DeTomaso Mailing List: February 1997, Message #140
     



From: Andy Poling <andy@realbig.com>

Subject: Re: 72 Pantera tires

Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 19:59:17 -0500 (EST)



On Sun, 23 Feb 1997, Dick Williams wrote:

> Front: 2 BFG Comp T/A R1  205/50 ZR15

> Rear:  2 BFG Comp T/A R1  265/50 ZR15

>

> Because the tire issue is such a big one on this forum and my knowledge

> of tires is so limited I thought that I would ask everyone if the

> combination above is a good one.  I do not know yet as they have not

> arrived but would sure like to know if I made a good decision or not.  I

> have certainly had my share of bad ones.  The price was only  $552 and

> that sure seemed very reasonable but also scares me when I think of the

> old notion that 'you get what you pay for'.



Don't worry Dick - you've bought some of the stickiest tires you can legally

run on the street.  And they'll be an absolute blast if you ever hit the

track for some hot laps or do some autocrossing.



My advice about these tires is to be very careful with your inflation

pressures.  These tires have such stiff sidewalls that you can easily

underinflate them without realizing it (I drove my Miata home one night with

10 PSI in an R1 on the rear and almost didn't notice).  If you run them

underinflated the only sign may be a groove of accelerated wear near the

middle of the tread (I know this sounds wierd but it's true due to the

tire's construction - the tread sort of folds up in the middle with

insufficient pressure and works against itself, wearing the afore-mentioned

groove).



That said, I run about 5 PSI lower inflation pressures than specified by

Mazda in the R1's on my Miata when I'm on the road.  I would start there

with a Pantera and experiment.  A pyrometer is useful in determining the

proper pressures - aim for even temperatures across the tread (immediately)

after an autocross run or a couple of track laps.



Be cautious of standing water though - you won't have much tread depth, and

what little you have won't last for long. :-)



-Andy



72 Pantera: power             91 Miata: quickness              96 A4Q: traction

84 RZ350: all the above