Will this front tire set up work?

I just bought a set of reconditioned 17x9.5 1990 corvette rims for my 95 trans am convertible. I want to run the new goodyear eagle GT tires in the front with a size of 255 40 ZR 17. I have found out that the diameter on this tire is a tad smaller than the stock tire and rim combo 245 50 16. 25.0" for the 17 and 25.7" for the 16. Will there be a noticable difference in the way my car drives with this slighty smaller tire, wheel combo? Out in back Im good with a 275 40 17 tires, no questions about that. Thanks for your feedback. ]1995 pontiac trans am convertible red/black top LT1 moroso cai,air foil on tb, cai tuned mass air sensor, LT4 knock sensor, Pacesetter long tube race headers, egr,air,o2 delete.slp loudmouth resonator, electric cut out, B&M shift kit, Motive 4.10 gears, trifecta tuned :yes:

To get the tires the same diameter, why not run a 255/45-17 in front and a 285/40-17 in the back? The down side of running a smaller diameter tire than stock is the larger gap between the fender and the tire.... even if its only a small amount larger, its already too large to begin with, unless your car is lowered. The sidewall is also proportionally shorter, increasing the risk of damage to the wheel from potholes, and providing less protection against curb rash.

The 255 may look a little "stretched" on a 9.5" wide wheel.

Thanks for the advice. The only reason im going with a 40 insted of a 45 tire is that the new Goodyear Eagle isnt available in a 45 sidewall in the 255 wide 17 inch tire. Im more into straight line power and not looking to tear up any road courses anytime soon. I have ordered a slp strut tower brace for my car to tighten things up in the front. I love the look of the new Eagle GT tire. Great price at $124 a piece from tirerack.com also.

If i did lower my car in the front and left the back end stock with this tire set up would all be good? Im looking at just getting some 1" -1 1/2" lowering springs for the front end to make those 255 40 17's have less fender gap. Thanks for the feedback.

Why not just run 275/40ZR-17's on all 4 corners? Countless F-bodies are doing that with no issues. Also if you are more interested in straightline performance then why are you adding a strut tower brace to it? This only adds weight, adds cost the car that could be spent elsewhere, and virtually does nothing for straightline acceleration. Not trying to flame, just getting a better picture of what you're goals are.

FWIW, my Firehawk has 285/40's all the way around on Z06 wheels for the street. This is with Hotchkis springs. The only time I rub is when in reverse at full lock (which I do very rarely.)

I really like the look of a wider tire in the rear and thats why I'm going for this size difference in tires. I want my T/A to have more of a muscle car look this way. As for the strut tower brace Im want my front end to feel more solid and tight hammering it on the crappy roads here in Nebraska. And im looking at adding a whopping 7 lbs with that brace. I figure with the header conversion and other mods I've done I still should be lighter than stock by adding this brace. I'm not sure if I want to get coil springs on the front or all fours. If I do the rear springs will i have to replace my LCA's and get relocation brackets? Thanks for the advice.

You don't have to install LCA's or Reloc. brackets to run lowering springs in the back. You might get a little more wheel hop than you used to get but its nothing crazy. I ran the Hotchkis springs for almost 2 years before I did the reloc. brackets or the LCA's with no problems.