[BrianE]

We have 15" wheels and are looking at using Mickey Thompson (MT) tires, ET Street S/S. Any thoughts on these? Not worried about wear rate or racing, we just like the look.

On size: For the rears we'll use 275/60R15, the same size that is on now and fits great. But the front is more complicated. I have 245/60R15 now but MT only makes a 235/60R15 in the ET Street S/S. Anyone using tires this size? thoughts? How do they look?

Thanks,
Brian
PS we won't be racing.
b-

 

[Robert D]

TIRE SIZE / EQUIV. SIZE	MEAS RIM APPROVED RIMS	O.D. IN.	SECT. WIDTH IN.	TREAD WIDTH IN.	CIRC.	COMPOUND	APX. WT. LBS.	MATL #.	PART #
P235/60R15 26X9.50R15	( 7.0 ) 6.5-8.5	26.2	9.4	8.3	82.4	R2	29	900000245

Compare the OD, and widths with the 245s you have now. They are most likely not much different.
Also note that R2 tires probably don't perform as well as a typical street tire in colder or wet weather. I also run an R compound tire, but below 40 degrees, or chances of rain, I keep it parked in the garage.

 

[BrianE]

TIRE SIZE / EQUIV. SIZE	MEAS RIM APPROVED RIMS	O.D. IN.	SECT. WIDTH IN.	TREAD WIDTH IN.	CIRC.	COMPOUND	APX. WT. LBS.	MATL #.	PART #
P235/60R15 26X9.50R15	( 7.0 ) 6.5-8.5	26.2	9.4	8.3	82.4	R2	29	900000245

Compare the OD, and widths with the 245s you have now. They are most likely not much different.
Also note that R2 tires probably don't perform as well as a typical street tire in colder or wet weather. I also run an R compound tire, but below 40 degrees, or chances of rain, I keep it parked in the garage.

Thanks for this! No worries about cold or rain as I'm a fair weather driver LOL...
Brian

 

[mjlangley]

You are aware that those tires are a drag radial right? I don't know what the handling would be like with those on the front axle. Typically drag radials have weak sidewalls to maximize traction in a straight line, not the best for turning even if you aren't doing anything crazy. Maybe the Sportsman S/T would be a better option?

 

[slaga]

The Dodge Demon comes with drag radials on all 4 corners straight from the factory. If drag radials on the front were an issue, I'd think the the engineers at Dodge would have said no. Similar to the OP, I do not track my car. I have 15" wheels and drag radials on all 4 corners and do not regret it. I like the way they look, hook and stop.

15" Wheels and Stickier Tires?

The short story is it it took much longer to finish my car than I originally anticipated. My "brand new" tires were 6 years old before I even took my first drive. Now they are about 8 years old and still pretty much look new but I just do not get the grip I want. I am not sure if it is the age...

www.ffcars.com

 

[Edward B]

I ran 275/40/17 drag radials on the rear for ~3000 miles. Hooked great (could use all of first gear with a 3300 rpm launch at the the drag stirp) but I did not like the lateral breakaway during hard cornering. I have gone to all R compound Nittos.

 

[slaga]

@Edward B The OP has 15" wheels, not 17". And does not track his car. Tire selection is slim pickings for 15s.

 

[rich grsc]

I would use Cooper Cobra's before the MT ET's. As said before not ideal for these cars unless you drag race

 

[JKleiner]

A friend asked me to make some autocross runs in his roadster equipped with drag radials on all 4 when he couldn’t get a handle on it. It was pretty awful. The soft sidewalls allowed the car to squirm rather than turn precisely. The feedback to steering inputs was delayed because the tire flex had to be absorbed before the car reacted. It was kind of like the steering wheel was connected to the tires with a rubber band. I don’t recommend them for anything other than going in a straight line or cruising sedately while going to get ice cream.

Jeff

 

[jperickson2001]

Original Cobras’ had NASCAR tires. Run what NASCAR runs.

 

[jeepurz]

I would use Cooper Cobra's before the MT ET's. As said before not ideal for these cars unless you drag race

I know the OP didn't ask for other tire choices, but I'll second the Cooper Cobras. Us 15"ers have very limited tire options(and getting worse), but the Coopers are doing pretty well for me in mileage, aesthetics, traction, and turning. Super cold roads are still touchy, but I've even road-course tracked the Coopers(didn't feel like changing them out that day...) and although they are NOT race tires, I kept it out of the dirt and posted some good personal times.
Not that drag radials are bad, but the Coopers will be a much better all around tire and still give that nice 15" look that some of us want.

 

[Frank Messina]

Try the Mickey Thompson ST Radials.

 

[DAVE LITHWAY]

Try the Mickey Thompson ST Radials.

Cooper Cobras have been running well for me as a street tire --- no racing or autocross. Very good inventory available in 15 inch, and they have a great "period correct" look in the wheel wells.

 

[BrianE]

This is why I love this forum... you folks are great! Thank you for all the thought provoking information. I'll ruminate on it all and let you know when I pull the trigger. Stay tuned... In the meantime, I go in this Friday to begin the registration process, fingers crossed, wish me luck. Oh, I was also advised by a terrific guy on this forum so batting 1000!
Brian

 

[Butch B]

I have run several (3 or 4)sets of 15" MT ETs out back on the street and at the drag strip. I would drive from Portland Ore down to Medford(300mi ish) and drag race and than drive back home on wknds. Hell , I drove my ETs all over the great NW (Wa,Ore, Idaho,N Ca,ect) no problems! NOT a good rain tire at all! Would get about 7000-8000 mi on a set. Got kicked off all the drag strips, so now I run 15" Cobras yr, round ! Just saying-- Have fun-be safe

 

[Tom Sharpe]

Mickey Thompson Sportsman S/R Radial - 26X12R15 for the back are almost the same size as the original billboards. The 26x10x15 for the front. Radials, good street manners, mileage, and traction. OK at the strip and autocross.

 

[WHTNUKL]

I'm running MT Sportsman S/R, P28/12.00-15 on the back with 10" rims and P26/10.00-15 on 8" rims in front. I run Hoosiers TD's at the track and use these for my street tire, but wanted to see how well they would do at speed. Very impressive. And, Yes, they look great.

 

[dougstelter]

Try the Mickey Thompson ST Radials.

I wanted that old school look so it was 15's as well. went the Mickey Thompson ST Radials. I got to see another Coupe with the ST's on them a few years ago and really like the way they looked.

Doug

 

[dougstelter]

I wanted that old school look so it was 15's as well. went the Mickey Thompson ST Radials. I got to see another Coupe with the ST's on them a few years ago and really like the way they looked.

Doug View attachment 368810 View attachment 368811

Correction. They are SR's and not ST's.

Doug