Archie

Yeah, man, I can't stand some of the crap people post on these forums now. You have to sift through all the BS to find some real info. And then you have people like BluebaltJim that just copies and pastes crap from other websites, that may or may not be true or outdated.

For instance, he has P rated and Z rated tires as the lowest and highest rated, respectively. For one, P rated tires are not made by any of the major tire manufacturers anymore. They are extinct.

And two, Z rated tires do not exist. They did back in the 80's for tires over 168mph, but not anymore. The highest speed rated tire is actually a Y in paranthases, like this (Y), not Z.

False. A higher speed rated tire, is required by law to perform better.

And apparently, since no one knows. The tire's speed ratings are designated by one very important test. This test is high speed failure. The tires are run at their intended speed at maximum pressure, for one hour. If it doesn't deform, detred, chunk, have any irregularity, or blow up, the tire is deemed safe.

And Jim, you forgot to mention that Load Index is actually more important than Speed Rating. This is because the average joe will not exceed the speed rating of the tire for 1 hour, but the average joe will overload their vehicle's max weight whenever they get the chance.

Jim- This is the most important part of everything that you posted. This cannot be stressed enough, because there are so many people that look at the sidewall of their tires, and fill it up to that pressure. Then, once they get on the freeway, take a 6 hour road trip, the tires heat up, the air inside expands, resulting in 5-10 psi higher, and... BOOOM!! Tire failure. Then the customer comes back and says "Your tires are defective, I want full reimbursement." Morons.

Acomplishing my quest to spread true knowledge, one thread at a time.

Cougar

Centerline rims would be the way to go. Even though I don't own a set, I have heard great feedback on them. Their 17's are I believe 15 lbs. And are made from billet so you know that they can hold.

http://www.centerlinewheels.com/whee...d=36&sw_id=262

~~Alex

Black07LS

Centerlines an nice but out of my price range.I want to stay at about $100 each for rims. http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...53014_-1_36661

IonNinja

good luck then

better start lookin at some 15" Rotas

jo07

Less Rotations per mile = Greater distance traveled per rotation

Less Rotations = Less Gas Consumed

Less gas + Greater distance traveled per rotation = Better MPG

Black07LS

15" Falken Hanabi (11 pounds) $95
17" Flik ftd (17 pounds) $89
17" Flik Wasp (19 pounds) $99
http://edgeracing.com/2005/Chevrolet/Cobalt/wheels/17/

bluebaltjim

hey i just like throwing gas on fire, and you seem like one of those people who are easily agitated, i cant be expected not to give you something to flame about. you seem to enjoy it soooo much.

Archie

Eh, I just had fun with it that day. I really don't get agitated very easy, and will usually stay out of certain discussions. But when someone is posting incorrect info on tires, something I know a lot about, I have to make sure people know.

I'm really not such a bad guy.

I currently have the Falken Hanabi's in the 17"x7.5", only 16.94lbs. Then I slapped on some 235/40R17 BFG G-Force Sports, and now the car accelerates faster, and handles 100 times better.

Black07LS

Pics? That would be my first choice but out of my budget. The specs for 235/40/17 say at least 8' rim, so you would be better off with a 17"x8.5" (flatter contact patch) but good luck finding a set to fit a Cobalt + $$$.
OK 17" Hanabi's and 235/40/17 Nexen N3000's about $765 shipped. Thats about $65 over budget but I'm not going to buy 'til income tax time anyway, so I might get this setup. Will this fit with springs? I like the Progress springs (1.5"F-2"R) or maybe just SS/SC springs with the 235's

Archie

This is the only pic I have with my wheels, but its a pretty good one. I should take a pic from the back, everyone says that the tires are almost too big for the LS ass. But wider is better. And 235/40R17 fits just fine, without any rollover. For wheels and tires, i paid just about 1200 total. I got the wheels through Big-O, and the tires I got BFG G-force Sports at Costco.

And as you can see, I need to lower my car. But I'm not gonna just simply lower it, I am going to get the entire FE5 suspension. So it will be the same height and handling as the 2.0L. Maybe better handling, since it is lighter.

Black07LS

Look's good. Bronze rims would look better IMO. but if we all liked the same thing our cars would all look the same. Life would be BORING. As for the suspension work...HELL YA you da man! Now I think I'm going to get the Hanabi's (Bronze :p) and the Nexens. this could change by the time I get the $$$. I think I know how your tires look from the rear, just in the wheel well at the top and sticking way out at the bottom? I had a Cavalier with 225/50/16's, thats how it was. How is this setup in rain? Wide tires=hydoplaning

Archie

Yeah, I was about >< this close to getting the Bronze rims, and then thought last second, they would either look sweet, or they would clash with the orange, and look like crap. But I'm very happy with the wheels. Falken makes some high quality stuff. They are forged, and have a very durable clear coat. No chips at all, and I've put on about 6000 miles.

Exactly on the look of the car from the rear. Barely in the wheel well at the top, but way wide, almost beaner, at the bottom. (No offense)

This setup is sweet in the rain. I got up the courage one day while it was raining hard(happens like twice a year in AZ) and went out on the open freeway, took it up nice and steady to about 100, all the while, changing lanes back and forth. NO HYDROPLANING at all. I think it has to do with the tread design. Not only are they directional, which is always better in rain, but they have two circumferential grooves down the center that are real deep. They help to keep some tire on the road at all times. Just be careful when hammering hard off the line with them in the rain, the little bit of torque steer that I have becomes very noticeable. To be honest, once you get the hang of it, its actually kind of fun.