Since I'm upgrading my brakes I will finally need to go to 17" wheels. I don't like the way 315/35/17's look, they just appear too wide to me and I am not sure they would fit on my '95 'vert anyway. It's never established to my complete satisfaction that there is any less clearance on a 'vert, so any experiences with this size (on a coupe or a 'vert) would be welcome. I am going back to stock ride height, BTW.

Has anyone ever used tires in this size on the rear of a 4th gen? The section width on the g-Force KDW I want to use is 11.3". This compares to 10.9" for the 275/40/17 and ~12.5" for a tire in the 315/35/17 size. The 255/50/16 I am now using has a 10" section width and there is plenty of clearance.

Thanks.

I will also post this in "LT1 Tech" and hope this isn't regarded as a sort of "cross-posting".

Rich Krause

 

Rich,
I used to run the GS offset 17x11's on the rear of my car ( a vert) and did so successfully with a solid endlink Herb Adams panhard bar. I also had A LITTLE, clearancing on the inside front of the wheel well. NO biggie. I never needed to roll the lip of the wheel well either. It never moved. I had lowered springs on the car at the time I had them on there and the ONLY time i had a clearance issue was when i had someone or two in the back and went around a corner ( not slowly).. The tires would rub then.
The tire I ran was a Sumitumo 315 though and I don't know if its cross section is as wide or wider than the KDW...
I would go for it and with a stock height you shouldn't have any issues.
Later,
STEW

 

Stew: thank you very much for the information.

Rich Krause

 

Rich, on my 97 vert the 285 have not been a problem, I'm lowered 1.5in with adj phb. Never had anyone in the back, no seat, left it out after rollbar install.

 

I believe a piece like this is the key to keeping everything in its place..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...867925695&rd=1
later.
STEW

 

Thanks for your suggestions. I am going to get an adjustable panhard rod from Spohn with poly bushings. I'll bet those spherical rod ends are brutal

I mounted up the tires and they sure look good. It's be interesting to see how they work!

Rich Krause

 

Rich,
Thats just what i'm trying to say. The rod isn't... I can't figure it out but it isn't even noticeable.?? I will let you centralize the rear end however which the poly won't nor will it stop the deflection of the body over the rear in a hard corner.. Its your $ and mine is only $.02
STEW

 

Based on the advice I recieved here I purchased some 285/40/17 tires (BFG G-force KDW) for the rear of my '95 'vert. I mounted them on my 17x9" rims and they mounted up fine even though this is 0.5" narower than recommended. Even with the car lowered I looks like they would work ok, but I am not going to use them until next season when I am back to a stock ride height. I also purchased an adjustable PHR. The stocker should have been replaced anyway and the adjustment may prove useful.

The 285 on a 9" rim fill out the wheel wells perfectly from an appearance point of view. I hope they perform as well as they look!

Thanks for your help This board is a great clearing house for information about the F-body - may it live forever

Rich Krause

 

Glad to hear that! Thats the exact same tire I run in the rear of my car. IMO, the slightly larger sidewall fills the wheelwell up very nicely.

Although, due to the wide offset of my wheels ~+44mm~ I've scrubbed the fender lip once or twice on hard bumps, but my car is pretty low as I use John Ames springs.