Last shot before I settle

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 19, 2015 | 04:08 PM

Smoove

Thread Starter

On The Tree

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 126

Likes: 0

Last shot before I settle

I appreciate this forum. Already the how to' shave helped me tremendously so far. Thanks for that.
I am doing a complete interior overhaul on my newly purchased 95 Trans Am.
I ordered the aluminum gears for my headlights off of here, talking with Kee for a speaker over haul so trying to support by using vendors here.

I have tried diligently to find 275/40/16 tires and know it's unlikely I will but, just a shot in the dark here cause I know somebody somewhere has a set getting dusty on a rack. If anyone has any lead it would be appreciated. If not I'll settle for 255/50/16's
Yes I could get new rims and maybe I will one day but I've got new carpet, seats, paint, speakers, dash etc and can't justify the cost but I do need tires bad so the 275's is what I want.

Thanks for any direction.

Sep 20, 2015 | 01:55 AM

RPM WS6

LS1Tech Administrator

iTrader: (3)

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 34,629

Likes: 2,549

From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoove

I have tried diligently to find 275/40/16 tires and know it's unlikely I will but, just a shot in the dark here cause I know somebody somewhere has a set getting dusty on a rack. If anyone has any lead it would be appreciated. If not I'll settle for 255/50/16's
Yes I could get new rims and maybe I will one day but I've got new carpet, seats, paint, speakers, dash etc and can't justify the cost but I do need tires bad so the 275's is what I want.

Thanks for any direction.

I'm confused about why you'd be looking for 275/40/16 tires, this is 1" shorter diameter than the stock 245/50/16 or 275/40/17 tires. Are you trying to increase effective gear ratio by reducing tire diameter?

At 26.04" diameter, a 255/50/16 is much closer to the stock 25.65/25.66" tire height and would be a much better choice.

Perhaps you were thinking of 275/45/16? That would be very close to the stock diameter, but I don't believe anyone makes that size.

Sep 20, 2015 | 03:39 AM

Smoove

Thread Starter

On The Tree

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 126

Likes: 0

Thanks for the reply. No need to be confused. It's prob my math. I figured 275/40/16 would be the equivilant to the stock 245/50/16. All I'm wanting is width. Either way the only luck I've had is a 255/50/16.

Sep 20, 2015 | 06:10 AM

RPM WS6

LS1Tech Administrator

iTrader: (3)

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 34,629

Likes: 2,549

From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoove

The two stock tire sizes for V8 4th gens optioned with Z-rated tires were nearly identical in height at 25.65" (245/50/16) and 25.66" (275/40/17). A 275/40/16 would have the same width and aspect ratio as the standard SS/WS6/Firehawk tires, but with a 1" diameter shorter rim height (thus 1" overall shorter tire diameter) resulting in an overall height of 24.66".

If you could find a 275/45/16 (25.74" overall diameter), this would be much closer to your goal (aspect ratio of 45 makes the same 275mm width tire taller, thus nearly matching the 245/50/16 or 275/40/17 in overall height.) I think you won't find that size though, as it's not currently in production from the sources I've checked and I'm not sure if it was ever in production.

I think 255/50/16 is going to be the widest you can find to fit those wheels and still maintain a similar overall height.

Sep 20, 2015 | 07:10 AM

Smoove

Thread Starter

On The Tree

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 126

Likes: 0

Thanks for the info. And yes I have pretty much settled my mind on the 255's.
Like I had mentioned, this was just a shot in the dark that maybe somebody, somewhere had a set collecting dust and with as many members as this board has I might get lucky. I'm still a few months out from purchasing as my focus is currently on interior but it will prob be the 255's I end up with.
Again thanks for the response. ��

Sep 20, 2015 | 04:02 PM

dailydriver

12 Second Club

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 4,273

Likes: 0

From: Bucks County, Pa.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPM WS6

I think you won't find that size though, as it's not currently in production from the sources I've checked and I'm not sure if it was ever in production.

There WAS a Hoosier DOT road race compound tire made in that size WAY BACK, but yes, it is LONG GONE.

I doubt Smoove would have liked it too much anyway, as it would've worn out in 1000 miles, and picked up EVERY piece of 'road shrapnel' it rolled over, flatting it's thin carcass on a daily basis.

Kumho used to make their Ecsta XS tire, which WAS 'streetable', in a 265/45-16 size, but that too is no more.

In ANY case, I would NOT put ANYTHING wider than a 255/50-16 on our stock 16x8 wheels.

Sep 20, 2015 | 04:22 PM

Smoove

Thread Starter

On The Tree

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Sep 2015

Posts: 126

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by dailydriver

In ANY case, I would NOT put ANYTHING wider than a 255/50-16 on our stock 16x8 wheels.

Interesting...... I have burnt the search button up on here researching wider tires and the common theme is 275's are the widest that won't scrub.
Why would you not go wider than 255?