good news day

[justjon]

Re: good news day

6 year old tires still V rated? Isn't that what rubber fatigue is all about? What's safer new Uniroyals or old Michelins? how about at 100 mph? Which would you bet your life on across Nevada.

[tbird6t4]

Re: good news day

It's capable of 145mph alright. White knuckle time.

Anyway, I learned something today, I did not know the Michelin tires are V-rated.

LM

While I have not had my car quite up to that speed, I can tell you that the car with the original Michellen tires on it hanled like a champ on the Nashville speedway at some 100+ mph. It was so stable I could take my hands off the wheel in the straight aways.

Now that was fun, fun, fun especially when I passed the pace car. We were not supposed to go above 65 mph........the devil made me do it!


However my wife is still having nightmares, since she was in the car too!

BTW I now have Pirelli P-Zero Nero's on it!

[Sandman]

Re: good news day

Hi Ron

It was one of the items that I was suspecting could be causing exhaust fumes in the car, since they do not go past the end of the car. Plus, there is the cosmetic side, in that I like the looks of more prominent tips. Otherwise, I have left it stock. Really wanted to keep it stock, but I want to think I have eliminated every possibility of ever having to deal with fumes in the car again. If I heard right, they are 1 7/8. I told them I did not want some bazookas sticking out the rear, so I think they are the same diameter. They are going to be welded on just like the stock units. I do now know what they cost.

Bruce,
The stock tips are 3" in diameter and I would recomend having them stick a bit past the bumper if you are having an issue with exhaust fumes. I always thought that the stock tips were a bit anemic looking thats why I went with the 3 1/2" diameter. Personal taste.

[Will]

Re: good news day

It's capable of 145mph alright. White knuckle time.




LM

I believe I recall reading on an earlier post by Dot that the transmission has a limiter chip in it: top speed is 135 mph. Dot?

[bgl]

Re: good news day

Ron--will let you know when I get into it.

I purchased a wheel to replace the damaged one on the L front. Unfortunately, it was stored on my mom's farm--18 miles away. Last night, I decided to go and get it. I dressed in snowmobile gear, which was a good choice, as it was -13F when I got out there. The driveway was not cleared, so had to walk to the place. When I got there, the door to the shed was covered with snow--had to shovel it out. Then, to find it was frozen in a couple inches of ice. So, a few gallons of hot water later, I got it to open enough to get into the shed and get the wheel out. Then, I had to carry it back to the car through the snow. Not easy. But, have it now, so things should be a GO! Another tough winter.

[merlot4]

Re: good news day

Boy, you seriously wanted that wheel and no excuses! I'm impressed. Really.

[Skip]

Re: good news day

I replaced the original Michelins on my '02 last summer before the 55th anniversary event & KT@G. I did it only because they were 9 years old and thought it was time, especially with all the driving planned for the summer. The tires had about 24,500 miles on them. I was told that I was the talk of the shop at my dealer when they were replaced as the techs wondered why I replaced perfectly good tires that looked like they were new with new tires. I probably could have gotten another year or two out of them, but didn't want to take the chance. I kept the tires, thinking they might be good for someone with a car that got very low usage or was displaying the car only. I'm probably going to have to replace the tires on my '08 Taurus X with just over 34K miles because the OEM Pirellis are about shot. I will certainly consider Michellins because of the good track record I experienced with the TBird. Pirellis are not even on the list-these are the worst tires for wear and noise I have ever had. The last company car I had full term, an '05 Impala, had Goodyears (sorry, I don't recall the model of the tire) and I got over 70K miles from them. Of course, the fleet leasing companies do push the envelope on tires, but these were just getting a little edgy at that point.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: good news day

There are lots of reasons to prefer one tire to another and I'd never try and suggest that the original Michelins are the perfect tire for all situations. If you drive aggressively and can live with the idea they won't last nearly as long......the Z rated Goodyear GTs are my personal favorite.

How-ever........ the tire dealer who suggests that the OEM Michilin Pilots are "low end".......... is either a dishonest sales-person looking to sell you something else or a complete moron who doesn't know his own business.

The OEM tires on that came on your car are actually very good tires and arguably the best all around tire you can buy for the T-Bird. They corner as well or better than most, they are quiet and they'll out last most others.

[bwlewis]

Re: good news day

Skip, they were probably Goodyear RSA's if I know the State of Maryland.