15” limited choices: Cooper Cobra vs Mastercraft Avenger vs BFG Radial T/A vs ?

[12swinger]

We will see how long the honeymoon last, but there the straightest tracking tires I’ve had on this car, after 16 years of ownership.
I’ve had all of the above, and am sick of anyone of those tires above.
I used to get a Goodyear Eagle GT years ago on numerous A bodies I’ve had. At the time the best tire I believe available, and of course no longer available.
This is the newest design (2018) I’ve seen for our cars, and I’m impressed.
Not gonna win any autocross events, but the ride is On par with a Michelin and I never move the steering through any crappy roads. On a perfect road they are absolutely boring.
They scream loudly and make a S!t ton of noise when kicking it.
I was caught in a rain shower yesterday and intentionally powered it up a few times and was delighted that there is no comparison to the Coopers scariness in the rain.
I had a set of Mastercrap avengers that had tremendously good traction for 500 miles, and it was like turning off a switch they were slicker then snot.
Never been a fan of the BFG either. Though they wear like iron usually.
They are white letter btw, I just turned them around.

 

[12swinger]

Good call there. This was one of the models suggested by my local tire dealer but it looks like something you might find on a Prius. Has anyone tried out these Kinergy ST?

So far awesome tires. The ride is like nothing I’ve experienced, and they don’t jump around and beat you up like any of the other brands available.

 

[12swinger]

I've been a cooper user for years but...

The last pair I bought were terrible to balance.
4oz on a rim that only took .75 with the previous cooper.

The other one took 2.5 on a rim that only needed .25 before.

Coopers and the Avengers have better numbers than the Coker made BFG.

If you don't need RWL, there are dozens if not hundreds more choices.

Hankook has good tires in RWL even.
Kumo has good tires and used to have odd sizes.

Nitto has good performance tires and drag radials, both well respected.

I love my Nitto drag radials. Probably better then the BFG I had before.
I need to wrap up my Dart so I can burn them up soon, as they are 3 years old and don’t like them to reach 4-5 years old.
But they still look incredible, and would hardly spin after warmed up powering the Challenger to its best times.

 

[QuickDart360]

I love my Nitto drag radials. Probably better then the BFG I had before.
I need to wrap up my Dart so I can burn them up soon, as they are 3 years old and don’t like them to reach 4-5 years old.
But they still look incredible, and would hardly spin after warmed up powering the Challenger to its best times.

I like the look of the Nittos and mickey thompson street drag slick. Is tread life shorter on these?

 

[12swinger]

I like the look of the Nittos and mickey thompson street drag slick. Is tread life shorter on these?

They’re are known for having a somewhat longer life on the street. I’ve got a couple thousand miles and a couple dozen passes on them. Over half tread left.
I should get another couple seasons out of them

 

[12swinger]

You know I’ve never run Mickey Thompson tires. The 10.5w Slick I came close to using, but went with M&H again.
A close buddy swears by the Street Mickeys.
I’m all about a radial tire and drag radials I like. I’ve had a couple sets now, and they have promise.
The M&H were a wormy tire on the street.

 

[Topless69]

So true, we 15” wheel owners are at a disadvantage when it comes to high performance street tires, unless you willing to go real wide or real low. There are a few 40 or 50 aspect tires but most aren’t 26-27”

 

[famous bob]

You know I’ve never run Mickey Thompson tires. The 10.5w Slick I came close to using, but went with M&H again.
A close buddy swears by the Street Mickeys.
I’m all about a radial tire and drag radials I like. I’ve had a couple sets now, and they have promise.
The M&H were a wormy tire on the street.

Interesting I`ve never had a good m-h tire , as far as I`m concerned , they suck and always have . Back in the day they were the worst tire I ever tried on the old hemi car, and later wouldn`t even work on the width rim they suggested FOR A STREET CAR, sent them back and got my $ back . NEVER AGAIN !

 

[- Marvin -]

I'm driving VREDESTEIN PROTRAC 235-60-15 all around.

Much better than Cooper Cobra or BF Goodrich (both I had in the past...) - no M+S compromise, strict summer tire - approved up to 240 kph.

Biut I don't know, if they are available in the US...

 

[jbc426]

I just picked up a set of 225/60-15's for the front of my '68 Barracuda. They are V-rated with a 525 something treadwear rating. I'm having them put on and the car aligned on Friday. Cost was less that $200 delivered. Made in Taiwan, so from a modern factory.

I run 265/60-15 Nitto's on the back. They make the car safe to drive on the street and work very well in the rain. One does have to be aware it is a wide tire at freeway speeds in the rain, but they are rated at 186mph.

 

[Topless69]

I just picked up a set of 225/60-15's for the front of my '68 Barracuda. They are V-rated with a 525 something treadwear rating. I'm having them put on and the car aligned on Friday. Cost was less that $200 delivered. Made in Taiwan, so from a modern factory.

I run 265/60-15 Nitto's on the back. They make the car safe to drive on the street and work very well in the rain. One does have to be aware it is a wide tire at freeway speeds in the rain, but they are rated at 186mph.

What brand did you go with, and are you having any clearance issues with the rears? The fish in your avatar looks like it may be lowered.

 

[jbc426]

What brand did you go with, and are you having any clearance issues with the rears? The fish in your avatar looks like it may be lowered.

I grabbed a pair of Nankang SP-9's with a 560AA UTOG, V-rated(149 mph). Walmart seems to have the lowest price on them.

The rears never rub. It used to have a 1 inch lowering block, but I've since removed it. I'm running a pair of passenger side 3200 lbs SS springs, rear sway bar and Koni's.

I do run a set of properly adjusted slapper bars to keep the front spring segment from bending on launch, as the car weighs in at 3700 lbs without me in it. It also has just over 500 ft lbs of torque at the rear wheels. Standard A-body 8 3/4 rear end from Dr Diff, and 8 inch rear rims.

I did roll the rear fender lip and trimmed the lower 8 inches of my front fenders due to running adjustable strut rods, which can pull the lower control arm forward to gain caster. Mine has around 4.5 positive caster even with the rear sitting about an inch above the 28 inch tall rear tires. The lower picture show the previous 215/60-15's on the wider than stock front rims. As mentioned, I bumped up to the next size of 225/60-15.

 

[Topless69]

I grabbed a pair of Nankang SP-9's with a 560AA UTOG, V-rated(149 mph). Walmart seems to have the lowest price on them.

The rears never rub. It used to have a 1 inch lowering block, but I've since removed it. I'm running a pair of passenger side 3200 lbs SS springs, rear sway bar and Koni's.

I do run a set of properly adjusted slapper bars to keep the front spring segment from bending on launch, as the car weighs in at 3700 lbs without me in it. It also has just over 500 ft lbs of torque at the rear wheels. Standard A-body 8 3/4 rear end from Dr Diff, and 8 inch rear rims.

I did roll the rear fender lip and trimmed the lower 8 inches of my front fenders due to running adjustable strut rods, which can pull the lower control arm forward to gain caster. Mine has around 4.5 positive caster even with the rear sitting about an inch above the 28 inch tall rear tires. The lower picture show the previous 215/60-15's on the wider than stock front rims. As mentioned, I bumped up to the next size of 225/60-15.

View attachment 1715641522

View attachment 1715641524

I saw the Nankangs selling at WM, but ended up going with Federal SS657 225/60/15 on 15x7 for the front, since I had no experience with Nankang.
Also just ordered Hankook H735 265/50/15 for the 15x8 rears.
I’m finding online tire size charts to be inaccurate as to height and width measurements - the Federals were almost an inch shorter than charts indicated. Hope there’s no clearance issues with the 265’s.

 

[71GSSDemon]

Nobody has mentioned the ones I am running on my Demon (same as Dad has on his Barracuda). 275/60-15 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500. I have these going on all 4 corners of a 1968 Charger stock car clone now too. They have a great look, work great, and are inexpensive.

 

[Topless69]

I wanted to use these or the Uniroyal Tiger Paws but just couldn’t get the right sizes in a matching set.
Let us know how they work out and post some pics!

 

[71GSSDemon]

One side profile pic of Demon. I like the tires so far...

 

[jbc426]

I saw the Nankangs selling at WM, but ended up going with Federal SS657 225/60/15 on 15x7 for the front, since I had no experience with Nankang.
Also just ordered Hankook H735 265/50/15 for the 15x8 rears.
I’m finding online tire size charts to be inaccurate as to height and width measurements - the Federals were almost an inch shorter than charts indicated. Hope there’s no clearance issues with the 265’s.

My main requirement on tires is to have a minimum of a V-rating for those times I feel the need......the need for speed. Although I rarely crack 130 mph anymore in my A-Body.

 

[RussellSullivan]

Not sure if they've been mentioned, but I really like Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S. Just a typical all season tire but I'm impressed with both wet and dry traction, especially cornering. They also make what they refer to as "ultra high performance" tires, Tiger Paw GTZ. I'll try those when it comes time to buy another set.

 

[Topless69]

Not sure if they've been mentioned, but I really like Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring A/S. Just a typical all season tire but I'm impressed with both wet and dry traction, especially cornering. They also make what they refer to as "ultra high performance" tires, Tiger Paw GTZ. I'll try those when it comes time to buy another set.

What car do you have the Tiger Paws on and what size are they?

 

[RussellSullivan]

What car do you have the Tiger Paws on and what size are they?

1980 Diplomat coupe. I have 225/70/15 because that's the largest I can run on my wheels. 7 inch I think? I have 8 inch steels I'm going to run, but not sure if Uniroyal makes a 245 with a height I can use. I dont want to go much taller than the 225/70s on it. I think 245/65 is as big as I can go

 

[Topless69]

1980 Diplomat coupe. I have 225/70/15 because that's the largest I can run on my wheels. 7 inch I think? I have 8 inch steels I'm going to run, but not sure if Uniroyal makes a 245 with a height I can use. I dont want to go much taller than the 225/70s on it. I think 245/65 is as big as I can go

I don’t know about Uniroyals, but If you’re looking at clearance issues there’s a decent selection of 225-255/60/15 tires out there for great prices and a 60 series would increase clearance a bit

 

[RussellSullivan]

I don’t know about Uniroyals, but If you’re looking at clearance issues there’s a decent selection of 225-255/60/15 tires out there for great prices and a 60 series would increase clearance a bit

Clearance shouldn't be the issue. I'm more concerned with putting too wide a tire on too narrow of a wheel. Go too wide and the beads become "sucked in" and the sidewalls warped/sloped and unstable. 245 is the maximum width for 8 inch wheels (I believe)

 

[12many]

So far awesome tires. The ride is like nothing I’ve experienced, and they don’t jump around and beat you up like any of the other brands available.

I see you haven’t been logged on here in about 1-1/2 years, but what’s your (or anyone else that are using theses Hankook Kinergy tires) long term opinion of them??

 

[Garrett Ellison]

Hankooks are one of the best tires (maybe the best!) I've ever ran long term before. They're my go-to on a daily driver. Lowest road noise, best ride, and decent wear life.

 

[Garrett Ellison]

And that applies for a performance tire for the OP. too. I ran 2425-45/17 Hankooks before and had go kart handling with very good acceleration traction.