Gunny Highway

iTrader: (1)

Right now I have 17x8 ROH Snypers all the way around. I'm currently running Pirelli PZero Nero 245/45/17s on all the corners. Now they're great for handling, but 1.) my 365 RWTQ kills them (the tire or the width is the culprit?) and 2.) they're hard as a rock making the ride jarring.

Now I know it's been of some debate whether or not we can run 275/40/17s on these wheels or not . . . I think I really need that width on the rear. So??? . . . .

Also, for a slight upgrade in comfort I've been thinking about switching to either Nitto 555s or Nitto Invos, since they're known to have softer sidewalls. Or maybe I should should just get some drag radials????

Advice? Suggestions?

Sonix

iTrader: (1)

45 and 40 series tires are rubber bands. They're fine for handling, but you have NO sidewall. If you want to drive around like skipping a rock on a pond, go for it.
Otherwise, 50 series is as low as you want to be for it to be a real tire and give you some forward bite. That's with a WIDE tire, 60 series for a narrower one.
Drag radials are expensive when you're replacing them with your oil changes. I'd avoid those. Get a tall wide tire with a moderately soft compound and you're set.

HPE

I use to run 335 -30/17's on a custom made 17x 12.5 rim on the back of my Vette in a sticky autox BFG R1 tire. I used to spin them going into 2nd gear at 70mph- Its the small sidewall that makes the tire hard and unforgiving on acceleration. You need at least a 50 series sidewall to retain straight line traction with decent HP.

doc

Can you buy the same style wheel but in a 18x10.5 or 17x9.5 or 17x10.0 ?

Look into the BFG G-force TA Drag Radial,,, BFG has this tire is many sizes.

BTW: I would not put a P275/40R17 on a wheel being only 8.0" wide. You will loose alot of tread width contact with the road as the bead are sucked in which will pull down the tread shoulders.

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

na u cant run 275s on a 17x8, max tire width would be 255. u can tuck a 9 inch rim without worrying about the fender lip if u get the right offset, but wit 365 tq u might as well get 10-10.5s bc your still gona light them up pretty easily, anything larger than 17/18x9 and ur gona have clearance issues but it can be done

Gunny Highway

iTrader: (1)

Nope, the wheel is no longer made, nor has it in 2-3 years.

So the consensus seems to be: If I stick with the 17x8s that I might be able to use a 255/50-17 if such a thing exist? Otherwise I'm going to have to go to wider wheels or have mine stretched?

customblackbird

iTrader: (15)

yup, they have 255/50-17 and 255/45/17 and 255/40/17 ive seen them u just have to shop around. 255's over a 245 is not really noticable and will give u nothing on the street. ur gona need alot more tire. the least being a 275 but i would be looking into 315's and a 10-10.5" rim. i smoke my 245/45/17's wit out a prob and i have a stock long block tpi350

Shagwell

Sidewall is a major factor. Drag radials have a much softer compound sidewall than regular street tires, so there is some to be gained, but the shorter series tires still aren't very forgiving. 255/50/17 I believe is the factory tire size on the big-body Impala SS(LT1 era) cars. - Deffinitely stay away from improperly fitted tire/wheel set-ups, as they'll actually hook less.

- 315/35/17 nito dr's here on a 17x11 wheel, 1.66 60fts with all homemade suspension components. Suspension set-up plays a major roll in launch traction also. An agressive pinion angle helps short sidewall tires, but too much and they'll rebound, thus unloading(spin).

- another thing, how good are your shocks?

Gunny Highway

iTrader: (1)

Less than 10k on Tokico HPs coupled with the Eibach Pro-kit. The Pirellis have the same mileage.

Maybe I should just keep the same tire size and switch tires??? . . . . thoughts? . . . recommendations?

Shagwell

Drag radials hook straight line much harder than conventional street tires, but you tend to loose a little handling due to the softer sidewall. - I've been very please with my NT555 Dr's. The BFG's hook harder, but don't last as long. - Last I remeber I was getting somthing like 15k out of the nitto's, and I abuse them most every time I drive it. - If you search under my name, I have responded in several of the drag radial posts and have a two car comparison listed for the BFG vs Nitto on my car and my buddies 11sec '02 stang.