69 Z28 radial tires

[Danzo]

Guys, looking to put a set of BFG Radial T/A's on a 69 Z28. going to use the stock 15x7's. What is the best tire size so there is no rubbing or any other BS. Stock suspension.
Thanks, Doc. 

[rich69rs]

Might not help you very much since I have 14" rims on my '69 RS, but I have  BF Goodrich Radial T/A Tires; size P215/70 R14 on my ride.  They were installed in 2007 and have about 8500 miles on them now - no issues at all.

[JohnF]

P215/65/R15 is very close to the original E70-15
                   John

[Gars68Tux]

Yep, as mentioned, 215/65/15 is a popular choice if you want something similar to OE size.

Here's the spec sheet with dimensions. https://tiresize.com/tires/BFGoodrich/Radial-TA.htm

[Hans L]

Useful Tire Conversion Chart:  https://www.errolstyres.co.za/vintage-car-tyre-conversion

[Stingr69]

Good stock size recommendations here.

I know the more aggressive profile 245/60/15 will easily fit the rear but the front will rub slightly at the front fender extension.  If you are willing to grab a small part of the front edge of the extension with a pair of pliers and gently fold it in about half inch it will clear.  No paint damage or permanent modifications here. 

If want zero contact you could run the 235/60/15.

[william]

Rally-Sports can have clearance issues at the left actuator bracket/shield.

[z28z11]

Rally-Sports can have clearance issues at the left actuator bracket/shield.

Amen. I've got 15 X 7's on the Z11, were on the car when I brought it home, rubbed horribly. I run 215/60R15 B.F. goodrich T/A's on it now, reasonable tire width, no clearance issues whatsoever. I like them as they are not obviously tall tires, more comparable to the lower profile Wide Treads. They fill the wheel openoiing better than the stock 14 X 7 YJ's - plus they don't rub.

Regards,
Steve

[KurtS]

Rally-Sports can have clearance issues at the left actuator bracket/shield.

I've always wondered - what is different on the left side vs the right? I'd think that they were symmetrical.

[william]

Ackermann steering?

Back in the day it was common to see a hole worn in the left actuator cover. Could be we only noticed that on performance models with E70 & F70 tires. Those cars often had fast-ratio steering, which had 1º more angle at full lock than conventional steering. 

[KurtS]

But both sides would have 1º more angle...
Something was asymmetric, somewhere.

[Vince]

When I had 235/60/15 radials on my '69 RS Z28 with 15x7 rally wheels the left front tire rubbed on almost full lock left turns and/or on uneven surfaces, but the right front never rubbed as far as I knew anyway.  I eventually switched to E70 15 bias ply reproductions.   No problem with them rubbing. 

[william]

I believe the Ackermann theory is that both wheels cannot pivot in the same arc.

Possible the uca mounts are positioned to accomplish that; the left side is slightly forward of the right. The extra 1º of angle on N44 cars [and 70 series tires] either creates the problem or makes it worse.

[KurtS]

Yes, the inside and the outside front tires follow different radii. That's designed into the steering linkage. But there still should be symmetry.

[Gars68Tux]

The added weight of the driver (left side) ?