EthanP71

In the next few months I'll be buying a set of SVE Drift wheels in either 18X9 or 18X10. I asked on the LRS forum and they are making them in a proper offset for S197's, although the ETA is TBD. I was planning on running 275/40-18 tires, although I've been hung up on the very slight diameter shrinkage from stock and what I have on the car now.

I have 255/45-18 Nitto 555's right now which have a 27" diameter. With 275/40-18 tires I'd be giving up a bit of diamter at 26.7". I know that difference is pretty neglible, but I'm a little bit worried about that very small loss of ground clearance I'll suffer. I know this sounds a little ridiculous. The car is lowered on Steeda springs (not sure which ones- the car came with them) and while I love the stance and handling, I'm always worried about it scraping/bottoming out since it has bottomed out on a couple driveways (right on the floor of the car seemingly right under my *** in the seat! lol)

With all of that being said, I thought I'd see what's up with 275/45-18 tires. They're a little taller than I'd like at 27.6" diameter, but that's why I'd LOVE to see pics of guys running 275/45-18 tires on an S197. I've been digging through old threads, but none have pics of the tires on the car.

Thanks!

Jazzer The Cat

Ya.. pretty silly (I keed, I keed )

Remember, you will only lose 1/2 of the diameter to ground clearance. This means, you will have .15" less clearance. This translates to less than 1/8" and will NEVER even notice it in any way. Heck, your current tires are probably worn enough tread to be more than this. Don't worry in the slightest about it, you will have no percievable issues whatever

If you decid to go with the 45 series, you will pick up an additional 1/4" in ground clearance and an equal amount less room around the fenders to tire gap. This will not be an issue either and would very unlikely to tell the difference without looking VERY closely, compared with your current tires.

This is your call, as either will be fine, but I really don't think pics will help you. If the other car has ANY difference in springs/wheel diameter, it will make the images mute.

Jazzer

EthanP71

I know it really is a very minute difference, but I think that may actually be the difference between scraping and not scraping. The driveway that I pull into every day at school has a sharpish bend in it and I swear every time I go over it, I can practically feel my *** scraping the sidewalk.

I'm not really worried about the tire-fender gap. I mainly just want to see pics to make sure the tires don't look like monster truck tires for the overall look on the car.

Jazzer The Cat

OK.... I understand, as I have less clearance than probably anybody on this site, at slightly over 1.5" under MOST of my cars exhaust. We are talking less than 1/8" on your car that is literally the width of the following alphabet character written in red:

----------->S<------------

Unless you have a HUGE font going on your computer, that is it

Jazzer

EthanP71

So really.. no one has 275/45-18 tires? I know they'll be ok on the back because I've seen pics of lowered Mustangs with 295/45-18's which are much wider and taller. I'm more concerned about the front- how it would look and if there would be rubbing. The price break of the 275/45-18 over the 275/40-18 for the Continental ExtremeContact is also a main reason as to why I'm interested in this.

bigblue95z

Just got a set last week. Wont be another week at least before I put them on. I'll post some pics then.

Dub's

If i was you, I would do 275/40/18 F and 295/40/18/ This would be a very good stance for you.

Hamidar05

I ordered a set too. I could not believe the price! I figure it is a closer diameter to the originals (235 50 18 = 27.2") until I get a tuner to change it. I like a little more sidewall than rubber bands too. Post the pics please!

EthanP71

I wound up buying a set too. I don't like the staggered tire look so that would have been out of the question. Like a lot of other guys, I got the Continental DW on close out at Tirerack for $100 a piece. They are so beefy

Just waiting for LateModelResto to get their 18" Drift wheels in S197 offset...

Here's a pic of the tires for now



Next to my 255/45-18 Nitto 555's that will be for sale soon.

Roush05

Just out of curiosity, how much do you plan on asking for the NT555s? I just ordered some 275s for my rear but I wouldn't mind having a pair of 255s in the front to match.