[FlashBang23]

Hi guys,

Plan on picking up my new 17 1LE this week. I am going to daily the car in Michigan and therefore will need a dedicated winter wheel/tire setup. I am currently looking at the 2 options listed below. Curious what you all would do:

1) I currently have a 15 Mustang GT PP that originally had 275/40/19s. Right now I'm running a setup that is squared 19x9 wheels with 245/45/19 winter tires that are still at 8/32 tread life. My first option is to keep the tires, sell the mustang wheels later, and buy new 19s for the camaro right away

2) I could downsize to a 18" or 19" wheel and just get new tires with them and sell my current setup as is. Looks like there are a few guys running 18s on their 1LEs at the moment so it should be a plausible option.

Right now I am leaning toward option one as the tires are in good shape, already paid for, and have handled well on the mustang. I also have checked the difference in size from the stock 305/30/19 tires to the 245/45/19 winters I have now and at 70 mph my speedo would be less than 1mph off so I should be good there. Hope to compare discount tire's prices tomorrow to Tirerack and have something shipped in the next 24 hours. Any input is appreciated.

[aa406079]

Originally Posted by FlashBang23

Hi guys,

Plan on picking up my new 17 1LE this week. I am going to daily the car in Michigan and therefore will need a dedicated winter wheel/tire setup. I am currently looking at the 2 options listed below. Curious what you all would do:

1) I currently have a 15 Mustang GT PP that originally had 275/40/19s. Right now I'm running a setup that is squared 19x9 wheels with 245/45/19 winter tires that are still at 8/32 tread life. My first option is to keep the tires, sell the mustang wheels later, and buy new 19s for the camaro right away

2) I could downsize to a 18" or 19" wheel and just get new tires with them and sell my current setup as is. Looks like there are a few guys running 18s on their 1LEs at the moment so it should be a plausible option.

Right now I am leaning toward option one as the tires are in good shape, already paid for, and have handled well on the mustang. I also have checked the difference in size from the stock 305/30/19 tires to the 245/45/19 winters I have now and at 70 mph my speedo would be less than 1mph off so I should be good there. Hope to compare discount tire's prices tomorrow to Tirerack and have something shipped in the next 24 hours. Any input is appreciated.

PILOT ALPIN PA4 285/35R19 square set up.... I dont get much snow... and I still drive fast....
( I am going 19"... they have 285/30R20's for stock OEM wheels)


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....A4XL&tab=Sizes





I mentioned what I'm doing becasue I still want as much performance I can get while worrying about very few snow days being in the same climated as Washington State...

I dont think you have given us enough info on how you drive to be able to give you advice based on the options you have menitoned...



Those 245 tires are not gonna be much good for anything but VERY careful commuting.... you will ROAST them with any spirited driving...

[gdgraph]

Not sure if you actually plan to drive your car in the snow or not, but I don't on mine so I'm getting the BFG Comp 2 A/S tires so I don't have to change them out. They are well balanced, decent in rain, decent in the summer for launching. But if you do plan to actually drive in the snow then obviously a dedicated snow tire will be best, your best bet is to get a set of SS take off wheels and permanently mounting a good snow tire on them so you can just swap them without having to mount and balance tires twice a year.

[FlashBang23]

Originally Posted by aa406079

[B]

I mentioned what I'm doing becasue I still want as much performance I can get while worrying about very few snow days being in the same climated as Washington State...

I dont think you have given us enough info on how you drive to be able to give you advice based on the options you have menitoned...

Those 245 tires are not gonna be much good for anything but VERY careful commuting.... you will ROAST them with any spirited driving...

I drive about as spirited as i can while keeping in mind the cold temps. On my normal commute i will go WOT several times including a couple on/off ramps.

They have done extremely well in a straight line on my current car (435hp factory rated with 3.73s) Wonder how much more the extra power will hurt their performance. Not too concerned with cornering hard as it probably isnt a good idea with the chance that there is ice I can't see.

Thanks for the input, checking out tirerack now.

Originally Posted by gdgraph

Not sure if you actually plan to drive your car in the snow or not, but I don't on mine so I'm getting the BFG Comp 2 A/S tires so I don't have to change them out. They are well balanced, decent in rain, decent in the summer for launching. But if you do plan to actually drive in the snow then obviously a dedicated snow tire will be best, your best bet is to get a set of SS take off wheels and permanently mounting a good snow tire on them so you can just swap them without having to mount and balance tires twice a year.

Mine will get driven in light snow. We get a few big snowfalls a year here but I'm in a very urban area so I don't leave the house until everything is cleaned up and also can work from home. Plus I want to keep the stock summer wheels/tires that come with the car - I don't mind swapping wheels out. I have done it on my G8 and last two mustangs. I've been looking for some takeoff SS wheels but am striking out with finding a set locally. Discount can have some black mesh wheels ready for me in the next 48 hours....decisions decisions

[gdgraph]

If you are gonna swap wheels than snow tires sound like the way to go because they're the real deal. An A/S tire is designed to be decent in both but it's a compromise, it's a great option if you don't want to swap tires for the season and are willing to keep the car in the garage if it snows really bad.

But if you want the best of both worlds and are willing to swap the tires for winter then you're best bet is one with summer, one with snows. There's some good posts in this section from some folks in Canada that deal with the snow pretty well and have some good snow tire options.

Originally Posted by FlashBang23

I drive about as spirited as i can while keeping in mind the cold temps. On my normal commute i will go WOT several times including a couple on/off ramps.

They have done extremely well in a straight line on my current car (435hp factory rated with 3.73s) Wonder how much more the extra power will hurt their performance. Not too concerned with cornering hard as it probably isnt a good idea with the chance that there is ice I can't see.

Thanks for the input, checking out tirerack now.



Mine will get driven in light snow. We get a few big snowfalls a year here but I'm in a very urban area so I don't leave the house until everything is cleaned up and also can work from home. Plus I want to keep the stock summer wheels/tires that come with the car - I don't mind swapping wheels out. I have done it on my G8 and last two mustangs. I've been looking for some takeoff SS wheels but am striking out with finding a set locally. Discount can have some black mesh wheels ready for me in the next 48 hours....decisions decisions

[FNxR3DNECK]

As I don't drive my car in anything worse than rain I just went with A/S tires. I'm running 285/30/20 on 20x10 front and 285/35/20 on 20x11 rear with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3s!

[avalonandl]

Get some BFG All seasons in a square size 20 inch and mount to your wheels to drive Nov thru March.

[gdgraph]

Is 285/35 in the rear a typo? I just ordered a set of 20x10 front & 20x11 rear and I am doin' 305/35 in the rear on mine... I could see a 295 maybe but 285 sounds skinny to me for 11" wide wheels.

My set up will be:
- 20x10 front w/ BFG Comp 2 A/S 275/35/20
- 20x11 rear w/ BFG Comp 2 A/S 305/35/20

Originally Posted by FNxR3DNECK

As I don't drive my car in anything worse than rain I just went with A/S tires. I'm running 285/30/20 on 20x10 front and 285/35/20 on 20x11 rear with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3s!

[aa406079]

Originally Posted by gdgraph

Is 285/35 in the rear a typo? I just ordered a set of 20x10 front & 20x11 rear and I am doin' 305/35 in the rear on mine... I could see a 295 maybe but 285 sounds skinny to me for 11" wide wheels.

My set up will be:
- 20x10 front w/ BFG Comp 2 A/S 275/35/20
- 20x11 rear w/ BFG Comp 2 A/S 305/35/20

Can't seem to find WINTER tires at 305 besides pirellis sottozera 3

[nate.the.great]

Originally Posted by aa406079

Can't seem to find WINTER tires at 305 besides pirellis sottozera 3

It's probably cheaper and easier to get a second wheelset instead of buying a set of winter tires that match your current tire size.

Personally, I ordered a second wheelset from tirerack with all-seasons since it doesn't really snow in Seattle, and I didn't want to drive on the Goodyears in 35 degree rain.

When ordering a second wheelset, you'll have to decide if you want to go with a square or staggered (like stock) setup, and you'll have to decide how wide you want your winter tires. Most people choose a narrower tire for the winter because it will give you better handling in the rain/snow.

If you want to run a square setup, see here: http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=480750

Personally, I chose to move down to a 19" wheel, but understand that some folks won't want to do that.

[FNxR3DNECK]

Originally Posted by gdgraph

Is 285/35 in the rear a typo? I just ordered a set of 20x10 front & 20x11 rear and I am doin' 305/35 in the rear on mine... I could see a 295 maybe but 285 sounds skinny to me for 11" wide wheels.

My set up will be:
- 20x10 front w/ BFG Comp 2 A/S 275/35/20
- 20x11 rear w/ BFG Comp 2 A/S 305/35/20

Nope, 285/35/20s are indeed on my rear wheels! 285s are stretched slightly on an 11inch wheel but it works fine, the 5th gen 1LEs came stock like this. I got these tires used and therefore very cheap ($100 for the pair), but I will probably go with 295s next year if I keep the wheels.

[gdgraph]

Wow, didn't realize the 5th gens had that set up either!

Originally Posted by FNxR3DNECK

Nope, 285/35/20s are indeed on my rear wheels! 285s are stretched slightly on an 11inch wheel but it works fine, the 5th gen 1LEs came stock like this. I got these tires used and therefore very cheap ($100 for the pair), but I will probably go with 295s next year if I keep the wheels.

[FlashBang23]

Originally Posted by nate.the.great

It's probably cheaper and easier to get a second wheelset instead of buying a set of winter tires that match your current tire size.

Personally, I ordered a second wheelset from tirerack with all-seasons since it doesn't really snow in Seattle, and I didn't want to drive on the Goodyears in 35 degree rain.

When ordering a second wheelset, you'll have to decide if you want to go with a square or staggered (like stock) setup, and you'll have to decide how wide you want your winter tires. Most people choose a narrower tire for the winter because it will give you better handling in the rain/snow.

If you want to run a square setup, see here: http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=480750

Personally, I chose to move down to a 19" wheel, but understand that some folks won't want to do that.

Thanks for the link. Thats exactly what I am leaning towards, already have the 245/45/19 tires with a lot of tread left. Just need some 19" wheels to fit over the big front brakes.

[nate.the.great]

Originally Posted by FlashBang23

Thanks for the link. Thats exactly what I am leaning towards, already have the 245/45/19 tires with a lot of tread left. Just need some 19" wheels to fit over the big front brakes.

Use this for calculations:
http://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Wheel-Offset-Calculator#

OEM Front is 10" with offset of 20mm
OEM Rear is 11" with offset of 43mm

Because you want to use 245 all around, you probably want to use a 8.5 inch wheel. 9 inch is also an option, but there are far more wheels that are 8.5 inches wide.

At 8.5 inches wide and a square setup, you'll probably want to go with a 35mm offset all around. A 35mm setup all around will give you more brake clearance than stock and reduce how far your tires stick out (aka reduce poke).

A cheap option is below ($150 each):
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...embo+Brake+Kit

Don't forget that our cars have TPMS, and it costs $320 installed from tirerack (ouch). That's more for people who read this and want to buy a full wheelset from them. You can source your own TPMS sensors (433mHz!) and have your local installer put them in.

For those of you who want to run a square 9.5" setup and go with an offset of 30mm, these are a cheap option ($195 each):
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...kageFlow=false

You would just order 4 of the rear fitment and put on a 275/40/19 setup.

Disclaimer: I don't guarantee that any of these wheels will clear our front brakes. I'm merely running calculations based on wheel offsets. Even if wheel offsets say a wheel should fit, there is always the possibility that it will not.