205/60r15 Performance Tires? Non existent now?

HamiltonSeth · 08-13-2019, 11:05 AM

Looking for some new rubber for my 3.3L twinplug 69t and I cannot seem to find a quality performance tire in 205/60 15. I see the Dunlop Direzza DZ102 as the next size down at 205 55 15, then plenty at 205 50 15 but the 50 sidewall is so short. Any advice out there? I like the classic look of a meaty tire and tall sidewall. Going on 7" Group 4 Compagnolo on my factory narrow body. The car never sees anything but sunny Southern California weather so no need for an all weather tire. I'm even open to DOT R racing tires, but cant find much.

Thanks for the help!
Seth

cmcfaul · cmcfaul's Garage

OEM were 70's going below 60's looks goofy and messes up the gear ratio (takes 4k RPMs to go 60 mph). I ended up going to 16 in fuchs and the lower profile, highest performance rubber. looked better and performed better then the 15's. I fitted the 15's with super low profile slicks for DE's.

Just a suggestion

Chris
73 E

Cory M · 08-13-2019, 01:16 PM

look at the Pirelli P6000, they come in 195/65/15 and 215/60/15

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=P6000

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

My 85 came with 15s and I loved them. Then the decent street performance tires all went away. I had to go to minivan tires for my last set. 400 treadwear mud and snow rated tires suck on a sports car.

All that was left were autocross specials and M&S rated tires. Since I drive my car on long road trips, autocross tires are just not an option.

I gave up, and bought the fake Fuch in a 17 inch size, Euromiesters. Great tire selection and now on my 85 911 with stock fenders I have much bigger tires, and a ton more traction. They are heavier, but with 225-45-17 up front and 255-40-17 in the back it looks right, and the speedometer is dead nuts on correct.

I know that is not an answer for you. I think your only choice is to call Coker tire and they will have the old tire types in the right size, but they are expensive. Coker has the original rubber formulas and the legal licenses to make new tires just like the old tires. Or get new wheels.

darrin · 08-13-2019, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmcfaul

OEM were 70's going below 60's looks goofy and messes up the gear ratio (takes 4k RPMs to go 60 mph). I ended up going to 16 in fuchs and the lower profile, highest performance rubber. looked better and performed better then the 15's. I fitted the 15's with super low profile slicks for DE's.

Just a suggestion

Chris
73 E

Chris:

Keep in mind that the "70s" (as in 185/70-15) is sidewall height as a percentage of tire width. So, a 185/70-15 (which Porsche classic lists as stock for a '69 911 with 15" rims) has a 129.5mm tire height and a 205/60-15 has a 123mm sidewall height, and a 215/60-15 has a 129mm sidewall height.

manbridge 74 · 08-13-2019, 02:55 PM

So much more fun with the low gearing and basically the exact same width with a 205/55-15 or 205/50-15 in sticky rubber. My advice is to rock that gap like Linda Carter! 16s and heavy replica wheels are for the stancers....

HamiltonSeth · 08-13-2019, 04:18 PM

All great feedback, thank you guys.

HamiltonSeth · 08-13-2019, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory M

look at the Pirelli P6000, they come in 195/65/15 and 215/60/15

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=P6000

Any experience with these? Fairly mixed reviews.

Arne2 · Arne2's Garage

Check availability closely, Pirelli has apparently discontinued the P6000.

Cory M · 08-13-2019, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamiltonSeth

Any experience with these? Fairly mixed reviews.

No I haven't used them. I considered it though. I decided on Toyo R888 in wider sizes, they were about half the price and I'm happy with them.

Tire rack shows the pirelli p6000 in stock, but not too many left.

Driven97 · 08-14-2019, 03:33 AM

They're not modern performance in the sense of the hot 200tw tires, but the BFG Radial T/A is still made in the old-school 15" sizes. They even have a 295/50-15.

A little more of a ~1970 muscle car vibe to them, but choice is pretty thin these days.

HamiltonSeth · 08-14-2019, 06:30 AM

I just came across these Vredestein Sportrac 5 tires in 205 60 15. No experience or knowledge of the tires but they look like a good option

https://www.vredestein.com/car-suv-van/tyre-finder/tyres/product/1/205/60/15/895-sportrac-5

dwelle · 08-14-2019, 09:11 AM

CR6ZZ | Avon Motorsport

avon has them in a 215, and would look great on a '69. you could squeak them in the back with some negative camber but the front would be troublesome. these are sticky, vintage style tires.

looking at the specs, you could likely get away with the 175/70-15 if you're running 6's. or perhaps 175 front 215 rear if you're running staggered 6 & 7's. the two sizes are almost the same height.

they're not cheap....

icarp · icarp's Garage

I run The Vredestine sport trac 5 on my RS clone . 195/65 /15 front and 225/60/15 rear .
I have 25 k miles on them and 5 rally weekends 6 track days and they have 40% tread left .
Just ask any of the guys that were running the toyo r888's how well they handle .
I caught almost all of them . last track day was TX Hill country rally.Viper Green RS Clone

icarp · icarp's Garage

OOPPPsss for got the link
https://www.vredestein.ca/car-suv-van/tyre-finder/tyres/product/3/895-sportrac-5

HamiltonSeth · 08-14-2019, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icarp

I run The Vredestine sport trac 5 on my RS clone . 195/65 /15 front and 225/60/15 rear .
I have 25 k miles on them and 5 rally weekends 6 track days and they have 40% tread left .
Just ask any of the guys that were running the toyo r888's how well they handle .
I caught almost all of them . last track day was TX Hill country rally.Viper Green RS Clone

So they are on par with the r888?

HamiltonSeth · 08-14-2019, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwelle

CR6ZZ | Avon Motorsport

avon has them in a 215, and would look great on a '69. you could squeak them in the back with some negative camber but the front would be troublesome. these are sticky, vintage style tires.

looking at the specs, you could likely get away with the 175/70-15 if you're running 6's. or perhaps 175 front 215 rear if you're running staggered 6 & 7's. the two sizes are almost the same height.

they're not cheap....

Yes, these are becoming a strong consideration. I’m already way over budget on the car, can’t cheap out on tires!

cmcfaul · cmcfaul's Garage

Darrin, 215's would not fit on my car which was lowered a bit. 205's 60's had a couple MM's of clearance in the rear and would just barely rub at full turn in the front. Good info about total tyre height. That 6.5 MM of difference was noticeable, especially as the tread wore down. both in appearance and gear ratio. Just real world experience / impression.

Chris 73 E

darrin · 08-15-2019, 10:41 AM

Chris -- thx for the follow-up and confirmation that differing tire heights' effect on acceleration/gear ratio can be clearly felt. Would be a shame if the power gains realized by the OP's hotrodding of his engine (twinplug/3.3l) were eaten back up by an unnecessarily tall tire choice.

HamiltonSeth · 08-15-2019, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmcfaul

Darrin, 215's would not fit on my car which was lowered a bit. 205's 60's had a couple MM's of clearance in the rear and would just barely rub at full turn in the front. Good info about total tyre height. That 6.5 MM of difference was noticeable, especially as the tread wore down. both in appearance and gear ratio. Just real world experience / impression.

Chris 73 E

Good info, thank you. My car is quite low so I would be concerned about pushing 205s out front unless 50 sidewall, maybe 55s max.

Im running 185 65 15 front and 205 60 15 rear now without any issue. Just looking for a stickier rubber, maybe more width up front if possible.