widest tire on a 17x8

[dropit69]

looking at a 73 camaro and if i get it want to put 17x8 rimes on it ..whats the widest tire thall work?..thanks..

[6'9"Witha69]

Widest I would go on a 8" width is 245/40-45. 255 with a taller sidewall.

[68Formula]

255/45 anything smaller in diameter just doesn't look quite right IMO. If you step it up to 9.5, then you could do 285/40s on the back probably.

[dropit69]

thanks guys..i am looking at grey center coys and didnt see wider till you get into a 18..i wanna stay with 17;s ..also not sure how my thread got in brake area i swear i was in the other forum when i posted..doh !!

[MrQuick]

thats cool, someone will move it. they should be able to do a custom hoop. 8's are fine up front but you'd want wider in the rear.

[mpozzi]

For autocrossing and track days, my '73 has 275's on the 17x8's and 295's for the 17x9.5's with no rubbing. The street tires are a bit smaller in width . . . 245's on the front and 275's for the rear, same wheels.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[O'Neall]

Mary... what's the aspect ratio on the 295s you run for autocrossing and track days? I assume it's a racing tire... what brand? If you don't mind me asking? Thx.

Edit: Nevermind... just found the info in your Atwater AutoX thread. Kumho V710 295/40/17.:twothumbs

[rocketman]

a 245/255 is the safest tire you can run on an 8" wheel

[NvrDun71]

For autocrossing and track days, my '73 has 275's on the 17x8's and 295's for the 17x9.5's with no rubbing. The street tires are a bit smaller in width . . . 245's on the front and 275's for the rear, same wheels.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

Any problems running the 275 on the 8" rim? This goes against what almost all tire manufacturers recommend. Most say a 9" rim minimum.

[O'Neall]

Yeah, but going over the recommended size a bit isn't really a safety issue I don't think... I think it's more of a recommendation for best all around function of the tire, i.e. treadlife, performance, etc. Going a a size or two bigger isn't too big a deal. I wouldn't try to put a 315 on a 8" wheel or anything... you have to use common sense... but I think Mary's example of running 275s while autoXing illustrates the point perfectly that there is a bit of fudge room when it comes to manufactures' recommendations.

[NvrDun71]

ttt... anymore input on a 275 on an 8" rim?

[Blown353]

ttt... anymore input on a 275 on an 8" rim?


A friend runs 275/40's on 17 x 8" wheels on his Chevelle... The outer tread blocks are definitely rolled up and some contact patch is lost because the wheel is too-narrow, and I can really feel the things squirm over going into a turn.

I've seen the 275 on 8" combo done frequently with autocross slicks-- but some autocross tires are designed to be put onto a smaller wheel than normally seen in order to keep you in a "stock" class so you don't get bumped up. You're limited to stock width wheels for the class but want more meat on the ground, so you mount tire combinations not normally seen or recommended. The tires are designed from the beginning to be mounted on a narrower than normal wheel for that particular tire size.

Pick a tire, look up the tire manufacturer's specs for acceptable wheel widths and stick with them. The tire will not only be safer but perform better. Wide tires on narrow wheels lead to bulged and mushy sidewalls which decrease both tread width on the ground and reduces steering feel. On my current 255/45 front tires I used to have them mounted on 8" wheels (narrowest spec) and they're now mounted on 9.5" wheels (widest spec.) The difference in steering feel, especially on turn-in, was VERY noticeable and a big improvement. Wide tires on narrow wheels just wallow and roll over more and feel more vague.

[M-bird]

275. anything wider will be pinched, not good on a low profile tire.

[Tony_SS]

ttt... anymore input on a 275 on an 8" rim?

I've been looking into it lately I'm going to test fit a 275/40 Nitto 555 on a 17x8 and see how it fits up front on my 79 Monte. I have talked to others who had run that setup and havent heard of any issues.

I know its not ideal and I'm not going to be taking it to the track so I'm not too worried about peak performance.

Resident Evil's Monte has the setup up front and it just looks awesome, so I'm going to give it a shot. Plus the 555's run on the small side so that should work in my favor. If the bulge doesnt look too bad I'll stick with it as long as there's clearance after the drop w/o rubbing.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/12/116_0312_05_zmonte_carlofront-1.jpg

Wheels: Billet Specialties Chicayne, 17x8 front, 11x17 rear
Tires: Michelin XGTZ P275/40ZR17, front; P335/25ZR17, rear

[DriverzInc]

This is a 275/40/18 NT555 on the back of this car. Mounted up no problem. It is a little wider than what the tire manufacturer is going to recommend, but it works.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/Grand_National_TorqLite18s004-1.jpg

Incidently, the front is a 245 on a 7" wide wheel, so the tire bulge looks similiar front to rear. :)