unclemilti

I got the wheel/tire upgrade on my new Saleen- but theres something that doesn't make sense.

The 20X10 rims in the back have 275/40/20 tires on them. Front has 9" rims with 275/35/20 tires.

The contact patch is the same size on both tires- so why didn't Saleen put a 295/30/20 on the 10" rim, and leave 275/35/20 on the front 9" rims?

I mean- it just doesn't make any sense to me. The purpose of the 10" rim is what? I would have figured to put a beefier tire on the rear to aid traction.

Its not a huge deal to me, because I am thinking about putting different rims on the car anyways- but still, to charge 2500 bucks extra for "upgraded" 10" rear rims and Rosso tires doesn't add up when the contact patch stays the same.

Maybe I am missing something?

trmn8er

Does seem a little odd, but perhaps they want to give you the option of getting a wider tire. Wider is NOT always better. I have 285/30/20's on Foose 20X10" rims on the rear, and they fit and look great.
Really it's up to you.

Saleen05797

I thought someone told me once that the first two numbers in a tire size work in ratio with each other, so maybe the contact patch really is wider just the number is the same?

Jazzer The Cat

Actually, the contact patch is not necessarily the same, so two reasons for the wider wheel may be present. The 295 tire is going to be bigger in diameter as well as width, so there may be too little clearance for the tire with 20" rim. Also, if you look close you will probably see that the 275 tire on the front will have some of the tread "wrapping around" the side of the tire somewhat. This will aid in cornering in the front more thant the rear. I bet if you measure the "actual" area that meets the ground, you will probably see more contact area in rear with the same 275 tire

sowaxeman

There is a '05 S281SC on ebay right now with 315's on the back and IMO it does NOT look right [:'(] I'm pretty sure the contact patch is wider in the back. Plus, the 275/40 on the back is the biggest P-Zero they make in a 20 I believe. The $2500 is more than just the 10" wheel, its wheel & TIRE upgrade. The P-Zero's are a good chunk of that upgrade price.

Jazzer The Cat

....I always heard that name referring to Milton Berle

dotbomb

This upgrade also includes the 14" front brakes.

Birdieman4

The problem is that pirelli doesn't make a 295 width tire for a 20' rim. That's why Saleen doesn't offer it.

unclemilti

Well, according to the tire size calculators I've found on the net- the calculators that allow changing the rim width show no size difference at the contact area, and a small increase at the sidewall width.

Maybe the Pirellis are different?

S281 E

They do offer a PSII upgrade and that comes with 285 in the back.