Chevy Convert

It's about time to put the Pirelli's to rest. I'm stock ride height and want the largest tire (same all four corners) that will maintain the existiing gap or maybe close it up maybe a little bit. I've searched and it looks like 255/50/17's? I don't want side wall roll and would like to maintain or improve handling.

Snow and ice is not a factor and I don't drive in the rain much. Outside of size, what brand for some good grip?

Nuke

255/50/17's are only .14" shorter than the stock 235/55/17's. That's well within a change that won't require a speedo correction. However, I think you'll find you don't have as wide a selection of tires in that specific size.

There are a lot of grippy tires and it depends on what you want to spend. I put SOME faith in the ratings on sites such as tirerack.com. And I like how my Goodyear Eagle F1 all seasons handle but I don't drive in snow with the Stang so I should have gone with a summer high performance tire. Have fun! Lot's of choices.

Avalanch3

They don't make that size in the Goodyear Eagle's

BUT, you can pick up a nice set of Nitto 555 Extreme's

http://discounttires.com/product_det...E=&prodID=6767

Pretty cheap too IMO compared to American Muscle which sells them for $157 each.

Burrosito

Not to threadjack, but was wondering, if I got 20" rims, would any speedo correction be necessary? I currently have the stock 17's.

Nuke

Us ethis to calculate your change in tire revs per mile: http://www.1010tires.com/tiresizecalculator.asp

Usually with 20's (fugly, IMO) you'll end up going with a rubber band... I mean, a tire with a very low profile... in order to stay close to the original tire RPMS. Any changes are done with the handheld tuner.

Burrosito

Was just wondering. It'll be a while before I get rims and tires for my car, so I'm not too worried about it. Probably will decide between 18's and lots of rubber or 20's and clean style without lowering. Both look good IMO.

jahudso2

I have read good reviews for the summitomo htr zIIIs and they are dirt cheap on tirerack.com. they are probably my next tire. I am trying to decide whether to get the 235/55/17s or 255/40/17s. One benefit of getting slightly smaller tires is the increase in effective gear ratio you get.

Avalanch3

Holy hell, this isn't slightly smaller tires, those tires are a whole 2 inches smaller.. With that, you will have another 2 inches of gap between your fender and your car will be lower to the ground by 2 inches, making it easier to scrape..

The diameter difference is alost 8% with those tires and 3% should be the MAX in change because the car was designed to have a 27 inch wheel diameter.

jahudso2

yeah, so you lower your cg and get a more aggressive gear ratio at the same time. i'm not saying its the best way to do it, but is probably the cheapest.

nemosgt

Hi guy.
You will have to stay with the 27" diam. or so to avoid speedo correction.
With 20" rims you will have a harder ride and more chances to damage your rims on curbings etc.

Chevy Convert:

The only tires I could find at 255/50/17 were the Nittos or Fuzions. Not much choice in this size to maintain a 27" diam. I went with the Fuzion ZRi and was completely satisfied. Even tracked them.

Now using the Shelby500 18' take-offs which look sharp, handle well and are reasonably priced.

Cheers.