tire question

[Shimy87]

Right now I have 275/40/17 street tires, on 17x10 rims ( I know, shit for racing) but it is what it is. This summer when funds improve I want to get different tires but stick with the 17 rims I have. With the limited options do you think a 315/35/17 Nitto would fit? I'm sure height will be ok but width might not? Thoughts....pl ease don't reply get different rims, I don't race enough to piss around with that so not an option. I want to work with what I have and do the best I can with that limitation.

Thanks!!

[TexasT]

That is a pretty big jump in width. More than an inch and a half. Will they even fit on the rims you have?

[Shimy87]

I thought it was an inch wider, I thought the 10 inch rim might make them a bit narrower and may fit? Might need a spacer to get them away from frame, now I'm really close...3/16

[Scoobum]

Tread width don't mean dick...section width is what matters. Okay, the MT 28x10x15C slick has a section width of 11.2 inches...and it fits on my car with the aluminum drums...which are about an 1/8th inch thicker than the cast. Fender lips on my car are NOT rolled...fitme nt is VERY tight. The Nitto 555 you want to go with...has a section width of...12.5. It MAY fit with the fenders rolled and you may or may not have to play with a spacer. The other thing that comes into play is if your rear axle is centered. I'm betting it won't fit.

[motorhead]

I fit 315s on the stock frame, I was told it was impossible.  They were wrong.  Running a 315 on a 10" rim will make the measured section width about 1/4 to 1/2" narrower than advertised; which should be an 11" rim.  Yes, use spacers.

[Shimy87]

Ok, thanks. So what is you guys opinion on this, will traction be much different between the 2 sizes, I know the 275/40 fits fine, will I gain much more hook with the bigger tire? Now on the street the current set-up just blows away the tires from idle so maybe at a prepped track I can get to 1-2 lbs of boost....maybe . I'll need better tires so I really appreciate any help you guys can give me!!

[Steve Wood]

I don't think it will help much.  The length of the patch is more important than the width in my experience

[Scoobum]

My buddy Mike with the 9 second Camaro tried 17's...best he could do was a 1.6x...and he has the suspension dialed in on that car. He went to a 15...and went into the 1.4's. I'm betting the short sidewall on the 17 is a hindrance.

[Steve Wood]

Like running wagon wheels

[motorhead]

I did a 1.7 second 60' on 315/35R17 Nitto NT05Rs; but, I am pretty talented.

[motorhead]

These would be awesome: http://www.mandhtires.com/M-H-Drag-Radials/275-50R17#.V1n4taq3M1I

[Scoobum]

A search on the other site says you can cram in a 285/40/18 with the wheel lips rolled.

[Shimy87]

So if I went the pain in the ass route and got some 15 steel rims, whats the best rim width and tire size to run? I would just swap out at the track.

[Steve Wood]

8"W x 4 b.s. wheel

275x60-15

[Scoobum]

Like Steve says. 8 inch wide rim...and a 28x9 slick. Girls use DR's.