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Author Topic:   Need advice...
apsyched1
Associate Member
posted January 27, 2000 05:21 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for apsyched1   Click Here to Email apsyched1     Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
I have gone through 2 sets of Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires on my '97 Trans Am (245/50ZR-16). The first set lasted 22K miles & the second 14K miles. At about $800 a set, any suggestions for tires which would be quality, yet not as expensive to change out every year!? Thanks for any assistance!

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Guest
unregistered
posted April 22, 2003 09:20 PM           Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
Do you still have your TransAm? Found this place: www.tirerack.com - Good for comparison shopping.
Just got a '02 Collector Edition WS6 and it is not too soon to start looking what's available. The original equipment Goodyear Eagle F1 tires are expensive.

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Jason
unregistered
posted April 24, 2003 12:00 PM           Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
I own a mustang GT using the same size tires. For a year now I have been driving on Kumho Ecsta 711 tires and for only $60 a tire, they have proved to be the best tires I have ever owned. They are H rated, meaning 130mph, but I have raced close to 150mph with these tires and they are very stable. They grip really nice rain or shine and have been the longest lasting tires so far. I have over 30k miles on them and they still got plenty of meat left on them. I had the GSC tires before and they were a disapointment. Prior to that I had BFG and those were not bad, but still a bit expensive for the performance they deliver. I would stay away from anything Goodyear or Dunlop make. If you want good quality and a good price then for your car I have to recommend the Kumho's.

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CapriRacer
Member
posted April 25, 2003 12:49 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for CapriRacer     Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
Jason,

Using 130 mph tires at nearly 150 mph is a very bad thing. Failures caused by these conditions are sudden and dramatic. You need to use W, Y or Z rated tires if you are going that fast.

I also hope your Mustang has a roll cage, a 5 or 6 point harness, and you use a helmet with an update Snell rating.

Safety first!

[This message has been edited by CapriRacer (edited April 25, 2003).]

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rev
unregistered
posted April 25, 2003 05:51 PM           Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
The speed ratings they put on tires such as H for example, doesn't mean that the tire will explode as soon as you go above 130. 130mph is the speed an H rated tires can safely travel at for extended periods of time. Going 140mph in an H rated tire is still considered to be safe but when you start to get near 150, it might get a little iffy. I have drag raced up to speeds nearing 150 mph on S rated tires! Many muscle cars you see at drag strips are equiped with S rated tires and some of them hit speeds close to 160mph. Tires can handle short bursts of high speed, but if you plan on doing long driving at very high speeds, then get a W rated tire.

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CapriRacer
Member
posted April 27, 2003 05:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for CapriRacer     Edit/Delete Message Reply w/Quote
As someone who has been involved in car racing for a long time, I think it is important that everyone understand that racing cars has some elevated risks. The Charlotte (NC) Observer has estimated that over 300 people have died since 1990 in racing related activities. As an expert in tires and tire failure, I feel compelled to do my part to improve this situation.

Exceeding the speed rating of a tire has cumulative effects. That is, a tire may not fail the first time, or even the 10th time, or even the 100th time, but it will fail eventually. You can not reverse these effects - the tire always "remembers" - and it is difficult to detect when the failure is imminent.

I remember a TV story on someone drag racing a hopped up Japanese sedan that was going so fast that tires were failing. I was particularly alarmed by the driver, who seemed pleased by the situation.

Of all the types of racing, drag racing is on the low end of the risk scale, because 1) the speeds are only elevated for a short time, and 2) the direction of travel is straight. However, the inspection of some cars at some drag strips is minimal. This is one of the points that the Charlotte (NC) Observer makes in its article on racing safety.

But let's face it, tires are fairly robust little beasties and they can take a lot of abuse. Tires used in racing generally have a short life - removed before these cumulative effects can manifest themselves. What I am advocating is a recognition of the risks involved and I am urging people to do what they can to reduce these risks. Careful selection of tires, including the speed rating, inflation pressure, loading will help prevent failures. The principle of "false economy" should be practiced here.

I would hate it if someone used a tire one race too long and wasn't around to tell the story!

Here's one thing to look for: If you see cracks on the face of the tread - not in the grooves, but on the rib or button elements - that tire has exhausted its supply of antioxidants and is the rubber is starting to lose its durability. This is not infallible, but it is an indication of pending problems.
Hope this helps.


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