GTV-6 tyres

[gtv6-3.0]

I have an '81 GTV-6 with street/track suspension and a 3.0L time trial prepped engine and need to replace the old Dunlop SP Sport 9000 tyres. They are mounted on Compomotive 7J-15 wheels. What are people's experiences with various sizes and types of tyres. Mine are 205/55 15 which seem about right but what other sizes have people used and what are the pros and cons? I remember I could fit 225/50s on my Milano but they rubbed the inner fender on steering lock which was not so good. Have had suggestions that Kuhmos have excellent performance at a reasonable price but don't know anybody that has actually driven them. And finally is the warning about not using high performance summer tyres in the winter is just CYA or there really is a problem using them for occasional drives in the winter.

[barbone105]

in my experience (and those of others i have observed) 225/45/15 and 225/50/15 will fit on gtv6 - is somewhat dependant on wheel offset....
these sizes are what the fast guys drive around here.
a flawed, but probably best dry weather street tire is the Hancook S2??? the S3 if you want something a little softer.
Kumho does make some good tires as well.
track DOT R tires different story.
most of the summer only tires get very slippery when cold. can get wheel spin in second gear w milano when temps go below freezing.
its not like all your molecules will fly off into the ether as soon as you turn a wheel november 1. however, in extremis, in cold weather, they won't be excellent.
andy

[JoeCab]

I am a big fan of Toyo tires.

Their T1-R is a great all around high-performance summer tire and their RA-1 is a DOT R-compound tire that is very streetable (compared to other R-compounds). The RA-1 is not the stickiest R-compound around but last quite well and are very forgiving and easy to drive at the limit.

Toyo is also very good at making hard-to-find Alfa sizes like 225/45-15 and 225/40-16, which are pictured here on my Milano (no rubbing!!!).

[Peter A]

I am running 225-50/15 Michelin PE2's, similar suspension set up, no rubbing on 15x7 OZ 2-pc wheels. Don't know if the offset is the same as the compmotives. Great tire for street use, tremendous in wet, quiet, only downside is that steering response is a little sluggish on turn in compared to others. Tire rack reviews consistently excellent. This tire design is getting a bit older now but Michelin reps confide that this tire was nearly equal to PS2 and perhaps better in the wet. Probably not as fast as the extreme performance summer tires from Japan in dry.

[tek]

I just bought a new set of Kumho ECSTA AXS 205/60/15 for my 1969 GT Junior to replace some very worn out Cooper Cobra GT's which really sucked. It's the all season version of the XS tire, which is Kumho's non-slick sport/racing tire.

I'm impressed. Feels very sticky while having excellent ride characteristics. Even on weathered street asphalt they provide excellent steering ease and very positive grip. They are reputed to have most excellent wet grip as well. And they are very reasonably priced. They have a wear rating of 400, but the compound feels much softer to the touch than one would expect. The speed rating is V, good to 149 MPH/240 KPH. The tires were $80 american each, mounted and balanced. Tire Rack lists them at $61 American.

I'm pretty sure these will take 2 seconds off a 60 second Solo/cone course.
Maybe more. I'll get to find out in a couple weeks.