15" Firehawk out of production

[scot]

With these gone, is there any performance tire left in 15? BFG wasn't as highly rated as even the Firehawk and drag radials don't cut it for a dd where it rains or just gets cold. Anything?

[Marky Dissod]

Not anymore. 'Performance' tires for 15" wheels are simply not tall enough / too small to carry our cars - which are more like oversized sedan bodies mounted on truck frames by today's standards.

Absolute minimum 'load rating' for 91-96 B-cars is '97', or '99' for B-wagons and D-cars.
Every potential/possible 15" tire between 205mm & 275mm wide, and every potential/possible 15" tire between 27" & 29.5" tall, with a minimum load rating of 97-99 … is a 'light truck/SUV/wagonoid' tire by today's standards.
(Would anyone here DARE use 205/75R15 or 215/75R15 on a 91-96 B-body, except possibly as a snow tire / spare?)

I've accepted this reality, and have chosen to settle for 235/75R15 when it comes time to replace my tires again.
Had I a sedan, I'd also consider 255/70R15. (Too bad they stopped making 275/65R15.)

These days, performance tires for vehicles that weigh 2 tonnes or more, come in 16" (unlikely), 17" (more likely) , or 18" (definitely).

[Stingroo]

Welp, looks like it's time to hunt for new wheels soon.

[Francois]

I'm also stuck with not too much choice. Since I went with steel 15x8's because my OEM wheels are damaged and original 17 tires are scarce and expensive with not much quality availlable, it'll be a task to find an alternative. Car had distinctive look lowered with the steelies and 255 Firehawks. Alternate suggestions welcomed...... To be continued.....

[scot]

BFG has a new version of their 15" line called the Radial T/A - E. Just installed 4 on a 48" stretch Fleetwood in 275/60-15. This is the smallest size 15" with a high enough load rating (107) for a limo. This car has 1 1/2 solid F+R sways, AirLifts w 30pounds of air and Koni"s adjusted to full hard. Tires are equal or better handling/braking than the now gone Firehawks in the same size, and diffinately better in ride/noise. The E in the name differentiates these new models from the older ones. Compared to the 235/75-15 these are light years better in everything,except maybe gas milage.

[MightyCaprice]

Are the Indy 500's gone now, too?

Disregard, same tire.

[JimKellyfan]

I wanted to go with the bfg or firehawks with the cragar smoothie 313 rims...but, gotta pay the roof off and many other items.....so, if I were to stay stock size and rim and tire 225/75/15, on todays market and availability, I would get the Kumho APT 51, as they are a 600 A A, with T rating, I like the A temperature on these truck tires, combined with the T rating. However, for a bit more money (I will price the two out and I get incedible discounts in the field on tires, not rims)...anywho, Michelin Latitude Touring looks to be a strong contender, when jumping to the 235/75/15 size. For the people carrying weight on occasion as I do, I will also price out my favorite tire, the LTX, now in the LTX 2 version with better handling than the first one. If not too much more money though, my money is on the Latitude Touring. I will find out Monday, the prices discounted down. For those that pay retail, just call each place or go to each place and get quotes from everyone, until they all beat each other up to very little profits/best cost. The thing with Michelins is they are usually the ones that make the money, and there is no major mark up on most of their tires, as they are pricey to begin with.

[TWX]

Originally Posted by scot

BFG has a new version of their 15" line called the Radial T/A - E. Just installed 4 on a 48" stretch Fleetwood in 275/60-15. This is the smallest size 15" with a high enough load rating (107) for a limo. This car has 1 1/2 solid F+R sways, AirLifts w 30pounds of air and Koni"s adjusted to full hard. Tires are equal or better handling/braking than the now gone Firehawks in the same size, and diffinately better in ride/noise. The E in the name differentiates these new models from the older ones. Compared to the 235/75-15 these are light years better in everything,except maybe gas milage.

I've never had a problem with a BFGoodrich, besides finding the correct size at times. My guess is that this is a RWL for muscle car enthusiasts, and since the Impala's chassis dates back to the end of that era anyway, it's safe to say they'll probably be a good fit.

[Francois]

I've got T/A's all around on my 69 ragtop. They look great but they're the worst tire I've ever driven on wet pavement. The Firehawks were surprisingly good in the rain as well as dry pavement. Mickey Thompson has a directional tread Sportsman available. Anyone know who makes it for them? Anyone with feedback? I run 8inch steelies and 255-60's. I don't want to go narrower or taller.

[93capriceltz]

The set of Caprice Turbine Alloys that I run sometimes has BF Goodrich 235/70/15 T/A's on them. I usally put those on when I go on road trips. The perfromance is decent, and the highway ride is great. Yes, you can bust them loose pretty easy, but I think that would be the case with any 70 series tire. I have heard that the Fiestones were better, but I've never tryed a set of them. Stay away from Coopers, I tryed those once and they melted off in no time.