Help...Tire sizes for proper stance and rake?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Middletown DE
Help...Tire sizes for proper stance and rake?
I am about to purchase a new set of wheels and tires from the Tire Rack, SSR GT 3'S 18x9.5 front & 19x11 rear. My question is what size tires will give me the best stance and look? Luke from the Tire Rack is a very knowledgable guy and he is suggesting I go with a 255/40/18 front and 285/35/19 rear (by the way I am going with Brigestone Potenzas for they seem like the best value.) . I however, was leaning toward 255/35/18 & 305/30/19 combo, because I wanted the widest looking tire I can fit (without tubs)for the rear. I mostly just do some spirited driving, car shows and maybe 3 or 4 passes a year at E-Town. I drive about 4,0000 miles a year on the car, so let's just say looks outweigh overall performance. I am afraid the 285's won't give me the desired "beefy" look in the rear, but I don't want to affect the proper rake of the car. Any opinions or help would be much appreciated. I need to pull the trigger on this deal today!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,101
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From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
I can't help you regarding the subjective qualities of your inquiry, i.e., how it looks, but use this calculator to understand the differences in the sizing and tire diameter of your various choices. The diameter will be key to the "rake", and this will also show you the sidewall height of the different tires, if that is what you mean by "beefiness". Good luck. The SSR GT3 is a beautiful wheel.
www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Personally, I would go with a 265 or 275/35-18 on the front, and a 305/30-19 on the rear. Shouldn't need tubbing and shouldn't rub, assuming the offsets of the wheels aren't weird.
www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Personally, I would go with a 265 or 275/35-18 on the front, and a 305/30-19 on the rear. Shouldn't need tubbing and shouldn't rub, assuming the offsets of the wheels aren't weird.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 184
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From: Middletown DE
Thanks for the link, I have all the specs as far as overall diam., tread width, sect width ect.
I guess I was looking for some people who are running 305/30/19's in the rear to get some real time feedback.
I have all the specs as far as overall diam., tread width, sect width ect.I guess I was looking for some people who are running 305/30/19's in the rear to get some real time feedback.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 838
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From: Maple Valley WA
St. Jude Donor '10
Tire rack has a handy spec sheet for all of there tires that will show you tire diameter as well. However, as long as you keep a slightly larger diameter in the rear, you can control that "raked" look by tweaking your suspension bolts ever so slightly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,071
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From: Goose Creek SC
I am about to purchase a new set of wheels and tires from the Tire Rack, SSR GT 3'S 18x9.5 front & 19x11 rear. My question is what size tires will give me the best stance and look? Luke from the Tire Rack is a very knowledgable guy and he is suggesting I go with a 255/40/18 front and 285/35/19 rear (by the way I am going with Brigestone Potenzas for they seem like the best value.) . I however, was leaning toward 255/35/18 & 305/30/19 combo, because I wanted the widest looking tire I can fit (without tubs)for the rear. I mostly just do some spirited driving, car shows and maybe 3 or 4 passes a year at E-Town. I drive about 4,0000 miles a year on the car, so let's just say looks outweigh overall performance. I am afraid the 285's won't give me the desired "beefy" look in the rear, but I don't want to affect the proper rake of the car. Any opinions or help would be much appreciated. I need to pull the trigger on this deal today!
I just looked up the specs on the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires that I Assume you are wanting. Based on the specs and your wheel size, I believe the optimum combo would be:
Front: 275/35-18 (25.6" diameter)
Rear: 305/30-19 (26.2" diameter)
Hammer
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Middletown DE
His recommendation is the 255/40/18(26.1" diam.) front 285/35 19 rear (26.7 diam.) ??
Le Mans Master
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From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
How can the car's rake be different????? Same difference in overall tire diameters....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 838
Likes: 17
From: Maple Valley WA
St. Jude Donor '10
The tire sizes Luke is recommending gives the same staggered diameter difference as what Hammer is recommending. They would just be slightly lower profile tires. And once again, take care of the "rake" with suspension, not tires. You aren't going to notice any real variation in the look of a tire with a .6" diameter difference.
Last edited by DannyG; Mar 14, 2007 at 02:00 PM.
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Race Director
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From: Pasco WA
Hate to say this, but Luke is full of crap. Get the setup suggested previously of 305/30-19, and 275/35-18. They'll look and work better than "Luke's" suggestion. I'd further suggest considering the Yokohama Advan Sports in those sizes.
Burning Brakes
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From: Regina Sask
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From: Mobile AL
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Mooresboro NC
Geez...I know this is an old post, but......I'm also switching wheels and tires. Going with 18s all around (can't find 17s or 19s anywhere for what I want). I'm concerned about the "rake" also. Would those 275s and 305s still work with all 18s???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Kelowna BC
Edit, by "all 18's" , yes, so long as they're the right width and offset.
Last edited by grantv; Jul 10, 2017 at 02:48 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Northville, MI
Rake is a measurement of suspension height and even with tires of the same diameter yo can still establish the correct rake. For convenience sake most measure rake at the front point past the front frame rail tie down to the height at the back of the rear frame rail. You want 5-9MM higher rear heights (about 1/4 to 5/16"). the ride height is controlled by the length of the spring bolts in the front and rear. If you have an even ride height do not run you car much past 125 mph or your car now becomes a wing and the front starts rising.
Tech Contributor
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
It is actually pretty simple.
Bill