I need some new race day tires and have a good deal on 275x16's. Would they safely mount onto our stock 16x8? Is the widest I can go just 255?

Thanks,
Raj

 

Well I looked up 275/45/16 (figured that'd be the size) at the Tire Rack, and it listed only Hoosiers. In the specs it says tehy can go on 8" wide wheels, but it's sub optimal. It's better to have a wider wheel, as it'll put more rubber on the road. You'll probably get just as much grip with a 245 or 255 because more of that tire will be on the ground, and it'll give better feel too.

Look up the spec sheet for the particular tire and see what width range it suggests.

Personally, I'd get 245/45/16's.

 

Widest you can go with street tires is 245/45 16. Unfortunately, most manufacturers are discontinuing this size.

 

Assuming you are using a 275/45/16 you can sqeeze it onto an 8" rim but the catelevering affect you end up with will take away from the handling. The tire will end up shifting from side to side during cornering. if you can get you hands on a 9" wide wheel they would fit and perform far better

 

Fantastic! Thanks guys, that was what I was looking for.

The tires I had in mind are straight race slicks and the rims are stock 16x8. I guess I will have to pass up the good price on those. I will go to 255's or 245's and possibly some spacers for a wider track.

 

Read the spec sheet for the specific tire model you are considering. There will be a recommended rim width range. Some tires are weird.

That said, I doubt they would work well on an 8" rim.

-Max