Firestone is launching it's newly updated high performance tire, "Firestone Firehawk Indy 500". The prices are super low, with sizes for our Mustangs. Treadwear rating is high for a summer tire, 340. What do you know about this tire, for street/track use? Thoughts?

 

Does this fit on 13 GT with track pack wheels?

Currently rolling 245-40-R19 & 255-40-R19.
They only have 255-50-R19.

I ain't lowered. So I suspect it'll fit.

 

The do come in size 255/40 19, about $160.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes
Click on 'sizes' for more...

 

Boy they do have some great prices on 275/35R20s. Firestone has not had a great reputation over the last several years. Pics and ratings sound good. Keep us updated if you go for it?

 

reviews are excellent especially in the wet,i,m considering these tires within the next couple months 255 40 19

 

Was just about to place an order for MPPS for my spare (new)rims.. but for half the price might as well give these a try. Ordered them tonight in 255/40/19 and 285/35/19.
Be interesting to see how they work

 

---
I'll probably do the same shortly. Maybe even increase the fronts a bit to 265/40 19.

 

If the rears were available in 295 or 305 35, I'd have gone with 265/40 as well. IMO.. The 285/35 is to short to run any taller front tire. Which is the only reservation I had

 

---
Agreed, in a perfect world I would love 265 F, 295 R. Here are the diameters:
255/40 19 = 27.1"
265/40 19 = 27.4"
285/35 19 = 26.9"
295/35 19 = 27.1"
But MPSS in 265 & 295 gets $$. That's where this Firestone comes in. I'd like to increase front grip a little, I was thinking the 265s would give me 1/2" increase per front tire in width. You think that is a bad idea with only 285s in the rear?

 

For me the aesthetics are off, even with the 255/40 285/35 combo.... but I've learned to live with it, mostly because I wanted to go to 19's and stay close to the 27" height of the original tires.

When you look at the numbers... a 265/40 is roughly .39" wider than a 255/40 and when that width difference is spread across a 9" rim your'e more than likely not even going to get the full .39th of an inch on the road. There will also be extra sidewall flex from the taller side wall that may take away form the extra width gained

The overall diameter difference between a 285/35 and 265/40 is 0.5". With the 285 being the shorter of the two. That height difference is more than I care for.

Having said that, my car isn't tracked and I can get by without a wider front tire.

I currently run 255/40/19 and 285/35/19 MT street comps. From most angles it looks OK, but the straight on side view is meh

 

Thanks, 32V, you've helped me to understand 255/40 & 285/35 is the right combo. If I can go 265/40 & 295/35, and not go $$ broke, I will. Your GT500 looks great.

 

Tires arrived today... they were on back order so it took an extra week to get them. Hoping to get them mounted on my Ford Racing PP rims Friday

 

Got the tires mounted on the rims. So far I like them, balanced easy with minimal weights.

 

I put these on my 1990 convertible, about 2 months ago.
Very good street tire, good cornering hold but not great at straight line grip.
But for the price, can't beat them for a daily driver tire.
Mine are 225/55/16 (stock size)

 

That's sort of what I was hoping for... the other tire/rim combo is on MT uhp street comps. They corner reasonably well when warm... but don't hook that well in straight line acceleration. Same as the original good years
I've given up on finding a street tire that will hook

 

32v - I think we have the identical wheels, and now, tires, too. I'll post up picks of my new Firestones installed shortly. Price was pretty darn good, 255/40 19 = $159; 285/35 19 = $185. Plus Firestone had a sale this week (Nov Epic Event), so -$20 per tire on top of that.

 

Agree with your comment on Firestone's reputation. However, I replaced a set of Goodyear run-flats (terrible tires, BTW, after only 18K miles) on a '06 Corvette, with a set of Firestone run-flats primarily because of the price break at the time from Tire Rack. I was pleasantly shocked on how well they rode, handled in the wet (better than GY), and was only a tick behind on handling. After about 32K miles of hard use I was ready to replace them, and would have gone with another set of Firestones if I had kept the car. I just replaced the Continentals on my Ford Focus with a set of Firestone Indy 500's. So far so good , with the only comment being a flat-spotting tendency when cold which disappears after warming up.

 

Pics of mine installed, 255/40 19 & 285/35 19:

 

@PJR ...looking good. My car is hibernating so I didn't get a chance to try the new tires out, didn't even drive it to the tire shop. So I'd be interested in your thoughts on the tires after you've put a few miles on them

 

---
Thanks! So on the street, first impressions compared with MPSS...quieter, and less harsh ride. What I expected, since I thought the MPSS rode like rocks on the street. Steering feels lighter, sharper, crisper...so maybe the Firestone sidewall is different, but better, I think (I'm probably the only driver I know who did NOT like MPSS). So far I'm pleased. Next track events are in Feb-Mar-Apr, and I'll post up my results/impressions. One downer...the rim edge protection does not look that great, I wish it was better. But, as mentioned in previous post, prices are fantastic...255/40 19 = $159; 285/35 19 = $185. Plus Firestone had a sale (Nov Epic Event), so -$20 per tire on top of that.