[LA_LT1]

Going to be replacing the stock 245s soon.
Does anyone know how wide of a tire the stock rims will accommodate?
These are the LT1 square set up rims 5-split spoke satin black style.

[JimGnitecki]

I have a 2022 LT1. The local tire shop manager felt comfortable putting a pair of 275 wide Nitto 555R2 tires on mine. KingLT1 and others here on the forum have also suggested and endorsed that. I don't think you can go wider than that though. The 275s are actually a bit wider than the "recommended" max width for these 8.5" wide wheels.

Jim G

[arpad_m]

Here's a (conservative) chart with recommended min, ideal and max tire widths for each wheel width. 275/35/20 on a 8.5" is pushing it a bit in front, I think turn-in precision and speed will suffer, so even though it will work overall, I'd stagger the tires, do this 275 business in the rear only and put something narrower (say, 255/35/20 or 255/40/20) up front.

[Chutzpah]

Originally Posted by JimGnitecki

I have a 2022 LT1. The local tire shop manager felt comfortable putting a pair of 275 wide Nitto 555R2 tires on mine. KingLT1 and others here on the forum have also suggested and endorsed that. I don't think you can go wider than that though. The 275s are actually a bit wider than the "recommended" max width for these 8.5" wide wheels.

Jim G

Hmm, that’s interesting…275’s huh? I never really contemplated going outside of the recommended width (on my stock wheels). If I didn’t already have a summer set of wider wheels and tires, I’d most likely give that a go myself.

[LA_LT1]

Originally Posted by JimGnitecki

I have a 2022 LT1. The local tire shop manager felt comfortable putting a pair of 275 wide Nitto 555R2 tires on mine. KingLT1 and others here on the forum have also suggested and endorsed that. I don't think you can go wider than that though. The 275s are actually a bit wider than the "recommended" max width for these 8.5" wide wheels.

Jim G

Any rubbing? What aspect ratio are you using?

I'm thinking of a 255 square set up so I can maintain ability to rotate the tires. Would I have to adjust the aspect ratio?

[JimGnitecki]

Originally Posted by LA_LT1

Any rubbing? What aspect ratio are you using?

I'm thinking of a 255 square set up so I can maintain ability to rotate the tires. Would I have to adjust the aspect ratio?

I am running the Nitto 275/35R20 tires on the REAR ONLY. I have no idea if that size would fit up front without rubbing. Sorry.

I prefer to NOT run wide tires on my cars and motorcycles unless I need to, as they are generally heavier so have a higher moment of inertia. But I needed the extra width on the LT1 after I had the Magnuson supercharger installed, as with the OEM size, the traction control was coming on at even the highest speeds I had yet run the car to (85 mph).

Jim G

[Msquared]

This is a bad idea. 275s on a 8.5" rim width will not give you more grip or traction than a 245, because they won't properly supported by the narrow wheel. They will also have to run at higher slip angles to generate any given level of lateral grip. Therefore, if you run 275/35/20 (to keep the proper diameter) in back with proper 245/40s up front (i.e. a "staggered" setup), you'll have a car that feels loose on corner entry. It's just a bad idea.

If you want wider tires, you should install them on wider wheels. You can probably buy OE SS wheels and tires and run 275/35/20 in back for not a lot of money. There are also even wider sets of wheels for sale in the Classifieds section here all the time. Any sizes up to SS 1LE should fit fine, as long as you get the offsets correct (spacers with longer studs are fine, where needed). Here's one example of a great deal available now. If you paired those with 285/35/19 tires, you'd be golden, and you could still rotate them since they would be a square fitment.

[JimGnitecki]

Originally Posted by Msquared

This is a bad idea. 275s on a 8.5" rim width will not give you more grip or traction than a 245, because they won't properly supported by the narrow wheel. They will also have to run at higher slip angles to generate any given level of lateral grip. Therefore, if you run 275/35/20 (to keep the proper diameter) in back with proper 245/40s up front (i.e. a "staggered" setup), you'll have a car that feels loose on corner entry. It's just a bad idea.

If you want wider tires, you should install them on wider wheels. You can probably buy OE SS wheels and tires and run 275/35/20 in back for not a lot of money. There are also even wider sets of wheels for sale in the Classifieds section here all the time. Any sizes up to SS 1LE should fit fine, as long as you get the offsets correct (spacers with longer studs are fine, where needed). Here's one example of a great deal available now. If you paired those with 285/35/19 tires, you'd be golden, and you could still rotate them since they would be a square fitment.

Thanks for taking the time to provide some good feedback, Matt. I know that there are used deals for wheels on the forum , but, the example you gave is not as inexpensive to me as you might think. Since I live in Canada, those $950 wheels would cost me $950 US = $1320 CDN at current exchange rates, plus shipping, plus duties and Federal sales tax on imports.

And, I love the current OEM wheels that came on my car - they look great and they are the easiest wheels to clean that I have ever owned. I don't want to give them up.

The 275/35-20 Nittos on my 8.5" wheels are barely under the recommended rim width, and others on the forum who have run this setup have assured me it is a good one.

I had not counted on having to spend $1300 CDN on the 2 rear tires alone, let alone different wheels, just because I had the Magnuson kit installed. I've spent enough on the car for the time being!

It's way too cold here locally right now to realistically and safely test the Nitto tires' traction, but I am looking forward to doing so when we get warmer weather again!

Jim G

Jim G

[LA_LT1]

Originally Posted by Msquared

This is a bad idea. 275s on a 8.5" rim width will not give you more grip or traction than a 245, because they won't properly supported by the narrow wheel. They will also have to run at higher slip angles to generate any given level of lateral grip. Therefore, if you run 275/35/20 (to keep the proper diameter) in back with proper 245/40s up front (i.e. a "staggered" setup), you'll have a car that feels loose on corner entry. It's just a bad idea.

If you want wider tires, you should install them on wider wheels. You can probably buy OE SS wheels and tires and run 275/35/20 in back for not a lot of money. There are also even wider sets of wheels for sale in the Classifieds section here all the time. Any sizes up to SS 1LE should fit fine, as long as you get the offsets correct (spacers with longer studs are fine, where needed). Here's one example of a great deal available now. If you paired those with 285/35/19 tires, you'd be golden, and you could still rotate them since they would be a square fitment.

My question was if I need to change the aspect ratio to run 255s on the stock Lt1 wheel. 255s aren't a massive difference from the stock 245s

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by LA_LT1

My question was if I need to change the aspect ratio to run 255s on the stock Lt1 wheel. 255s aren't a massive difference from the stock 245s

255/40/20 will be 28" in diameter, which is 0.3" more than 245/40/20. That doesn't sound like much, but 28" is a very tall tire. Keep in mind that all the more performance-oriented Camaros come with much shorter tires from the factory, and there are good reasons for that. A 255/35/20 would be 27" diameter. That's probably a better performance option, but will of course mean your speedo is off a bit (~2mph at 70).

255 is 10mm wider in section width, and the recommended rim widths for either aspect ratio in that width is 8.5-10". So you can do it. If you keep the 40 aspect ratio, you will probably lose performance due to the taller overall gear ratio and higher roll centers and CG height, plus the poor sidewall support. If you get the shorter 35, you will probably gain some performance.

[LA_LT1]

Originally Posted by Msquared

255/40/20 will be 28" in diameter, which is 0.3" more than 245/40/20. That doesn't sound like much, but 28" is a very tall tire. Keep in mind that all the more performance-oriented Camaros come with much shorter tires from the factory, and there are good reasons for that. A 255/35/20 would be 27" diameter. That's probably a better performance option, but will of course mean your speedo is off a bit (~2mph at 70).

255 is 10mm wider in section width, and the recommended rim widths for either aspect ratio in that width is 8.5-10". So you can do it. If you keep the 40 aspect ratio, you will probably lose performance due to the taller overall gear ratio and higher roll centers and CG height, plus the poor sidewall support. If you get the shorter 35, you will probably gain some performance.

Good advice. the 255/35s are a little cheaper than 245/40 too. Thanks!

[Edward Paul]

I would think a 265 would be okay all the way around.
My 97 WS6 came with 275's on a 9" rim.

[Hyper Blue RS]

I added the nitto 255/35r20’s all around on my 2018 RS. Love the look and the ride difference.