DeTomaso Mailing List: April 99, Message #68

Hi All,
OK - OK - I know we're not done with carbs yet and I'm sure you all have done 
this a hundred times already. I haven't looked in the archives for a couple 
of reasons. First I think this is an ever changing "thing" and I can't 
remember the second reason now that I am typing. I am looking for street tire 
size info - if that puts you to sleep because you've already done it so many 
times - I understand. If you have experience to share - read on!!

Here are some basics: My "new" car, 03766 is still in California. But feel 
free to ask any questions you want and I'll try to answer them. I'm planning 
to do some immediate things like redo the driver seat, pass inspection get 
registration - you know - the small stuff. 

Next I plan to put 10" Campys on the rear and either the 7" or 8" on the 
front. They'll all be 15." The car has Wilwood street brakes and warmed over 
351. I don't plan to do any kind of racing or rally things. I might get on it 
a little driving these great New England back roads, but that will be after I 
get a feel for understeer / oversteer / brakes and a few other things. I want 
a tire that will see pleasure dry pavement and possibly some rain. I don't 
want gum rubber although wear is not my most important consideration. I'm 
thinking V rated. This car is going to be a driver so comfort means something 
- noise doesn't. By comfort I know that there are very low profile tires that 
may handle like driving on a rail but these roads might make me feel like I'm 
driving on a washboard all the time so 60's are not out of the question for 
me. I do not want to throw the stock characteristics out the window, but 
wouldn't mind any improvement. i.e., I'd like front and rear to maintain the 
same ratio as stock 185-70X15 front and 215 or 225-70X15 within and inch or 
so. I'm sure ya'll know I got those sizes right from the road test!! I don't 
want to upset the front to rear weight shift on braking. I don't want to 
experiment by changing tires every weekend!! I am thinking 225-50X15 on 8" in 
front and 255 - 295-50X15 on 10" in rear. I know how to figure tire height 
and all that stuff, but would like some well rounded opinions before I 
decide. I am a visual kind of guy and you can laugh if you want, but the way 
they look is important to me - I don't think I'm up to that fender rolling 
with a baseball bat. I'd like them to look like they belong there - pretty 
much match the circumference of the fender cutout radius. I like Goodyear or 
Goodrich, but want everyone to holler at me for a few days. OK - OK - those 
are my ground rules. Now let me know what you think and I'll put the results 
in some kind of format at the end of a few days and post it without names. 
Thanks in advance - Scruff ~ 03766 (almost in transit!!)