Thoughts on...

[Nismo_Freak]

275/40/17 on a 17x9"

One part of me says do it... the other says it's not ideal.

My other, and better choice, would be to put a 255/40/17 on it, but it won't look as good as a 275 in the rear

Load ratings are the same if IIRC ... 98

[Nismo_Freak]

Benefits of 255: Better ResponseLess Unsprung and Rotational WeightCheaper

Benefits of 275:Larger Contact PatchBetter Straightline GripLooks Beefcake

[SmithSR]

How can you discuss grip levels without talking about compounds?? How you get more straightline grip from a wider tire, if we don't know what tire's we're talking about ALAN!!?!

better response, less weight, and lower cost sounds like a winner. Just to irritate all, I will suggest the 205/55-16

[Nismo_Freak]

Bah... cause it's the same tire dorkwad!

[SmithSR]

Put on whatever looks best. It's all about the girlies anyways...

What tire are you talking about?

[Nismo_Freak]

Kumho MX :-/ ... Grant the TireRack dude has me wanting to try them. Given their close to BFG KD grip levels in the dry I am willing to try them for the non-BFG price.

[Grant@tirerack]

The 255 size would be a better fit on a 9". The 275 will tend to tramline on that narrow of a wheel. With aprox. 3/4" more tread than rim, it's gonna look a bit pinched on the wheel and will have more of a pronounced sidewall bulge. Oh, Doughnuts.... (in my best Homer Simpson voice)

[crzycav86]

Benefits of 255: Better ResponseLess Unsprung and Rotational WeightCheaper

Benefits of 275:Larger Contact PatchBetter Straightline GripLooks Beefcake

Not a larger contact patch(area wise), just a wider one(with the loss of length). Total area is unchanged. Also, I don't know if the straightline grip would actually be affected because the contact patch stays the same. ...this is my understanding so far anyway.

I say go with the 255.. but it depends on what you want to do with the car...

[Nismo_Freak]

Not a larger contact patch(area wise), just a wider one(with the loss of length). Total area is unchanged. Also, I don't know if the straightline grip would actually be affected because the contact patch stays the same. ...this is my understanding so far anyway.

I say go with the 255.. but it depends on what you want to do with the car...

The contact patch will be larger... if not there would be no benefit to wider tires and for the tire it'self to lose "length" it would need to be less than round.

[crzycav86]

Well, according to the faq, the contact patch remains the same.

I'm sure exar-kun will have something to say yet again.