>I know narrow is better for the winter weather....so what the best size you guys have tried for the stock 16" rims? 225 50 16? or narrower? At some point it becomes too narrow and you start to lose grip.. but what's the best compromise for cold, rainy days?

 

Please dont drive that car in winter weather. all f-bodys are horrible winter cars, but add your posi rear w/ a manual tranny and you'll really be sliding around.
yes, there are people here that do it, but it doesnt mean its not stupid. Yes, i said stupid and ill stand by it.
If you insist on doing it, then by all means get the narrowest tires that will fit on your rims with the same diameter. like a 205/60/16 maybe and put a ton of weight in the back.
if your just talking about rain, just get some good wet weather performace tires your normal size.

 

these cars are not that bad in the winter i drive all year round no problems and no weight in the back and on full size 245/50 r16 . it just the salt that kills me car wash bills are around 100+ a month. just have to take it slow and if u have an automatic 1st and 2nd gear will be your best friends

 

I drove my first Bird, an 87 Formula in the winter back in the day. We're talking about a MN winter which is pretty bad. Lord knows I would never want to put another 3rd gen through that kind of abuse.

 

P225/55R16 is going to be the best overall size to stay close to stock diameter.
A P225/50 is too short and lowers the car. You want to keep the clearance at or above stock ride height so you dont get hung up in snow if it's getting deep.
Also, use snows in sets of 4. Stopping is more important than going if you think about it. You can always feather the throttle to get going but when you hit the brakes you need to stop!

 

I drove an LS1 WS6 around last winter and never had an issue, even when the 4x4s where in ditches, its just how good of a driver you are. But to answer your question, a skinnier tire would be better than a wider one because it will cut through the snow. Ive never had snow tires on any of my cars, but i just make sure I have a good amount of tread on them.

 

The snow traction has do do with your weight per square inch on the contact patch, so the narrower the tire, the more weight per square inch. Of course good tread helps too. As stated above, easy on the throttle, and especially easy on the brakes - as soon as the wheels are locked up, you're along for the ride with no control.

 

First of all, the most important aspect of the tire for Winter use is the tread pattern!!! I can not emphasize that point enough. If you have to drive your F-body in the Winter, then I strongly suggest that you buy a pair of crappy steel wheels same size as OE and a dedicated Winter tire. All-Season tires are barely OK for the Winter. And I should know. I designed tires in Akron Ohio for 28 years. Also, you should stick with the tire size that the car was designed for. For my '87 IROCZ, it is a P245/50R16. I still own this car. It seems that most 3rd gen F-bodies are designed around a tire diameter of 26.0". Stick with that tire diameter, there is no great need to go to a narrower tire.

My best Winter Camaro tire was my turbo charged AWD Eagle Talon. What a blast!