widest tire on stock 18's? (rear)

[TLEm1911a1]

when my stock tire start to go, i want to get an idea of what i can put on the rear wheels. i would like to go as wide as possible without any rubbing on the stock wheels. fronts dont matter ill keep those at 235 or whatever is cheap. thanks

[bnb5550]

ive seen 275s in the rear

[TLEm1911a1]

ive seen 275s in the rear

without modification to the fender and on stock wheels??

[Juniorss]

They will work but I honestly wouldnt go any wider then a 265 Nitto.

[Jim346]

every frickin day.

[LilJit02]

i love this question.. i know nittos run a bit smaller but i have 255 falkens and its pretty friggin close.. i rubbed the fender a few times on some hard turns.

[TLEm1911a1]

They will work but I honestly wouldnt go any wider then a 265 Nitto.


are you running these tires with stock suspension and no fender mods? 265 is wide enough for me, i just want to be safe with the rubbing while having as wide a tire i can. i wont be taking crazy hard autox corners with this car either....

[BRAZEN06GTO]

I know some have gone wider, but I wouldn't run more than 255's on the stock 18X8's.

[LS2 tiger]

I just got my 285 35 18 NITTO 555 R DR's today and they are a little narrower than my MT275 40 17 DR's. I didnt have a problem with them rubbing but I am rolled and have 5/16 drag springs. these should do me just fine.....

BOB.

[tripower]

I just got my 285 35 18 NITTO 555 R DR's today and they are a little narrower than my MT275 40 17 DR's. I didnt have a problem with them rubbing but I am rolled and have 5/16 drag springs. these should do me just fine.....

BOB.

...But on stock 18x8s as the OP asked? Thanks.

[TheEricHarris]

I agree, 255 is the widest I would go. Get a KDW2, they run a little wide.

[Juniorss]

are you running these tires with stock suspension and no fender mods? 265 is wide enough for me, i just want to be safe with the rubbing while having as wide a tire i can. i wont be taking crazy hard autox corners with this car either....

I personally dont have it but I wouldnt go more then a 265 Nitto which is like a 255 from other tire companies.

[BLACK05GTO]

What do you guys think of 255/40/18 vs 255/35/18s?

The 255/40/18s have a greater rolling diameter than the stockers. The 255/35/18s have a smaller rolling diameter than the stockers.
I wasn't sure about how that will affect performance. Larger diameter rear tires can take gearing out of the car. But the 255/40/18s would have a little more sidewall and may make a better rear tire?

What size tire would be better out back?

[ZackL04]

I just got 255 35 kdw on my stock 18s yesterday. They fit fine and dont rub yet, Its my daily driver and I just got it so I havent really learned how to lauch it hard yet. The car only has 20k on it so maybe the stock springs arent sagging yet either. To my surprise they were not as wide as I thought they would be...:(

[BLACK05GTO]

I just got 255 35 kdw on my stock 18s yesterday. They fit fine and dont rub yet, Its my daily driver and I just got it so I havent really learned how to lauch it hard yet. The car only has 20k on it so maybe the stock springs arent sagging yet either. To my surprise they were not as wide as I thought they would be...:(


The KDW2's break down for section width

235/35/18 - 9.4''
245/40/18 - 9.8"
255/35/18 - 10.2
265/35/18 - 10.7"
275/35/18 - 10.9

The 255's are .8'' (close to an inch) wider than stock 235s. Thats pretty significant. But when you move up to the 265s, they start to get real wide.

I thinking of running 245/40/18s up front and 255/35/18s out back.


Any pics of your car from the back running those 255s? I like to see how they look from behind.





.

[ZackL04]

ya let me find an image hosting site...

[ZackL04]

http://i6.tinypic.com/52ux8xk.jpg

not the best pic, i have a nice camera but I dont kno how to take a shot without all that fuzzyness in the dark areas...?

[ShelbyGoat]

^park it in the sun

I love those tires!

[tripower]

What do you guys think of 255/40/18 vs 255/35/18s?

The 255/40/18s have a greater rolling diameter than the stockers. The 255/35/18s have a smaller rolling diameter than the stockers.
I wasn't sure about how that will affect performance. Larger diameter rear tires can take gearing out of the car. But the 255/40/18s would have a little more sidewall and may make a better rear tire?

What size tire would be better out back?

How much of a difference in sidewall are you looking at between the 255/35, 255/40 and stock 235/40s?

[tripower]

I just got 255 35 kdw on my stock 18s yesterday. They fit fine and dont rub yet, Its my daily driver and I just got it so I havent really learned how to lauch it hard yet. The car only has 20k on it so maybe the stock springs arent sagging yet either. To my surprise they were not as wide as I thought they would be...:(

The BFGs are foolers because of the pattern I believe. I went from Michelin 245/35-19 PS A/S tires to same size BFG KDW2s on my Maxima and swear that the BFGs are narrower but they are not.

Can you take some side shots in the sun? What size tire did you go with up front? Thanks.

[Jim346]

The KDW2's break down for section width

235/35/18 - 9.4''
245/40/18 - 9.8"
255/35/18 - 10.2
265/35/18 - 10.7"
275/35/18 - 10.9



Section width is always measured on the recommended rim size. I'm willing to bet that 255 won't be close to 10" wide on the factory 18s. Just checked, BFG measures that tire on a 9" wide rim. The 265 and 275 are measured on 9.5s.

[06 TRed GTO]

I am liking the thought of 255/40/18 all the way around mite be real nice



.

[ZackL04]

I'll get another shot in the sun tomorrow, I'm running stock potenzas in the front with 90% tread, I hated the stock on back and burnt what was left of them off last weekend. I also lit up the new tires pretty good leaving discount for the dudes workin there! he he When the time comes I'll do the same size up front, maybe 245 35 if I develop strut rub, but I'll prolly get if fixed anyway.

The sidewall on my fronts looks to be a lil taller than the new KDWs but you'll never notice if you not looking, I think technically they are the same height

[collinms]

Hey do those KDW's hook up alot better then the stocks? and how is it riding with the stock tires on front with these because I am really considering doing this rather then rotating my pos stock tires...

[ZackL04]

well all I can really say is that they dont chirp like the stock ones did, they let out a nice deep whelp when I slam into second. Sounds tough! my stock rears were nearly slicks when i bought the 18s off a board member so I dont kno how slippery they are with 100% tread or even 50%. I have yet to rip on the car hard as I just got them yesterday. Tomorrow I'll get on them and come back with some opinions aight?

[BLACK05GTO]

Hey do those KDW's hook up alot better then the stocks? and how is it riding with the stock tires on front with these because I am really considering doing this rather then rotating my pos stock tires...

That what I'm running right now. 235 stockers up front with KDW2s 245/40/18s out back. It rides really good, and the KDW2's hook up great on the street. I also pulled a 1.9 sec 60' at our local 1/8 mile which has almost no prep. So in warm weather they do hook up really well.
In cold weather they can get a little stiff and slippery (just like most summer tires).

I just ordered two KDW2's 255/35/18 for my rear tires. I'm going to move the 245s up front. That should give my car a nice stance.

And the KDW2's are an excellent rain tire.

[ZackL04]

http://i10.tinypic.com/6atimtz.jpg

there you go!

http://i10.tinypic.com/4ziwoi9.jpg

Traction still sucks!

[PC4STOP]

You may run into strut rub if you go any wider in front. There is already VERY little clearance with the 235s

[collinms]

That what I'm running right now. 235 stockers up front with KDW2s 245/40/18s out back. It rides really good, and the KDW2's hook up great on the street. I also pulled a 1.9 sec 60' at our local 1/8 mile which has almost no prep. So in warm weather they do hook up really well.
In cold weather they can get a little stiff and slippery (just like most summer tires).

I just ordered two KDW2's 255/35/18 for my rear tires. I'm going to move the 245s up front. That should give my car a nice stance.

And the KDW2's are an excellent rain tire.

Can we go 255/40/18? wont that be better for ride quality and traction?

[tripower]

How much of a difference in sidewall are you looking at between the 255/35, 255/40 and stock 235/40s?


It looks like the 255/35 is about 1/2" shorter than the 235/40 on height.

[tripower]

there you go! Traction still sucks!

Thanks for posting up the pics. How about a "non-action" shot from the side?

[Kingsize]

Why isn't a sticky made of this so this question is not asked every other third day? :cry: :D

[Jim346]

Why isn't a stick made of this so this question is not asked every other third day? :cry: :D

Seems like nobody even mods this forum.

[BLACK05GTO]

Can we go 255/40/18? wont that be better for ride quality and traction?

I'd thought about 255/40/18s. They will work really well too. The 255/40/18s are bigger/taller than stock.

So I had to make a decision. Do I want a little bigger/taller or a little smaller? My experience running bigger/taller tires is that they slow the car down (remove gearing from the car).But I dought it will really matter all that much either way.
But with the 40s you will get more sidewall and and most likely a better ride.

[LS2-GTO]

I've driven my gto pretty hard with a pair of kumho 275/35/18's on 18x8's. I drove the car easy for some time but since adding a rear sway bar I'm able to push the car a bit more. Tires are great. I like the extra rubber for not only traction but also comfort. The ride is much better than with 235's and the tire wear is much less.

http://www.ls2gto.com/forums/attachment.php?attach mentid=65250&stc=1&d=1188586725

http://www.ls2gto.com/forums/attachment.php?attach mentid=65251&stc=1&d=1188586808

http://www.ls2gto.com/forums/attachment.php?attach mentid=65252&stc=1&d=1188586855

[BLACK05GTO]

It looks like the 255/35 is about 1/2" shorter than the 235/40 on height.

Yeah

235/40/18 KDW2's - 25.4
255/35/18 KDW2's - 25.0
255/40/18 KDW2's - 26.0

So when you move up to 255s your looking at .4 shorter or .6 taller. Take your pick.

[TLEm1911a1]

I've driven my gto pretty hard with a pair of kumho 275/35/18's on 18x8's. I drove the car easy for some time but since adding a rear sway bar I'm able to push the car a bit more. Tires are great. I like the extra rubber for not only traction but also comfort. The ride is much better than with 235's and the tire wear is much less.

http://www.ls2gto.com/forums/attachment.php?attach mentid=65250&stc=1&d=1188586725

http://www.ls2gto.com/forums/attachment.php?attach mentid=65251&stc=1&d=1188586808

http://www.ls2gto.com/forums/attachment.php?attach mentid=65252&stc=1&d=1188586855


so you fit 275's on the stock 18s without rubbing?? do you have any other suspension upgrades?

[LS2-GTO]

so you fit 275's on the stock 18s without rubbing?? do you have any other suspension upgrades?

Stock suspension 13,000 miles. I cut the fender lips before I mounted the tires. About 1/4" of lip cuttable lip is left. Only rub I've felt is on the inner fender on a hard right turn.

The MX's run a little wider than toyo's/nittos but narrower than bfg's.

Sway bar helped the body roll which imo cured the inner fender rub. I really don't drive the car that hard since it doesn't feel right on the edge. If I drive the car hard I drive to what realistically is much less than what the suspension is capable of just so the car will last a few years.

[tripower]

I've driven my gto pretty hard with a pair of kumho 275/35/18's on 18x8's. I drove the car easy for some time but since adding a rear sway bar I'm able to push the car a bit more. Tires are great. I like the extra rubber for not only traction but also comfort. The ride is much better than with 235's and the tire wear is much less.

What size fronts are you running? Do you think you would have had rubbing on the outer wells if you didn't cut? Thanks.

[tripower]

Yeah

235/40/18 KDW2's - 25.4
255/35/18 KDW2's - 25.0
255/40/18 KDW2's - 26.0

So when you move up to 255s your looking at .4 shorter or .6 taller. Take your pick.

Yep...That's where the 265/35-18 (KDW2) comes in @ 25.3" and is just about spot on. The 275/35-18 (KDW2) mentioned above is 25.6".

[LS2-GTO]

What size fronts are you running? Do you thgink you would have had rubbing on the outer wells if you didn't cut? Thanks.

235/40/18's up front. Wish I had 245's up front and will when I need new tires.

I bet it would have hit without cutting. At $200 a tire I wasn't taking chance. If you do a clean job it looks fine. No one would ever notice.

[BLACK05GTO]

Yep...That's where the 265/35-18 (KDW2) comes in @ 25.3" and is just about spot on. The 275/35-18 (KDW2) mentioned above is 25.6".

I think the 265/35/18 KDW2's are pushing it for the OEM 18'' wheel. I believe a member of this forum reported some rubbing with this size (running BFG's).
I would love to run those on some 9 or 9.5 inch wheels.

[LS2-GTO]

Kumho MX Tire Diameter and sect widths:

245/45/17: 25.8 (9.7 sect width (8.0" rim).
225/40/18: 25.1 (9.1 sect width 8.0" rim).
235/40/18: 25.5 (9.6 sect width (8.5" rim).
245/40/18: 25.8 (9.9 sect width (8.5" rim).
265/35/18: 25.4 (10.8 sect width (9.5" rim).
275/35/18: 25.7 (11.0 sect width (9.5" rim).
295/35/18: 26.1 (11.9" sect width (10.5" rim).

[res]

I've got 275 on stock 18's and suspension. Just drove from San Diego to Vegas and back with 4 people and trunk full of luggage for the long weekend.

Not a single issue.

[TLEm1911a1]

I've got 275 on stock 18's and suspension. Just drove from San Diego to Vegas and back with 4 people and trunk full of luggage for the long weekend.

Not a single issue.

nice what kind of tires? 275's would be nice on the back with 235's in the front

[Juniorss]

The KDW2's break down for section width

235/35/18 - 9.4''
245/40/18 - 9.8"
255/35/18 - 10.2
265/35/18 - 10.7"
275/35/18 - 10.9

The 255's are .8'' (close to an inch) wider than stock 235s. Thats pretty significant. But when you move up to the 265s, they start to get real wide.

I thinking of running 245/40/18s up front and 255/35/18s out back.


Any pics of your car from the back running those 255s? I like to see how they look from behind.





.

Compared to Nitto 555's vs Kumho MX

235/40/18......9.45..............9.6
245/40/18......9.72..............9.9
255/35/18......10.08
265/35/18......10.47.............10.8
275/35/18.......10.71............11.0

[collinms]

I've got 275 on stock 18's and suspension. Just drove from San Diego to Vegas and back with 4 people and trunk full of luggage for the long weekend.

Not a single issue.

Yes I would be interested in knowing what tire as well. Thanks

[tripower]

I've got 275 on stock 18's and suspension. Just drove from San Diego to Vegas and back with 4 people and trunk full of luggage for the long weekend.

Not a single issue.

Can you post up some pics? What are you running up front..235/40s? Thanks.

[res]

I'll post up pic's this evening when I get home from work.

[res]

I'm running 235/40/18 upfront and 275/35/18 Dunlop Direzza's on the rear. Sorry it wasn't very sunny this morning so the pictures aren't the greatest.

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8138.JPG

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8135.JPG

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8140.JPG

[tripower]

I'm running 235/40/18 upfront and 275/35/18 Dunlop Direzza's on the rear. Sorry it wasn't very sunny this morning so the pictures aren't the greatest.

Thanks for the shots. Are your fender wells chopped, cut, rolled or untouched?

[res]

Thanks for the shots. Are your fender wells chopped, cut, rolled or untouched?

untouched, my whole car is stock except for the tires and oil :oldfogey:

I'll try to get some more shots later today, now the sun is out.

[tripower]

untouched, my whole car is stock except for the tires and oil :oldfogey:

I'll try to get some more shots later today, now the sun is out.

Cool! If possible can you get a side shot of the Goat? Thanks.

[TLEm1911a1]

untouched, my whole car is stock except for the tires and oil :oldfogey:

I'll try to get some more shots later today, now the sun is out.

no rubbing at all?? do the dunlops run narrower than other brands?

[res]

Cool! If possible can you get a side shot of the Goat? Thanks.

Will do, any other angles you want? I suck at taking photographs so just let me know what you want to see.

no rubbing at all?? do the dunlops run narrower than other brands?

Zero rubbing, it was the first thing I checked for when we arrived in Vegas and also when we got home. Just to triple check 2 of us (about 160/170 each) even sat in the boot, bounced it a bit and it still didn't touch. I was really surprised after everything I've read on here.

[Juniorss]

How do you like the dunlops? I have one in the rear right now bc I had a blowout in Pa and needed a tire.

[ZackL04]

just me or do those look as though they run pretty narrow?

[LS2-GTO]

just me or do those look as though they run pretty narrow?

If you compare the amount of tire bulge between my pics (http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showpost.php?p=30758 57&postcount=35) and his... yes I agree they don't look any wider than BFG/Kumho 245's.

[res]

well hopefully here are enough pictures to answer all your questions.

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8142.JPG

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8143.JPG

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8144.JPG

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8145.JPG

[res]

and some more..........


http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8147.JPG

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8150.JPG

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8153.JPG

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8155.JPG

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8159.JPG

http://www.ummaah.com/gto/DSCF8162.JPG

[res]

How do you like the dunlops? I have one in the rear right now bc I had a blowout in Pa and needed a tire.

Dunlops are going great would definitely recommend them.

[TLEm1911a1]

Dunlops are going great would definitely recommend them.

are those the DZ101's? the size you are running if they are only 165 each. i dont see the regular direzza sport in 275 on tirerack.com

[res]

are those the DZ101's? the size you are running if they are only 165 each. i dont see the regular direzza sport in 275 on tirerack.com

yes they are the DZ101's (you can actually see the whole tire side-on in the 3rd pic of the last post on page 2).

[TLEm1911a1]

yes they are the DZ101's (you can actually see the whole tire side-on in the 3rd pic of the last post on page 2).

lol sorry lack of paying attention here

[tripower]

Dunlops are going great would definitely recommend them.

Thanks for the shots. How much clearance do you have from the top of the tire to the bottom edge of the wheel well at the 12 o'clock position? Are you running matching Dunlops up front? How many mile so you have on the tires? Thanks again.

[res]

Thanks for the shots. How much clearance do you have from the top of the tire to the bottom edge of the wheel well at the 12 o'clock position? Are you running matching Dunlops up front? How many mile so you have on the tires? Thanks again.

Not sure about clearance, i'll measure it over the weekend. Running Bridgestone Potenza's upfront and i've had the dunlop's on for about a month.

[xtremelift]

well I have some bfg kdw not the kdw2s just put on my car 245/40 18 inch all the way around my car and let me tell ya rides bit better BUT I have a lil bit of the dreaded strut rub on the pass side tire:bomb:

[bad07gsxr705]

305 i had on mine