Wheels and Tire combos for handling

[BigEdJr]

Hey Everyone,

I was wondering if you all could share your opinions on wheel and tire sizes for cornering.

There has been a lot posted about tires and stuff for going straight...but I don't think a 15"x10" wheel will do real great hugging the road.

I'm rolling on stock 18" fanblades right now.

Any recommendations?

 

[DusterRT]

Light and wide is the name of the game...18x10 with a 275/40 or 285/40 is a good all around combo. I'm running 275/40's on a 9" wheel and it's not bad either but 10" would be better IMO.

 

[thump_rrr]

275/40 18" Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 all around on 18" x 9.5" +45mm offset Steeda Ultra-Lite II.
You can also go 275/35 18" which will reduce the tire height by 1" to 25.6"
Don't let the name fool you the Steeda Ultra-Lite are anything but light.

 

[2007 GT/CS]

See signature (Picture needs updating)

 

[BigEdJr]

Do 20's ruin handling like they do for drag racing? Is weight as big of an issue? Not really for racing just hitting the hills...

Thanks for the comments guys.

 

[DusterRT]

For just tooling around public roads, 20's will be fine. Now if you were wanting to do track days, autocross, etc. the extra unsprung/rotational weight and lack of sidewall would hurt performance. Not to say you can't go fast on 20's; plenty of people do..however..

The rule of thumb is for every pound of unsprung weight you add, it is about the same as adding seven pounds sprung weight. I'll be honest and say I have no idea how much a typical set of 20's weigh but I'm sure they aren't just a couple pounds heavier. Then that extra weight has to get slowed down and accellerated, and then there's suspension tuning issues to deal with as well if you want to get really in detail.

Sidewalls...just like drag racing, you need some sidewall deformation to allow the tire to conform to the surface and soak up irregularities you're driving on to maximize your contact patch. The low profile tires on 20's simply can't 'give' as much as a wheel/tire combo with more sidewall..

 

[BigEdJr]

Good info DusterRT, Thanks.

 

[Vapour Trails]

I'll just add that having the same size tires front & rear is a good idea for handling. I also would not go wider that 255 up front. I know it's not cool to have puny 255s in the rear, but having the same level of grip front and rear will make the car more predictable. Also really wide tires on the front and you get bad tramlining on less than perfect roads.

 

[DusterRT]

Also really wide tires on the front and you get bad tramlining on less than perfect roads.

Good point, I can say I did notice a huge increase in tramlining going from stock to 275's up front. Seattle's got some rutted highway lanes and if I don't stay out of them, I probably look drunk. It wasn't really noticeable before on stock rubber. But I like the grip!

I'll just add that having the same size tires front & rear is a good idea for handling.

Another good point; going bigger in the rear just makes understeer-prone handling even worse. Plus you can't really rotate your tires..

 

[BigEdJr]

I'll just add that having the same size tires front & rear is a good idea for handling. I also would not go wider that 255 up front. I know it's not cool to have puny 255s in the rear, but having the same level of grip front and rear will make the car more predictable. Also really wide tires on the front and you get bad tramlining on less than perfect roads.

So would a 9x18 be the best or do I just stick with the stock 8.5's? Can I safely change a tire size on the stock fanblades?

 

[DusterRT]

You can put 255's on the fan blades..I wouldn't go any wider than that though.

 

[ZmanM3]

Subscribing.

 

[spiral281]

See signature (Picture needs updating)

would like to see what the 5zigens look like on a mustang...used to have 17x9f and 17x10r on a 240sx

I currently have GT500 wheels, which are not light at all. also the tire sizes are staggered, which sucks, but hey, its better than the stock wheels i had before with 235/55/17 htrz3 in front and 255/50/17 dry rotted tires in the back which didnt hook for anything , that i had before...next size will be 275/40/18...havent decided what tire to go with next once the eagle f1's wear out...

i dont like the 285/40's out back as they flop too much with that much side wall, and the 255/45's are ok, but being stretched an inch makes them break loose quicker...but they did well at the autox i guess, but much better than the last tires i had for sure.

 

[KIMMER]

I have the staggered 20's and they hold pretty well, but when they let go, your butt is going for a ride! I think 18's would be better with some sidewall. How well do your road setups seem to work at the strip playing around?

 

[max2000jp]

I run 275/40/18 Bridgestone RE050A Pole Positons all around. I need tires soon and am leaning towards Kumho MX's.

 

[alloy6ix]

275/40 18" Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 all around on 18" x 9.5" +45mm offset Steeda Ultra-Lite II.
You can also go 275/35 18" which will reduce the tire height by 1" to 25.6"
Don't let the name fool you the Steeda Ultra-Lite are anything but light.

How do the ultra lights weigh? how much do the UL II weigh? I have the fanblades right now and they're heavy as nuts... hsnap:

 

[2007 GT/CS]

would like to see what the 5zigens look like on a mustang...used to have 17x9f and 17x10r on a 240sx

Here you go.

 

[spiral281]

groovy, they look awesome...just couldn't afford to get a set right now and get tires...so, very heavy GT500 take offs it is for me...

 

[EagleStroker]

I tell you I think the major factor is the suspension set up and tires for handling, emphasis being on tires. I'm running 19's that are 28lbs a piece, and only running a 245/45/19 Yokohoma Advan and these tires perform superb. It's doing a heck of a lot to make them squeal in an aggressive curve unless i'm really into the throttle. Just my $.02

 

[STEVE_POE]

You should just buy these from me and be done with it...lol..the r58 is 21lbs they are 51lbs wheel and tire. and they fit over 14"brakes

http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=26786