16/17” Wide Tyre Options

Garaculas

Garaculas

Club Member
What tyres are everyone running on their wider 16/17” wheels? I’ve managed to grab a set of Watanabe RS-Eights to refurbish one day and they’ll likely end up being 16/17 inch diameter to accommodate larger brakes and wider rubber. The plan would be to get some arch extensions, when all the bodywork is done, and then have new barrels fitted to get the maximum usable rubber allowable.

Problem is I can’t really find 16s wider than 225 or 17s wider than 255 in a decent grippy tyre and in the UK. I just feel with the RB I’m going to need all the rubber I can muster and a 9/9.5J rear could do with being a little beefier..? Not interested in mega stretch, more usable and function-able grip.

As always look forward to hearing your experiences and thoughts, cheers folks :thumbs:
 
Alphabettispaghetti

Alphabettispaghetti

Club Member
you're into expensive 'proper' tyres in smaller sizes, larger diameter, you'll find it easier. what you'll struggle with is profile on larger diameter
 
Mark N

Mark N

Club Member
I have a set of 8.5"/9.5" x 17 RKRs and I’m running a 235/45R17 on the front with a 275/40R17 on the rear.
 
Garaculas

Garaculas

Club Member
franky said:
you're into expensive 'proper' tyres in smaller sizes, larger diameter, you'll find it easier. what you'll struggle with is profile on larger diameter
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Im not against 15 inch with a chunky sidewall as long as the brakes are compatible, the beefier profile is always welcome for some added mechanical softening. What kind of sizes have you seen, in what make/model and where from?

Mark N said:
I have a set of 8.5"/9.5" x 17 RKRs and I’m running a 235/45R17 on the front with a 275/40R17 on the rear.
Click to expand...

I did spot some 275/40/17s but the only semi decent tyre seems to be Pilot Sport 2s? A 275 on the rear would be spot on and I’d likely take the 17” and 40 profile penalty for the extra width. Just not sure if it’s better to have a 255 R888/AD08 or a 275 of an inferior tyre..?
 
Alphabettispaghetti

Alphabettispaghetti

Club Member
Garaculas said:
Im not against 15 inch with a chunky sidewall as long as the brakes are compatible, the beefier profile is always welcome for some added mechanical softening. What kind of sizes have you seen, in what make/model and where from?



I did spot some 275/40/17s but the only semi decent tyre seems to be Pilot Sport 2s? A 275 on the rear would be spot on and I’d likely take the 17” and 40 profile penalty for the extra width. Just not sure if it’s better to have a 255 R888/AD08 or a 275 of an inferior tyre..?
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it depends really on the disc and caliper setup. 15" for the win.

Have a look here.. https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk

I find them too expensive(generally) however you can see what's around.
 
Robbie J

Robbie J

Club Member
If you go 17-inch wheel (regarded as the 4x4 option on here)

you could go these if you want staggered

Michelin Pilot Sport 4 PS4 - 255/40 R17
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 PS4 - 235/45 R17

As Mark said, around £350 for a set before Brexit
 
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Garaculas

Garaculas

Club Member
jonbills said:
Is it churlish to mention that the contact patch size is largely indedendent of tyre width?
http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/211_fall2013.web.dir/connor_mattson/contactpatch.html
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I know there are other factors at play than just the width but if I’m having the wheels custom made then it makes sense to make them as wide as sensibly possible? As long as there is a tyre choice to support it that is, hence the thread :)

franky said:
it depends really on the disc and caliper setup. 15" for the win.

Have a look here.. https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk

I find them too expensive(generally) however you can see what's around.
Click to expand...

That’s a very useful website, thanks very much!
 
Seikoking

Seikoking

Well-Known Forum User
Maybe try Nankang? The AR1 is available up to 315 wide in 17”...is that wide enough for you?!! Quite track focussed but perfectly road legal. The Nankang site has all the available sizes for their various tyre models all arranged in size. Quite helpful
 
Robbie J

Robbie J

Club Member
Garaculas said:
I know there are other factors at play than just the width but if I’m having the wheels custom made then it makes sense to make them as wide as sensibly possible? As long as there is a tyre choice to support it that is, hence the thread :)



That’s a very useful website, thanks very much!
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I missed the custom wheel bit.... now I'm interested. I'm using the Rota's to get it on the road but I do fancy something different
 
Alphabettispaghetti

Alphabettispaghetti

Club Member
Garaculas said:
I know there are other factors at play than just the width but if I’m having the wheels custom made then it makes sense to make them as wide as sensibly possible? As long as there is a tyre choice to support it that is, hence the thread :)



That’s a very useful website, thanks very much!
Click to expand...


no worries. Just remember 15" and smaller is what you need to be more attractive to women(and men).
 
jonbills

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
Garaculas said:
I know there are other factors at play than just the width but if I’m having the wheels custom made then it makes sense to make them as wide as sensibly possible? As long as there is a tyre choice to support it that is, hence the thread :)
Click to expand...
Well, my point was that tyre width really isn't a factor at play.
But by all means, have 'em as wide as you fancy, but you won't have any more rubber on the road than @franky and his 195/70/14's!
 
Seikoking

Seikoking

Well-Known Forum User
jonbills said:
Well, my point was that tyre width really isn't a factor at play.
But by all means, have 'em as wide as you fancy, but you won't have any more rubber on the road than @franky and his 195/70/14's!
Click to expand...

Maybe not more actual tyre on the road, ie area, but if the conclusion in the page linked is correct, a shorter and wider contact patch, (from a wider tyre) perpendicular to the direction of travel, will increase traction. Useful I’d expect with RB power under the bonnet :)
 
V

vipergts

Well-Known Forum User
15” fat tyres are impossible to find unless you go sticky track biased such as 888’s.

Love fat 15’s with period sidewall look.

It’s a mare. Does my head in
 
Garaculas

Garaculas

Club Member
It’s a tricky one and glad I’m not the only one having the problem.. I’d rather not change profiles between front and back if I can help it and the wheels will very likely be wider at the back so it’s just trying to find the size that suits.

After looking more today it seems you can get hold of the R888R in some wider sizes such as 275/40/17 (despite what their website says..?) along with 255 and 235. If I were to go 16 they do a 255/50/16 with 245 and 225. The extra profile on the 16s is very tempting for some extra damping and suppleness, like jonbills stated the extra 20mm of width might not be worth the trade off.

Still keen to hear from any of the current high HP RB/JZ owners on what they run and their feedback? :)
 
Garaculas

Garaculas

Club Member
franky said:
I use to build cars with circa 450-550bhp/tonne. Widest I use to go was a 205, with a nice suspension setup you can get enough grip.
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Impressive! Though If the RB ends up at ~600hp in high boost then surely I’ll need more than a 205? Must admit I’m very mindful of the suspension, keen to build something usable and drive-able and not just stiff and jarring like you see a lot of cars these days. I guess the key points are adjustability, getting the spring rates right and finding a competent damper?
 
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