Michelins for 05-06 GTs?


I've seen two GTs recently on BaT with Michelin rears installed. I hadn't heard that appropriate tires other than Bridgestones are available. Are they? Or are will they fit but not quite right?
 

fjpikul

GT Owner
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Jan 4, 2006
11,764
Belleville, IL
Michelin does not make a correct sized tire for the GT. You can get them, but they are narrow and have a different sidewall size. We tried this years ago and begged Michelin to help us out but it fell on deaf ears. Niche market.
 
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PeteK

GT Owner
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Apr 18, 2014
2,530
Kalama, Free part of WA State
David: the sidewalls are significantly shorter than the original Goodyears or the Bridgestone Potenzas, thus the tire looks smaller in the wheel well and the speedometer reads higher. Even the Bridgestones are a little shorter than the Goodyears (about 1/4"), but they are the only game in town unless you change to custom wheels like HRE's or some such and go to 20" rear tires. If you do that, it opens up the number of rear tires of the correct diameter & circumference considerably, such as Michelin Pilot Sport Cups.
 

B.M.F.

GT Owner
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Jan 29, 2009
1,823
Minnesota
345-30-20 is the correct height for a 20'' wheel but they have nothing in 19's. you need to have a 28'' tire to be oem..
 

roketman

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Oct 24, 2005
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I put Forgeline 19’s and 20’s on with Michelin super-sports
Reality is if you go to 19th and 20s there’s lots of options
But I do believe the Bridgestone are an excellent tire on the stock rim set up
 
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Scooter

GT Owner
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Apr 15, 2009
168
Thanks for the tire input. Could my 19 year old tires blow any time now...? What tire brand / size should I purchase?
 
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extrap

GT Owner
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Jul 16, 2020
1,967
Gainesville FL
Thanks for the tire input. Could my 19 year old tires blow any time now...? What tire brand / size should I purchase?
I recently sold our 2006 Cobalt bow rider boat we barely ever used, with tandem axle and original tires, always stored inside, never outside or in the sun, and the tires looked perfect from the outside, but the 2nd time the buyer trailered the boat for a weekend vacation, only 20 miles from home one of the treads flew off, then a 2nd one, then 3rd and then the last one, all on the same trip and within a short time of each other. He said they still held air but the treads were gone - Yikes. I wouldn't gamble with tires that old on something I cared about or that could put people at risk. 6-8 years is prob the max for me. Maybe 10, in a limited use, no performance situation.

You should get the Bridgestones. Scroll down to Tires: https://www.fordgtforum.com/forums/threads/fgt-knowledge-base.38620/
 

Specracer

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Nov 28, 2005
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MA
Seeing an article like this almost gives hope (new Michelin tire for the Porsche CGT)

 
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fjpikul

GT Owner
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Jan 4, 2006
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I can see Ford doing this for us. Not.
 

2112

Blue/white 06'
Mark II Lifetime
I can see Ford doing this for us. Not.

I would be thrilled if Ford worked with Michelin to create Cup 2 tires for us (in 265 & 345 widths) and they were not free.
 

Ravage

GT Owner
Mar 24, 2007
89
ABQ
For those that actually drive their cars, just upgrade the wheels.

20221229_103606 (1).jpg20241019_101820.jpg50-DSC04617.jpg
 

PeteK

GT Owner
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Apr 18, 2014
2,530
Kalama, Free part of WA State
How long do those PS Cup2's last? In what kind of driving?
 

2112

Blue/white 06'
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I just can’t get over the short sidewall in those.
 

jammer

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Apr 19, 2016
192
For those that actually drive their cars, just upgrade the wheels.

View attachment 70449View attachment 70450View attachment 70451
Hot, Blue and Righteous
 
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ScottK

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
For those that actually drive their cars, just upgrade the wheels.

View attachment 70449View attachment 70450View attachment 70451

Wow. Beauty!!!!
 
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Ravage

GT Owner
Mar 24, 2007
89
ABQ
How long do those PS Cup2's last? In what kind of driving?
Not too aggressive and but not babied in any way. They've lasted but would like to try the PSS5 next time. Cups really fling the stones. Both far superior to the Goodyears.
 

Anthony

GT Owner
Dec 28, 2011
36
Arlington, Va
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roketman

GT Owner
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Oct 24, 2005
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ma.
Thanks for the tire input. Could my 19 year old tires blow any time now...? What tire brand / size should I purchase?
They are junk and not safe to drive on!!
Having done tire development I can tell you they are junk after 3-4 years no matter what the mileage is on them
 

Shawn

GT Owner
Nov 27, 2018
88
PA
For those that actually drive their cars, just upgrade the wheels.

View attachment 70449View attachment 70450View attachment 70451
What color is your car? Looks great!
 

roketman

GT Owner
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Oct 24, 2005
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I ran Hoosiers for many years, but it beat the crap out of your car. They’re so sticky. The pilot sport cup twos are a good option. They too are very sticky with only 100 tread I believe. If you are only using the car as a street car, ( not a track day car)the Bridgestone are clearly a great choice in the stock sizes. Another benefit is they are good in the rain. They have good tread wear but still a nice driving tire for Performance in 19 and 20s.
Another nice option in the 19/20 inch rim sizes is the Michelin super sport a really nice compromise between sticky and a high performance street tire. A plus is a good ride quality. Another good choice is the continental extreme sport 2. It has a 200 tread wear,has a great grip and handling characteristics. Also good in the rain. I believe that’s the best of both worlds. Sizing can be a little difficult with them however,
The popular tire today is the pilot sport 4S . I personally dislike these ties as when it comes to a performance tire or a soft side wall kills the handling characteristics they do give you longevity but with the sacrifice of nice cornering characteristics.
My advice go to YouTube or read about the different tires. I just mentioned.
 
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