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    1. #1
      Join Date
      Feb 2006
      Location
      Columbia Co. NY
      Posts
      282

      Wheel/Tire upgrade worth it?

      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
      67' Camaro- 385 SBC/Autogear M22/Wilwood

      My 57' Truck build:
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/126935-Caddy-powered-pick-em-up-57-Chevy-truck

    2. #2
      Join Date
      Feb 2019
      Location
      Kankakee IL
      Posts
      362
      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.
      Tracey

    3. #3
      Join Date
      Feb 2006
      Location
      Columbia Co. NY
      Posts
      282
      Quote Originally Posted by Tsaints1115 View Post
      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.
      67' Camaro- 385 SBC/Autogear M22/Wilwood

      My 57' Truck build:
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/126935-Caddy-powered-pick-em-up-57-Chevy-truck

    4. #4
      Join Date
      Sep 2010
      Location
      Beach Park IL
      Posts
      2,838
      Country Flag: United States
      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.
      Donny

      Support your local hot rod shop!

    5. #5
      Join Date
      Feb 2006
      Location
      Columbia Co. NY
      Posts
      282
      Quote Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift View Post
      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!
      67' Camaro- 385 SBC/Autogear M22/Wilwood

      My 57' Truck build:
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/126935-Caddy-powered-pick-em-up-57-Chevy-truck

    6. #6
      Join Date
      Nov 2008
      Location
      Lawrenceburg, TN
      Posts
      4,083
      Country Flag: United States
      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

    7. #7
      Join Date
      Feb 2006
      Location
      Columbia Co. NY
      Posts
      282
      Quote Originally Posted by Rod View Post
      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.
      67' Camaro- 385 SBC/Autogear M22/Wilwood

      My 57' Truck build:
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/126935-Caddy-powered-pick-em-up-57-Chevy-truck

    8. #8
      Join Date
      Nov 2016
      Location
      Sulphur, La
      Posts
      598
      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.

    9. #9
      Join Date
      Feb 2006
      Location
      Columbia Co. NY
      Posts
      282
      Quote Originally Posted by CSG View Post
      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?
      67' Camaro- 385 SBC/Autogear M22/Wilwood

      My 57' Truck build:
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/126935-Caddy-powered-pick-em-up-57-Chevy-truck

    10. #10
      Join Date
      Nov 2016
      Location
      Sulphur, La
      Posts
      598
      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.

    11. #11
      Join Date
      Feb 2006
      Location
      Columbia Co. NY
      Posts
      282
      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.
      67' Camaro- 385 SBC/Autogear M22/Wilwood

      My 57' Truck build:
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/126935-Caddy-powered-pick-em-up-57-Chevy-truck

    12. #12
      Join Date
      Sep 2010
      Location
      Beach Park IL
      Posts
      2,838
      Country Flag: United States
      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.
      Donny

      Support your local hot rod shop!

    13. #13
      Join Date
      Feb 2006
      Location
      Columbia Co. NY
      Posts
      282
      Quote Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift View Post
      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.
      67' Camaro- 385 SBC/Autogear M22/Wilwood

      My 57' Truck build:
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/126935-Caddy-powered-pick-em-up-57-Chevy-truck

    14. #14
      Join Date
      Nov 2016
      Location
      Sulphur, La
      Posts
      598
      I had a 245 on a 9 (in a 17) and it looked funny. Too stretched for my tastes.

    15. #15
      Join Date
      Feb 2006
      Location
      Columbia Co. NY
      Posts
      282
      Quote Originally Posted by CSG View Post
      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.
      67' Camaro- 385 SBC/Autogear M22/Wilwood

      My 57' Truck build:
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/126935-Caddy-powered-pick-em-up-57-Chevy-truck

    16. #16
      Join Date
      Feb 2006
      Location
      Columbia Co. NY
      Posts
      282
      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.
      67' Camaro- 385 SBC/Autogear M22/Wilwood

      My 57' Truck build:
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/126935-Caddy-powered-pick-em-up-57-Chevy-truck

    17. #17
      Join Date
      Nov 2008
      Location
      Lawrenceburg, TN
      Posts
      4,083
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by rlovell383 View Post
      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




      Name:  13412186_10154312315746522_8727411022455618455_o_zpsyjgly4dh.jpg
Views: 268
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    18. #18
      Join Date
      Apr 2009
      Location
      Michigan
      Posts
      322
      Country Flag: United States
      Yeah if your car is as low as Rod's I think things are going to be pretty tight, both front and back.
      - Ryan

    19. #19
      Join Date
      Feb 2006
      Location
      Columbia Co. NY
      Posts
      282
      Quote Originally Posted by Rod View Post
      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


      Name:  13412186_10154312315746522_8727411022455618455_o_zpsyjgly4dh.jpg
Views: 268
Size:  81.5 KB

      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
      67' Camaro- 385 SBC/Autogear M22/Wilwood

      My 57' Truck build:
      https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/126935-Caddy-powered-pick-em-up-57-Chevy-truck

    20. #20
      Join Date
      Apr 2009
      Location
      Michigan
      Posts
      322
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by rlovell383 View Post
      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.
      - Ryan





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