New Wheels: Worse Traction Problems?

**FormulaFiend** · 03-22-2006, 09:39 PM

Ok so I had a set of stock 16 inch rims with 225 sized tires. THEY HAD ABSOLUTELY NOOOO tread whatsoever. Naturally I'd lose traction in a sprint. Just bought, mounted, balanced and installed a set of ZR1 wheels with a 17x11 in the rear and 17x9.5 in the front, 315/35's in the rear, 275/45's in the front. I got a shit load more traction loss and a shit load more sideways. Was just wondering why am I losing more traction with a rear tire that is 4 inches wider than a stock tire? Keep in mind I wasn't just flooring it, I used throttle control. Any suggestions/ideas/opinions? Is it just the new tires being a little slick and are in need of being worn in?

**ZeeVert** · 03-22-2006, 10:16 PM

What tires did you get? Rubber compound will have a lot to do with traction. And if the compound is hard, they can be even worse in cold weather or at night.

**1fastcamarosss11** · 03-22-2006, 11:08 PM

i'll trade or buy they 17x 11 from you, seems like they won't work for you, i'll try if they are chrome? thanks jeremy

**Eugenio_SS** · 03-23-2006, 02:15 PM

hope it's a typo and you got:
315/35-17 rear
275/40-17 front
that will keep the same overall diameter.

**Eugenio_SS** · 03-23-2006, 02:17 PM

the contact patch overall size is the same if you haven't changed the weight of the car and its distribution... the shape is different.
since the tire is wider, the shape will be wider but not as long... which will be better for cornering, but not necessarily for straight line.
just get better rubber and you'll be fine... Nitto DR or something similar

**rotwiler** · 03-23-2006, 07:24 PM

What air pressure are you running them at. I just bought a set of 17x9.5 wheels and when I bought them the air pressure in the tire was 46ish...no traction at all..dropped the air pressure to 35 and is great now. I went from stock 16 inch size too..always ran them at 32psi.

**99vette** · 04-02-2006, 06:06 PM

it could also be the road too, different surfaces have different traction. i would take it to the drag strip, and see what you can do.

**~redlinels1~** · 04-02-2006, 06:15 PM

Why do I get the feeling you got the Sumitomo HTRZ....

**Selah** · 04-07-2006, 06:32 AM

^

You thought that too huh? You get cheap tires, you get cheap traction. Also, some tires need a break in period before they start hooking. Give em some time, ooooorrrrr do some premature wear to 'em