I have a '96 SS convertible with 16" SS rims (only convertible V8s have em). Right now i have 235/60 winter tires. I can't floor it without loosing traction. I was thinking of keeping these wheels for winter and getting a new set on 17". I don't want to change the way the SS looks so i want to buy some replica or real SS 17" wheels (found them here http://www.lmperformance.com/c/15/2/...%2093-97.html).

What should i go for? What would be enough for my car to be able to drag without loosing traction so much? I intend to put some upgrades on (long tubes for example) but no turbo/charger.

I was looking at 275/40R17s on 9-9.5" wide rims for rear and same or smaller 245-255 for front. Do i need 315/35s on 11" wide rims rear? Or will i ever need em? I understand that going wider needs modifications to wheel well or something? Please advise...

 

just going to a wider tire doesn't mean you're gonna get better traction. it's all about the tire used.

a good set of summer performance tires in 275 width will do wonders for your traction...hell sticking with 245s could still make a huge diffference. i remember going from some crappy all season tires on my near stock LT1...i could occasionally chirp 4th. put some good Firestone SZ50 on it and the only time i could get any spin was shifting hard to 2nd.

i would suggest doing the same size front and rear, that way you can rotate them and get more life out of your tires.

275/40/17s front and back will do prefectly, since some Fbodies came with those from the factory. and look into some good tires like the GForce KD or Goodyear GS-D3

 

The stock SS (non-convertible) wheels were 17x9.0". You can get the ZR1/Grand Sport offset wheels, which look identical, in 17x9.5" and 17x11" sizes. I can tell you that a set of 17x11's with 315/35 drag radials will go a long way toward helping the car hook up at some fairly decent HP levels. I run them with my 381/nitrous setup. Of course you need the typical suspension mods to support the traction.

A friend of mine had one of the few 97 30th SS M6 convertibles, running anywhere from 750 -1,125HP, and he used a set of OEM 17x11 Grand Sport wheels in the back, painted white to match the fronts. Tires were 315/35-17 Comp T/A's. He ran a set of stock white 17x9.0" SS wheels in the front, that had been narrowed to 17x6" for the "skinny" look. It was impressive.

 

They are now making 18" ZR1's. For your summer setup, I would look into those. There is a board member who has them on a 30th Anv Z28. You could get 275/35/18 tires and they will mount up without any mods. I believe the seller I bought my 18" C6 wheels sells the ZR1's.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-Ne...QQcmdZViewItem

 

but if he wants added launch traction...18s would be a step in the wrong direction.

stick with the 17s...they look great and function well...and tires are not horribly priced.

 

I'm not going over 17" for two reasons, first it's not OEM setup and it's harder to make legal, second the potholes/sidewalks/parking/comfort. 17 is for me.

So far from what you said i figure there's no point in going over 275, for my car setup and the upgrades i'm looking at it's enough. If i go 275 front and rear will the steering be affected? Can it pull the bigger tires? Should i go 9-9.5" both front and rear or do 11" rear? Also recommend tyre models for 275/40R17 for summer/drag.

thanks

 

I've got 17" stock ZR1's off my '96 SS. Let me know if you're interested. Looking to sell. Great shape.

-John

 

Gotya, I guess I'm the only one that likes the "bling"

 

Waiting for answer on this ty :P

 

wooooo bling bling.... proud of my 18's! lol

if i were u i would get the 11" wide in the back.... just in case u choose to go for the wider tire (315's) int he future.... if i were u... i would get 275's in the front and 315's Nitto DR's in the rear..... trust me.... those r one of the best street/strip tires.... IMO

 

I looked on the Nitto site, looks like i can choose between 275 and 315 for the 555R model. They seem to cost about 150$ each which seems ok. Not looking for too expensive tires... I'm thinking getting 275 simple 555 for front and 275 or 315 555R for rear. What do i need to modify in rear to fit 315? How much will that cost? Will the modifications be neccessary only if i get 315 tires or also for 11" wide rim with 275 tire?

 

Stick with 9.5" wide wheels if you are worried about off the line traction and drag racing
1. Less unsprung weight with narrower wheels and tire combo
2. Taller sidewall with the 275 offset the wider tread of the 315
3. Less cost for new tires.

If you want to, get 245-45-17 for the front. Again less unsprung weight and slightly less rolling resistance.

 

one nice thing about about the nitto 315/35 drag radial is it is a fairly narrow tire for the size so no real modifications are needed to fit in the rear. the nitto 315 will hook real nice as will the 275, can't go wrong either way, but my vote is for the 315 because IMO it looks mean to have a fat tire out back.

BTW a 275 is pretty narrow for a 11" wheel especially a nitto 275. may look very stretched on the rim.

while it is true a taller sidewall will give better traction a 275/40/17 and 315/35/17 actually have about the same size sidewall.

 

With wider tires and shorter sidewalls, your front end will be more susceptible to "tramlining", having the front end wander as the edges of the tires ride the grooves worn in asphalt pavement by large trucks.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=47

When you ask "will the steering be affected? Can it pull the bigger tires?", are you asking if the power steering is able to handle the larger footprint? If so, yes, no problems. The stock tires on the WS6/SS coupes were 275, so the system is more than capable of handling a larger contact patch. I've driven a convertible with the 275 front/315 rear combo and it didn't handle/steer any differently than my coupe with the same wheel/tire setup. There are people running 315's on all 4 corners.

Read the FAQ post on that subject. What needs to be done will depend on the offset of the wheel, the actual width of the tire, and the specific build tolerances of your car. "Wider" offers the potential for more contact with the body and suspension, and requiring more modifications, but there is no "absolute" answer. Each car seems to be a bit different.

 

I have right now a pretty good idea of what i'm going to do about the wheels.

First off i'll try to buy off the 4 SS wheels i've been offered at a good price and put 275s on them (they're 9" wide). If i don't make it in time i'm going 315 back and 275 front (but i will only probably have the money for it next summer...).

thanks guys