Max tire width with stiock tires?

[jag42420]

How wide can I go with my rear tires on the stock WS6 wheels?

[ss~zoso~ss]

315's

[mrr23]

yep. and that's pushing it.

[jag42420]

I want to replace the stock 275/40zrs with something a bit wider. I like the stock wheels, just want a bit more traction. I don't want something that would rub or look stupid with the stock wheels. If I remember right, you take mm x .04 to get approximate inches (stock 275 tires would be about 11", 300 would be about 12", 315 would be about 12.6", etc.).

I just bought the car. It only has 17k on it, but the stock tires were dry rotted from lack of use. No wear, just dry rot. I already replaced the front ones (with the same Eagle F1 GS) because they were losing air. The back ones hold air, but I'll have to replace them due to dry rot before too long. There's planty left to burn a while for now though.

I'm looking to gain some traction without losing daily driveability. The stock tires break loose way too easy. From 35mph the thing stars burning the tires. I've noticed several people have posted gains in the quarter with better tires, and I'm hoping to get more of that power to the ground faster...

[mrr23]

don't get hung up on the tire width number. that number is derived from measuring from sidewall to sidewall. what you need to pay attention to is the tread width. tread width is what touches the ground. most go the route of getting wider section width tires ( 275 to 315 ) i'll show you how to get more on the ground without changing overall section width.

example all are 275/40-17 all specs taken off of tire rack website

dunlop sp sport 9000 TW = 9.9"
goodyear eagle f1 gs-d3 TW = 9.4"
yokohama avs sport TW = 10.1"
yokohama avs es100 TW = 10.7"
bridgestone potenza re950 TW = 9.5"
firestone firehawk wide oval TW = 9.5"
fusion zri TW = 9.5"
sumitomo htrz TW = 10.2"
sumitomo htrz II TW = 9.9"

as you can see, the yokohama avs es100 has the widest in terms of tread width at 10.7" and goodyear eagle f1 gs-d3 with the least at 9.4". tread width is what counts.

[tonyjnjz]

where did u find those specs mrr?? are they on tireracks site? ive never noticed

[mrr23]

for reference here's a list of 315/35-17 tires. the only problem with this is the 315 tire were measured on a wider rim. so, the numbers are slightly skewed. if you were to put the tire on the same width wheel as the 275 were measured on, the tread width will be smaller.

these were measured on a 11" wide wheel. the 275 tire were measure on a 9.5" wide wheel. 1.5" wheel width difference.

goodyear eagle f1 gs-d3 TW = 11.2"
sumitomo htrz TW = 11.5"

as you can see, with the yokohama avs es100 it's only about .5" less tread width for the rim width you have now. put the 315 on your 9" wheel and the tread will be right at the same.

[mrr23]

where did u find those specs mrr?? are they on tireracks site? ive never noticed

when you go to Tires by Size, then pick your tire size, to the right of each brand tire will be links. look for Specs. it will take you to the sizing chart for that tire. you have to do each tire.

[tonyjnjz]

yup just took a look..very nice i see bfgr KD's are 10.9 in 275/40's sweet

[mrr23]

yup just took a look..very nice i see bfgr KD's are 10.9 in 275/40's sweet

look again. they do not list a tread width for the BFG tires. only section width. remember section width is the measurement from sidewall to sidewall across the tire. most tire manufacturers run about an 85-90% difference between section width and tread width. using 90%. the BFG is about 9.8" of tread width.

[jag42420]

That's news to me. So I can basicly get better traction without upsizing the tires excessively. Cool deal.

[tonyjnjz]

ty mrr23 im learning valuable stuff here...whats the tread width of nitto dr's?
belive its gonna be my next tire out back....any recommendations for up front??? think im gonna keep running the michilin pilots that are on there now till there dead

[mrr23]

nitto doesn't list their tread widths. i do remember an advertisement where they said their 555 tires were 93% tread width. so, 10.9" section width would make about 10.1 tread width.

[jag42420]

So looking at Goodyear's site for the Eagle F1 GS 275/40ZR17s, the tread width is 9.7" ( http://www.goodyeartires.com/goodyea...7&sidewall=VSB ), and the tire is 10.9". The Yokohama AVS Sports are 11.0" wide with a 10.1" tread width. Seems I'd pick up almost a half inch by changing brands. I never knew that. That's an excellent thing to know. Thanks.

[Eugenio_SS]

275 is pretty much as wide as you can go on a stock rim if having a tire mounted properly is important for you.
a 315 will buldge, and you won't be using the tire surface well/efficiently... you'll end up losing traction, if anything, if compared w/ same tire properly mounted.
If you want 315, then i suggest you get into a wider wheel.

[RWB]

Very good info. I was thinking of going to 315's in back myself, need some more traction. I'm not too worried about the tires I use for everyday, it is the tires on the stip. I have Nitto's, pretty worn now, and I burn them up or end up burning the clutch, this on a stock SS running 12.70's (when it is cold/dry and I am driving good). Fixing to get head and cam, headers and new tires for the back. I guess then 315's not the solution and I wonder about weight difference also.

[Hot Black Trans-Am]

So looking at Goodyear's site for the Eagle F1 GS 275/40ZR17s, the tread width is 9.7" ( http://www.goodyeartires.com/goodyea...7&sidewall=VSB ), and the tire is 10.9". The Yokohama AVS Sports are 11.0" wide with a 10.1" tread width. Seems I'd pick up almost a half inch by changing brands. I never knew that. That's an excellent thing to know. Thanks.

Don't forget that the tread pattern is going to make a difference of how much rubber meets the road too.

[GatorSS]

285s work well on the stock wheels.

[440 rwhp trans am]

i lust put 315/35/17 bf goodrich g-force ta drag radials and i will continue to put these on. there great

[mrr23]

good deal.