Project 5.GO!

Hi guys, I have a question to ask the pros that I'm running really short on time to answer. I have a 1989 GT with 17 x 9 Cobra wheels at all four corners. Right now I'm running 245/45/17 on all of them. I would love to run thinner tires in the front, but looking at the way the tire fits the wheel, 245 looks like the minimum width that would work on them. I am showing metal on 2 of my tires, so you can imagine the urgency.

When I bought the rims, they were an eBay combination, and when I had them put on, the tires rubbed in the front wheel wells, where the outside edge of the tire caught it. Since they don't have any tread on them at the moment, they don't rub. I found an astounding local deal where a dealer will sell me some overstock Bridgestone 255/40/17 for $110 for all 4. I would have to pick them up by 7 today... I know the 255 would be a red flag for me normally, but the 40 says its a shorter tire. I know that the answer to this problem lies not in the height or width alone, but the combination of the two where the outside edge lies. I don't have the mathematical ability to calculate this. I know that there are those among you who have years of experience waaaaay above and beyond the idiots at the local tire joint. Will one of you pros tell me if I can run these tires on the front, or if I should pass?

Thanks tons in advance!!

USMC1775

I think the 255/40 would be pretty close to the 245/45, height wise. What does it rub, the inner fender?

crusin92red5.0

110 for all four, i would do it. i have 245/45/17 all the way around and my tire rubs a little. i have many friends that have 255/40/17 up front and 275/40/17 in the rear and their tires don't rub with the same rims. You might have to do some modifications so they don't rub, but for the deal your offered i wouldn't pass especially if its a nice looking and performing tire

5.0stanger

I was running that size. They are about 25" tall, so they are a little shorter but will work fine. I thought they were too narrow for my 9" rim, but for $110, I would buy them up.

93 LX FiveO

i run 255's on ponies with no rubbing, lowered 2" in the front

Project 5.GO!

Yeah, it rubs the inside front of the wheel well where the ground effects screw in. I wish I could modify it, but short of grinding out a hole in my wheel well, I don't know an esthetically pleasing way of eliminating the problem.

Project 5.GO!

Too narrow? You running big tubs in the front? LOL

How far out of wack will the shorter tires throw my speedometer?

crusin92red5.0

do you have cc plates?

Project 5.GO!

That's a no. Why, do you think they will rub on the arms?

Chuckles_5.0

The front tires shouldn't change the speedo, since the back tires are what moves the car the fronts just roll to match.