Ive got a 95 trans am with 16x8 wheels whats the widest tire you guys are running and whats the biggest i can get away with?

 

Problem is what sizes are available in "high performance" tires. Most drag radials only come as large as 255/50-16. Most "high performance" tires only come in up to 255/50-16 at the largest. You can find some 4-season, moderate performance tires in sizes up to 295 that will fit on an 8" wide wheel (per the tire manufacturer), but they are generally way too large a diameter (28-30"). You can squeeze a 28" tire in the 4th Gen wheel well, but now you are going to need much nigher (numerical) rear axle ratio to compensate for the diameter of the tires. And its going to look a bit strange.

What "kind" of tires are you looking for? What do you plan to use them for - e.g. track, street, etc.?

 

just looking to get as much rubber in the wheel wells as possible, i don't care if its all season cause i have slicks for the track, id like to run a 295 i just wasn't sure if i could fit it in there, and its got a 3.73 rear end ratio and a 383 stroker so turning then shouldn't be a problem. thanx for your reply

 

I am curious about this too. I am planning on Bogart wheels with my forged LTX 383. I want to get the most rear tire with out rolling fender lips or BFHing the wheel wells. Comments, suggestions??

 

If you are happy with a tire like the BFG Radial T/A 295/50-16, its going to fit. People have run 335's in the back of a 4th Gen...... tight squeeze and some hammering, but it can be done. Most settle for 315's.

 

What size drag radials and slicks can we fit? And how do you think they will hook with normal suspension mods "control, tq arms".

 

With radials, up to 28" is generally not a problem, because they don't grow much at high speeds. With a bias-ply slick, 28" can be a problem, due to growth. There may be a post here somewhere with 29" radial tires. Try a "search". I have 28x10.5-15W ET Drags, and it took some cutting of the leading edge of the rubber bumper cover to make them fit. 28x11.5-15 Hoosier QTP's on the other hand, were not a problem until traps went over 125MPH, then they grew enough that I had to move the rear axle back about 1/4" with adjustable LCA's.

The stock "style" suspension, with upgrade parts is able to pull 1.2x 60-fts. The one addition that seems to be required for the real low 60-fts is a "drag" style rear sway bar, like the Wolfe of the Spohn.

 

Injuneer: Thanks for all the great info.

My 383 should put down atleast 420 rwhp, would it be possible to still obtain good 60' times (under 1.5) with tires with less diameter than the 28"ers?

 

Probably. I ran 26" ET Streets with similar rwHP, but not under 1.5 60-fts. At the time the car was an M6 with a Street Twin, and the 26" tires were handling 5K clutch dumps with no problems. I only went to the 28's because of the nitrous.

 

Ok good. I like the way 26 and 27" tires look. I was just a little paraniod that I was not going to hook up with this size of tire. Now I need to figure if I should have the rearend narrowed a little.

 

You can fit 15x8 and 15x10 wheels in the back with the correct backspace. No need to narrow the rear, unless you want to use a 15x8 that isn't made in a 5.5" backspace, or a 15x10 that isn't made in a 7.5" backspace. Worked with a buddy of mine on his low 8-second 30th SS convertible, and he was running a stock width Moser 9-inch, with the Bogart 15x9.5" wheels, and 29.5" slicks. The inner fender liners were modified, and the wheel openings in the fenders/bumper cover were opened up quite a bit for the tires. Engine was making 1,350HP at the flywheel. Pulled 1.30 60-fts consistantly. I think he could have dipped into the 1.2x's with no problem if he launched it harder, but he didn't want to pull the wheels any more than 2" or 3" off the pavement.

 

I've read/seen your buddies' Camaro around this board somewhere. It is insane I can't imagine 1350hp. At the end of the day, I'd be happy with mid 11s in the 1/4. I just want everything done quality and correctly the first time, which is why I ask so many questions.

Thanks again!!