Best Tire combo for 15x8 wheels (please do not mock me too much)

All,

I am new to the forum. I have a 1971 Stage 1. Yes, I know there are countless threads on this, but I couldn't find what I was looking for. Currently it has 15x7 Goodyear Polyglas F70-15s. It drives horribly. The car came with these and they are expensive pieces of nostalgia. It was slightly wet today when I took her out. It was all over the place, so I went out and bought 15x8 wheels...that being said, I want to keep the same rake. I just want to get the opinion of the Forum on what size tires I should run. I want all four to be the same, I am looking at the BF Goodrich Radials, but I am open to others. My thought was after reading the forum I wanted 255 60 15s, but I am not sure of this number. I have used other calculators and this seems fine, but I do I go bigger? The suspension has not been modified, so I am open to ideas. Please help and no I could not find a definite answer on the forum. Thanks Chris

 

Here we go 15x7 up front P235 70 15x8 P275 rear.

 

I ran 255 60-15's on 15x7 Buick mags on my 71 Stage 1. The fronts would sometimes rub at full lock so I made a point of not driving at full lock. If they rubbed, I backed off on the steering angle a little. Not sure how the 15x8 wheels will work on the front. Maybe someone here has run 15x8's on the front and will comment. 245 60-15's should work without rubbing. I ran them on my 68 GS400.

 

255/60 fine on rear, I like 245/60 on front

 

I would run 295/50R15 on the rear and 235/60R15 on the front

 

I have 15x8 in the front with 245/60 and they rub slightly every now and then but I'm on original clapped out saggy springs

 

If you want to run tires that are the same diameter as the original G60x015 then 245/60 x 15 is what you want all the way around. If you’d like a fatter tire on the rear (since you have 15x8 rims) you can run 295/50 x 15 which are the same diameter as the 245s. That way you maintain the same level look of the car as it came originally. Lots of GS guys running this combo with no clearance issues.
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This actually helps greatly. While I wanted the same rake, I definetly do not want the rubbing. More traction is ideal. I will make the assumption this is what you are running, so this is a great fix. Thanks Chris

 

Good call! I just measured, the passenger side rear has 1.75 in clearance to the fender and the drivers side is 2.0 inch clearance. Thanks Chris

 

I actually used a spacer to even side to side out.....

 

Yes, that’s what’s on my GS. Just check that your rear axle is at least mostly centered and wheel clearance is the same on both sides. Mine is off center by about 1/2 inch and still have no frame or outer wheel well clearance issues.

 

How do you like the BFG T/A’s so far? I put a set on my 70 Stage 1 that I just restored because I planned on driving it. I used 15x7 w/235-60’s up front and 15x8 w/265-60’s in back. No clearance issues at all, look and handle great - but .... the don’t hook up at all, spin all the way thru first - second and a bit into 3rd. I have Polyglass GT’s on my other GS’s - love the “look”, GT’s can be squirrelly, but they seem to hook up better than the TA’s? Kelsey now offers Polyglass GT’s in L-60/15. I put a pair on 15x8’s on the rear of my 70-GS455 (Stage 1 spec motor) and the hook up great! No clearance issues with a little air in the shocks. Both of the cars are 4 speeds.

 

Yea I agree, the Vintage Polyglass tires do hook much better than TA radials, but they “wander” the road horribly. We put the L60 on the rear and the F70 on the front and it looks incredible!

 

I am still waiting on the 15x 8Wheels from Jegs, but while I like the look of the Polyglas...They IMO are very squirrely and are very expensive, plus don't ride incredibly well. I will use the Polyglas for showing and the BFG TA radials when cruising. But I definately like the look better.

 

On 15x8 I like 295/50R 15 and 235/60R15

 

https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?t...-15x7-rally-wheels.163167/page-2#post-3162587

 

Thanks Bill!

 

Good plan!
The BFG TA's dont ride as well as other radials tho, ask Larry