Simple question - Can I run 285/40R18's on my 18x7.5 inch rims? Right now I'm running 255's on these rims, and I thought that was pushing it. My friend seems to think I'll be able to squeeze 285s on there, but I'm skeptical...

I'd love to get some Nitto NT 555R's, but the smallest they go in 18's is a 285 according to their website. I imagine if I *could* get these tires on there they would wear faster, especially being an R compound tire. That's not a big deal. I'd really like to run these rims for the summer, but I'll be pushing 550RWHP or more so I'll need better traction.

The other option would be to get a set of FDs and just run wider MT ET streets...I could do this, but I'd rather not if it'd be possible to run 285s on my other rims....Thanks in advance!

 

Tell your friend I said he knows jack ***** about wheel and tire fitment.

....unless you meant to type 18x9.5?

I'd recommend getting rid of the rims, those widths are better suited for an FC. Get some real wheels and you'll be able to fit real tires

 

Listen to Goodfella. Plus the 285/40/18 is too tall for the FD anyway. You need 285/30 FYI.

Rishie

 

no way in hell. the smallest wheel ive ever seen a 285 on is 18x8.5, and its pretty rediculous (autocross people...)

 

Thanks for the input guys, that's exactly what I thought. I seriously wish I would've gotten 18x8.5's back in the day, but I originally bought these rims for a FWD car. I had no idea that I'd pick up an FD down the road...lol...

And believe me, I've looked for SSR GT1 Integrals (even used ones) on eBay, tirerack, pretty much anywhere I could think of....I can't seem to find another set of them to save my life...I'd love to pick up the wheels I have now in 18x8, but they're proving to be extremely hard to find.

I've found them with the rivets around the outside of the rim, but I honestly can't stand the way those look...

Anywho, looks like I'll be picking up a set of FDs to run on the back so I can run some 295 MT ET streets.

 

when you say 'FDs' what do you mean

 

your mistaken.... youre most likely referring to fad drifters..
out of all the years ive autxd.. this is one thing im certain you will not see on an autocross lot..

 

Sorry, I should have specified...I was just talking about the factory, 16" FD rims.

 

I was afraid of that

I highly recommend you spend some time on the Tire Rack site. Pick a few favorite tires and study the Specifications section to get a feel for what size tires fits on what size rim.

On an oem 16x8 rim, you're not going to want to mount much more than a 255 width.

295? You'll need at LEAST a 10 inch rim, minimum.

 

I actually started looking at 18x10" rims, so I'm probably going to go with those. Thanks again for the input! I have virtually no experience when it comes to tires!

 

I would say its the other way around "fad drifters" will put narrow tires on wide wheels. AutoX guys, especially in stock classes, will put the widest tire they can fit on the wheel very often much wider than is reccomended by anyone. Its been a few years since ive been to any solo2 events with regularity but I know of one guy who has 285's on I believe an 8.5 wheel who is very fast.

 

Is there any place that has pics of wheel and tire combo's? I was looking at putting some 285 or 295 on some 9.5 wheels.

 

I've seen (in person) 295 Hoosiers on a 18x8 wheel for competition use. B-stock Rx8.

A 285 will go on a 8" wheel if you have the patience to put them on. It isn't easy by any stretch of the imagination.

I run 275 on a 17x9.5 wheel. Looks pretty flush. For practical purposes, you'll need something wider than 9" for a 285.

 

You need to decide what size tire you want to run, then look for a wheel setup that will optimize them. You can run a 285 or 295 on a 9.5, but it isnt optimal for that wheel width. Most of us that are running a 285 have at least a 10" wheel, honestly 10.5 is probably most ideal and will give the most sidewall support, but 10 will be fine. If you look at the spec sheet of a tire it will list min and max wheel widths for that tire. Of course you "can" push it a bit either way, but usually its not benefiting you in any way as far as performance, and may possibly even hamper it. If the wheels you are looking at are 18x9.5, a 265/35r18 would be your best bet.

 

I wouldn't run less than 10" wide on a 285 (you can but I wouldn't) you'll need a 285/30 and those are like o-rings as far as sidewall is concerned. A 265/35 is a bit better in that regard. It will depend on what feels better to you as well. I personally didn't like running 285/30's all around. At the time I felt the 265's were a bit more forgiving. I prefer a little sidewall.

~S~

 

Nope

 

Thanks guys. I actually found a set of SSR GT3's on craigslist and picked those up.

The fronts are 18x8's and the rears are 18x9.5's...They should easily run the tires I'm looking to run.