Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Tires choices are getting a bit slim in the 275/40/17 series. If you want a good max performance tire, you are pretty much stuck with the Nitto NT05's, or NT01. But all of the really good performers are not made in that size. Mostly because the 275 series tire is a bit wide for a 9" rim, and not a popular size. My current NT05 tires are old, still plenty of tread, near brand new actually. But they don't grip very well anymore. Its so easy to lay on the throttle in 2nd gear, even at 15-20mph when the engine is low in the power band and make the back-end slide around without full throttle.

If I drop to a 245/45/17" size rim, you can get the top performing tires. ZII Star Specs, RE-11's, RE-71Rs. Pilot SuperSprorts are about $155 each in 245/45/17.

I could buy another set of NT05's, but the newer tires grip just as better, but with a smaller foot print, and they are slightly cheaper. The NT05's on Discount-Tire direct are $160 each in 275/40/17.

Narrower foot-print would give me slightly better turn in response because the sidewalls would be under a bit more tension. Steering effort would be a bit easier, but Power Steering takes care of that. And the car wouldn't wander over imperfections as much.

Negatives are I'm giving up 30mm section width. So forward and braking traction will suffer simply because of the section width. However, as the NT05 is an old compound/design, I think the newer PSS would offer similar traction. And something like a RE-71R, or ZII Star Spec would probably offer more traction in every category.

Mileage isn't a concern, I put maybe 2000-3000 miles max on the car a year, and its summer only. And if is raining, I don't care to drive it. So its pretty much weekend cruiser and HPDE stuff.

I don't drag race at all with the car either. I might go occasionally, but its maybe a once a year thing.

paul_huryk

While you can certainly fit a 245 or 255 width on a 9" wheel (BMW only puts 255 tires on their 9" wheels), there are some options you should look at in 275-40: Falken 615K and the BFG G-Force sport comp 2s.

Now I do have a customer running 245-45-17 star specs on our 9.5" wheels (new tires, moving up from 8" to 9.5") and he told me that the turn-in is razor sharp - like a mid engine exotic car. But ultimate grip in all 4 axes is going to suffer, as is handling balance - a 275 on all 4 corners balances out the handling better than a 245 width squre setup.

The major problem with availability in 275-40-17 is that tire makers dont take the size seriously, even with millions of Corvettes, Camaros, and Firebirds rolling around on them (also the front of the 1st gen Vipers). 245-45-17 is a super popular euro sedan size (as is the 225-55-16) and everyone makes tires in that size. To get a 275 width tire in the Star Specs or Rivals, you need to move up to 275-35-18, which is a major problem on 3rd gens due to the sidewall and wheel selection.

You will lose 3% to 5% grip by going to a 245 from the same tire in 275.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

The whole lack of options is why I considered dropping to a 245/45 and going with a newer tire that has more grip.

The 615k's are good, but not compared to the new stuff out there.

If I want to run the newer stuff in 275, I need to convert to a 18" or larger rim. I may consider it, but not for a while yet.

Part of me wonders about just getting a set of 245/45 PSS tires for daily. And finding some of the used scrubs, I know you can get them pretty cheap. Just need a rim with a compatible size as to the scrubs. I remember seeing a website for it once, but forgot to bookmark it. I think it was $50-$70 a tire.

clubber

iTrader: (1)

While I haven't used the BFG sport comp 2's on my Camaro, I've used them on lots of other stuff and they are a great street tire. Great stick with long life for the type of tire it is. When the Camaro tires go, it will get a set.