Wheel/Tire upgrade worth it?

[rlovell383]

Just looking for experienced opinions...

Currently running on my 67 Camaro, 17x8 wheels with 255-50 and 245-45 Nitto NT555-G2 tires. Curious about running stickier rubber but options are limited in 17 inch.
Toying with the idea of selling my setup and getting 18s with 275/245 in something like a Nitto NT01, or similar...?

How much extra grip am I going to see, and would it worth the expense? Buddy of mine has a new Mustang GT and I want to have every edge I can get a track day :drive1:

[Tsaints1115]

While quality rubber is one of the largest factors in a cars ability to run big G numbers it's also not a bandaid if it's bolted to a sh***y suspension. It's a package deal.

[rlovell383]

While quality rubber is one of the largest factors in a cars ability to run big G numbers it's also not a bandaid if it's bolted to a sh***y suspension. It's a package deal.

I realize that. My suspension is pretty well sorted, front to back. My post was looking on input for specific gains on ~300TW vs 100TW tires and what I could expect.

[dontlifttoshift]

Tires are everything.

1. Mount Hoosiers
2. Win trackday
3. Profit......?

Seriously though, if you want new wheels, buy new wheels and get 18s. If you just want better tires, it's the overall diameter that is holding you back. There are plenty of fast 17" tires in those widths, they are just shorter.

Goodyear EAGLE F1 SUPERCAR 3 - SIZE: 245/45ZR17 would serve you quite well and likely out run a NT01 and be able to do it lap after lap without going off like some of the other fast street tires.

[rlovell383]

Tires are everything.

1. Mount Hoosiers
2. Win trackday
3. Profit......?

Seriously though, if you want new wheels, buy new wheels and get 18s. If you just want better tires, it's the overall diameter that is holding you back. There are plenty of fast 17" tires in those widths, they are just shorter.

Goodyear EAGLE F1 SUPERCAR 3 - SIZE: 245/45ZR17 would serve you quite well and likely out run a NT01 and be able to do it lap after lap without going off like some of the other fast street tires.

HA!

Well, I don't really want new wheels just to have something different, just for the options in tires.

Yea that was the conclusion I was coming to. Not really keen on the look of a 245/45 on the back. Just needs more meat or it won't look right IMHO.
Those Eagle F1 Supercar 3s are still a 200 tread wear tire. You think they will grip better than the NT01? Those are 100 tread wear and marketed at a DOT legal race compound tire...

If someone made a 255/50/17 or 275/50/17 in DOT legal track tire I would be all over it... Its perplexing!

[Rod]

sticky tire are worth seconds..... yes seconds from 200 to 100, ..... Even between 200 treadware brands the distance and time is measurable, your suspension is sorted, for what you run, a width a treadware and diameter change will require more tuning.... when I left a falken 200 to run the BFG 200, we upped the front and rear springs and stiffened the bars, the grip was higher and that created some extra chassis roll, and that unsettled the car delaying mid corner and exit acceleration and the sticky wheel only had a marginal improvement till we tuned the suspension

[rlovell383]

sticky tire are worth seconds..... yes seconds from 200 to 100, ..... Even between 200 treadware brands the distance and time is measurable, your suspension is sorted, for what you run, a width a treadware and diameter change will require more tuning.... when I left a falken 200 to run the BFG 200, we upped the front and rear springs and stiffened the bars, the grip was higher and that created some extra chassis roll, and that unsettled the car delaying mid corner and exit acceleration and the sticky wheel only had a marginal improvement till we tuned the suspension

Seconds is a lot... Sounds like it is probably worth the investment. Is a 100 tire automatically in a different league than a 200 tire?
I expect to need to tweak the shocks and maybe sway bars after all is said and done.

Yea I wonder how the rest of the chassis will react. I have a feeling I might notice more chassis flex. Currently running frame connectors, but may add a cage down the line to beef it up more.

[CSG]

I have never ran the F1 but I can comment on your comparison of 555's to NT01's as I did this swap on a car with no other modifications. Seconds faster with much more control. I went from trying to survive in turns to making passes on the inside.

[rlovell383]

I have never ran the F1 but I can comment on your comparison of 555's to NT01's as I did this swap on a car with no other modifications. Seconds faster with much more control. I went from trying to survive in turns to making passes on the inside.

Ahhhh... Thank you for your input. Personal experience really helps me make my decisions. What kind of car are they on?

[CSG]

That was on a 98 Mustang Cobra. I don't recall what suspension I had at that time as I ran a few different setups.

[rlovell383]

Next question....

Shopping for wheels. I want to run 275/40/18 in back with a 9 inch wide wheel, to fit my stock wheel wells.
Up front I want a 245/40/18. Should I go 8 inch or 9 inch...? I know tire/wheel fitment is important for grip.

[dontlifttoshift]

Do you have an extra inch of space in the back to add the width?

I wouldn't put a 275 on an 8 and even a 9 is questionable for track work.

[rlovell383]

Do you have an extra inch of space in the back to add the width?

I wouldn't put a 275 on an 8 and even a 9 is questionable for track work.

Thats not my plan.

I plan to run 275/40/18 with a 18x9 in back
245/40/18 up front. Trying to decide on 8 or 9 inch for that.

[CSG]

I had a 245 on a 9 (in a 17) and it looked funny. Too stretched for my tastes.

[rlovell383]

I had a 245 on a 9 (in a 17) and it looked funny. Too stretched for my tastes.

Good enough for me. Not a fan of stretched looking tires.

I just realized I have 18x9.5 wheels on my 57 chevy truck that I can try fitting on my Camaro. Its fitted with 295-50R18... Wonder if there is room to cram those in the stock wheel well! Worth a try.

[rlovell383]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going with 275/40 and 245/40 Nitto NT01s mounted on 18x9.5s and 18x8.5 rally's.

[Rod]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going with 275/40 and 245/40 Nitto NT01s mounted on 18x9.5s and 18x8.5 rally's.

I don't think an 8.5 will fit the front of a 67 camaro, it also depends on what brake are on the car, wilwoods push the wheel out some and that will create a fitment issue, on 67-69 camaro with stock steering arms a 8 inch wheel with 4.5 backspace is a good fit.. also a 40 series is very tall on an 18inch wheel is this car stock height or taller?

here is my car a few years back when I ran a 9.5 rim with 275/35/18, square setup using the ridetech truturn on the front


183844

[stab6902]

Yeah if your car is as low as Rod's I think things are going to be pretty tight, both front and back.

[rlovell383]

I don't think an 8.5 will fit the front of a 67 camaro, it also depends on what brake are on the car, wilwoods push the wheel out some and that will create a fitment issue, on 67-69 camaro with stock steering arms a 8 inch wheel with 4.5 backspace is a good fit.. also a 40 series is very tall on an 18inch wheel is this car stock height or taller?

here is my car a few years back when I ran a 9.5 rim with 275/35/18, square setup using the ridetech truturn on the front


183844


interesting.... I’m currently running 245/45R17 tires up front with an 8 inch rim, which are rated at only .1” shorter than the 245/40R18. Total section Width is .2” wider with the 245/4018, and those measurements are with an 8.5 inch rim. Basically exactly the same size setup I already have.
Yes, I am running Wilwood superlite brakes which offset the wheels but it’s actually perfect clearance on the fenders and inners with the steering stops adjusted.
The wheels I’m looking at have the option of either a 4.5 inch offset or 5.125. I was planning on the 4.5 again because the wheel is only .25” wider on each side...
I’m stuffing as much tire in there that will possibly fit, which is pretty much what I’ve always tried to do :drive1:

[stab6902]

with the steering stops adjusted

Ah... that'll definitely help. My 235/40R18's on 18x8 4.5" BS rub a tiny bit on both the frame rail near the steering box and on the sway bar at full lock, but I'm not limiting steering.