Slim pickings for new tires nowadays!!

[Alberta_ZR1]

I know there has been some past threads on tires for the Z's, but most of them were quite dated and since those posts, many manufacturers have discontinued the 315/35ZR17 tire.


Currently, my recently purchased 1993 has Dunlop Sport 8000's on all 4 corners, but they're in need of replacement. At this point, the Good Year rep could not give me a date when the F1-D3's would be available and the only other option is the Sumitomo. The Sumitomo's are definitely cheap, but their sizing never seems to be correct.


So I'm thinking of moving up a size to the 335's on the rear sawblades, I saw a post on here that did a comparison with the 335's and they didn't look much different than the 315 Good Years.
(http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread....ghlight=pilots)


From my knowledge there shouldn't be any concerns running the 335's on the Sawblades huh?


I'm curious what you guys have been installing on you ZR-1's within the past 6 months to a year.

Thanks for the help!!

PS
The previous owner has a set of black 91 ZR-1 rims with brand new F1-D3's, but he told me he wants $2500.00 for them.....YIKES!!

[XfireZ51]

I decided on C6 Z06 wheels recently. Tire choice was a significant contributing factor to making the change. Looks was clearly the primary reason.

[Alberta_ZR1]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

I decided on C6 Z06 wheels recently. Tire choice was a significant contributing factor to making the change. Looks was clearly the primary reason.

Would you happen to have a few pictures of your wheel and tire combo? I'm eager to see what it looks like on the C4.

[MikeG]

I've had 335's(Michelin Pilot Sports PS2) on the back since I purchased my ZR-1 3 years ago. Good wear, good traction and low noise level. I have 275's up front - tires are mounted on Fikse Profil5 (10X17 front and 11.5X17 rear) - no problems with clearance, espically the back.

I have experminted on track days and found that starting with 25lbs works best - brings tires up to normal pressure (32-35) - this gives me the best handling. I tried lower pressure, but felt like driving on butter!

Source for me has been the Tire Rack - 275's = $285
the 335's = $457.

Just looked at the rear tires and for some strange reason they have have the tread left, compared to the fronts (mounted 3/09). My dod's 64 Sports Fury (383) had the same problem when I was 17

[DaveK]

I run PS2 335s on the rear - no problem. You need to drop a couple of pounds out of them to compensate for the 'tighter' fit.

[Alberta_ZR1]

Originally Posted by DaveK

I run PS2 335s on the rear - no problem. You need to drop a couple of pounds out of them to compensate for the 'tighter' fit.

Tighter fit? How much tighter?

I saw a rear shot of your car in a previous thread and they looked pretty decent! Any rubbing when you encounter a decent dip in the road?

[DaveK]

Not a lot tighter. 335s are basically 20mm wider at the widest point of the cross section that's 4/5 of an inch. When you 'distribute' that on the inside and outside of ther room you're looking at 2/5 of an inch on the inner and outer lip of the rim. Not a lot of difference really, but its enough to 'bunch up' the tire a little and make the sidewall run a little stiffer. So they will wear in the middle quicker if you don't drop the PSI to compensate

Certainly they've caused no problems since I've had the car. It had 335s fitted when I bought it and Jim Van Dorn just fitted me a new set while I was down at the Gathering and saw no issue with it. He suggested dropping a few pounds to 32.

Never had any rubbing and I've certainly given them some challenges around here :-) I've also run hot laps on a road track, again with no issues (other than getting overexcited! lol)

If you'd like any other pics or anything else that would help just let me know, glad to help.

Dave

[Aurora40]

Kumho has a new tire out in ZR-1 sizes, the Ecsta XS. Nitto has a tire in ZR-1 sizes. Vredstein has a tire in ZR-1 sizes. There are options in stock sizes besides the Sumi's. But plenty of folks run 335's if that is your preference.

[tccrab]

Was just at the local Les Schwab tire store getting new skins for wifey's Maxima.
Asked the counter guy about GoodYear F1 315's, he said that they were currently out of stock (everywhere) and didn't have a firm date for delivery.
He did say that they were $435 each.....
He asked me what car they were for as he had never seen that size before.
At least he knew what a ZR1 was although he had never seen one.
Darn freaking Corvette tax.
Gets' you every time.

TomC
"Crabs

[Alberta_ZR1]

Originally Posted by DaveK

Not a lot tighter. 335s are basically 20mm wider at the widest point of the cross section that's 4/5 of an inch. When you 'distribute' that on the inside and outside of ther room you're looking at 2/5 of an inch on the inner and outer lip of the rim. Not a lot of difference really, but its enough to 'bunch up' the tire a little and make the sidewall run a little stiffer. So they will wear in the middle quicker if you don't drop the PSI to compensate

Dave

I'm with ya now. I mis-understood what you were meant by a tighter fit.

Originally Posted by Aurora40

Kumho has a new tire out in ZR-1 sizes, the Ecsta XS. Nitto has a tire in ZR-1 sizes. Vredstein has a tire in ZR-1 sizes. There are options in stock sizes besides the Sumi's. But plenty of folks run 335's if that is your preference.

I have looked at the Kumho's and the Nitto's as well. The reviews on the Kumho's are kind of all over the place, it doesn't appear that this tire was entirely intended as a good summer cruiser type tire. I didn't know about the Vredestein tires and their Ultrac Sessanta looks pretty decent!! I see I have a local dealer as well, time to call them tomorrow and see what's available.

I would like to stay with the factory set up just to keep the factory look, but if I can't find a decent looking/performing tire than I'll maybe have to increase my sizing, or look at a new wheels and tires all together .

With the Good Year's being out of the picture, sure doesn't leave a lot of choice anymore....