Best tyres for 86 EURO TR

Are you sure the tires/wheels are not metric sizes instead of 16"?

 

Many 86's, infact I think most came with 16 inch wheels. Besides, his Pilot sports wouldn't fit TRX wheels.


Pilot Sports in the TR sizes have been turned over to Coker for exclusive distribution. I still think it is the best tire available. Considering how the car is used and how often I go through tires it was worth the money to me.

 

Wow - so my American version came with the metric, and his Euro had 16"? Who says Ferrari lost their individuality back before the 70s. I had a local tire guy look in Michelin and in fact all they list are the 16" sizes.

BTW, is it possible to buy a set of the 16" (assuming that they will fit the spline and threads)?

 

It was a mid year change in the US and as I recall we got more 16 inch cars than TRX by quite a few.

The lower shock mounts were changed on the 16 inch cars. Have not tried the switch. Get a wheel and try.
Tom Shaughnessy used to have quite a few.

 

That would make sense - my car was actually made in 1985 but sold here as a 1986. Shock mounts on front or rear or both? I know of a local car for sale with 16" wheels...

 

Rifledriver is right - pilot sport will be the 16 inch. Metrics are TRX. I think that the thing with Coker is that they are the only one that has the metric size TRX; the 16" is probably still available from a Michelin dealer as a pilot sport tire.

BTW, I have the Pilot Sports on both my 993 and formerly on my ZR-1 Corvette after trying several others - it was the superior tire to all else in my opinion.

After years of driving most all kinds, it is pretty hard to sell me anything but a premium Michelin.

 

The TR sizes are considered obsolete and Coker has exclusive distribution.

 

Interestingly I bought a pair 240/45 TRX GT tires for the front 3 years ago from an outfit called onlinetires.com for $225ea. Now they're only available through Coker at the absolutely insane price of $502ea. The rears at that time were $370 a pop from Coker now they're eye watering $551. WTF is all I have to say. No more smokey burnouts I guess.

 

I switched over from the Dunlops as they were no longer available to the BF Goodrich which I find to be very good and reasonably priced.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+Sport&index=0&vehicleSearch=true&frontTire=25ZR6GFSP&rearTire=55WR6GFSP&place=0&minSpeedRating=V&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=(Y)&minLoad=S

 

I bought the Kumho rear tyres over here in the UK. They are full spec and cost £67 each. Whats that, about $80 US?

That is cheaper than the tyres on my wifes Toyota Aygo

I cant tell any difference between these and originals but I have not tracked the car yet.

 

This is where I bought my Kumhos from.

http://www.micheldever.co.uk/car_tyres.html

If you call and make an appointment you can get the use of their prestigious car line where your tyres are fitted by an 'expert' and not just a tyre fitter. The equipment used does not touch the wheel and they have a special tyre balancer. If required you can also have your tracking set up for anything from road to full race.

I can fully recommend these guys.

 

Michelin France still produces this tire, and Coker is just the NA distributor. For originals 16" and TRX, check with Longstone Tyre in the UK, they are cheaper and have newer production tires.

 

The Kumhos are the correct speed rating for the Testarossa and really inexpensive.

P

 

From Tire Rack:

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.
W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.
225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h
205/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h

Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h
285/35ZR19 (99Y) in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h

As vehicles have increased their top speeds into Autobahn-only ranges, the tire speed ratings have evolved to better identify the tires capability, allowing drivers to match the speed of their tires with the top speed of their vehicle.
***********************************************
It's the "W" and "Y" suffix after the load rating that determines the speed rating on the tire.

Seriously! How often are you going to exceed 168 mph/ 270 km/h?
Your TR would be lucky to break 170 mph under good conditions.

Does that really justify the extra expense of a "Y" rated tire?
Not here it doesn't. (Unless I'm going to track the car)

BTW, If I'm not mistaken, the BF Goodrich and Khumos are both rated "W" tires. (168 mph/ 270 km/h)

If you want a good 200 mph tire it isn't going to be cheap.















..

 

What size Kumho did you install on the rear?
The BF Goodrich tire is a 255/50-16 which is what the manual calls out whereas the only Kumho I could find wide enough in 16" is the XS KU36, 265/45-16.