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Tire Question (BFG T/As)

1K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  restro 
#1 ·
I have a Cobra kit car. Limited slip, IRS rear end, engine spec'd at 480 Hp, although I'd say it's more likely 425 Hp based on other similiar engines and knowing computer programs base results on perfect ignition timing and fuel mixture, which in the real world, is difficult to get unless you have some dyno time. The car weighs approximately 2500 lbs.

I'm using 295 BF Goodrich radial T/As, which the Cobra guys think are death on wheels. They prefer expensive Avons as 1st choice and Mickey Thompson S/Ts or S/Rs ( according to my memory of their recommendations) as second choice.

The thing is, I find it hard to squeal my tires when taking off in first. With a approx a 50:50 weight ratio, no matter what I do, I just take off faster and faster. Mind you, even when in 2nd, 3/4 throttle is the most I dare push it, although maybe I'm just a chicken).

If I really over-do it when letting out the clutch in 1st, I get a bit of wheel hop vs squealing, which may mean a suspension adjusment, but I'm not sure.

Now I have had a bit of squirelly rear end work when I accidently downshifted to pass another car and forgot what I was driving. Would have worked fine in a little 4-banger, but a bit of a tail kick to the right. But other than that, the tires seems fine.

So my question is, just how bad are BFG T/As, and should I think of replacing them with something else?

ps: I didn't address cornering, but these cars never like a hard push until they are pointed straight ahead regardless of tires.
 
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#2 ·
Nothing wrong with BFG tires. :D I have worn a few sets out over the years.

Remember you are trying to spin 11.5 inches of tire, that's a lot of rubber. Not spinning is a good thing, wheel hop breaks parts............. :thumbup: just enjoy the puch when it puts you in the seat.

Tony
 
#3 ·
Ford Junkie said:
Nothing wrong with BFG tires. :D I have worn a few sets out over the years.

Remember you are trying to spin 11.5 inches of tire, that's a lot of rubber. Not spinning is a good thing, wheel hop breaks parts............. :thumbup: just enjoy the puch when it puts you in the seat.

Tony
I tend to agree. Some people seem to think one thing only is the way to go and anything else is junk. In all likelyhood, the difference between BFG T/As and other tires isn't that much different on a percentage basis.

At least I hope so. Reading all the info, makes my imagination go sky high, and now I'm nervous pushing the car like I used to.
 
#4 ·
I have T/A's on the front of my Willys. It's big tires/little tires but these work very well. Actually much better than I thought. They work very well in the rain too. I have hit the brakes very hard a number of times and stops are stright and true. I have about 17k on them now and going strong. The Willys weighs 2880 today with a full gas tank.

I don't think they are autocross tires but for streeet driving they are hard to beat.
 
#5 ·
i hated the TAs when they first came out in the late 60s. i was running goodyear polyglass GTs 60 series on my 66 396 set up for road racing. they were great. i bought the hipe and bought the first TAs. those tires sucked, they made a good handleing car into a wolloing POS. i hated BFG radials for many years and went to michelens (a good handeling tire)

fast foreward: i guess BFG finally got it right, but then blew it. i have the last set of 315s by 15s on my pantera. they are huge, sliding through a corner is way pridtable. taking off from a stop not so much, i have to be careful to not smoke the rear tires (the BFGs)
 
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