18" Tire Recommendations

[pggto]

I just purchased a set of Boss 338 wheels for my 70 GTO Convert, and now I need to get some tires. The wheels are 18x8 and 18x9.5, I was looking at a 275/40/18 for the rear and a 245/40/18, 245/45/18, 235/45/18 and a 225/45/18 for the front. The suspension and brakes are still stock for now, I may lower it a little and add 4 wheel disks later. What are you guys running for tires, and what do you like and dislike? I will be living with these tires for a long time so I want to make a good decision. I was looking at BFG g-force, Nitto NT555, and General Exclaim UHP. It seams the Generals have the better size selection for what I need. This is not a track car by any means just a cruiser, so I don’t want to spend a $1000+ on tires. I've owned this car for 28 yrs so its time baby got a new pair of shoes! Thanks for your input

[Jeff70]

If your not wanting to lower it to much i would go with a 245/45 front and 285/45 or 40 in the rear. Check out the nt-05's seems to be a good tire that's not to expensive.

[66SuperSport]

Jeff

I have a brand new set of Nitto NT-05s if you are interested. 245/40/18 & 275/40/18. Bought them for a project that died before it started. Purchased earlier this year so they have not been sitting around. PM me if you are interested.

[pggto]

Jeff

I have a brand new set of Nitto NT-05s if you are interested. 245/40/18 & 275/40/18. Bought them for a project that died before it started. Purchased earlier this year so they have not been sitting around. PM me if you are interested.


Hi Jeff, Thanks for the offer, but those are not really the type of tire I'm looking for.

Paul

[buickfunnycar.com]

I would consider at least a 255/45 front to help fill those wheelwells up,that and a 285/40 rear if you want err on the safe side.
245's will look a bit small on your car...

I run a 18x9/18x10 combo on my '70 SS454 with 275/35 & 305/35 rubber and it fits w/o issues.

[pggto]

Can you post a picture of your Chevelle? Thanks

[DriverzInc]

If the wheels are the right offsets, I would suggest a 285/40/18 rear, and a 245/40/18 on the front. I know in some cases, guys like the 245/45 front, but in my opinion, it looks like too much sidewall on the front.

[CHILI442]

I've got a pair of the Nitto 555s 245/45/18. They were on the front of my car for a couple hundred miles. They're like brand new. $170 to your door if you're interested.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/DSCF0029-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/DSCF00023-1.jpg

[pggto]

I've got a pair of the Nitto 555s 245/45/18. They were on the front of my car for a couple hundred miles. They're like brand new. $170 to your door if you're interested.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/DSCF0029-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/08/DSCF00023-1.jpg

CHILI442, I might be interested in them, can I ask why you removed them? Please PM me your contact info, Thanks, Paul

[pggto]

If the wheels are the right offsets, I would suggest a 285/40/18 rear, and a 245/40/18 on the front. I know in some cases, guys like the 245/45 front, but in my opinion, it looks like too much sidewall on the front.

I know what you mean, I'm worried about to much side wall, but in the lovely pothole infested state of WI I need some side wall to protect the wheels from getting bent. The 245/45 has a 4.34" sidewall and the 245/40 has a 3.86 sidewall, I was considering a 255/45 as well and the sidewall on that is 4.52" to help fill the wheel well

[MCMLXIX]

I have some Dunlop 245/45/18 on 18x8 rims on all 4 corners. I think any less of a sidewall is too little... but thats just my .02 cents..... and today its free ....

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/01-1.jpg

[68Formula]

If a 255 will fit the front you could split the difference and run a 255/40R18 staggered with a 285/40R18 on the rear. They'll be a slightly different height, but it would give you a natural rake and more sidewall than a 245/40.

Personally I don't see a problem with 245/45 being too much sidewall either. I hear you on the potholes. When I lived in Detroit they were terrible. I was glad to have my 245/45s for a little more rim protection.

[ed1le]

I plan on running 245/45 & 275/40/18's on my '70 Skylark. Actually already have the tires (happened across a good deal on a matching set on craigslist) and just need to order my wheels. I plan on running the 338's as well (18x8 & 18x9.5) w/ the black center.

[Bayou_Flyer]

FWIW, I've had two sets of the Generals in 90k miles (mostly highway). I've been nothing but impressed with the performance, quietness and longevity. The reviews at tire rack sold me the first time, my exerience brought me back the second and about to be the third time.

[buickfunnycar.com]

Can you post a picture of your Chevelle? Thanks

Sorry,haven't checked in awhile:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/DSC00454-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/DSC00451-1.jpg

Here's one with a little more sun...plenty of sidewall for me:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSC05986-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/DSC05616-1.jpg

[SS1156]

Sorry,haven't checked in awhile:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/09/DSC00454-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/DSC00451-1.jpg

Here's one with a little more sun...plenty of sidewall for me:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/12/DSC05986-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/07/DSC05616-1.jpg

Are these Rushforths?

[DriverzInc]

Bonspeed Huntington's. We sold him those.... sorry John, thought I'd jump in for ya :)

[ErikLS2]

I haven't ever seen them mentioned here but want to suggest the Bridgestone Potenza RE 760 Sport. I put them on a lot of Lexus', they are wisper quiet, wear very well, 340 A A rating and while I can't speak for their lateral grip really, in a straight line on one of our models with killer brakes they'll about put you through the windshield with not a hint of a squeal. Most 18's are under $200. I highly recommend them, here: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE760+Sport&partnum=74WR8RE760

Maybe Jon can get them?

[pggto]

I ended up going with the Nitto 555, 245/45/18 &275/40/18. Thanks for your responses and pictures.

[CHILI442]

Could have saved you some money. Does anybody else want of a pair of Nitto 555 245/45/18 tires (scroll up). More pics available.

[pggto]

Could have saved you some money. Does anybody else want of a pair of Nitto 555 245/45/18 tires (scroll up). More pics available.

I thank you for the offer, and you could have saved me about $200, but I just didn't want to put used tires on new rims.

[ed1le]

I ended up going with the Nitto 555, 245/45/18 &275/40/18. Thanks for your responses and pictures.

Beautiful! I haven't bought my rims yet but it's great to see the same combo that I'm going w/ on another a-body 'vert. Curious what you've done for stance, just springs? Thanks.

[pggto]

The suspension is just the stock replacement springs I put in the car many years ago. I think I bought them from Year One. I just put the wheels and tires on a few days ago, I was planning on lowering it a little, but the current stance doesn't look to bad. I’ll leave it this way until I park it for the winter and then decide if I should lower it. I defiantly gotta do something with the brakes though.

[ed1le]

I thought it might be lowered some, the stance looks great. I have Eibachs on mine so it'll sit about an inch or so lower. I'm really motivated to buy my rims now! :)

[pggto]

I'm pretty happy with the wheels, they were not that expensive, i paid $650 for the set with the valve stems and lug nuts. And there made in the USA.