315's on 17X9.5's or 17X11???

I am getting new rims and tires.. 17X9.5's up front, with Probably 17X11's outback... I have heard alot of guys running 315's on 9.5" rims.. How many of you are? How many of you are running them on 17X11's? Any 3rd Gens running 17X11's out back?

most guys run them on 10.5" or 11" rims

i've seen some sweet looking 3rd gen camaros with 315s on the rear...

Don't put them on 9.5's :think:

Their is a guy in town with a '96 Collectors Edition Vette and he has decided to run 315's out back on his 17x9.5 rims. LOOKS LIKE ****....and with the way the side wall bows out he can't be getting good wear on them.

Ive got 315's in the back on my 17x9.5 inch rims and I don't have any problems. Guys have always been bashing it and I have yet to hear of aanyone having any problems and a lot of people do it. Search here and on LS1tech.com and you will find a lot of info posted about this subject.

I'm betting the actual effective tread difference touching the ground between 275's and 315's on a 9.5" rim is not much at all..

Unless perhaps if it was a low psi nonradial drag tire, where you don't care about cornering at all.

I'm betting the actual effective tread difference touching the ground between 275's and 315's on a 9.5" rim is not much at all..

Unless perhaps if it was a low psi nonradial drag tire, where you don't care about cornering at all.


Nitto says tread width on the 275 is 10.9
tread width on the 315 is 12.1..

That is almsot two inches of difference..

Posted by: Ken s
I'm betting the actual effective tread difference touching the ground between 275's and 315's on a 9.5" rim is not much at all..

Unless perhaps if it was a low psi nonradial drag tire, where you don't care about cornering at all.

Mine is a garage baby, I did it because at the time that I ordered my rims, there wasn't much selection for 17X11 rims unless you wanted to spend $2500, which I couldn't. I think that they look good with a buldge like they have, and no, I wouldn't be out road racing with them. It just seems that everyone thinks that if you put a 315 on a 9.5 inch rim, you are going to have all kinds of problems, it is simply not true. :D

Been runnimg my nitto 315's on my corvette c5 17x9.5's for over a year with no problems.

Wear pattern is normal.. with just a little side bulge. Much better traction over the 275's.

:)

There is a "right way" and a "wrong way" to do things.

Puting a 315 tire on a 9.5 inch rim would be doing it the "wrong way".

A few people telling you they have done it without issue is meaningless. They are not tire engineers, and if you ask someone who *is* a tire engineer they will tell you it is not good for the tire, and it is potentially dangerous.

Get the 11" rims and do it the "right way". Tires are a safety issue, if it was a seatcover or something less important it might be worth experimenting around. But, not with your tires.. Your life and the lives of others could be impacted.

Posted by: TABAHR
There is a "right way" and a "wrong way" to do things.

Puting a 315 tire on a 9.5 inch rim would be doing it the "wrong way".

A few people telling you they have done it without issue is meaningless. They are not tire engineers, and if you ask someone who *is* a tire engineer they will tell you it is not good for the tire, and it is potentially dangerous.

Get the 11" rims and do it the "right way". Tires are a safety issue, if it was a seatcover or something less important it might be worth experimenting around. But, not with your tires.. Your life and the lives of others could be impacted.


I heard all of this BS also. So when I was getting ready to order my rims and tires, I called and spoke with the tire and wheel manufacturer's both. They BOTH said that the suggested rimsize is a minimum of 10.5" but that there would be NO issues as long as the tire is inflated and maintained properly. As far as I know, there has not been a catastrophic tire failure because of this. If there was, I'm sure that we would have heard about it here.

I heard all of this BS also. So when I was getting ready to order my rims and tires, I called and spoke with the tire and wheel manufacturer's both. They BOTH said that the suggested rimsize is a minimum of 10.5" but that there would be NO issues as long as the tire is inflated and maintained properly. As far as I know, there has not been a catastrophic tire failure because of this. If there was, I'm sure that we would have heard about it here.

HERE (http://24.196.89.146:2980/webshare/tires.jpg) is a picture of a 315R17 tire on a 11" rim next to a 275R17 tire on a 9.5" rim.

"The page cannot be displayed." I know what they look like, I have seen them in person. :D

"The page cannot be displayed."

strange... it works fine for me. :confused: Anyone else not able to see the picture?

I heard all of this BS also. So when I was getting ready to order my rims and tires, I called and spoke with the tire and wheel manufacturer's both. They BOTH said that the suggested rimsize is a minimum of 10.5" but that there would be NO issues as long as the tire is inflated and maintained properly. As far as I know, there has not been a catastrophic tire failure because of this. If there was, I'm sure that we would have heard about it here.


Every tire shop around here said it would be fine. Sort of like Chevy voiding our warrantys for modding our cars.. in their eyes its bad and not recommended.. but we do it anyway :confused:

You are putting yourself in much worse harms way by sticking nitrous or something on your car then putting a 315 on a 9.5.

HERE (http://24.196.89.146:2980/webshare/tires.jpg) is a picture of a 315R17 tire on a 11" rim next to a 275R17 tire on a 9.5" rim.


Not exactly the best example to use. You really need a picture with 2 of the same tires on it.

Here is a picture of a 315 nitto on a 17 x 9" rim, not 9.5".
http://members.aol.com/c0bra2oo3/P1020026.jpg
Looks good to me :D

*EDIT*
Oh btw if you compare a nitto 315 to a BFG dr 315 the nitto will appear to be smaller. Don't ask me why though :confused:

The tire manufacturers also show that you can run a 275/40/17 on a 17x11" rim, I would feel more uncomfortable doing that than the 315 on a 9.5' wide. I have seen photos of a 275 on an 11" wide rim and it looks like the tire is stretched to the max.

Posted by: hsyr
*EDIT*
Oh btw if you compare a nitto 315 to a BFG dr 315 the nitto will appear to be smaller. Don't ask me why though

Nitto's tire specs show that th 315 555R's section width is 12.13".

BFG Drag radial specs show their 315 section width as 12.4".

I don't know why Nitto didn't make their tire as wide as the other manufacturers, most of the 315's section widths are about 12.4".

You probably can get away with running it on a narrower rim.. but thats out of spec, and won't be getting the full benifits of the tire, since not all of the tread will be touching the ground, since the sidewalls will be billowing out from the narrower than recommended rim.. hence why i said the actual usable tread difference on a 9.5" rim may not be much..... but if your just intrested for street looks, I guess the issue is moot.


I'd say do it right the first time and get 17x11's.. now which backspacing to use is a whole nother argument.. ;)


personally, if I had money to burn, I'd look into getting 285's on 10.5" rims

if I had money to burn, I'd look into getting 285's on 10.5" rims

I run 285s on 9.5" rims on all 4 corners. Looks great, and fits within spec.

I run 285s on 9.5" rims on all 4 corners. Looks great, and fits within spec.

Can you run any wider and "be in spec" on 9.5 in rim?

I think that the 285/40/17 is the widest that you are supposed to run by the manufacturers spec. It lists the 285 for a 9.5 to 11 inch wide rim and the next largest size is the 315/35/17.

Quick note, n2oblkz, check the # of your posts! :eek: I also have 285/40/17 on all 4. Next time not so big up front, she tracks all over. :(

Quick note, n2oblkz, check the # of your posts! :eek: I also have 285/40/17 on all 4. Next time not so big up front, she tracks all over. :(

mine tracks fine with the 285s. Maybe you have a problem in your front-end somewhere that is causing the tracking issue?

It just likes to follow the ruts in the road more than I like. Sometimes I feel like it has a flat, then I let go of the wheel and it will follow the other way.

It just likes to follow the ruts in the road more than I like. Sometimes I feel like it has a flat, then I let go of the wheel and it will follow the other way.


My car tracks with 275s...

depends more on your roads... only does it on the really bad ones

I believe it all depends on the roads... Around me, my car tracks perfectly fine with 275's, EXCEPT for this one section of I5 South, which has really deep ruts from the trucks..

Over on frrax, the guys with 315's all around love it on the roadcourse, but hate the tracking/trammelling on the streets with them up front.


It just likes to follow the ruts in the road more than I like. Sometimes I feel like it has a flat, then I let go of the wheel and it will follow the other way.

Posted by: 1stls1
Quick note, n2oblkz, check the # of your posts!

I know, right after I posted that, I just happended to look and saw that too. Pretty funny! :D

I have 275's on a 17x9.5 and I swear I will go with 285's if I can find them.... it looks like the tire width is almost identical to the rim width itself.. I prefer just a tad wider tire for better cornering...

Well.. I dont race but thats my take. 315's sound a bit too wide for the 17x9. The thread will have an un-even pressure across its width on the road... most likely adding an un-even wear or lesser traction for a tire of that width. well thats my logic.. I am sure someone here will tell me wrong.

Marvin

Anyone with a 3rd Gen Running 17x 11's? In the Rear?

My car tracks with 275s...

depends more on your roads... only does it on the really bad ones

Mine does it too with 275's on crappy roads...nice smooth roads and she's straight as an arrow.

HERE (http://24.196.89.146:2980/webshare/tires.jpg) is a picture of a 315R17 tire on a 11" rim next to a 275R17 tire on a 9.5" rim.


Wow :bow: :bow:

Hmmmmm..... at least 5 years since I took that pic.... :D

Not sure how this thread remained on "General F-Body Tech"..... moving to "Wheels and Tires".

Nitto says tread width on the 275 is 10.9
tread width on the 315 is 12.1..

That is almsot two inches of difference..

:lol:

12.1 - 10.9 = 1.2

1.2 != 2

:no:

:p

Putting a 315 on a 9.5 wheel will look LAME. All it will do is cost more for the tires, because you will not get a bigger contact patch because your tread will be bent out on the edges................dont do it..........................way gay

get 275 nittos ............................

Posted by: GPZ28
Putting a 315 on a 9.5 wheel will look LAME. All it will do is cost more for the tires, because you will not get a bigger contact patch because your tread will be bent out on the edges................dont do it..........................way gay

get 275 nittos ............................

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I don't know about the tire BS...but the 17x11 look better IMO...deeper look by the lugs...but that's me... :)

Anyone with a 3rd Gen Running 17x 11's? In the Rear?
I'm not too familiar with the 3rd gens, but I think that 17x11's are a lot of work, if you want to keep them inside the fenders.

315's - plain and simple - are not meant to go on 9.5" wide wheels in most cases. I suggest you read the last few lines of Injuneer's post in the wheel/tire FAQ here (http://web.camaross.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3112120&postcount=5).

A 315 Nitto Drag looks ok on a 9.5" rim. Nitto Drags are measured differently(skinnier). Any other 315 tire needs AT least a 10.5" rim. 11" works great also.

I have 315 Nitto Drags on a 9.5. 10" rim would look PERFECT. Any other brand 315 would look unsafe on a 9.5" rim.

If you look at the 275 Nitto drag on a stock 17X9" rim, it looks too skinny. I'm sure others have seen this and will agree. The new ET radials look bad ass on a 9" rim however.:D:D:D

Goodluck!

Sumitomo's specifications call for 17x10" rims (and their 315's are 12.6" section width). I doubt that the extra half inch makes hardly any difference at all. You have to look really hard to notice that there are 315's in the back on my car, you cvan hardly notice the buldge. This has been hashed over so much on LS1tech.com that one moderator deletes the threads when they get started. Like I have posted over there, someone give me a FIRST HAND experience of a catastrophic tire failure caused by having a 315 on a 9.5 inch rim. I don't think that anyone can, guys make a bigger deal out of this than it really is.

...Like I have posted over there, someone give me a FIRST HAND experience of a catastrophic tire failure caused by having a 315 on a 9.5 inch rim. I don't think that anyone can, guys make a bigger deal out of this than it really is.
This is just silly. I don't know anyone first hand that has been shot playing with a loaded gun, but I know it's a stupid, *unsafe* idea.

The fact is: *Tire Engineers* say it isn't safe.

If you chose "looks" over safety, that's your decision. But if you have a catastrophic failure on a crowded highway, you could hurt/kill people who are much more concerned with their safety than your looks.

Posted by: ShaneS
This is just silly. I don't know anyone first hand that has been shot playing with a loaded gun, but I know it's a stupid, *unsafe* idea.

The fact is: *Tire Engineers* say it isn't safe.

If you chose "looks" over safety, that's your decision. But if you have a catastrophic failure on a crowded highway, you could hurt/kill people who are much more concerned with their safety than your looks.

No, discussing this issue is silly because it is not a big deal. I find it comical that the same people that post street racing on this site and others are making a huge deal out of a tire being mounted on a wheel that is a half inch too narrow. Which is more dangerous, driving in the triple digits through traffic in a reckless manner or this issue? I can tell you, the street racing is, because my wife, child and I were nearly wiped out by two idiots driving a Camaro and a Mustang at triple digit speeds through heavy traffic, but you know, that kind of conduct is condoned on these sites. :mad: Luckily, I am a safe and observant driver and was able to avoid them. But, do I wonder about that car out there with that tire a little too wide, I don't think so. :rolleyes: Besides, Sumitomo and Enkei tech departments both said that the half inch isn't going to make any difference and that it would be fine.

don't know anyone first hand that has been shot playing with a loaded gun, but I know it's a stupid, *unsafe* idea.

Oh, and this happened locally with a 14 year old boy last night, so it is a LITTLE more common than the "Safety Issue" that you are talking about. I worry more about drunk drivers and reckless drivers than anything else. :D

No, discussing this issue is silly because it is not a big deal. I find it comical that the same people that post street racing on this site and others are making a huge deal out of a tire being mounted on a wheel that is a half inch too narrow. Which is more dangerous, driving in the triple digits through traffic in a reckless manner or this issue? I can tell you, the street racing is, because my wife, child and I were nearly wiped out by two idiots driving a Camaro and a Mustang at triple digit speeds through heavy traffic, but you know, that kind of conduct is condoned on these sites. :mad: Luckily, I am a safe and observant driver and was able to avoid them. But, do I wonder about that car out there with that tire a little too wide, I don't think so. :rolleyes: Besides, Sumitomo and Enkei tech departments both said that the half inch isn't going to make any difference and that it would be fine.

Well, I'm not sure how that applies to me. I think street racing is dangerous and silly too, and I bet you've never seen me post anything about that. It's certainly a bigger problem than unsafe wheel/tire combos. That doesn't mean that 315's on 9.5" or narrower rim are safe though. :shrug: Though I must admit, it sounds like you might have some justification running 315 Sumitomo's on 17x9.5 Enkei wheels. :) I know Nitto says it's a nono though, and their tires run *narrow*.

Oh, and this happened locally with a 14 year old boy last night, so it is a LITTLE more common than the "Safety Issue" that you are talking about. I worry more about drunk drivers and reckless drivers than anything else. :D
I worry more about drunk & reckless drivers also, but I still think it's misleading to tell people that running these wheel/tire combos is "perfectly safe" - there's a reason it's not recommended (edit: by *some* manufacturers)!
peace... :)

^^^^^^^^^^Nice TA BTW, I have some of your pics saved in my photo album. You can't go wrong with the sunset TA's. :bow: :D

^^^^^^^^^^Nice TA BTW, I have some of your pics saved in my photo album. You can't go wrong with the sunset TA's. :bow: :D
Thanks. :) Looks like (from your sig) you've got some *serious* plans for your polished black beauty! (What's with the dog pic in the middle of that photoblog?)

Posted by: ShaneS
Thanks. Looks like (from your sig) you've got some *serious* plans for your polished black beauty! (What's with the dog pic in the middle of that photoblog?)

:p Oh, that's Jake, he's my bud, I thought that I would just add him in there. :D

screw the 315's go with 335's on a 9.5 wheel. It will look ssssttttoooooopppiiiiiddddd dude. get a clue. Your wasting money because you will not have any better traction your wheel and tire combo will just look odd.

Posted by: GPZ28
screw the 315's go with 335's on a 9.5 wheel. It will look ssssttttoooooopppiiiiiddddd dude. get a clue. Your wasting money because you will not have any better traction your wheel and tire combo will just look odd.

Well, you know what they say about opinions, you do what you want with your car, and others will do what they want with theirs, so you opinion doesn't mean too much.

yada yada yada................lame

Guys, you want good advice based on facts, not fiction, come on over to www.frrax.com. Speak with people that "use" their cars and tires as they were intended.

They are numerous reasons why you shouldn't run a 315 on a 9 or 9.5 inch wheel. The main reason is that they not designed for them, plain and simple. The more bulge to the sidewall the more heat that's generated in the tire. The more hotter the tire, the greater the chance that something not so good will happen to them.

When cornering, several things are going to happen. First, the sidewall will roll under. If you try to compensate by adding air pressure, your tire will not be flat on the ground and you loose traction. All of the above are TERRIBLE for handling OR emergency manuvers.

Do yourself a favor and do it right.

Guys, you want good advice based on facts, not fiction, come on over to www.frrax.com. Speak with people that "use" their cars and tires as they were intended.

They are numerous reasons why you shouldn't run a 315 on a 9 or 9.5 inch wheel. The main reason is that they not designed for them, plain and simple. The more bulge to the sidewall the more heat that's generated in the tire. The more hotter the tire, the greater the chance that something not so good will happen to them.

When cornering, several things are going to happen. First, the sidewall will roll under. If you try to compensate by adding air pressure, your tire will not be flat on the ground and you loose traction. All of the above are TERRIBLE for handling OR emergency manuvers.

Do yourself a favor and do it right.


100% correct :bow: