Blevinator

Looking at 550rwhp after my APS TT is installed. Weight 0f 3600. I do know that high powered cars (z06's,Vipers,etc) come factory equipped with wide rim widths. I thought this was the way to go. 10.5 on the rear with a 305 35 17?
I am a little confused, as I see some threads saying wider tires slow the car down? Any help would be appreciated.

TireSm0ke

iTrader: (1)

The short answer is YES. With street tires and 550 to the wheels I doubt your going to hook at all with something thinner than a 295 width. If your running slicks or good DRs you could probably get away with going thinner, but more meat on the tires is gonna hook better and it looks awsome. As far as the width goes, you probably wouldnt hook any better with a 315 over a 295, but by all means go as wide as you can.

Duffster

iTrader: (103)

think of it this way, when you want to reduce rolling friction on the fronts, what do you do. . .get skinnies, so conversely, wider tires must have more rolling friction. . . or traction. . .

Blevinator

Thanks all!
275'5 on front 305's rear 17's good?

MongooseAtHeart

iTrader: (1)

keep in mind that the wider isnt ALL of the traction you need a taller tire as well to allow for sidewall flex with a shorter sidewall you will have just as little traction as you would if ther tire was skinner. i would run a 315/40/17 or 335/40/17 as far as the street goes. this will insure max traction as far as street tires go. plus they will look so good!

HavATampa

iTrader: (49)

There is a limit to the width also before it starts hurting traction. Remember, the wider you go, the weight of the car is spread out over a larger contact area causing less downward pressure per sq. inch. Plus, you have to throw in all the other variables of tire design and materials used. Also, the bigger tire needs a bigger rim which all adds up to more weight.....usually.

Blevinator

Can I do 315 40 17's on a 10.5 in rim without rubbing? 01 T\A vert.
Thanks!

Flaring Afro

wider tires increase traction and therefore friction. wider tires will make you launch better and get better grip for better acceleration at sub 100. then at whatever straight line speed you do have enough grip with your thinner tires, you will accelerate a little slower because of the extra friction.

If I were you i wouldn't do anything short of 315s.

tillery

iTrader: (4)

Like Duffster said, less rolling resistense and a wider tire dont cut it. A larger footptrint dont meen wide. Your going foward not sideways-cornering- like the ZO or Viper. Those cars also havea better suspension than the F body to help go straight.

'Trust'

iTrader: (24)

Agreed, in reference to the sidewall height. However, that's a pretty tall tire, or at least not the norm. My car makes just over 650 RWHP in the summer, not sure how much it gained due to the cooler air and I've had both 335/35/17 Hoosier DR's and 315/35/17 MT DR's. Both of which will provide some sort of traction on the street.

Blevinator

315/35/17 fit without modifications? (10.5" rim width)

ndfrsd6

iTrader: (5)

^^^ yes on a T/A they will

k0261886

iTrader: (5)

Might need to knock the inner fender in a little but that is all as long as you are at stock height. If you lower the car however, you will need to roll the fender.

rvnsky

iTrader: (8)

Idk... id rather have a tired with Larger overall diameter rather than just a wide tire with no sidewall flex...

FLSSLS1

I'm lowered 2" and 285 / 40 / 17 is best I can do without sheetmetal work and that's out of the question. The thing to keep in mind with tires is the rubber compound i.e. soft vs hard. softer tread will hook up better but will not last as long, etc.

k0261886

iTrader: (5)

You are agreeing with me? Also, what size rim do you have the 285/40/17s on?

03_r6

Friction is not what slows down your acceleration at x speed it's rotational inertia. Rotational inertia is what resists angular acceleration, so the more mass the wheel has and more importantly the orientation of the mass around the axis of which it will be rotating determines it's rotational inertia. To get a change in angular acceleration you must apply a torque and the greater the acceleration the greater the torque, however the greater the rotational inertia more torque will be required to generate the same acceleration. highschool physics we all learned newtons laws, the second being F=ma (force equals mass times acceleration) this is the same thing just think of F as Torque and Mass as Rotational inertia and Linear acceleration now becomes Angular acceleration. so that is why people say larger wheels will slow you down because they TEND to have a greater rotational inertia and take more energy to get them to move or change momentum. NEXT the amount of unsprung weight will go up which is just the amount of weight not being supported by the suspension (wheels tires rotors etc.) but that's a whole different chapter. and lastly this whole idea of friction so far is kinda askew (not trying to be an asshat just clarifying) frictional force whether kinetic or static is independent of surface area. (so why do the big boys have HUGE tires?) ADHESIVE properties are greatly affected by surface area however! That's why when people start putting on sticky tires they notice a change from a 265 to a 315 MT because it's not just frictional force (Frictional force= Coefficient of friction x Normal force) it's adhesive properties as well. I hope that clears up a few things and i have my flame suit on if anyone wants to go that route

Flaring Afro

wheel weight is part, but its friction as well. if you put a high psi of air in your tires, there will be less friction and it will accelerate faster. but lowering the pressure helps with launching.

MongooseAtHeart

iTrader: (1)

you'll need to hammer the inner wheel wells a little bit and roll the fender with a 315/35/17, im having to do it with my 315/30/18 that im putting back there and they are about the same size really

DopdBrd

iTrader: (25)

Yes wider tires will make you hook up better, but at the same time there are guys running single digit 1/4 miles on 10 inch wide tires.