86 % Error: 1.227
(For tire calculator go to: http://www.v6fbody.com/v6fbody_version_03.shtml Click on 'f-body technical' and then under '4th Gen V6 FAQ' click on 'Suspension, Brakes & Tires')
Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
I can recommend the BFG KDW. Excellent tire and relatively reasonably priced.
-------------------- 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 el ess1: My RIGHT rear tire went flat about a block from the house yesterday.
I found a nail in the RR of the SS yesterday, luckily it was sitting in garage...how strange is THAT ?
They say things happen in 3's hopefully this is the end of the flats. Glad you cought it in time.
Posts: 3091 | From: Canton Mi. | Registered: Oct 2002
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If you choose to stick with your current tires, you will need at least two new F1's because of the 20K miles of wear so you have a matching pairs. Why.......well for one thing, if you have the Torsen rear axle, it will behave very badly with only one new tire, especially if the other one has 20k miles of wear. I had to replace one of my F1's at 6K miles and even with the small difference in tire diameter because of the wear to the original tire compared to the new one, it caused the car to push to one side under acceleration.
-------------------- Dave S Black 2000 Camaro SS Posts: 502 | From: Fort Mill, South Carolina....Charlotte | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Right rear tire was down to 10 psi when I went to uncover the car this past Sunday, Could not find anything in it so I will have to keep an eye on it...this is getting freaky..
Posts: 1201 | From: Medina,Ohio | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Always an interesting topic to see where peoples' opinions are at... I am SO P.O.'d that the SZ50 EP is no longer available (275s). I am now finishing off my 2nd set. After a fair amount of research, I have decided to replace them with a set of Kumho MXs, as I track the car and they are getting rave reviews (especially from the 'Vette camp) as a street/track tire that does very well in wet conditions. I am really hoping that they will come close to, or match the all-round performance of the SZ50EP. That was a tire that you could beat up on all day on the road course and drive home in a rainstorm! I will let you know my impressions after they're installed - I have 1 more track event on the SZ50 EPs in April and then I'm hoping to participate in a burnout contest before getting rid of them!
quote:Originally posted by Elie Garfinkel: Always an interesting topic to see where peoples' opinions are at... I am SO P.O.'d that the SZ50 EP is no longer available (275s).
They still can be had in 285s, if that's ok for you.
As for the tire situation, my local tire guy called and has located a set of 4 275/40/17 F1 nearly brand new T/O's from- get this- a Cobra. Owner apparently drove the car home and bought bigger wheels/tires for his Ford and traded them in at the wheel/tire place. Tires supposedly have less than a couple of hundred miles on them. And at a huge discount. He should have them in by Thursday. That's good enough for me.
-------------------- Mike '02 #6906 pewter/M6/leather/hardtop Posts: 577 | From: Aiken, SC | Registered: May 2002
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After a fair amount of research, I have decided to replace them with a set of Kumho MXs, as I track the car and they are getting rave reviews (especially from the 'Vette camp) as a street/track tire that does very well in wet conditions. I am really hoping that they will come close to, or match the all-round performance of the SZ50EP. That was a tire that you could beat up on all day on the road course and drive home in a rainstorm! I will let you know my impressions after they're installed - I have 1 more track event on the SZ50 EPs in April and then I'm hoping to participate in a burnout contest before getting rid of them! 
