Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval, and size Question

9

97blklsc

Registered
Hey All,

It's been a while since I've posted here...busy busy lately for me.

Anyway, Im hoping a few of you can lend some advice for the next set of (summer) tires on my Mark.

At this point, I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy a set of Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval tires. These are going on 17x9 Cobra-R's, and I'd like to run a staggered setup with 255/45/17 in front and 285/40/17 out back.

If anyone has experience with either this tire and/or fitting a 285/40/17 on a 9" wide rim, please share it here...I'd greatly appreciate it.

-Dom
 
Logres,

Thanks for the reply. I know 285mm is "technically" too wide for a 9" rim, but I also know of several instances where people have fitted 285 and wider tires onto 9" wide rims. I was hoping for personal experiences with either the tires themselves or the sizing.

Thanks for your input though. BTW, your avatar is f'ng hilarious!

-Domenic
 
97blklsc said:
Logres,

Thanks for the reply. I know 285mm is "technically" too wide for a 9" rim, but I also know of several instances where people have fitted 285 and wider tires onto 9" wide rims. I was hoping for personal experiences with either the tires themselves or the sizing.

Thanks for your input though. BTW, your avatar is f'ng hilarious!

-Domenic
Click to expand...

Your welcome. As for the tire width, it will probably fit, but I would be more concerned with performance and safety. Too wide a tire and the sidewalls will buckle going around corners.

You can shop for other brands of tires that allow fitment of 285 wide on a 9" rim. For example, I found that Kumho KH11s 235 wide can be fitted on our stock rims. I have since realized that they suck...because the sidewalls buckle when I go around corners.
 
I run firehawk wide ovals, which I bought because they are quite a bit "stickier" than most other street tires and they were reviewed well.

When I still had the 3.08 rear end they stuck extremely well, I would go as far as to say that they were extremely difficult to break free. Since I moved to the 3.73 gear set they no longer stick so well, however they perform well in a spinning situation, as you will find that they still deliver forward movement and will eventually "catch up" with themselves and grip.

If you are wanting to do smokey burnouts and make loud noises I would recommend another tire. These tires just don't seem to squeal at all, at the best they make sort of a buzzing sound, and getting any kind of smoke from them at all is a challenge.

They are a very good performance tire and they even have a fairly good wet and snow performance, although not as good as an all weather tire, of course. But it isn't like driving on skis, like when you are running Gatorbacks.

For the price I would say they are a good tire.
 
Devin,

That's just what I was looking for, thanks VERY much for the information. I plan on moving to a 3.73 rear axle ratio in the very near future, so your post was especially helpful. Thank you.

-Domenic
 
I ordered a set of these last week, and they should be in within the next few days. The staggered setup of 255/45/17 in front and 285/40/17 in back should look good if nothing else..hopefully these wear well enough that I won't have to buy new front tires next year.

Pics to come when they're installed...if the weather EVER decides to cooperate.
 
I ran 275s on a 9" rim... hell if ppl mount 255 on a stock 7" rim i am SURE a 285 will fit a 9" rim. It will not be a perfect fit ... but it will fit.
 
I did end up purchasing and mounting these tires, and I'm very happy with them.

As compared to my previous BFG tires, these seem to be a bit narrow for the marked treadwidth, but in terms of fit and performance I could not be happier.

The ride is firm but controlled, handling is MUCH better, traction is impressive, and the tire noise is noticeable but not fatiguing (and expected for tires this wide). The best part is that there is NO rubbing in front or rear. That, and the 285's look pretty badass from the back :D
 
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