295-50-15's

**Buzz** · February 11th, 2018, 07:31 AM

Hi guys, it's been a while. I've been busy with other projects and travel, so the rebuild of my accident-damaged 1988 Unique 427 kept being put on the back burner over and over again. I've finally committed to setting aside the time to get it done - at least most of it before I travel again in June - so parts have been ordered and I've begun work on repairing the the rear suspension.

I bought and disassembled a complete Series 2 3:31 Powerlock rear assembly and called Alan to get the correct measurements for shortening the axle shafts. When he informed me that 12" is the correct length for bolt-on wheels, I was surprised to find that my old ones, which I had decided not to re-use due to signs of twisting, were too long at 13.5" one side and 13.75" on the other. Because of the excess track, the old 275 60 15's on the back filled up the wells and to avoid rubbing in hard cornering I had the rear height adjusted up more than I would have preferred. I almost ordered a set of 255 60 15 Cooper Cobras so the rears could tuck in a bit more and allow a lower stance, but now that my rear track will be 3.25" narrower overall, I'm thinking of fitting 295 50's instead.

Any of you running 295's out back, and how do they fit - particularly if you have an older Unique with the narrow-hip rear fenders? Pics would be great if possible.

EDIT - this is what the 275's looked like on the rear.

I also plan on switching to a rear braced roll bar - plenty of available options for my right hand driver now that so many manufacturers are making passenger side bars.

**sracer5** · February 11th, 2018, 07:48 AM

I own #9135 , built in the mid 90s. I run 295/50/15 tires. They don’t rub !

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**Buzz** · February 11th, 2018, 07:51 AM

In that pic the rear end looks lower than it actually is, probably due to the uneven ground.

**Buzz** · February 11th, 2018, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by sracer5

I own #9135 , built in the mid 90s. I run 295/50/15 tires. They don’t rub !

Thanks sracer5! Just what I was looking for!

**pgermond** · February 11th, 2018, 08:30 PM

My car was built in 2003 - running 295/50's with no problem.

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**Buzz** · February 12th, 2018, 07:52 AM

Thanks Phil. Your 295's tuck properly into your wheel wells more than the 275's did on mine. My rubbing problem wasn't on the fender lips, though - the tires only made contact at the inner forward part of the well at the outer ends of the cockpit bulkhead. More of a tire diameter issue I suppose than width. The 295's are 1.5" smaller in diameter which will help and with the new, shorter axles the wider tires won't bulge out of the fenders.

**weaver** · February 21st, 2018, 01:44 PM

We run 295 50 on all 427 cars.

**wlewis** · March 1st, 2018, 07:29 PM

Alan, will the 295’s fit on a 9 1/2” wide Trigo wheel?

**weaver** · March 5th, 2018, 06:52 AM

Yes they will, that is what we use.

**wlewis** · March 5th, 2018, 08:02 AM

Thanks Alan. I hope all is well over there. I was hoping to make Homecoming this year, but as it turns out, Savannah Mustang Club, whom we help sponsor, is holding a show that same day. Maybe I'll catch it next year. By the way, how much did you Bama folks pay those Big ten refs???

**weaver** · March 5th, 2018, 11:56 AM

However much it took!!!

**wlewis** · March 5th, 2018, 02:14 PM

Rumor has it there are several new Uniques in Big Ten office parking lot.

**wlewis** · March 6th, 2018, 08:42 AM

Alan, what size tires are you using on the front?

**weaver** · March 6th, 2018, 02:22 PM

235 60 15, we like the Mickey Thompsons street radials.

**wlewis** · March 6th, 2018, 02:29 PM

Thanks for the info. My Yokohama Avids look brand new, have no dry rot and only have about 3000 miles on them. They look too nice to toss out, but are about 10 years old so I'm debating whether to replace them.

**wlewis** · April 23rd, 2018, 12:39 PM

Installed new Cooper Cobra tires. 235's on the front, replacing my old Avid 245's. Not sure I like them as them appear too narrow, but perhaps I'm just used to the 245 look. Regretfully, I didn't take before and after pics. Supposedly, the 235's are only 4/10" narrower than 245's, but the difference seems greater than that. Perhaps the published 4/10" is the difference between sizes of the same tire brand and model. The Coopers do appear to have balanced easier than Avid's. Minimal front end vibration at 60.

**RB60** · April 25th, 2018, 01:31 AM

Originally Posted by wlewis

Installed new Cooper Cobra tires. 235's on the front, replacing my old Avid 245's. Not sure I like them as them appear too narrow, but perhaps I'm just used to the 245 look. Regretfully, I didn't take before and after pics. Supposedly, the 235's are only 4/10" narrower than 245's, but the difference seems greater than that. Perhaps the published 4/10" is the difference between sizes of the same tire brand and model. The Coopers do appear to have balanced easier than Avid's. Minimal front end vibration at 60.

I plan on buying Cooper Mastercraft Avenger GT's for my Cobra. Is that what you bought?
If so, do you like them?

**spitfun** · April 25th, 2018, 04:23 AM

Here is my FIA with 295's. The car is chassis #9192 built around 15 years ago,no rubbing and look great. Rich

**wlewis** · April 25th, 2018, 07:10 AM

I believe mine are Cooper Cobra GT's. Only driven the car twice since installation, but so far they seem ok. Smoother than Avids. It's my understanding Cooper makes Mickey Thompson's 15" tires so I believe they are the same tire and a few $$$ less.