want a wider tire for my wheel, what will work?

**mrr23** · 04-28-2008, 06:31 PM

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. these were measured on a 17 x 9.5" wide wheel.

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.

**Danger731** · 04-30-2008, 06:59 PM

This Is A Standard, 17 Inch 9.5 Rim ?

**mrr23** · 04-30-2008, 07:03 PM

edited to reflect that. remember, a stock factory fbody 17" wheel is 9" wide.

**z06this** · 05-30-2008, 05:07 PM

the fuzion zri and goodyear gsd3s are probably the best tires out of those though. tough decision picking between tread width and a better overall tire. i'd go with the better tire.

**chevyss1234** · 07-25-2008, 05:29 PM

is the yokohoma es100 going to physically look wider than the f1 gs-d3?

**mrr23** · 07-25-2008, 05:30 PM

should. it has more tread width.

**Hot Black Trans-Am** · 07-25-2008, 05:37 PM

You should throw the sidewall widths up there too.

**KING Z28 HAWK** · 07-25-2008, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by mrr23

should. it has more tread width.

A mrr23 I have a question…. Do you know whats the widest tire you can properly mount on a stock 16” and a stock 17”?

**98Z28importslayer** · 07-27-2008, 11:43 AM

i beleive 255s are the widest you can put on 16x8 rims ??? i got 245s on mine and the tires are just way to small for a ls1 camaro ...

**GatorSS** · 09-10-2008, 11:05 PM

I've been running 285s on my stock 17s for several years.

**maxpit** · 10-07-2008, 08:37 AM

My girlfriend has a 98 firebird, i believe they're 16in but i was unsure of the width. From this thread i take it that they r 8in wide. They r chrome 5 spoke wheels... can anyone reassure me what her rim size is?

**mrr23** · 10-07-2008, 08:46 AM

yes, the 16s are 8" wide

**Speeddemon24_7** · 02-19-2009, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by 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. these were measured on a 17 x 9.5" wide wheel.

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.

Where do you find the Total width at I know the biggest tire I can run safe is 285 on my 18 x 9 1/2" Y2K's im also looking for the widest look also this is so go info to look at.

**mrr23** · 02-19-2009, 11:22 AM

i think you are wanting to know where to find the Tread Width. on tirerack.com, once you select the tire, look for the word Specs. then look in the Tread Width column.

**blackSS01** · 04-13-2009, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by mrr23

should. it has more tread width.

I have personnally been able to get my 275/40/17 GS-D3's to hook on a 5K clutch dump on public roads with mods below. I have tried a couple of the other tires but would say GS-D3 is in the top 3 for sure. I have tried the sumitomo's and potenza's. I am going with 315 GS-D3 after my H/C

**ls1fan74** · 04-15-2009, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by blackSS01

I have personnally been able to get my 275/40/17 GS-D3's to hook on a 5K clutch dump on public roads with mods below. I have tried a couple of the other tires but would say GS-D3 is in the top 3 for sure. I have tried the sumitomo's and potenza's. I am going with 315 GS-D3 after my H/C

On the stock SS wheels? They come w/ 275s right, and you can safely put 315's? Interesting....

**blackSS01** · 04-15-2009, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by ls1fan74

On the stock SS wheels? They come w/ 275s right, and you can safely put 315's? Interesting....

Yup, 275's stock. 315 on a 9" wheel is potentially dangerous and really shouldn't be done. Some people do it, but under hard cornering, the tire can blow. Going with a bigger wheel after H/C

**Fujbird** · 05-17-2009, 07:53 PM

As far as the 315's i am on my second set of them on y 17x9's with no problems and a lot of rough driving. the first set was bfg drag radials which i had to get 1/4" spacers to stop the rubbing, and now i have sumitomo htr z i love them the bfg's were good when you get them really hot, but as far as unexpected cold launches i might as have had big wheel tires on the back. the sumis dont compare on the track but as far as daily drivers they are awesome. i have had no problems in he rain with them either. I have had Goodyear eagles, Firestone Firehawks, and Fuzion Zri (loudest tire i ever owned) and since my car is my daily driver and adverse weather and ride quality are my main concerns, the sumitomos are here to stay. they re significantly cheaper and a full set 275's fronts and 315's rear for under 400 absolutely cannot be beat in my mind.

**Bakerman** · 06-17-2009, 06:45 AM

I autocross and am considering a larger tire "275/50/16" to replace the stock 245/50/ 16's. Can anyone tell me if these tires will work without rubbing? And, if I need a spacer, how large of a spacer do I need ?

**Y2KArcticSS** · 06-17-2009, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by Bakerman

I autocross and am considering a larger tire "275/50/16" to replace the stock 245/50/ 16's. Can anyone tell me if these tires will work without rubbing? And, if I need a spacer, how large of a spacer do I need ?

It will be fine. You can usually put on as large as a 315/35/17 on an 11" wide wheel with little to no massaging needed on the wells, so the little tire you are planning to put on will fit fine...just make sure that wide of a 16 actually fits your wheel... you don't want to lose it in a tight turn.