Front tire question
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 57
Likes: 8
From: Saint louis Missouri
Front tire question
I have a 93 standard coupe with 8.5 inch front rims. I am running 255/45/17s on the front. Im not a fan of how tall the sidewalls are compared to the rears. I guess I have a couple questions really.
1 can I safely fit a wider tire on the same rim and if so what size
2 if I go with a lower profile tire will it effect what width tire I would need to use
I've done a little research on this but the more I read the more confused I seem to get. Any advice or tips would be appreciated.
1 can I safely fit a wider tire on the same rim and if so what size
2 if I go with a lower profile tire will it effect what width tire I would need to use
I've done a little research on this but the more I read the more confused I seem to get. Any advice or tips would be appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
I have a 93 standard coupe with 8.5 inch front rims. I am running 255/45/17s on the front. Im not a fan of how tall the sidewalls are compared to the rears. I guess I have a couple questions really.
1 can I safely fit a wider tire on the same rim and if so what size
2 if I go with a lower profile tire will it effect what width tire I would need to use
I've done a little research on this but the more I read the more confused I seem to get. Any advice or tips would be appreciated.
1 can I safely fit a wider tire on the same rim and if so what size
2 if I go with a lower profile tire will it effect what width tire I would need to use
I've done a little research on this but the more I read the more confused I seem to get. Any advice or tips would be appreciated.
Theoretically there's very little difference in the "section height" of the 255/45 and 285/40 - 114.75mm(255) vs 114mm(285) - Squish of the section height might certainly be reduced by air pressures but to the point of a visual?
Maybe you can better explain what it is you're NOT A FAN OF? If you've done 275/40 on the rears rather than 285/40 then there's 4.75mm difference with the 275/40 being 110.
275 on the 8 1/2 by many but most aren't happy. Lesser quality tires might generally appear better. Check wheel widths that vary manufacturer to manufacturer for their tires.
Consider buying 2 - 9 1/2 to match the rears an d run 4 X whatever you like.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 202
From: Trinity FL
Theoretically there's very little difference in the "section height" of the 255/45 and 285/40 - 114.75mm(255) vs 114mm(285) - Squish of the section height might certainly be reduced by air pressures but to the point of a visual?
Maybe you can better explain what it is you're NOT A FAN OF? If you've done 275/40 on the rears rather than 285/40 then there's 4.75mm difference with the 275/40 being 110.
275 on the 8 1/2 by many but most aren't happy. Lesser quality tires might generally appear better. Check wheel widths that vary manufacturer to manufacturer for their tires.
Consider buying 2 - 9 1/2 to match the rears an d run 4 X whatever you like.
Maybe you can better explain what it is you're NOT A FAN OF? If you've done 275/40 on the rears rather than 285/40 then there's 4.75mm difference with the 275/40 being 110.
275 on the 8 1/2 by many but most aren't happy. Lesser quality tires might generally appear better. Check wheel widths that vary manufacturer to manufacturer for their tires.
Consider buying 2 - 9 1/2 to match the rears an d run 4 X whatever you like.
I am running 17x9.5" wheels around with 285's. Great combo.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
9 1/2 X 4 was an OE option with various RPO options. You need to only make sure you purchase pairs in regards to "rotation". There's left side and right side applications for OE "saw-blades".
OP mentioned '93 so it would be assumed he has "machined face saw-blade wheels".
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jan 15, 2016 at 07:31 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
9 1/2 X 4 was an OE option with various RPO options. You need to only make sure you purchase pairs in regards to "rotation". There's left side and right side applications for OE "saw-blades".
OP mentioned '93 so it would be assumed he has "machined face saw-blade wheels".
OP mentioned '93 so it would be assumed he has "machined face saw-blade wheels".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I also went with a square setup on my '96. I found a set of 17" x 9" Camaro SS wheels (A molds) and have 275/40/17 tires on them too. These wheels seem to be pretty common to find used at good prices and they look identical to the Corvette 8.5" or 9.5" wheels.
You can also check some sites like Tire Rack. Each tire manufacturer recommends the size rims they can be mounted on if you click on the specs page. Some differ between brands for the same size tire. For example a friend had 8.5" C5 magnesium wheels on all four corners and found that the 275/40/17 Goodyear GSC included the 8.5" as a recommended rim for that tire while almost all of the other brands recommended a minimum of 9" rim.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 57
Likes: 8
From: Saint louis Missouri
Theoretically there's very little difference in the "section height" of the 255/45 and 285/40 - 114.75mm(255) vs 114mm(285) - Squish of the section height might certainly be reduced by air pressures but to the point of a visual?
Maybe you can better explain what it is you're NOT A FAN OF? If you've done 275/40 on the rears rather than 285/40 then there's 4.75mm difference with the 275/40 being 110.
275 on the 8 1/2 by many but most aren't happy. Lesser quality tires might generally appear better. Check wheel widths that vary manufacturer to manufacturer for their tires.
Consider buying 2 - 9 1/2 to match the rears an d run 4 X whatever you like.
Maybe you can better explain what it is you're NOT A FAN OF? If you've done 275/40 on the rears rather than 285/40 then there's 4.75mm difference with the 275/40 being 110.
275 on the 8 1/2 by many but most aren't happy. Lesser quality tires might generally appear better. Check wheel widths that vary manufacturer to manufacturer for their tires.
Consider buying 2 - 9 1/2 to match the rears an d run 4 X whatever you like.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Rockland County NY
I need new rear tires. Seems like many are happy with the Continental DWS. This is a street car so I don't need the 285's and can go with the 275 - many more options anyway. But I see people talking about using 285 on the front too. Currently, I have original spec 255/45's on the front. It seems like 285's would stick out noticeably. Comment?
Any comment on the - BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S? One advantage is that they are not direction.
Any comment on the - BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S? One advantage is that they are not direction.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I need new rear tires. Seems like many are happy with the Continental DWS. This is a street car so I don't need the 285's and can go with the 275 - many more options anyway. But I see people talking about using 285 on the front too. Currently, I have original spec 255/45's on the front. It seems like 285's would stick out noticeably. Comment?
Any comment on the - BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S? One advantage is that they are not direction.
Any comment on the - BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S? One advantage is that they are not direction.
If you use the 17x9.5" wheel on all 4 corners and the same size tires (either a 275/40 or 285/40) you will then be able to rotate the tires front to rear for better tread life. A 275/40 size would be a better choice simply because of availability of that tire size. Find a pair of 17x9.5" wheels (make sure the pair is one Left and one Right wheel; they are marked.) and then start your tire search.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 3
From: Rockland County NY
The 285 tires won't "stick out" anymore than a 275/4o would.
If you use the 17x9.5" wheel on all 4 corners and the same size tires (either a 275/40 or 285/40) you will then be able to rotate the tires front to rear for better tread life. A 275/40 size would be a better choice simply because of availability of that tire size. Find a pair of 17x9.5" wheels (make sure the pair is one Left and one Right wheel; they are marked.) and then start your tire search.
If you use the 17x9.5" wheel on all 4 corners and the same size tires (either a 275/40 or 285/40) you will then be able to rotate the tires front to rear for better tread life. A 275/40 size would be a better choice simply because of availability of that tire size. Find a pair of 17x9.5" wheels (make sure the pair is one Left and one Right wheel; they are marked.) and then start your tire search.
I think this is more of a question for next time I replace the fronts as I have plently of tread left on those.
