Staggered 20's? Pirelli Ice/Snow as Hi perf sticky tires?

**MattRobertson** · 08-16-2006, 05:35 PM

I saw a post either here or on 300CForums where a guy put 275/40/20's all around on his car. Tire was the Toyo Proxes S/T which I already have experience with on this car. He did it on an SRT. Fitment was close on the back but it worked.

Anyway the 275/40/20 has the identical outside diameter as the 245/45/20. But Toyo only comes with the 255/45/20. The 275 is clearly out as a front tire. Cornering performance would just plain suck. The 255 is a known quantity. What if I went with 275's in the back and 255's in the front? Difference in diameter is 1/2" MORE for the 255's in front. What would that do?

My concerns with the Goodyear Supercars I may put on is tread life (secondary) and safety: driving in cold or wet conditions... the snow is definitely out and we get a lot of it nearby. Plus superior hydroplaning resistance *at speed* which these tires seem to offer would be a big plus.

And does this open up other combos? Yes.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e1=yes&place=7

Even if I totally forget about going staggered, the ratings on the Pirelli are spectacular. What exactly would I be giving up? How much loss in the 1/4 mile you think? If any?

For me, a hard-cornering, stick-like-glue tire would be the hot ticket. I never do burnouts, and I go to the track only a few times per year... I bomb up and down mountain roads on fun runs weekly. Using this tire could be an all-season way to accomplish that task... as in totally overboard in the dry season (I like that) and acceptable in the winter (like that too but don't want to kill myself testing adhesion limits :-) ).

**Hemi31** · 08-16-2006, 05:49 PM

The Pirelli's weigh a ton Matt,ask Rob_AGD what he gave up in the quarter....carefull though,he may grumble at you.If you like the way the goodyear looks go with the RSA,it almost as sticky as the F-1 but in an all season.And if you really want staggered you can do 295's in the rear with the RSA.

**MattRobertson** · 08-16-2006, 06:13 PM

crap I forgot all about weight.

EDIT: Dang reviews on the RS-A are *horrible*

**mikespy** · 08-16-2006, 06:45 PM

You could do like myself and a couple of others Matt and do the 245/45/20 in the front and 275/40/20 in the back in Toyo Proxes 4. Great tire but costs about 200 bones a piece.

Here's a pic of the tire on the back in the 275's.

**MattRobertson** · 08-16-2006, 06:47 PM

You can get the Proxes S/T in 245/45/20??? I thought they only made 255/45/20?

What size rims (width) are you running? Got pics showing how they fit?

...on the edge of my seat...

EDIT:

Answered my own question with some elbow grease:
http://www.wheelmax.com/tiredetail.asp?CtgId=2650

So I have 8" rims. What are the widths on yours? I'm concerned about ballooning but from what I've seen on one car they were fine.

Also the Proxes S/T I have now are truck tires. Meaning heavy sidewalls. I wonder what the diff is. Lighter tire?

**mikespy** · 08-16-2006, 06:57 PM

They are PROXES 4 not the PROXES S/T. They weigh 31 lbs for the 245/45/20's and the 275/40/20's weigh 33 lbs. I don't think you will be able to fit the 275's on a 8 inch wheel though, you have to have at least an 8.5 (i think).

**MattRobertson** · 08-16-2006, 07:01 PM

Yeah I was thinking the same thing (the 8.5's). Having my car lowered makes an ultra-wide tire problematic anyway. Especially with hard cornering. I love the idea of the stance and the contact patch but on reflection it would probably come back and bite me. I actually get a tad bit of rubbing even on the backs, which are 255's right now.

Thanks Mikespy, I think I'll go with an SRT-sized 245 in the front and 255 in the rear.

golly... Now that I know what I am doing with tires, does this mean I can start burning the S/T's off?

**Hemi31** · 08-16-2006, 07:04 PM

You take those S/T's off and put a pass tire on with your forged wheels and oh boy will you enjoy that car.May have to lower the setting on the strut though.

**Cam** · 08-16-2006, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by MattRobertson

golly... Now that I know what I am doing with tires, does this mean I can start burning the S/T's off?

Ya............duh!!!!!. What you waiting on Matt..............get to smoking already.

**mikespy** · 08-16-2006, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by MattRobertson

Thanks Mikespy, I think I'll go with an SRT-sized 245 in the front and 255 in the rear.

golly... Now that I know what I am doing with tires, does this mean I can start burning the S/T's off?

Don't mention it. There is a bit more road noise though than my BFG KWII's. Not much though. They are one of the only all season ultra-high performance tires out there for 20's for our ride. They are not a pass tire. You will enjoy.

Oh and tear those old ones up.

**formerice** · 08-16-2006, 08:56 PM

The Pirellis are great snow tires, but not what you are looking for, unless you plan a move to the frozen north. I have had them here in Maine, great winter tires, come spring, not so hot. BFG KDWS or KDW2s would be my choice in California. Both have excellent wet and dry traction.