Tire Size

**derekbuckner1** · 06-06-2011, 06:42 PM

after locking up the brakes today, im forced to get 4 new tires. i had all intentions of holding off on tires until i got a set of zo6's, but the deer had different plans for me. i have a z28 with the 16" snowflakes. my question is, what is the widest tire i can fit on the back of mine, using the stock rims? i searched around and got mixed results of 255/275. im buying the tires tomorrow morning so any advice would be greatly appreciated. i will probably stick with 245s on the front, just need to know how wide i can go on the back

thanks

**TLS_Addict** · 06-06-2011, 06:48 PM

Well, my GTO came with 245/45/17s and I had 275/40/17s on it. Think of it this way. 10mm wider is going to be 5mm more on each side.

Pretty much imho +-1 size is no big deal and you are fine either way you go but I would stick with the stock size on the front and maybe a little wider on the back. Not sure what all options there are for the 16" wheels though.

**derekbuckner1** · 06-06-2011, 06:55 PM

thanks man. im pretty sure 255s wouldnt be an issue at all, but would like to go bigger if its possible

if anyone has any more input on the 16" wheel size that would be great

**TLS_Addict** · 06-06-2011, 07:00 PM

You can go bigger, some guys will say no but they will fit. It wouldnt bother me on the back but I wouldnt go larger than the 255s on the front if the stockers are only 245s. Steering a wheel with tires podded out doesnt seem like a good idea. Like said, I and many of my friends had ZERO issues with 275s on a rim that was intended for 245s. The Down Under boys I think get 235s on the Monaro/GTO.

**derekbuckner1** · 06-06-2011, 07:06 PM

So you are saying 275 would fit on my stock 16s? Thought u said yours were 17"

**TLS_Addict** · 06-06-2011, 07:08 PM

Mine were. What I am saying is that the 245s that came stock on my car I upgraded to 275 nitto 555s. Roughly 3/5ths of an inch wider on each side.

My point is that you can go wider just fine.

**derekbuckner1** · 06-06-2011, 07:19 PM

Alright man. How did you like the 555's? I have the BFG G-force sports on it now and if they made the 555s for a 16" rim I'd consider them. I'd love a drag radial on the back but I dont think my rear end would last long that way.

**TLS_Addict** · 06-06-2011, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by derekbuckner1

Alright man. How did you like the 555's? I have the BFG G-force sports on it now and if they made the 555s for a 16" rim I'd consider them. I'd love a drag radial on the back but I dont think my rear end would last long that way.

Probably your rear with drag radials would depend alot upon your HP, mods, and rear gear ratio.

Not sure about the 555s for 16s. I liked them. After 10k miles they were still kick ass. My favorite tire was the Bridgeston RE-01r. Almost as good as a drag radial, handled amazing, and was much wider than the stock 245s I replaced and they were 245s as well. Very good handling tire as well.

**derekbuckner1** · 06-06-2011, 07:28 PM

im told the 6spd with a sticky summer tire can junk a rear at stock hp, much less a dr

**TLS_Addict** · 06-06-2011, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by derekbuckner1

im told the 6spd with a sticky summer tire can junk a rear at stock hp, much less a dr

Our 10 bolts are the glass jaw rears of the sport/muscle/gt car realm. lol They have been known to last a while where as others are broken without even horsing on it.

Hate to quote Forrest Gump but you never know what you are going to get with these things. Run the piss out of it....lol

**67CamaroRSSS** · 06-06-2011, 07:39 PM

So how did you lock up a system with anti-lock brakes? I've tried and I can't...

**derekbuckner1** · 06-06-2011, 08:01 PM

doing 65, slamming the brakes and cutting the wheel to avoid a deer. slid sideways until i came to a stop in the median. it fishtailed a little when i was hard on the brakes, then it was a lost cause once it went completely sideways

**Firebirdjones** · 06-06-2011, 08:34 PM

Look at the bright side. Tires are cheaper than body work and paint

I personally love more sidewall buldge. It's not a drivability issue at all. Cars used to come factory that way before they got into all this "big wheel/little tire" crap.

Go as wide as you feel comfortable and don't worry about it.

**derekbuckner1** · 06-06-2011, 08:37 PM

Oh i agree. I'm lucky i didnt have ant body damage with as steep as the median was. if I knew what I was comfortable with I wouldn't be having this issue. First set I've bought and I'm not sure what people are running. I agree the more tire the better but I dont want to run into issues with them. They are 245 all around now

**Firebirdjones** · 06-06-2011, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by derekbuckner1

Oh i agree. I'm lucky i didnt have ant body damage with as steep as the median was. if I knew what I was comfortable with I wouldn't be having this issue. First set I've bought and I'm not sure what people are running. I agree the more tire the better but I dont want to run into issues with them. They are 245 all around now

Not sure what is offered in 16's anymore, I haven't had a Z with 16's in a few years now, just 17's on the SS's.

Firestone at one time did offer a 285 or 295 (can't remember) for the 17 inch wheels that I ran for a while (stock is 275).
Ran those all the way around and loved it. I prefer the extra sidewall for a little more curb protection.

**67CamaroRSSS** · 06-06-2011, 08:51 PM

I see. I didn't try sideways just straight ahead. But I have flat spotted tires from going sideways so I know what you mean.

255 is what my MT's are. They are mounted on salds shooters and I have no clearance issues.

Firestone, Fuzion (a Bridgestone brand) and BF Goodrich all offer 245-50-16 in a Z rating. I just put new Fuzion tires on the 02 and they ride great.

**Ls_won** · 06-10-2011, 06:25 PM

275 any wider on a 16 would be a waste

**TLS_Addict** · 06-11-2011, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by Ls_won

275 any wider on a 16 would be a waste

I have heard horror stories of people who run a tire a little too wide and it popping off the wheel. Another thing is that the contact patch wont reflect the true size of the tire if the wheel is narrow.

I was at my friends garage the ther day and he had an 86 Corvette in there and the owner put 225 series tires on it! WTF? It came with 255s and the guy went 3 sizes smaller.

A few guys there tried to tell me that the 225 isnt how wide it is. I told the one he should never touch a tool EVER AGAIN. I had to explain what an aspect ratio is and then what the different ratings are. People are retarded.

**derekbuckner1** · 06-11-2011, 07:10 AM

Wow. My car wont see 225s and they came with 235 or 245s. I ended up just getting 245s all around like what was on it. I'll wait till I get rims to put something wider out back. Can't believe they did that to a corvette

**TLS_Addict** · 06-11-2011, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by derekbuckner1

Wow. My car wont see 225s and they came with 235 or 245s. I ended up just getting 245s all around like what was on it. I'll wait till I get rims to put something wider out back. Can't believe they did that to a corvette

Beautiful mid 80s. NO cracking in the leather, no spider cracks on the hood or any other body part, wheels are kick ass looking, engine looks NEW, and they have them shitty ass 225s on it....lol