Kona6Stang10

I'm somewhat still a bit confused here......from the picture it seems that the 18x9.5 will work up front with 275/40.....but will there be any gains from doing this .....over say a 255/45? will it really be "THAT" much a difference besides slightly more bulge and slightly less sidewall?

Philostang

Thanks Norm, and my apologies for not being clear in my question. The OP is considering a 10" wide rim in back and a 9" rim in front, so the relevant comparison of how a 275/40R18 tire is going to act are between wheels that are a full inch different and mounted opposite one another.

FWIW, I suspect the answer of a 1" difference (over 1/2") is still going to be "not much on the street" and maybe a small noticeable difference on track (and likely only if you're a seasoned driver sensitive enough to such things). I dunno.

Of course, that's talking about a direct back-to-back comparison between swaps of different tires up front. The OP's question and concern is different. My original response assumed the following:

1. He is happy with his current balance (using same size wheel/tire combo on front and rear).
2. He's upgrading the size of both tire and wheel, but attempting to maintain his current balance with the same size tire.
3. This would work w/o much thought if his upgrade was consistent front to back.

My thought was that his wheel stagger (1" difference in width) will not be as successful in maintaining his current "happy balance" as it would if front and rear wheels were the same. That is, if I read you correctly, his turn in response and understeer are going to suffer more under the proposal than if he went 10"s all around. So at least in theory, I suggested, he's not going to preserve as much of the balance he has now.

As usual, "how much" matters here and is (even if quantified) always judged in value by the end user and his/her interests. From what I gather the OP's choice is constrained by what is being offered. So maybe we can file this under the "Am I going to shoot myself in the foot if I do this?" category of question. To the OP, I hope I'm reading you correctly.

Best,
-j

157dB

Different width rims with the same size tires equals different sidewall
angles and unbalanced operation. Back to the drawing board on that one.
staggered rims are for staggered tires......
get the same width rims and the same size tires for balanced handling...

get 50mm offset rims and be much more happier
275/40-??
you dont mention rim DIAMETER???
and steering stops to go with those rims......

pascal

If it's any help...
I run 275/30 up front on a 8.5 rim but in 20' size of course.
+38 offset and 26' diameter.

No rubbing at all, even at maximum steering radius going over bumps.
The car is lowered with FRPP springs as well.

Work out your offset and that tire size will fit with ease...

cstich08

Philostang, you're correct thats exactly what I'm saying. Thanks for all of the clarification.

157db, pretty much the response I expected. Unbalanced anything is usually gonna have adverse effects. I think I will stick to 9" or 9.5" all around with 255s since I dont need 275s with my power output or purposes. Also, what do you mean by "steering stops to go with those rims"?

On a side note, are there any wheelsets that yall find cheap or just dissatisfactory from a rigidity, quality, or structural integrity standpoint? I ask because the fr500 wheels that I am looking at are replicas which makes me slightly nervous in terms of performance of the wheel. thoughts?

thanks to everyone for all of the input