Firestone Firehawk PV40 225/70VR 15

[Lonnie Wiggins]

I've noted the many discussions about tires, here, and the lamenting that there
doesn't seem to be a true high perfomance tire in 15" - at least in 225/70, for sharks (XWX's don't count - I can't afford them anyway).

I was stumbling around tire rack and ran across the Firestone referenced above, under "all season".

It's shown as a VR, with 320 A A ratings.

Does anyone know anything about this tire?

I found this interesting evaluation page:

http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:gJUOtKUjcmsC:www.nlectc.org/txtfiles/tirerpt.html+firehawk%2Bpv40&hl=en

It appears to be a police tire???

[Duke W.]

Re: Firestone Firehawk PV40 225/70VR 15

I reported obtaining a flyer from the Firestone/Bridgestone booth at SEMA on this tire last November. It is positioned as a "police pursuit tire". The tread design and UTQG ratings are similar to the Goodyear RSA, so I expect it's very similar to the RSA in performance, and the RSA a good all season performance tire.

I hope someone picks up a set and let's us know how they work, and when you're at shows you can whisper: Hey, check out my police pursuit tires. Ya, baby!

Just don't let the cops see 'em. The next thing you know your wheels and tires will be gone - supporting some aging Caprice police cruiser.

It's great that we can now buy V-rated 225/70R-15s all-season performance tires from three OEM suppliers - General, Goodyear, and Firestone.

Duke

[Duke W.]

And the winner is...

Excellent idea, Lonnie, to do the Google search. I saved the document, but it's too bad we can't get the tables and detailed data.

It looks like the winner in terms of dry performance is the Firestone, but it's interesting that this didn't hold true for the Crown Vic.

My scientific opinion is that if they work best on a 9C1 they will work best on a Corvette, but I don't think we can get that government price.

Duke

[Robert C.]

Re: Firehawk Design/Shinoda

The firehawk logo, graphics etc. was designed by Larry Shinoda.

[Lonnie Wiggins]

Duke Williams: Gov't pricing???

Duke:

Thanks for the thoughts. I don't know how valid they are, but one of the things I've been doing when tire checking on Tire Rack is clicking on the tire image and looking at the "colored" tire performance "ratings" at the bottom of the page.

I'm not sure where those come from, but assuming they have at least a little bit of revalency, I've noted that the Goodyears didn't seem to be very well regarded, performance wise. That's why I was interested in the performance report that I stumbled across, and I also wish they had "charted" the info.

But I don't understand your comment about pricing. I don't see any disclaimers regarding the $100 price - which I would gladly pay for the right tire.

Frankly, my regard for Goodrich radial TAs has always been only slightly higher than boat trailer tires :-). I"ve simply never thougth they perform very well...they just have a "look" and come in the right size. I'd gladly use a 225/70 vs 255/60 or 245/60, if the higher aspect ratio actually performed better. Of course, none of these are "restoration" tires, just what many use for "drivers".

Also frankly, I was a teenager enamored with XKEs and Ferraris, when the rally wheels were introduced. I know they're "original" and preferred, but I thought they were a cheap, crappy looking steel wheel in the 60's and I still do. OK, I'm an elitist snob.

My set of ralleys are stored in the garage with a set of old ....TAs :-( on them. Just for driving around, I had Center Line make me up a set of 17X8 Aztecs on which I've put 225/55WR European Goodyear GS-Ds - 27.1" high with right at 8" tread width (which I'll replace with 225/55 Potenza S-03s when the time comes). I don't know if it is wheel weight or tire design or both, but the improvement in ride was astounding. If you're interested, I'll email you a pic of the car.

[Duke W.]

Re: Duke Williams: Gov't pricing???

As I skimmed through that report I notices that the GSA price on one tire was listed at fifty-seven bucks. That's why I made the comment about pricing.

I was thinking of contacting my local police department to see if they could give me a lead on tire tests as the California Highway Patrol does their own testing, but I'm sure this federal test is just as valid. I might try to contact the agency and see if I can get a copy of the complete report.

The three tires tested are surely the best bet for replacement tires for a Shark and might be close to the XWX. They're a bit too big for a C2, but there are decent 215/70s that will fit.

I'm not sure how long these "police pursuit" 225/70R-15s will be around as the old 9C1 Caprices have mostly been retired and are being replaced with Crowns Vics that run a 16" wheel.

Send the pictures to dukewilliams@netzero.net.

Thanks again for unearthing that report!

Duke

[Ryan Wright]

Re: Firestone Firehawk PV40 225/70VR 15

We got a set on a 76 vette they seem great though the car isnt legal

Vette is stock L-48 with the Auto transmission

and we live in south florida
the tires are hard to spin though when it shifts hard you can hear them chirpcornering isnt bad, and they look great on it too

[Ryan Wright]

Re: Firestone Firehawk PV40 225/70VR 15

We got a set on a 76 vette they seem great though the car isnt legal

Vette is stock L-48 with the Auto transmission

and we live in south florida
the tires are hard to spin though when it shifts hard you can hear them chirp cornering isnt bad, and they look great on it too

[james Kekeisen]

Re: Duke Williams: Gov't pricing???

If you are not innudated with requests, I'd like to see a picture of that set up. I'm currently running the 225/70/15 Eagle RSA, which is what the Boston police cruisers use around here but only for their summer tire.

jkekeisen@intergen.com

thanks, Jim

[Terry M.]

government pricing

The GSA, and other government agencies, purchase tires in mass quantities from the lowest bidder. Some tire companies will sell to state police agencies at below their cost. Ever see the Goodyear ads with the state trooper touting their tires and the tagline "more state police run on Goodyear..."
If you find a way to get those kind of prices - let me know.

[George C.]

Re: government pricing

Please let me know too where to get those prices.

[David D.]

Re: government pricing

Terry, Most public utilities, municipalities and school districts also get the "government" pricing. Especially on high volume common everyday parts, like tires, oil filters, electrical and tune-up parts, etc. Dave