[laynlo15]

I'm lowered on Phastek springs and want to run the taller 275 40 20 Nitto 555r2s. Has anyone run the taller tire on their lowered Camaro on the street or drag racing. Worried the taller tire might get into the felt liner on the launch.

[DannyC]

Go with a 295x35. You'll get more rubber on the track, like 1.5"

[Msquared]

A 275/40/20 is 28.7" tall. I'd be concerned it would rub, too. It will also make your overall effective gear ratio taller, which isn't the hot ticket for drag racing (which I'm inferring you are focused on given that tire choice). The 295/35 that DannyC recommended is 28.1" tall, which is about the tallest I'd want to use.

[lt4camaro]

A 305 30 20 is 27.2 inches tall and much wider. factory tire is 27.6 to 27.7 inches tall . The 305 will give ya a little gear ratio advantage and a bigger foot print which is a win win for me anyway.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by lt4camaro

A 305 30 20 is 27.2 inches tall and much wider. factory tire is 27.6 to 27.7 inches tall . The 305 will give ya a little gear ratio advantage and a bigger foot print which is a win win for me anyway.

But assuming he is using stock SS wheels sizes, then he only has 9.5" rear wheels, which is really too narrow for the 305s. It's even too narrow for the 295/35, but that's not as bad of a pinch. I also ass-ume that he's looking for a taller tire for appearances, but I would suggest that 275/40 is too tall.

[lt4camaro]

Originally Posted by Msquared

But assuming he is using stock SS wheels sizes, then he only has 9.5" rear wheels, which is really too narrow for the 305s. It's even too narrow for the 295/35, but that's not as bad of a pinch. I also ass-ume that he's looking for a taller tire for appearances, but I would suggest that 275/40 is too tall.

Too tall and too skinny and no traction. Car is lowered so the slightly shorter tire will be hardly noticed, but the extra width certainly will be. Get a 10.5 or 11 inch wheel and be done with it.

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by lt4camaro

Too tall and too skinny and no traction. Car is lowered so the slightly shorter tire will be hardly noticed, but the extra width certainly will be. Get a 10.5 or 11 inch wheel and be done with it.

I suspect a 275/40 will hook much better at the strip than 305/30. The taller tire has more impact on traction than tire width. Plus the taller sidewalks are better for launch.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

I suspect a 275/40 will hook much better at the strip than 305/30. The taller tire has more impact on traction than tire width. Plus the taller sidewalks are better for launch.

No, that's not how radial tires work at all. Don't confuse them with drag-specific slicks.

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by Msquared

No, that's not how radial tires work at all. Don't confuse them with drag-specific slicks.

I can tell you with great certainty that my 305/45/17 radials (not bias either) hook *much better* than my 315/30/20 R888R radials do. Both are super soft compound. Only differences are tire height and sidewall. They’re actually narrower…

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

I can tell you with great certainty that my 305/45/17 radials (not bias either) hook *much better* than my 315/30/20 R888R radials do. Both are super soft compound. Only differences are tire height and sidewall. They’re actually narrower…

I have no doubt that a tire on a 3" smaller wheel diameter hooks better. That's a totally different comparison though.

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by Msquared

I have no doubt that a tire on a 3" smaller wheel diameter hooks better. That's a totally different comparison though.

275/40 is taller overall by 1.5” with more sidewall. My statement that the OP, who drag races and is putting on a PD blower, will hook better than a 305/30 is going to be correct.

[KingLT1]

Taller tire of the same compound will hook better then shorter...even if the shorter tire is wider. 275 is plenty of width to hook on. Cars run 7's on a 275. The problem with the 275/40/20 is that it's too tall for most applications. It would be hard to find a front tire that is tall enough to keep stabilitrak from going nuts.


Either way this thread is moot...Op went with 305/35/20 555r2.

[Msquared]

Whatever you guys say...

[lt4camaro]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

I suspect a 275/40 will hook much better at the strip than 305/30. The taller tire has more impact on traction than tire width. Plus the taller sidewalks are better for launch.

On a auto trans car am not sure about that, I would go with width and the gear ratio difference created by the healthy 1.4 inch shorter tire.. which tire has the bigger foot print?