Staggered tire idea

[MattRobertson]

OK so I am a few thousand miles away from doing this, but I got to thinking based on what I saw at the SoCal fling...

I've been planning on going to the SRT tire setup next time: Goodyear F1's, 255/45/20 on the back and 245/45/20 on the front. The smaller size on the front helps steering a little, and the increased diameter on the back isn't enough to give ESP any grief. The thing that worries me about the GY's is also their strength: Treadwear 220. Sticky as hell but wears out fast.

Electrofied's ride had shoes on I hadn't seen before: 275/40/20's. Yoko's. They looked good and have excellent hydro resistance. Plus I really like the idea of having 275mm of rubber down in the back. Plus, they have a treadwear of 330, which kind of splits the diffference between the sticky goodyears and my ho-hum TW 420 Toyo's.

Last but not least, a 275/40/20 is essentially exactly the same diameter as a 245/45/20. Also same sidewall height.

What do you guys think? Is there a downside here? Obviously I am mismatching brands and tread patterns. Not sure if there's something there to worry about.

[Clutch-n-Throttle]

Hey Matt.

You saw my ride. I had the Toyos. 275/40-20. With the 245/45-20 RSA in the front. Going with the staggered set up it fine. I haven't had any problems with handling with the two types of tires on my car. Although I really dont push the car too hard in curves or turns. I was think of going with the 285/40-20 GY Eagle RSA for the rear when I need to change out the tires. This is the same one that come on the Jeep Cherokee SRT8. It will fit the 20X9 SRT wheel with no problems. And I believe its the same diameter as the 255/45-20 F1 tire so it wont throw off the ESP. Let me know what you go with.

[BobF's 6POINT1]

Coming off the Goodyears and going to Toyos on my car (255s front and 275/45 rear) I notice they are not as sharp handling a tire as the Goodyears were. This may be because of the increased size or weight, but I'm sure it's a little of everything.

I do notice more bump steer from the fronts.

If you want something that's more set up for cornering and road racing, stick with the lower profile and lighter Goodyears.

[MattRobertson]

Holy crap I totally forgot about that! Now I remember it was you that gave me the idea in the first place! I remember you had the wide Toyo's (now I do anyway :-) )

I don't think my 8.5" wheels can handle a 285 tire. Not sure it'll fit in my wheel wells either, with my offset.

Yah I'm definitely doing this. The only bummer is the cost of the Yoko's. The RS-A's are cheap and have a sticky 260 rating, but the TireRack reviews ain't so good. Will look into that.

Thanks for joggin' my memory! Got pics?

p.s. how is your front-end project coming?

[MattRobertson]

Coming off the Goodyears and going to Toyos on my car (255s front and 275/45 rear) I notice they are not as sharp handling a tire as the Goodyears were.

Believe it or not I noticed the same thing with the Conti's. Going from a 225 to a 255 in front made a noticeable change in steering.

The only thing that holds me back on the GY 255 F1's is the tread rating. Plus the idea of a 275 in the back sounds nice. Lots of rubber meeting the road.

[hemiwagn]

Matt: what size rims are you running? 8.5" wide may be too narrow for a 275/40 tire. I'm sure the tire will fit; the question is will it fit CORRECTLY - any safety or heat issues?

Also will it look okay? Or will the tire look to ballooned on a 8.5" rim?

I wish I could see one installed. I have 8.5" rims too (on the front) and would like to use a 275/40/20 tire as well.

[lmbcfls]

Tires should work with wheels -- my 89 Corvette came from the factory with 275/40's mounted on 8.5" wheels (albeit 17's -- considered big back then). If handling is important to you (as the KW coilovers and Hotchkis bars suggest), you might want to check out how the staggered tire sizes will work with those suspension pieces -- ordinarily, staggered tire sizes will increase understeer.

[MattRobertson]

Matt: what size rims are you running? 8.5" wide may be too narrow for a 275/40 tire. I'm sure the tire will fit; the question is will it fit CORRECTLY - any safety or heat issues?

Also will it look okay? Or will the tire look to ballooned on a 8.5" rim?

I wish I could see one installed. I have 8.5" rims too (on the front) and would like to use a 275/40/20 tire as well.

The ones I saw looked fine (Electrofied and Shaggin' Magnum). I don't remember the widths of the rims. Shaggin' has SRT wheels IIRC. I *think* Electrofied's were 8.5" wheels. Both looked great. No ballooning or worries about the thing flopping over in a corner. I hear the Yoko's have really strong construction. Width is definitely a question I need answered. 275mm is 10.8" and, on paper at least, thats a lot of overhang on each side.

ordinarily, staggered tire sizes will increase understeer.

Good question. Shaggin' I know you said you don't push it, but did you notice any of this in your driving?

[Cam]

Matt, I'm running 255/45 F1's on 8.5's. I'm really happy with this selection. I have a little over 11K on them and have no complaints about the handling capabilities. The little bit of work out I've them since installing the SRT suspension has been quit rewarding . All things considered regarding the mass of these rides and weight distribution, I would rate them as very neutral. Staggered will look much better, but I don't think you'll gain better road manners. The only time I've been able to swap ends is when I did it on purpose.

[Hemi31]

I've got thr RSA's on mine and love them.Just remember to go with a Passenger car tire,as the LT tires are liable to add 10-15lbs per corner unsprung wieght.

[MattRobertson]

I've got thr RSA's on mine and love them.Just remember to go with a Passenger car tire,as the LT tires are liable to add 10-15lbs per corner unsprung wieght.

Yeah I was looking at that. The Yoko's are only 3 lbs heavier than the GY F1's according to Tire Rack.

[Hemi31]

Matt: what size rims are you running? 8.5" wide may be too narrow for a 275/40 tire. I'm sure the tire will fit; the question is will it fit CORRECTLY - any safety or heat issues?

Also will it look okay? Or will the tire look to ballooned on a 8.5" rim?

I wish I could see one installed. I have 8.5" rims too (on the front) and would like to use a 275/40/20 tire as well.

Netsrac has 275/40/20's on 8.5's and they fit great,no ballooning.