Mickey Thompson replaces Goodyear as 15" tire of choice!

[Larry N. Johnson]

I bought Goodyear Eagle GT II tires, 295/50R15 abd 235/60R15 back in 2002 for Old 3850 when she was under construction.



So along comes 2009 and the tires are 7 years old already, still have tread but thinking...need to be safe, new tires safer. Ha. Anyway go to look for more GY GT II...you guessed it, Goodyear has faded out on this size 295/50R15.

While there are Cooper Cobra, Firestone 500, and a few others, I wanted a "performance name" that signifies "muscle car". My experience w Mickey Thompson began with the Pro Street "Sportsman" tires; they were huge, reliable, decent traction, etc. Good reputation all around. Not at your neighborhood tire store, but a good street tire.

So when AC4ME on this Forum suggested the Mickey Thompson "Sportsman S/T", I was pretty keen on investigation. No one has them as far as I can tell, so I decided to become a pioneer for roadsters.

I am happy to report that I am EXTREMELY PLEASED w the tires.
1. They look "right".
2. Old school muscle car tread pattern.
3. White letters, just the right size.
4. Perfect size 10" tread not 11" like GT II's that slightly rubbed Old 3850's fenders and frame. The M/T's fit the roadster like a glove!
5. Balance perfectly first time (round tires!)
6. Roll smooth.
7. Decent grip; maybe not track tires, but safe street tires.

So I feel that Goodyear left us; but Mickey Thompson is here for us!

Full details, see Definately (not maybe?) new 15" tires!! (Mickey Thompson Sportsman "S/T" )

Preview:

[Cannonball Cobra]

I've seen the ads for the M/T tires and was hoping that some forum member would pick up a set.
I'm glad to hear that they worked out for you Larry,they look really nice on your car.
Enjoy the ride!
Paul

[slaga]

Those are the tires I have been looking at. Thanks for the report. I am pretty sure I will be purchasing a set soon.

[Stinson Pilot]

They look great Larry! That'll be my choice for replacement.

[Charlie M]

I'm using the same sizes in the BFG Radial T/A. I'm not impressed with the traction and I've been considering replacement. Anyone have an idea how the Mickey Thompsons would compare to the BFG's?

Thanks,
Charlie

[Sleekcraft Steve]

My tires have less than 4,000 miles on them but they are going on 9 seasons now. I have 275/50's on the back, I wonder how much wider the M/T 295's are.

[AC4ME]

Thanks Larry, I found those 2 weeks after I had just bought the Firestones. I would have liked to try those myself. I suspect I'll be needing tires in a short while anyway. How would you compair the traction to the Goodyears?

[Mr. Barry]

Originally Posted by Charlie M

I'm using the same sizes in the BFG Radial T/A. I'm not impressed with the traction and I've been considering replacement. Anyone have an idea how the Mickey Thompsons would compare to the BFG's?

Thanks,
Charlie

A round stone will grip better than the T/As....You should consider the BFG G-Force T/As, if you can buy your size...Much better grip than the standard T/As....
The M/Ts are also a good replacement....

[lbperry]

After seeing yours, I couldn't wait for the results for your ride tomorrow.
I checked with my accountant and she said OK, so I ordered mine too.
Thanks for the heads up!

[DMW]

They look very nice, Larry.

OT but, we should be concerned about driving on 7-year old tires, generally. I posted an article here a while back about tires that sat on shelves for years and then were finally sold. It could be, for example, that tires which have been on a car for 5 years could have been manufactured 8-10 years ago. Just a caution for everyone.

[Mr. Barry]

Originally Posted by DMW

They look very nice, Larry.

OT but, we should be concerned about driving on 7-year old tires, generally. I posted an article here a while back about tires that sat on shelves for years and then were finally sold. It could be, for example, that tires which have been on a car for 5 years could have been manufactured 8-10 years ago. Just a caution for everyone.

A couple of years back, there was a big thread on this....Seems to me that there is a way to "date" tires, by the series of numbers on the sidewall...Sorry my old brain can't remember how....But a search might reveal this method of identification.

[Larry N. Johnson]

Originally Posted by Sleekcraft Steve

My tires have less than 4,000 miles on them but they are going on 9 seasons now. I have 275/50's on the back, I wonder how much wider the M/T 295's are.

Compared to what?

If Goodyear GT II...about same section width, but 1" less tread width which is a huge plus on an FFR roadster, at least a Mk I and a Mk II. We need all the clearance we can get.

Here the Eagle "Billboard" (on right) compared to the M/T S/T on left:

[mcondos]

That's reassuring info, I have fresh Goodyears but was worrying about replacing them down the road.
Curious, what size rims do you have in the rear Larry? I have the Team3's, they are 10.5", I see on the MT website they recommend only up to 10" wide...I'm wondering if it's that big a deal.
thx
Mark

[Larry N. Johnson]

I use 9.5" wide Vintage Wheels in the rear. Fronts are 7.5"
Posted via Mobile Device

[WBILB]

Originally Posted by Mr. Barry

A couple of years back, there was a big thread on this....Seems to me that there is a way to "date" tires, by the series of numbers on the sidewall...Sorry my old brain can't remember how....But a search might reveal this method of identification.

Mr. Barry, here you go....
In the picture the last four numbers, 5107, indicate the date of manufacture. In this case the 51st week of 2007. This works for tires manufactured since 2000...Check yours!

[davidct]

What about the Eagle F1 GS-D3 's ? Does anyone have info on rock throwing, ride comfort, etc.?

[RobBaker]

Larry,
The do seem to be a pretty good fit for us, now how about a 1/4 mile time for some factual data

[Larry N. Johnson]

The M:T S/T's would do every bit as good as any other standard tires. Drag race tires I suspect they are not, however. Drag radials are good at tha but they lack wet street traction, vital to me.
Posted via Mobile Device

[BigLeo69]

Originally Posted by davidct

What about the Eagle F1 GS-D3 's ? Does anyone have info on rock throwing, ride comfort, etc.?

you sure you don't need snow treads up your way,
are u ready for treads, i am

[jdcbr]

Larry
What will become of your Good Year BB tires?

[Larry N. Johnson]

Right now they are on magnesium Halibrand 427 S/C "Cobra II" rims sitting in storage.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jdcbr]

Larry
Let me know if your going to get rid of them. I may be interested.

Jim

[Larry N. Johnson]

PM sent.

[Larry N. Johnson]

Received some questions.

Originally Posted by Forum User A.
Hi Larry: I understand from some of your posts that you have fitted Mickey Thompson tires to your MKII. I too have that model FFR, and I need to replace my rear BFGs. One of those developed tread belt issues that threaten to shake the car apart! I note with interest that the larger 195-width tires actually fit in the rear wheelwells. I would expect that would reqruire raising the ride height a bit to clear the larger width and diameter. Is that true?

Also, I would appreciate knowing exactly what the MT tire sizes are that you actually fitted to your car. From what I read, you were very pleased with them. Any information you can provide would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Dear Sir,

Yes, I have the Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/T tires and am very pleased with them.

Sizes are 295/50R15 rear and 235/60R15 front. On a Mk II, they fit w normal ride height. I run fender height equals tire height if that makes any sense. Translates to about 4" front and 4.25" rear or so. I go by fender height.

The only mod I made on my IRS car is the trim the frame 2x3 at the rear tire height as the IRS suspension tips the tire in on a bump.

These tires are round and roll smooth with no vibration at all. Very high quality tire as far as I can tell. $472 delivered to your door at http://www.performanceplustire.com/

If you have any other questions, please let me know. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Forum User B
Larry,
Now that you guys have had the chance to try BOTH offerings from Mickey Thompson (ST and SR) , if cost was no object, which would you chose for a Mark 2. I have the PSE wheels and like the ride heighth at 4". I really don't care about the RWL or lack there-of. Looking for a better performing tire than my current BFG's. Mostly street driving with several auto-x's per year.

Dear Sir:

I personally prefer the ST's because the tread design looks more "period correct" if there is such a thing. The SR is a softer compound and from a straight line traction point of view, would likely have an advantage. But the ST's bite way better than the GY Eagle GTII's that I had so I am not sure they'd be too far back in the traction department.

As far as cornering, the jury is still out. We have used neither for any track event.

After a while, I will likely turn the white letters in and go back to my chome wheels. I don't need RWL either. But have them out for now to advertise for M/T as I believe it is an excellent tire. No regrets.

Larry