Size tire on 17 inch rims?

[Tony8470]

Ok, not too long ago I found someone with the perfect tire size on their 17x9 cobra replicas. I think it was 255/50/17. It filled the fenderwell perfectly. And they didn't have a drop in the suspension. I can't find that post anywhere now. I was wondering if anyone else had pics of their 17's on cars that weren't lowered. I don't want to lower my car so I want a tire size that will fill the wheel well with out leaving a big space in there, and yet not look like a monster truck. I've seen one with 245/45/17 and it was a little disturbing looking.

[bursonb]

Generally speaking:

I believe the stock 16" wheels have a tire with a '60' sidewall height. It's not an absolutely precise algorithm, but to maintain the same aspect a good rule of thumb is to adjust the height by '10' for every inch of wheel change. For example, the LX has a stock 15" wheel with a '70' tire.

So, '50' for a 17" wheel, as you mentioned, should maintain the same aspect. A '45' would leave more gap between the top of the tire and the wheel well. '40' for an 18" wheel, etc.

Also bear in mind that as the aspect changes, so does your speedometer's accuracy. If I remember correctly: since the smaller tire will cover less ground per rotation, it will "fool" your speedometer into thinking you are travelling faster. So your speedo will show a higher speed than you are actually travelling.

[fast Ed]

245-50-17 is almost identical to original tire diameter, 255-50-17 will be about 0.4" taller, but those dimensions will also depend on what brand and model of tire you choose. Two different types of tires marked as the same size can measure differently.

If you are planning on keeping the car at stock ride height as you say, then 255-50-17 will do a nice job of filling the fenders. If you do end up lowering the car later, you might run into some small rubbing problems that can be cured with rear springs airbags and / or fender lip rolling or trimming.

cheers,
Ed Nicholson
SCCoO

[DamonSlowpokeBaumann]

I have 255/50/17's lowered 1.5 inches..Looks greaTt and raised it up a bit

[BlckOnBlckBrd]

This might be the thread you're thinking of.

http://host.sccoa.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=38701

It is my car, picture quality is really bad though. I just bought a new 3.2MP digital camera the other day so I'll try to go out tomorrow and get some better shots of them.

By the way... the rears may be about 1/4" shorter than the fronts due to the massive burnout/donuts that you should see in fast92sc's upcoming video....

[Jim Demmitt Jr]

Nittos P255/45/ZR17's on Cobra R's 17x10
the P245/45/ZR17's are to short sidewall the 55's are nice taller I got 2" drop

[Tony8470]

Yes thats the post I was looking for, I think. Wasn't there a picture you had of your car in a garage?

[BlckOnBlckBrd]

Please excuse the dirty-ness of my car.

12" of snow in the last week will do that to a car.

[BlckOnBlckBrd]

Other pic

[Tony8470]

sweet, now I know what size to get, thanks :D

[Digitalchaos]

BlckOnBlckBrd; good pics. That tire height/width combination on 17" rims does look nice. Definately will be my preference if I should upgrade from the stock rims.