CrazyAl

Thanks to everyone that chimed in on my earlier post regarding wheel sizing and the like.

I've decided on my wheel sizes. I ordered the FR500 replica wheels from Mustang Tuning. These are 18x9". I'm going to keep the fronts stock (18 x9) but I am going to have the rears widened to 10 3/8". I have checked all my measurements, and I can fit those wide rears with no interferance at all.

Now, the question is what size tire to go on these guys. Since I want WIDE rears, I'm looking at the 295-35R18 for the back. The wheel width is just about perfect, but the diameter of these tires comes in at 26.1". That is a bit less than the OEM diameter of 27" on my Pirellis. I know that I can adjust the speedo to compensate just fine, but I was wondering if this diameter change would throw off my handling or appearance?

On the other hand, I could go with the 285-40R18, which are 27" diameter, same as stock. But, they would be slightly narrower. Any comments/suggestions?

torch red

The difference between 285 and 295 is minimal at best, however the 35 series tire might be brutal

hitting the bumps...a 40 series tire might be a better overall choice...

and you will still have the Stock diameter..seems like a win/win to me...

EJD05GT

Did you get the silver or chrome?
-E

CrazyAl

I got them in Black. Though, once they come back from the widening shop, I'm going to have them bead blasted and powdercoated a matte black. I figure that'd have a really mean look on my Black car. Plus, it will really enhance the look of the Wilwood 13" discs I'm going to be sticking in there.

CainMotorsports2102

so are u getting 16" wheels or 18" im confused?

18x9 can take a 255/45-18 up front no issues with 27" OD

out back a 285/40-18 would be a good choice witha 26.9" OD

CrazyAl

18" wheels, I'm sorry for the typo. I'll edit the first post to make it clear.

CainMotorsports2102

okay..sorry. are u doin 9" all the way around?

CrazyAl

9" in the front, 10 3/8" in the rear.

CainMotorsports2102

eh..the rears my poke out a little bit. I dont know if they make it in the perfect offset to not hit the shock, but stay in the fender well. I tryed a 10.5" wide with 30mm offset and it stuck out bad, another 5mm of offset and it would have hit the shock. so you may wannadouble check that, but again im not sure..cause i have never looked into thr FR-500's.

With that wide of a rear you wana go atleast a 285. I checked itno a 295/40 and its about 3 tenths too tall and a 295/35 is about 9 tenths too small soo......

CrazyAl

I checked my measurements three times over, and I'm going to have plenty of clearance running the "10.5".

As for the tires, does anyone actually make a 295/40? That sounds interesting. 3 tenths is negligeable. I tried searching for that size on Tire Rack and it came up with zero hits.

The 295/35, like you said, is 9 tenths too small. It will of course fit, but I'm wondering how that will look? Anyway, that is a Corvette size, so there are MANY different tire choices available, including some really nice ones like the Eagle GS-D3 and the BF Goodrich KD.

At the moment, I'm looking at the 255/45 up front and 285/40 out back. More than likely it will be the KDW-2s, The price/performance/durability is very attractive amongst those sizes.