ideal tires for 15s

[mclean03]

I'm curious on what's the general consensus for the perfect tire size for 15inch wheels? I'm planning to try the mickey thompson ET radial tires since I've heard some good reviews about them.

[71bird]

71/72 B bodies? Then GoodYear Polyglas G60x15 is the only choice.

[road chicken]

Depends on what you want to do with it. Radial vs bias is the first decision. Then sizing. Bias plys have harder rubber compounds and stiffer sidewalls. Thats why you can do burnouts for days on those rolling rocks. The sidewall stiffness is tough too, much harsher ride and they hold until they don't and there is no getting them back once they kickout hard in a turn. But if your looking for factory correct- they are the only way to go. Just watch yourself if the pavement is a little wet. The have better mileage wear, typically
Radials have many levels of compounds available, softer sidewall to help keep the contact patch planted, better ride, and more predictable behavior and feedback when cutting the twisties. You can stiffen the suspension to take full advantage of this.

Sizing is wfo. the rear can handle 295/50/15 maybe 315 /50 /15s with the right offset. The front is limited to a 255 /60/15 and that is very close , or will rub slightly under certain circumstances.
I've been running 255/60/15 radials on all four corners since 1997, good handling and all around balance, imho. 97 was the last year I ran any bias tires for one simple reason- doing a full 360 spin on a damp on ramp with my cuda at 35 mph was the end of any further use . I wasn't getting into it hard, no goofing around, just made the 2-3 shift, rolled into it and around I went, with 25 ft drop offs on either side of the ramp. The BURNOUT grinding them into dust was frickin spectacular though good luck.

[71_bronze_gtx]

You do need to give some consideration to the width of the wheels, as well as the backspacing (or offset) if you're using something other than OEM size wheels. Particularly if you plan on using wide tires. The wheel width has some influence on the width of any given tire at the sidewall, and may make the difference between rubbing or not.

You will see, when looking at various tire sizes, that they recommend a range of wheel widths that are acceptable. I've seen these vary a bit for tires the same size but from different manufacturers. Mostly it has to do with how the bead seats on the wheel. In extreme cases, like a really wide tire on a narrow wheel, the bead might come unseated with an extreme shock load.

If you're just looking for "correct", I'd have to agree with the Polyglas.

[rr6pak]

I'm going to need tires sometime soon for my car but debating the best for my set up, etc, etc, etc

[71Beeper]

I'll be using Weld's with 275-60's out back and upfront I have the pizza cutter WELD'S which I'll be looking for the tallest 15" 75 series tire I can find.

[teddy1500]

If you have 275/60 on the rear, check out a 225/70 for the front. That will really give you a nice stance.