I see 275/40/17's run in the rear all the time. Why not run a 285/35/17 ?

 

Well because there's a number of tires offered in the 275/40/17 size, whereas there doesn't seem to be any in a 285/35/17. It'd be a good size, if it existed.

 

I looked in a car mag I had sitting around and couldn't find any. But then I searched around the net and look...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=8048755782

 

I looked at 5 different online tire vendors (Tire Rack, Discount Tire Direct, Edge Racing, 1010Tires, Tire Trends) and none had even one 285/35/17 listed. The Gatorback is an old, old design, came on the C4 Corvettes back in the late 80's and early 90's. Not the best high performing tire for today. To go with that size you'd be limiting yourself with ONE tire that's a 15-20 year old design, if you can even get them any more, Tire Rack doesn't list it anymore, I doubt if it's been in production for quite some time now.

 

Yeah, that's very limited.

A few manufacturers used to make a 275/35/17 too.

 

Yeah believe me I hadn't planned on buying an old Eagle ZR, I was just pointing out the tire size. I had some Gatorbacks many years ago.
I called Good Year today and they are looking to see if they make any high performace tires of that size in Europe or elsewhere, if they do I'm buying some. I have a brand new set of Good Year Eagle F1 GS-D3's sitting in the garage now. I would rather have a 285/35/17 vs the 275/40/17 for the rears though.

 

Oh quit your whinin! (I'm pullin' your leg). Maybe put the 275s on & drive the car first. Those are the best street tires availaible & are a significant improvement over the 245s you were using. A 40 series actually "gives" a little in the sidewall, unlike a 35 series (like my SLK) that is basicly a rubber band on a rim (not that bad on a softer suspensioned SLK but more of a ride issue on an FD). This also helps eliminate wheel hop from a dig.

Due to the limited availability of 285/35/17s, the quality of tire you "may" find will 99% likely be inferior to the 275 Goodyear F1 you have.

FWIW, if you recall, you mentioned another CYM owner in your area had 285s & it looked like azz (a major reason I did not pursue them). I think you will like your new tires - its a major improvement over your prior rubber.

-Matt