Where Can I find BF Goodrich Radial T/A (or any brand) in anything above an S (112) speed rating? Was hoping for U (124) or H (130). 245/60R15 and 275/60R15 Help is much appreciated
Tire Rack topped out at T (118 mph), but mostly had S (112 mph) which is everywhere... Seems T (118 mph) is the highest rating for 15" wheels. How do guys run at the track on these going 125 mph+???
Speed rating is more important for extended runs, not dragstrip passes. Hit up Mike Psarchik (NoLift) on here-he’s run high speed timed challenges and likely knows what you need and whether it exists in a 15”. Patrick
Ah, looks like your initial research is accurate. And following up on what Patrick said, is this for drag racing or?
Simple 1/4 mile runs... figured a tire rated for "up to" 118 mph may not handle 125 mph for a few seconds. This is new to me and already it seems stupid - don't Police cars have street tires rated for high speeds? Are they a national secret?
You only need to worry about speed ratings for CONTINUOUS high speed. The few seconds on a drag strip is NOT a concern. A bigger concern is running ANY tire under inflated. That causes heat build up, and heat build up can cause a tire to fail.
15" H rated tires: https://www.mickeythompsontires.com/street-tires/sportsman-s-r As mentioned, it's the heat... you'll only be over the speed rating momentarily on the drag strip. Continuous would be on a road course where the tire is subjected to all sorts of different loads, or sustained speeds (minutes worth) over the rating. Also, 15" (and many 16") tires might as well be ancient history these days. Police cars haven't used 15" wheels in ages - even the Crown Vics (last produced in 2011) used a 17" wheel/tire setup.
Continuous high speed would be driving the car on a road course with long straight a ways and turns where the tire has less time to cool down. We are talking about average speeds above 100 MPH. So the question is, do you intend to use your car that way? If yes, where would you do that? I have weighed my GS at Cecil County Drag way 3 years in a row. With NOTHING in the trunk, 1/2 tank of gas, and me (165 lbs), it has weighed between 4050, and 4100 lbs.
Certain tire sizes are made in certain speed ratings, they fit a certain type of car that they are typically fitted to. High-speed ratings were not available when our cars were made. If you plan to drive your car at sustained speeds above 100 mph then you might consider a speed-rated tire and wheel combination.
Yes, but they are very expensive. Let me find the thread. https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/new-buick-rallye-wheels-and-tires-are-here.322316/
Maybe, I don't know. I just remember Scott having them so I linked the thread. If they made them once, maybe they would make them again. https://www.circleracing.com/104.html
YearOne still sells them; https://www.yearone.com/Catalog/wheels/wheels/yearone-magnum-wheels/buick-magnum-wheels
YearOne, Vintage, etc. have wait times to the end of the year (even for 15"); they claim their manufacturer has no steel. I like the old taller, wider, "bulgy" sidewall tire look with the 15" wheels, rather than the shortened, flatter sidewall of the larger sizes of today. Maybe just me, but I like the old style.
I like that look too; I’ll just choose not to go more than 115 for extended periods. That’s not something I need to do. Patrick
