Quick tire size question

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Apr 15, 2009 | 02:26 AM

kevin40zx

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2006

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From: Cincinnati OH

Quick tire size question

I'm getting wider rims in the front (17/ 9.5) as apposed to stock (17/8.5). I want a wider tire with correct sidewall hight to not throw off the speedometer. What do you guys recommend? I was thinking 255/40 or 255/45?

Apr 15, 2009 | 09:53 AM

RAL04VETTE

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Joined: Mar 2009

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From: Pinson Alabama

You can use this site to calculate outside diameter tire size.
http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp

Apr 15, 2009 | 11:49 AM

Gideon's_Test

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2006

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From: Holly, Michigan

Or...http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Apr 15, 2009 | 12:55 PM

kevin40zx

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2006

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From: Cincinnati OH

That answers my question.

Thanks to you both.

Apr 15, 2009 | 03:02 PM

Neumonic2002

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From: STL MO

St. Jude Donor '09-'10

Which tires are you going with? Your only telling us half of a story! LOL

Apr 15, 2009 | 03:23 PM

knyght4

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From: Boston MA

To my belief, the front tires size WON'T throw the speedo off - the rear tires will.

Apr 15, 2009 | 04:17 PM

Bill Dearborn

Tech Contributor

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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knyght4

To my belief, the front tires size WON'T throw the speedo off - the rear tires will.

You need to ensure the new front tire diameter remains at least a half inch smaller than the rear tire diameter. Other than that choose a profile that fits the rim. If you get the front diameter too large then the traction control will activate while you are driving.

A 255/45/17 will have a diameter of about 26.1 inches (varies slightly with mfg). The stock rear diameter is 26.8 inches so you should be OK with the sizes you stated.

Bill

Apr 15, 2009 | 04:41 PM

Russ K

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 968

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From: Regina Sask

I would use a 265/40/17 on the front.

Russ Kemp

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Apr 15, 2009 | 06:07 PM

kevin40zx

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2006

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From: Cincinnati OH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neumonic2002

Which tires are you going with? Your only telling us half of a story! LOL

Just street tires. Havn't decided which ones yet but I'll probably go with something cheap. I just put some sumitumo HTR III's on the back wheels (stock sizes) about two months ago. They are good so far. Really cheap on tire rack too. But I just bought some OE Wheels deep dish C6 Z06 replicas that are wider and figured I could get some more rubber on them for performance and looks.

I'll probably go with the 255/45/17. If I get wider tires on the back next tire change I will definetly go with the 265/40s.