I want to run a set of 17" IROC wheels on my Camaro, which are available only in 8" widths. I also want 275 tires. Most seem to say that's too wide for an 8" rim, but every time I see a nice muscle car in a magazine I see big 17" wheels with a tire that bulges out from the wheel, which I like the look of. The 275s on my Corvette don't have that bulge with the stock 9" or 9.5" wheels, so I'm assuming all these magazine cars are putting 275s on 8" wheels.

Some have said that they've done this with fine results. What I want to know, is how will my handling be effected by running a 275 instead of a 245 on the 8" wheel? Right now the plan is to run Nitto 555s up front and 555Rs in the back.

 

I have seen some guys run the 275s on a 8 inch wheel before. It is possible...Do I reccomend it? No

 

You have to ask yourself if you feel your are more knowlegable than the engineer who designed the tire, and recommends that it not be mounted on a wheel any narrower than 9". Pulling in the sidewall may curl the edges of the tread up, reducing contact patch. It may cause excessive flexing of the sidewall plies, increasing heat buildup and reducing the cord life.

Nitto recommends a 9.0 - 11.0" width for the 555 in the 275/40-18 size. They do not list a 275/40-18 on their website for the 555R.