18x10.5 Tires?

[TransAmX2]

This might have been answered somewhere else but i couldn't find it after hours of digging, so:
I'm considering getting a set of OE staggered wheels 17x9.5 front 18x10.5 rear and you can't beat the price but I don't see a lot of options for wide 18" tires I like the Nitto N555's but they only go up to 285/35r18 (and measure only .1" wider than the 275's) they make a 295/45r18 but thats going to be too tall. Most of the other major tires out there either have very limited options or cost more then it's worth to me.

Are there options out there that I'm just not seeing, I don't want a drag radial or super soft compound tire (live in Florida, tires are soft enough when pavement is boiling) just looking for a decent tire that won't break the bank.

If I can't figure something else out I might just suck it up and go non staggered 17x9.5 all around.

thanks for your input

[cammed goat]

What sites have you looked at? You could try a 35 series tire.

[TransAmX2]

Tire Rack, Discount Tire Direct, Online Tires.com

Ideally I'd like to fit as wide a tire as will properly work on the rim, I was thinking that would be 305 or 315/30r18, that would keep the overall diamater close to factory. I wouldn't mind a little more sidewall going with a 35 series but still don't seem to find a decent balance of cost and quality of tire. Wish they made those rim sets in 17x10.5 or 11 rear in something besides the ZR1 style.

[cammed goat]

The thing is if you go with a taller sidewall, you risk catching the rear tires on the rear quarter panels when going over bumps at 25+mph. Not to mention your ABS/Traction control going nuts due to the difference in size front and rear.

[TransAmX2]

no traction control, and i would prefer to stay same diamater front and rear, but just saying i'd accept going with a narrower 285 or 295 with the 35 series sidewall to accomplish it;

275/40r17 = 25.6" dia
285/35r18 = 25.9" dia
315/30r18 = 25.35" dia

I figure those rears are about as close to the front diamaters as you'll get with wide 18" rims, .3" either way isnt bad.

[02fbody35th]

why dont you run a 275 40 17 in the front and a 295 35 18 on the rear. they should fit without any mods and those sizes are available on tirerack.com im getting these for my rims. bfg kdws

[jrzdude]

Wish they made those rim sets in 17x10.5 or 11 rear in something besides the ZR1 style.

I'm in the same boat man. I'm lookin at the C6 ZO6's

[2001camaroSS]

why dont you run a 275 40 17 in the front and a 295 35 18 on the rear. they should fit without any mods and those sizes are available on tirerack.com im getting these for my rims. bfg kdws

^ great suggestion. i had almost that exact same set up with great results.

[TransAmX2]

why dont you run a 275 40 17 in the front and a 295 35 18 on the rear. they should fit without any mods and those sizes are available on tirerack.com im getting these for my rims. bfg kdws

yup, very viable option, I just can't help balancing the pros and cons against going with 4x 275/40r17's.

4x275's:
1) literally $100 less per rear tire (save $200 in tires each time you need new tires)
2) Can do 4 wheel tire rotations and likely get longer life out of them because of it.
3) Can run the same brand tires all around

2x295's in rear:
1) get to run that beautiful dished rear lip rim
2) get to run .88" wider tire on rear

Soo torn, hate wasting $ but the lip and wider tires are beautiful

just a side note the 295/35r18's will be a little taller than the 275/40r17's 26.1" vs. 25.6" nothing major but might slow down your speedo reading a little unless you reprogram your ecm

[2001camaroSS]

i guess I dont understand why you cant run the same brand of tires all the way around. I have had a 2 different staggered sets of wheels on 2 different fbodys and have never had a problem getting the same brand tires on all 4 corners

[jiveass]

tires for 18x10.5 aint cheap...i buy used for the rear cause im just gonna burn em off anyway.

[TransAmX2]

i guess I dont understand why you cant run the same brand of tires all the way around. I have had a 2 different staggered sets of wheels on 2 different fbodys and have never had a problem getting the same brand tires on all 4 corners

Not saying I wouldn't run diff, front and rear, but just saying there seems like limited options from the manufactures on the different makes, I am currently leaning toward running Nitto NT555 275/40R17 front and Nitto Inov 295/35R18rear. I considered running Nitto NT05’s all around, but they wear faster and in Florida year round that means they will wear really fast in my opinion so not the best option for my daily driver.

The only other option that I might still consider is BFG TA KDW2 all around, but I’ve read mixed reviews on them.

[2001camaroSS]

Not saying I wouldn't run diff, front and rear, but just saying there seems like limited options from the manufactures on the different makes, I am currently leaning toward running Nitto NT555 275/40R17 front and Nitto Inov 295/35R18rear. I considered running Nitto NT05’s all around, but they wear faster and in Florida year round that means they will wear really fast in my opinion so not the best option for my daily driver.

The only other option that I might still consider is BFG TA KDW2 all around, but I’ve read mixed reviews on them.

i will say i know a lot of people that have ran them that have had great things to say about them, myself included.

[02fbody35th]