Fords4Ever

I'm comtemplating a tire purchase and possibly wheels too. Anyone have any pics of this combo?

LEO_06GT

I know "fabman" is running 275's on 18x8.5 rims.

Rebel73

The recommended minimum size for 275s is 9". Yes, you can run a 8.5", but it is not the optimal size for safety.

Ministang

It will be fine. Not optimal for the contact patch, but safety will not be compromiused in any way. I run 275/40-17 race tires on my Bullitt (can't use wider wheels in stock class) on 17x8 wheels with no issues.

Fords4Ever

That's exactly why I am inquiring actually. I need to replace the Pirellis soon and I am considering an upgrade from 17x8 to 18x8.5 so I can stay in the stock class at autocross events. I am not too serious so I am not going to run race tires (yet) so I was thinking about going with the widest tire possible. I will be using the same tire for daily driving.

I'd really like to see pics of 275's on 8.5 wheels. I looked at fabman's pics and it looks like he is running wider in back but the tires look like BFG KDWs which don't come in 275 - either 255 or 285 so I am curious if his pics are of 285s rear and 255 front.

Oh and why do you say it's not optimal for contact patch? I would have thought wider meant more contact patch. Are you saying that 255s would have more grip?

Ministang

What I was getting at, is that a 275mm wide tire will have a wider contact patch on a wider wheel, say an 18x10 vs an 18x8.5, but being in stock class, you put the widest tire on that will possibly fit the wheel and the car, so most of the fast Mustang/Shelby guys in F Stock are running 295 wide race tires on their 18x8.5 wheels. A 275 wide tire on an 8.5" wide wheel will have a wider contact patch than a 255 tire, and a 295 will have a wider contact patch than a 275 on the same wheel.

Superfly SN95

Fabman is running 285's in the rear and 255's up front

Fords4Ever

Thanks,that's what I thought it looked like. The 285 rear looks a little too wide on that wheel but I do really like the look of those BFG KDWs.

Ministang - that makes sense, thanks for clarifying what you meant. That's basically what I am trying to do is maximize the tire width/contact patch but still work as a daily driver until the day I can budget a dedicated set of autocross wheels/tires.

I guess what I am down to now is which is the better solution for this scenario:

275/40/18 in KUMHO or NITTO 555, etc.

OR

255/45/18 in Falken RT615 or BFG KDW2, etc.

I understand these tires are all not exactly comparable but I'm still looking.