Suspension / ChassisQuestions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?
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Pending a nice new ad contract on my web site, I'm treating myself this Christmas and looking for some new wheels, and obviously new tires, for my 91 Firebird (in sig)
I'm currently eyeing the 17x8 IROC chrome wheels, I can get a set for $800 to my door. Not too bad.
However I really want to go with 275s this time around, not only because they look mean as hell, but traction and treadwear will be better (from what i understand).
I am just wondering, will 275 width tires fit comfortably on the 17x8 rims or will I need to go down to 255 or 245?
Also...I have a 4th gen rear end swap. I know the built-for-thirdgen (and hence +0 offset) wheels will bolt on just fine to the 4th gen rear end (my stock ones are fine, they stick out just enough to look good), but will the 17x8 wheels and 275 series tires make them stick out a lot more (if so, how much more on each side)? I am running the stock 15" Firebird wheels on my car right now...I have no idea how wide they are but I have 215 tires on them.
All answers are appreciated...thanks.
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Current Mods: 17x9 SLP Camaro SS chrome wheels with Fuzion ZRi 275/40-17 tires, Edelbrock Open Element air filter, 3.23/posi rear end, rear LT1 disc brakes, WS6 front and rear 36/24mm sway bars, Tokico HP shocks and struts
mine fit fine...now problems at all...I have P275/40/R17's all the way around...no buldging no rubbing...
__________________ 1991 Z28 Camaro Air Ride/INTRO Wheels 1999 30th Anniversary WS6 Trans Am #357 of 1600 Produced 2008 HHR SS 318 H.P. LNF 2.0 Turbocharged
Are there more people who have fit 275s on an 8-inch-wide wheel, or especially those who have fit that wheel/tire combo on a car with a 4th gen rear end...
Originally posted by Kandied91z what tire. you can try and fit many ranges of sizes if you really wanted too. why not fit the tire properly?
Guess I just got lucky then. Before I got my wheels, I checked with a few members on here...and they said the the 275's would fit fine on a 8 inch rim, but wasn't recommended. If I would have gotten alot of negative feedback about putting a 275 on a 8 inch rim...then I wouldn't have went that route. I've heard the a 255 is about the maximum you can go on an 8 inch rim...and if the 275's wouldn't have "properly" then I would have went with a different size.
Last edited by Sickness91Z28; 12-21-2004 at 02:45 PM.
i'm not telling you what tire to run, they do look alright from any pictures i've seen. any tire calculator and nomral fitment chart will tell you 275 is suited for a 9.5 rim. things change obviously when your running strictly at the track but why run wider then needed as it just slows you down.
either way if it fit thats good. here is a tire calculator anyone can use to check there setups.
I know they will fit, now will it be a good idea, i don't know, but i probably wouldn't do it.
FWIW my brother had some 265/50-15 Goodyear Gatorbacks on some 7" wide wheels. It looked mean as hell but the tire really bulged.
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then again, I guess it depends how your car will be used. If your going to race it...if your going for all show...if your going for an everyday driver...it all depends. I went for all show....so..275's didn't hurt me..but if I were to race or drive is as a dailer driver...I would have went with a different size.
Thanks. I plan to use it as a daily driver, so looks like the 275s are out if I want IROCs. I might be getting ROH RTs though, which come in 9" width, so it shouldn't be a problem...
What issues would I encounter with a tire size too wide for the wheel?
well you will loose cornering ability but the dangerous aspects are if you were to hit a bump large enough that the tire came off the bead.
275 isn't nearly as bad as some people try to do but i wouldn't do it. just fit the right tire for the rim.... you want wider, more aggressive looking tires get a rim that gives you that.
sure. 275's are meant for a 9.5 wide rim but if you search you'll find plenty running this style. some prefer smaller and some like them wider. i'd run 265 though or just get a 9.5" wide rim.
it's all on what you like but up or down 10pts on the width isn't going to make much a difference for the street although different brands and styles will look different.
There are numerous late model Mustangs around here running 275/40r17 tires on their stock 17x8 wheels. Most do bulge a little. However, you can run a Nitto drag radial 275/40r17 on a 17x8 with no bulge at all. Just because the sidewall says its a certain size DOES NOT mean the tire actually measures that wide. Tire sizes/widths vary not only by manufacturer but also in different lines by the same manufacturer.
I was gonna say if someone is content on runnning a 275 on a 8 inch rim, just measure all the brands u can get your hands on and pick the narrowest :-)
If someone hasnt done this before, go to a tire shop and pick 3 different brands of the same size tire and roll them all next to each other standing up. No 2 will be the same width or height.
I have the Firehawk rims and they will be a 275/40-17 on a 9.5 :-)
Something like this, these are 4th gen SS wheels with the 2-1/4 spacer. If you're buying anew set of wheels just get the correct offset from the beginning.
the car has been lowerred and the only place that I've found that you get a little rub is against the frame on the front at full lock.
For that reason the new Nittos are 275 in the rear 255 in the front.
Originally posted by Kandied91z well you will loose cornering ability but the dangerous aspects are if you were to hit a bump large enough that the tire came off the bead.
275 isn't nearly as bad as some people try to do but i wouldn't do it. just fit the right tire for the rim.... you want wider, more aggressive looking tires get a rim that gives you that.
do it right the first time.... better in the end.
Mine lost the bead slidding sideways but thats because they were to small 255's but I dunno the rim size just know its to small
That says it all. 275/40/17 do not fit an 8 inch rim.
not to be an a$$ but..
here is a picture of my car
and I'm running 17X8 inch rims....WITH P275/40's....I've had these tires for over 2 years now...and I've never had any problems with the tires at all
__________________ 1991 Z28 Camaro Air Ride/INTRO Wheels 1999 30th Anniversary WS6 Trans Am #357 of 1600 Produced 2008 HHR SS 318 H.P. LNF 2.0 Turbocharged
I might be getting ROH RTs though, which come in 9" width, so it shouldn't be a problem...
thanks 
