Goodyear F1D3 for 77 308GTB

Bill,

You went with the new wheels huh? Good choice. Did you get the windshield too? I don't know about the Goodyear tires but make sure you got the spacers with the wheels. It seems that some need them and some don't, but I can't see what having them would hurt.

One way or another we will get together for a drive this year sometime.

 

The Goodyear F1's are a great tire for this application - I have them on my stock 16 inch wheels on my 3.2 Mondial. The tread pattern is non-directional (as you know) so this prevents too much following ridges and other irregularities in the pavement. They are quiet and seem very, very sticky without a bunch of howling upon breakaway.

Did you get staggered sized rims? The stock 16 inch QV rims are 7's on the front and 8's on the back allowing for some staggering of the tires sizes. I believe the stock sizing is 205 front and 225 rear. I definitely would not put a 245 on a 7 inch rim if that's what you have in mind - too much tire for 7 inch width.

 

Bill,

I purchased a set of the repro wheels some years ago when they first became available from Superformance. When I fitted these wheels to the rear, I noticed the rear lug bolts were a little too long because of an interference. The remedy was to shorten the lug bolts by about 0.06 inches, which I carefully did on a bench grinder. Just be sure to check this out before you torque down the bolts. Otherwise, there is no reason to have to use spacers that I know of.

Bill

 

It's been a lot of years since I tried 225's and 245's on my 308. I didn't like the squirm I got with my Bridgestone RE71's and Dunlop D40's, so I dropped back to 205/225. But a lot of people have been happy with 225/245. I think it depends a lot on sidewall stiffness. Hopefully someone will chime in on the Goodyears.
One thing: unless you want to raise the rear, 245-45's would be more appropriate for rear diameter, if Goodyear offers it for these tires.

 

Not a 308, but here are some tire pictures for you. Goodyear Eagle F1, 225/45R17 and 255/45R17.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Hi,

I have the Goodyear Eagle F1s, mine are GS-D2...???

16" with widths as you note.

205/55ZR16 on the front and 225/50ZR16 on the rear. That is the absolute max width on my wheels as the inside will rub if the suspension unloads too far!

Take it easy over the railroad tracks! General lower ride height overall, it seems to be....lots more bottoming out on rougher roads, due to shorter sidewall....

 

Thanks Billy!

Mine is a little lower than stock, and the combo with the 16" wheels really modernizes the look. But the real treat is the difference in handling between the 14" wheels and the 16" wheels with modern rubber. WHAT a difference, like a new car. You will love it. I too felt that 245 on the rear was a bit much, but others have had success with it. I stuck with the stock widths.

1977 GTBs rule!

Jdubbya was referring not to spacers per se, but the hubcentric rings that come with the Superformance wheels for use on the front only. These help center the front wheels before torquing the bolts to be sure the wheels ride smooth. No idea why they are needed but they make a difference. They are just plastic rings. Search the archives, I posted pics.

Birdman

 

I have the F1's on my M3 and did a recent track event. I drove the piss out of the car and wasn't able to break them loose to hear tire squeel. I was extemely happy with the F1's on the track.

 

Rain would NOT have been a problem...I'm running 235/45/17 and 255/40/17 on my BMW 540 M-Sport and they run GREAT in the rain...I've done 115 with no hydroplaning....

 

Hey Billy, all,
Great to see this thread. Wish I had seen it a few days ago when I posted a question about what tires to get for my 1984 308 QV. Well, no matter, I did my own research and also ended up with Goodyear F1 D3, stock 205/55WR16 & 225/50ZR16 size. From everything I've read and the others I've talked to (mostly tire sellers) it's a great tire. And thanks to the person who put up the pics of those tires on the black 328 -- gives me a great idea of what they'll look like on my black 308!

Happy driving.

 

Mule,

Looking really good.

Goodyears are the way to go. Had SO-3s and the goodyears outlasted them by 20-40 %.

Very linear. Terrific grip and better rain performance.

Here are a couple of shots of the old green 308 with the new shoes.

The old rims had / 205/70x14 michelin MMX. The new tires 225/40x18, ft on 7.5 rims and 255/35x18 on narrowed (8.5) 360 rims rear.

loving it,
chris
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That looks great Bill! Birdman was right too, I was referring to the hubcentric rings. Like I said, some cars need them and some cars don't. I needed them for mine.

 

Very good on wet surfaces, and they work well in light snow (I know since I have been caught a few times in it).

Thanks for the compliment, Chris. Spent a year picking out the wheels and tires.

 

Good grief! The original tires look like bagels!