JPCTS-V04

It's getting time to put some new shoes on the V (2004). I've lowered my car about 1.5-2". Right now it's got stock size tires. I was looking at 255/45r18 or just going back with 245/45r18. The 255 is just half in taller and wider. Anybody running 255 all the way around? I was looking at the Michelin Pilot sport a/s 3+, nitto 555 g2, or bfg g-force sport comp 2. What are yalls experiences/thoughts on this? Thanks in advance!

Bio248

i'm running a 255/35R19 all around and i like it.

if i were in your shoes i'd run a 255/40 instead of a 255/45. i'd rather go down in sidewall size than up. the stock overall diameter is too big already.

FuzzyLog1c

iTrader: (4)

No, the stock diameter tire is too small. 26.70" already doesn't fill the wheel wells and smaller tires look (and ride) worse.

Bio248

not when you lower the car how it should have come off the factory floor, but we all have our own opinions on ride height and wheel/tire fitment.

ls1247

iTrader: (2)

GM engineers got the tire sizing and ride height spot on for daily, real world driving given how much power the car has....yes, its too tall to be pretty, yes the tires are too skinny to be cool or drag race on but that's not why they built the car...

They didn't get it wrong, we, me included, just don't like it the way they made it.

FuzzyLog1c

iTrader: (4)

What are you basing this on? Because I can convincingly argue that they got it wrong and they're incompetent idiots.

MN_V

iTrader: (5)

If the car is lowered do not run the 255/45 tire. It works nice on a stock spring but you'll rub like crazy lowered and put holes in your liners or worse up front. I have experience running that size tire on stock and ~1.25" lowering. Stock tire size works great, and with a quality tire I have no grip issues at all with a standard LS2 headers car.

ls1247

iTrader: (2)

I'm basing it on 130k miles in 3 v1s with various tire sizes and overall, the smoothest riding, best wearing, non-scrapping, easily available, easily rotated, relatively inexpensive, widest variety of tire choice you can put on this car is the factory size based on the budget constraints GM had to work with considering they started with a base CTS and not a purpose built platform.

But by all means, entertain us with your rants about how smart you are and how stupid everyone else is...

TorchRedRob

iTrader: (1)

I'm running Invo's in 255/40 all around and I'm also lowered. I agree that you don't want 255/45- it will most certainly rub up front. Look at my recent photo in the "what did you do today" thread to get an idea of what it looks like. Post #1616.

I'm happy with these tires and sizes. I like the lower sidewall height on the 18" wheel when it is lowered. It looks more "right" to me. Fwiw, I also think the invo has been a great tire.

Tuckin15s

iTrader: (10)

You argue everything on every post, so why stop now.


I am lowered 2" on coilovers and I just put new tires on and went with kumho ecsta ps91s in the factory size 245/45r18. I like them a lot they stick good ( I do a lot of autocross) and they look actually pretty nice on the car. For a pretty cheap entry level "sticky" tire I think they look and perform nice. I wouldn't recommend jumping to a wider tire if you are 2" or lower because you will probably rub the outer lip of the fender and trash them or the tires.

Just my opinion take it for what its worth.

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

I'm lowered on H&R springs and run the stock 245/45 size up front. I think the height of the tire is the main issue concerning clearance. During normal driving, it's fine. But you'll find yourself in a situation where it rubs when backing out of a driveway or something similar with an awkward transition in surface height.

RL Scenario: I was turning around in a driveway on a busy road so I could pull out straight and the owner of the house advised me to back onto a patch of dirt and swing it around that way, so I did. When I went to pull back onto the paved driveway with probably a 3" height above the dirt, my suspension flexed, put the tire right into the fender liner and ripped it right out. A shorter tire probably wouldn't have done that.

Daily scenario: When backing out of my relatively flat driveway, with a minor paved transition onto the asphalt paved street, I could hear my tires gently rubbing the topside of the outer fender as suspension flexed with the wheel turned. I have since place a pair of 1/8" washers under the strut tabs on top of the lower control arm to bring it up just slightly.

I would agree that 255/40 would be the better choice.

jmilz28

iTrader: (13)

If you're not rubbing now, measure your overall tire height now, add a few mm for tire wear, and find something that matches. Overall width is going to matter too but obviously no wear factor there. Be ready to fiddle with the suspension, fenders, and fender liners/wheel wells if you change anything. Just the nature of this V1 beast, not as much margin for mods in this area as other platforms. Here is a place to start: https://tiresize.com/height-calculator/

If it were me on a lowered car, I'd roll the dice with 265/40-18s on stock wheels but all the caveats above from me and others apply. I prefer stock height as I put too many miles over rough roads to dick with lowering, ride quality, rubbing, etc. Good luck!

bigti99a

iTrader: (16)

i am at stock ride height and have 255/45 nitto 555 g2s and love the set up. its damn tight though and i would be worried that with being lowered it will rub. the tire shop said i was super close to hitting suspension components but it did barely clear and i have zero issues.

FuzzyLog1c

iTrader: (4)

Get a 1/8 or 3/16" spacer from Mightymouse ($50) in there. The front trackwidth on the V1 is a half-inch narrower than the rear and fixing it will resolve any concerns about spindle clearance while improving roll stability and aesthetics.

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

Interesting, I didn't realize he made those. They're $30 on his site, btw.
https://www.mightymousesolutions.com...e/cts-v1-6-lug

FuzzyLog1c

iTrader: (4)

Damn, he made them cheaper. David (Mightymouse) is an awesome resource for small laser cut aluminum parts.

isis

iTrader: (1)

I have stock size up front and 275/40 in the rear on Team Dynamics wheels. I'm at stock height and like it just fine for driving and for looks. Pretty much pointless input based on the OP.

You're welcome.

TST_brah

Currently running Pilot SS 245/35/19 and 265/35/19.

Lowered, rolled fenders, no rub. Can go down a bit more in the rear, top of front tire is just tucked.

Came with 265,285 and those rubbed, had to lift the car a bit.

SE-R Spec

iTrader: (2)

Holy ****. A usable piece of information. Thank you fuzzy, in all sincerity.

FuzzyLog1c

iTrader: (4)

Shoo, troll. You could've Googled it, or gotten out a tape measure and figured it out in 30 seconds.

Anyone you thinks the above information is earth shattering has had their head jammed firmly in the ground for the duration of their ownership.