Slant Six Forum :: snow tires

Well, they make "all season" tires, and they make "winter season" tires, and they make "summer season" tires, but I don't know of anyone making "road construction season" tires.

Why does my Dart handle better? Is it because of the balance of the 74 Swinger? or the torque curve of the SL6 verses the 305 V8. We both have posi-traction rear ends and automatic transmissions. We both have two 50 pound plastic bags of play sand in the trunk behind the wheel wells. Both cars weigh nearly the same.

I have spent quite a bit of time in snow with rear drive cars set up for handling. The only thing that made them work at all were the limited slip rears. But then they are a handful to drive. When the back end isn't trying to pass you, it's trying to keep the car going straight while you are trying to turn.

It's the mushy suspension, not the tires making the A body work better.

Author:	sandy in BC [ Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:01 pm ]
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We can use studs here but nobody does because we have far more snow than ice.......and everyone had 4wd or awd.

Author:	SlantSixDan [ Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:11 pm ]
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Here in Southern Ontario, we are not allowed to use studs. They can have them in Northern Ontario, but we can't have them down here. This is an old law that completely ignores the existence of modern studs that don't chew up the roads like old ones did.

Author:	Reed [ Mon Dec 22, 2008 6:18 pm ]
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I just got some studded tires. They are legal in certain areas and at certain times of year in the United States. I am fairly certain studded tires aren't legal in Arizona, Louisiana, or Florida.

Author:	dartfordoor [ Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:44 pm ]
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In Illinois, you can't have studded tires since about 1974, they were great, as they gave good traction on my big block 1970 Baracuda, very light rear end or lack of...Jerry

Author:	70valiant [ Tue Dec 23, 2008 1:45 pm ]
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In Pa studded tires are legel from December 1st until April 15th. With the sure grip I dont need snow tires.

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Author:	Aggressive Ted [ Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:42 pm ]
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SL6 Dan, I have question for you.....we have about 12 to 18" of powder snow on top of ice and it is well packed down so it's pretty slick. My son got a pair of the Nokian Hakkapeliittas with the new style studs for his 1984 Trans Am. Very nice tire! His are the stock size tires for the wheels. I picked up a new pair of P225 60R-14 BF Goodrich T/A Radials and had them sipped at Les Schwab. They are mounted on 14" x 7" rims. Both of us went driving together in each others cars and my son says I have way more traction than he does. I half to agree with him. The T/A's pull harder and track like a cat even on very steep hills..... So we take my 74 Swinger out and leave his car at home because we have to go up and down some steep hills that have not been sanded. He wants to take his car up the pass for snow bording. Why does my Dart handle better? Is it because of the balance of the 74 Swinger? or the torque curve of the SL6 verses the 305 V8. We both have posi-traction rear ends and automatic transmissions. We both have two 50 pound plastic bags of play sand in the trunk behind the wheel wells. Both cars weigh nearly the same. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Author:	SlantSixDan [ Tue Dec 23, 2008 7:17 pm ]
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The A-body even in stock form is very well balanced in terms of weight, and has a more thoughtful suspension design than the GM F-body. If you were to compare both sets of tires on one car or the other, you'd quickly come to appreciate how much help those "not really meant for winter" tires are getting from the Dart's suspension design. Remember, it's not just the tread pattern that differentiates a winter tire from a 3-season type, it's also the rubber compound.

Author:	wjajr [ Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:08 pm ]
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Dan: Quote: Well, they make "all season" tires, and they make "winter season" tires, and they make "summer season" tires, but I don't know of anyone making "road construction season" tires. Fifth season: Mud...

Author:	wjajr [ Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:50 pm ]
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Aggressive Ted: Quote: Why does my Dart handle better? Is it because of the balance of the 74 Swinger? or the torque curve of the SL6 verses the 305 V8. We both have posi-traction rear ends and automatic transmissions. We both have two 50 pound plastic bags of play sand in the trunk behind the wheel wells. Both cars weigh nearly the same. I would bet that the front of the GM F body is a bit heavy. Also, the torque maybe more linier from the /6 then a GM small V8. You would have to look at torque plots from both engines. 8's tend to be jumpy at lower rpms than sixes. Your 2.76:1 rear helps with winter driving. Years ago the Maine State Police thought that V8 Mustangs & Camaros would be the answer to the underpowered Impalas & Crown Vics. of the late eighties. The first winter 90% of the pony cars were wrecked from sliding off slippery roads. I guess the cops couldn't handle them doughnuts. You need more than 50 pounds in the rear, it has to be over the axel not behind it, and with a sure grip equally distributed left & right.

Author:	sandy in BC [ Wed Dec 24, 2008 8:57 am ]
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I have both the Nokias and T/A s for my Valaint. In the snow there is no comparison.....none. The T/A s are a hard rubber compound......marginal for even summer driving IMHO. The Valaint with 4 Hakks was our snowboard racing team car for 5 years....it never failed to get us where we needed to go. Even the fabled Blizzacs are no where near close. The downside to Hakks are how long they last at 70f / 80 mph......

Author:	AnotherSix [ Wed Dec 24, 2008 9:42 pm ]
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Cars with stiff suspension, like a Transam, are much worse in snow and ice. A car with soft, base model suspension does much better. I have spent quite a bit of time in snow with rear drive cars set up for handling. The only thing that made them work at all were the limited slip rears. But then they are a handful to drive. When the back end isn't trying to pass you, it's trying to keep the car going straight while you are trying to turn. It's the mushy suspension, not the tires making the A body work better.

Author:	Aggressive Ted [ Thu Dec 25, 2008 3:22 pm ]
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Quote: I have spent quite a bit of time in snow with rear drive cars set up for handling. The only thing that made them work at all were the limited slip rears. But then they are a handful to drive. When the back end isn't trying to pass you, it's trying to keep the car going straight while you are trying to turn. It's the mushy suspension, not the tires making the A body work better. - AnotherSix Some other thoughts........ I have pretty stiff suspension, 8 3/4 posi rear end and new 6 leaf rear springs from ESPO with an extra heavy long leaf under the stock long leaf. It does not have alot of flex and rides a little stiff. I ordered a second extra long leaf from ESPO to help the cornering/handling. I drive about 70 miles a day on 2 lane twisty back roads out of the 120 mile round trip to work and back. It's also nice to have the heavy duty springs for hauling heavy loads and pulling a trailer. I can haul 500 lbs. in the trunk and the car still has a slight rake to it, not quite level. I must be the posi that is helping me get around if you think the sipped T/A Radials aren't that great of a snow tire.

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