235/60ZR15

[Carbuff]

I have an older sports car that was originally fitted with this size/speed rated tire.

I cannot find a summer tire in the Z speed rating...I would settle for an H rating but I can't even find those!

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[DuckRyder]

Summit racing shows a Pirelli P600 with a W speed rating.

I would advise you be sitting down when you look at the price...

 

[SatinSilver]

Capriracer can probably advise you, maybe send him a pm if he doesn't see this thread.

 

[NormanBuntz]

What year, make and model? Lots of tires listed in that size with S and T speed ratings at www.simpletire.com

 

[WishIhadatruck]

Tire Rack

How about this one? Summer tire, W rated.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Kenda KR15 HT is available in the size 235/60-15 with an H-rating

And they cost a lot less than the Pirelli P600

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

New/used wheels in a bigger size that would open up your options? What kind of car is it?

 

[JHZR2]

I wonder what close sizes would get you more options... you can run a tire size calculator, keep the speedometer error within 2% or less, and see what other sizes open up your options...

 

[Carbuff]

Thanks to all who have better SEARCH skills than I!

The car is a Lotus Turbo Esprit, 1988.



The Pirelli P600 are no longer produced according to Pirelli. For that reason, the Tire Rack notation that they expect additional stock after the fifth of Jan 2015 is suspect. (Yeah, I checked with them too.They couldn't confirm.)

I found some smaller vendors' websites that said they have the Pirellis (like Summit), but when you call them, you find that they don't.

Did the alternate Tire Size Calculator thing, didn't come up with anything else that would fit well on the stock rims (which BTW, have an uncommon offset due to inboard disc brakes). I tried a smaller size (225/60) last time and was not really happy with rear grip.

So from your answers, I think I'll investigate the Kendas (or the Mickey Thompsons which may not be too cool for the street), or look into new custom wheels (which a few years ago, would have cost $3000+ USD).

And yes, I perused CapriRacer's webpage!

 

[Nick1994]

Are you really going to be driving it 149+ mph? Amazon has some BFGs for a pretty good price but you won't be able to drive 149 mph.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Are you really going to be driving it 149+ mph? Amazon has some BFGs for a pretty good price but you won't be able to drive 149 mph.

It's probably more about construction. Most tires below H-rating aren't constructed as well, which translates to poorer handling/steering response.

 

[Carbuff]

Update, the Mickey Thompsons are drag radials. When I asked about speed ratings, they said "As fast as you can go in 1/4 mile".

 

[Carbuff]

Regards Pete's and Nick's comments above:

Yes, the desired rating is about construction, durability and steering response.


I will be attending a lapping day at Talledega Speedway this spring. Last time we did that, we needed to go 110 to avoid falling towards the lower apron.

As stated, places like Summit Racing say for the P600s: "Direct ship from manufacturer, allow 2 extra days". And I know that Pirelli doesn't have any.


(The BFG Radial T/A is a T rated, all weather tire, and other owners who tried them don't like them. Same goes for T rated Coopers and others.)

 

[Astro14]

I'm certain that a 215/65R15 is exactly the same diameter, but it will not have quite the cornering stability of the 235/60R15... you see, many years ago, I installed 235/60R15 tires in the place of the stock 215/65R15 on my 1985 Pontiac TA...and honestly, there wasn't much difference. I drove the car pretty hard (young fighter pilot with a T/A, go figure) but I didn't track it.

What do the Lotus owners recommend? Surely there are others with the same challenge?

Finally, have you searched the Coker tire web site? That's where I got tires 6.50x19 tires for the Packard.

 

[Carbuff]

Update...


Bit the bullet and ordered the P600s. Were in stock at a west coast tire shop.


Received the tires today, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were made recently (February 2016). I was afraid that they were going to be 2 - 3 years old.

They WERE expensive tho'! But not as expensive as new 17" wheels AND tires!


PS, yes, many of the early Lotus Turbo Esprit owners with 15" & 16" wheels are finding that proper tires are difficult to source!

 

[Rand]

Sounds like you did the best thing, Proper tires will affect grip more than 10mm of width.
but most choices in the surrounding sizes were very subpar for your use anyway.

Seems like you got a one off wonder.

The wheels you have are only for 1988 usa model. Due to the inboard brakes for the USA model transmission.
Aftermarket wheels are possible but only with 60mm!!!! spacers?

1987 and 1989 USA wheels were different as well as 1988 euro spec.

 

[Carbuff]

Originally Posted By: Rand


The wheels you have are only for 1988 usa model. Due to the inboard brakes for the USA model transmission.
Aftermarket wheels are possible but only with 60mm!!!! spacers?

1987 and 1989 USA wheels were different as well as 1988 euro spec.


I am aware of the above.

I was reluctant to fit ~2" rear spacers to accommodate other wheels (5 lbs each!)

Older Esprit Turbos have similar offset on 15" wheels, but different bolt spacing.

The wheels I was considering are custom made by Rotiform wheels, forged and pocketed, so almost the same mass as OEM even though they are wider to properly fit the 17" tires. They look similar to the "RuoteOZ" [SIC] wheels originally fitted.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

With Black Friday, you probably could get 15/16 wheels and tires for the price of those P600's! Regardless, glad you did get tires for your car. I hope you get many enjoyable miles out of them

I would've just bought the Kendas myself, or gone the 215/65-15 route suggested by Astro and used the Falken ZE950

Originally Posted By: Astro14
I'm certain that a 215/65R15 is exactly the same diameter, but it will not have quite the cornering stability of the 235/60R15... you see, many years ago, I installed 235/60R15 tires in the place of the stock 215/65R15 on my 1985 Pontiac TA...and honestly, there wasn't much difference. I drove the car pretty hard (young fighter pilot with a T/A, go figure) but I didn't track it.


A modern 215/65 would most likely be much better than any 235/60 (as the latter has essentially no choices other than the Kenda and the obsolete-spec P600's). Even though the OP's P600's were made in 2016, the tire model itself is old tech.

Something like the Falken Ziex ZE950 in 215/65-15 would most likely be a better choice than anything available in 235/60-15