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Wheels/Tire upgrade

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Hotrodharry, Jul 15, 2013.

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  1. Hotrodharry

    Hotrodharry Rookie

    Jul 13, 2013
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    Harry Craycroft
    #1 Hotrodharry, Jul 15, 2013
    I'm upgrading my 1990 Testarossa wheels and tires from the 16" wheels to 18" wheels and I'm looking to buy a set of Pirelli tires for the new wheels. What model of Pirelli tires should I be looking at for the new wheels or would another make and model be a better choice. Thank you.
     
  2. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

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    Jimmie
    #2 greyboxer, Jul 16, 2013
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2013
    Umm - might it not be better to see who actually makes the sizes of tire to suit your preferred rim width before you decide on brand ? There are some sizes of Michelin Super Sport which seem popular - see the tire threads in the 550/575/456 section - there may be 18 in upgrade threads in the Boxer/TR section too - I htink 355 & 360 wheels have been used before now
     
  3. Hotrodharry

    Hotrodharry Rookie

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    Harry Craycroft
    #3 Hotrodharry, Jul 16, 2013
    Pirelli has a selection of performance tires that will fit the new rims, need a recommendation on which tires would be best. Don't have enough information in the Michelans line at this time.
     
  4. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

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    #4 greyboxer, Jul 16, 2013
    For example on the 575 with 18 in rims : 255/40ZR18 95Y Pzero Rosso Direzionale - front and 295/35ZR18 99Y Pzero Rosso for the rear
     
  5. Hotrodharry

    Hotrodharry Rookie

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    Harry Craycroft
    #5 Hotrodharry, Jul 16, 2013
    The tire sizes that have been recommended are: Front-225/40-18 and Rear-295/35-18. In the Michelin line, can't find 575 tire, but they recommend a Super Sport tire a high performance tire. Thank you for your input.
     
  6. Hotrodharry

    Hotrodharry Rookie

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    Harry Craycroft
    #6 Hotrodharry, Jul 16, 2013
    It has been recommended that I go with either Pirelli PZERO Rosso or Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. Anyone care to chine in? Oh! the tires will go on Trepezzo wheels. Thanks for your input, it has been very helpful, unless someone changes my mind. Thanks again.
     
  7. don_xvi

    don_xvi F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Don the 16th
    #7 don_xvi, Jul 16, 2013
    It's hard to go wrong with Michelins.
    I've got some PS2s in my fleet.
     
  8. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 tazandjan, Jul 16, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Harry- Not sure of the width of the wheels you are fitting, but 18" wheels were fitted to the 512 TR and tire sizes were 235/40 18 and 295/35 18. Here is what Tirerack has and of those, I would recommend the Michelin PS2s, or the Continentals if you want longer tire life.

    http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=0&autoMake=Ferrari&autoYear=1994&autoModel=512TR&autoModClar=&frontWidth=235%2F&frontRatio=40&frontDiameter=18&frontSortCode=53800&rearWidth=295%2F&rearRatio=35&rearDiameter=18&rearSortCode=54700&tab=All
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  9. Hotrodharry

    Hotrodharry Rookie

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    Harry Craycroft
    #9 Hotrodharry, Jul 17, 2013
    The wheels are Front: 8 x 18, Rear: 10 X 18. I'm looking at the Michelins to be my choice. The sizes are: Front-235/40-18 and the Rears-295/35-18. Thanks again for your input.
     
  10. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 DGS, Jul 17, 2013
    "Best" will depend on the application.

    Summer only? Dry only? Highway or around town?
    Looking for longevity, ride, or handling, or a mix?

    In tire compounds there isn't really "one ring to rule them all". ;)
     
  11. cuneo

    cuneo Formula 3
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    #11 cuneo, Jul 18, 2013
    Michelin Pilot Super Sports are a very comfy ride and stick very well on my 355. Not a TR but everybody who has the Super Sports seems to love them.
     
  12. chrismorse

    chrismorse Formula 3

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    #12 chrismorse, Jul 23, 2013
    Your intended use is the best guide. You need to fit the tires not only to the rims but your needs & priorities:
    Dry grip
    Wet grip
    Noise
    ride harshness
    tire life
    and perhaps cost.

    there are always compromises and you need to make the trade offs.
    HTH,
    chris
     
  13. Longstone Tyres

    Longstone Tyres Formula 3
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    #13 Longstone Tyres, Jul 24, 2013
    you can still get the 16" Ferrari Testarossa tyres. they are still made by Michelin
    255/50ZR16 Michelin Pilote Sport rears £ 339
    225/50ZR16 Michelin Pilote Sport front £ 210
    all + VAT and free shipping to most places
     
  14. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 tazandjan, Jul 24, 2013
    Nice to know someone is still providing what are now vintage tires to Ferrari Owners.
     
  15. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
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    #15 Shorn355, Jul 24, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I am running Pilot Sport Cups on 18's and love them (pic below). Michelins are a bit pricey however and I had great luck with Hankook V12 Evo K110s on my Porsche which went through rear tires like crazy. I would at least check into them - they have a hype-wide range of sizes - Cheers!
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  16. Hotrodharry

    Hotrodharry Rookie

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    #16 Hotrodharry, Jul 30, 2013
    Thank you all for the feedback to my question on tire up grades. I went with the Michelins Pilot Sport PS2 tires the only change was in the rear tire size from the 295/35-18 to a 275/40-18 as recommended by the tire shop. After receiving the tires they should work very well on the new wheels. The wheels by Trepezzo are in the process of being make and I should receive them in about a month. Thank you again to all who helped me with my choice.
     
  17. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
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    #17 Shorn355, Jul 30, 2013
    Post pics when you get them on - Congrats!
     

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