What do you think about running a 295 on a 9.5" width rim?

[Sean Cooke]

Does anyone currently run a 295 on a 9.5" wheel? I have plenty of clearance to fit the tire, just wondering if there is any repricussions from sticking that large of tire on the rim or if I should re-hoop my wheels and add a 1/2" thanks in advance for any input..

[Motorcitydak]

I have 315's on 18x10's. It is not really recommended as the sidewall can roll easier on ya but personally I like the look of a bulging sidewall a bit. Im looking around possibly for a set of 18x10.5's

[Spork82]

I have 275's on a 9.5" wheel and it is squared off. 285/295 would fit no problem and won't bulge and be the tire equivalent of a muffin top.

[Paul Huryk]

295 needs a 10" minimum wheel (10.5" is optimal). You could run it, but it will "bulge" off the wheel a bit.

[Barrrf]

Continental says NOT to run it. 285 max on a 9.5 which is what I run. Here is what that looks like (sorry about the quality, I can take a clearer pic if you want) -

[Sean Cooke]

Hey guys, thanks so much for all the responses! Even the photo helps very much. I'm gonna through the 295 on the rim tomorrow or before the weekend I'll update the post with some images, reiss racing & restoration ran this car at good guys & the stance just stuck with me..

[instro84]

Hey guys, thanks so much for all the responses! Even the photo helps very much. I'm gonna through the 295 on the rim tomorrow or before the weekend I'll update the post with some images, reiss racing & restoration ran this car at good guys & the stance just stuck with me..

what wheels are those?

[Sean Cooke]

I've got a lot of room for more tire, figured why not try it out?

[Barrrf]

You could fit a 305............but you need a wider rim. You'll notice a drop in response with a spongy side wall. I did.

[Sean Cooke]

305 squared? On a chevelle.. that's prob going to come down to brand .. I have a 315 nitto on some steel wheels, they are roughly the same as a 315.

[Typhoon1015]

I run 295 BFG kdws on a 9.5 and they seem to work good.

[Tomswheels]

George Reiss Autocrosses that Chevelle with 305s all around on XXR 19x11 wheels...

[1BADBET]

I actually had this exact discussion with Ron Sutton last week, here is what he said;

The wider the rim-to-tread ratio, the better the grip & responsiveness of the tire.

For example, a 315 tire has about 11.8" of tread (depending on brand). If we put that on an 11" rim, the proper air pressure to achieve full contact patch might be 30psi & the tire sidewall will flex & twist a lot. The optimum slip angle might be 9°. We will have less grip out of this combination & therefore less corner speed. Responsiveness is also reduced & how tight the car will turn under speed (autocross) is also reduced in the front & rear steer is increased. All of this makes the car run slower lap times.

If we put that same 315 tire with 11.8" of tread on an 12" rim, the proper air pressure to achieve full contact patch might be 34psi & the tire sidewall will flex & twist less. The optimum slip angle might be 7.5°. We will have more grip out of this combination & therefore more corner speed than the combo above ... but still not the best possible. Responsiveness is also improved from the above scenario & the front tires will produce a tighter turning radius under speed (autocross). Rear steer is decreased from the above scenario. All of this makes the car run quicker lap times.

If we put that same 315 tire with 11.8" of tread on an 13" rim, the proper air pressure to achieve full contact patch might be 38psi & the tire sidewall will flex & twist the least possible. The optimum slip angle might be 6°. We will have way more grip out of this combination & therefore more corner speed than the combos above. Responsiveness will be super quick. The front tires's will produce the tightest turning radius possible under speed (autocross). Rear steer is decreased further from the above scenarios, increasing corner exit grip. All of this makes the car run the quickest lap times.

If we had the same identical car & tires ... and ran it back-to-back-to-back with 11", 12" & 13" rims ... example autocross lap times would look something like this:
11" - 46.90
12" - 46.40
13" - 45.90

Now you get to decide what your priority is.


Ron Sutton


Thanks again Ron!

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Does anybody have pictures to show what these combinations would look like on a rim. And also, is there a % ratio that is the optimum?

[Sean Cooke]

Got 295's mounted in the front & 305's mounted in the rear..

ride quality is good, no real increase in traction for me...