Grant - 16 x 7.5 or 17 x 8 what size tires??

[NY94J30]

Looking to go bigger on my J - either a 16 x 7.5 or a 17 x 8

What tires - both brand and size - would you recommend?

Also do you have an opinion between the two sizes?

[Grant@tirerack]

That's a pretty open ended question. What are you trying to get out of the car? Improved handling and steering response? Better grip? Are you willing to sacrifice some ride comfort for better handling? Was there a specific wheel you are looking at? For better handling, I would look at the 17" sizes but they are going to be firmer riding and you'll have more noise. 16" is going to give you the best improvement without too much loss in comfort or ride quality. Give me a direct call and I can go over some options once I know what you are looking for.

[krazyandy]

on my Z i have 16x7.5 and 16x8.5 in rear. my front is 225/50/16 and my rear is 245/45/16. u can put bigger or smaller on either end. but unless ur car is turbo u dont need those big expensive tires

[NY94J30]

Sorry Grant, i was a little brain dead when I posted this, thus the lack of any answerable question.

I spoke to you this morning though, and I think I will try the Sumitomos in the 225.

One more question though - Greg (AZHitman) is running a 255 on what I'm pretty sure is a 7 in. rim, yet you said the largest I should go is 225 on a 7.5 - why is that? Is there that large a clearance difference b/w the J and Q?

btw the offset on the wheels im looking at is 40mm.

[Grant@tirerack]

There would be no benefit from a handling standpoint going that wide. In fact, most 255 tires need a wider rim to seat safely on the bead area of the rim. You always want to stay as close to the rim width as your tire's footprint for better handling. We have covered this to death on quite a few other threads. You get more handling and performance going with a better, stickier tire with the correct load rating.

[Exar-Kun]

:withstup

hey grant, I'm going to e-mail you a little tire write up for the FAQ area sometime soon about how tread size doesnt really affect handing as much as people think, etc...good idea?-chet

[NY94J30]

So Exar, I'm stupid or Hitman? (just to clarify)

[Exar-Kun]

neither, that was diercted toward grant like "im with him" kinda thing, its one of my trademark smileys, normally I annoy repo/andy with it.-chet

[NY94J30]

Gotcha Exar

And thanks Grant, I'll read some of the previous posts on the topic, I guess I was under what appears a common misconception that a larger patch gives larger surface area and therefore give greater adhesion.

[AZhitman]

Not necessarily a larger patch - Just a different shape.

And I'm the stupid one - But my girl grips like a cat on Velcro (and looks saweeet to boot).

[Grant@tirerack]

Hey I resemble that comment. Good idea on the FAQ.