How big and how small? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

MyCamaro5 · 09-01-2009, 05:37 PM

Hey guys I was just wondering is there a limit to how big or small your tires can be on the camaro/ how wide they can be? I was thinking about

Front: (18" x 9.5") - 275/35/18
Rear: (19" x 11") - 325/30/19 or 305/30/19

Do you guys think that this would look wierd? Cause i've seen some posts with people with smaller rims and i personally didnt really like it

Thoughts/suggestions please

rolnslo · 09-01-2009, 05:48 PM

Tires can be as wide as you want, as long as your rims have the right offset for clearance on the inside.

As for your tire size choices - they are all too small. Stock tire height for all factory wheel sizes (18", 19", 20", and 21") are right about 28.65".

275/35R18 = 25.58"
325/30R19 = 26.68"
305/30R19 = 26.20"

Those will all add an additional 1-1.5" gap (beyond the huge gap from the factory) between the top of tire and the fender that you'll need to deal with by lowering the car.

Also, wheel diameter is going to be dependent on whether you have the SS with the Brembo brake calipers or the LS/LT with the smaller stock setup. 19" should fit over the Brembo setup but barely. 18" is unlikely to fit unless you have a really good wheel design that clears the calipers.

Ringo · 09-01-2009, 05:51 PM

I think your going to have a lot of wheel gap with rims that small. You can lower it but the gap is big on the sides and not on the top so it looks uneven. Have yet to see 325's on a Camaro, but 305's will fit. I like the larger wheel sizes, and would'nt go smaller than 20's. Prefferably 22's and 21's in front of somebody made them.

rolnslo · 09-01-2009, 05:57 PM

By the way, this is what a 305 looks like on a 19" rim...Not sure of the aspect ratio but I seem to remember someone saying it was a 30 series tire 305/30R19.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADM PERFORMANCE

John made these wheels a couple weeks ago and sent these photos,can you say SKATE BOARD!

Even if you slam the car...I do not see it looking right.

Hope this helps your decision on what size wheels and tires to buy.

Andy

MyCamaro5 · 09-01-2009, 06:02 PM

Ok I just tried looking up how to read tire sizes etc on google but i dont get it... rolnslo could you please explain how you calculated the tire sizes?

"275/35R18 = 25.58"
325/30R19 = 26.68"
305/30R19 = 26.20""

Oh and this will be on an LT

So what would I be looking for? in terms of size if i didnt want a bigger gap?

rolnslo · 09-01-2009, 06:41 PM

Tire diameter is calculated this way: (using 275/35R18 as the example)

275 = tread width in millimeters
35 = aspect ratio expressed as a percentage of the tread width (35% = .35)
R18 = rim diameter in inches
25.4 = conversion factor from mm to inches

Overall tire diameter = (((tread width * aspect ratio) / 25.4) * 2 ) + rim diameter

(((275 *.35) / 25.4) * 2) + 18 = 25.5787" tall

NOTE: ((tread width * aspect ratio) / 25.4) is the calculation to find out the tire sidewall height in inches

On an LT, you should be fine with an 18" rim. If you don't want a bigger gap than the stock gap, then you need to make sure your tire diameter is about the same as the stock 28.6" size. For a 19" wheel, a 305/40R19 would be about 28.6" tall. For an 18" wheel, a 275/50R18 would be 28.82" tall.

MyCamaro5 · 09-02-2009, 01:05 AM

Wow thanks a lot!

so i should be good as long as the tire height is about the same as stock correct?

Doc · 09-02-2009, 01:36 AM

19's will work fine but 18's might be too small. You didn't say which Camaro you wanted the rims for; V6 or SS with Brembos?

I'm getting 19 x 9.5 all the way around so I know a 9.5 fits in the front. For tire size I'm going with 275/40-19 which overall is about 1 inch smaller in height than the stock 20" tire/rim combo. I'd looked at the 275/35 but it lowers the car too much to begin with; a full inch. A 275/40 will lower the car only 1/2 inch which leaves me room to lower the car further with a Pedder's setup. The combo I'm getting will reduce unsprung weight by about 9 lbs per wheel which will have the effect of reducing sprung weight by 180 lbs.

The bigger the tire/rim, the heavier they are; the slower your car will be accelerating and take longer distances to stop. Think carefully about what you want before you buy: a boulevard cruiser, show car? Or a performance car. For cruiser/show, the bigger the wheel/tire the better seems to be the current fashion trend. For performance, drop to a 19" and go with the lightest wheel/tire combo you can find/afford that looks good to you.

If you go with a smaller diameter rim you should go up in sidewall ratio instead of down so you don't have ground clearance problems. The picture of the yellow Camaro that was posted shows what it looks like when you do it the wrong way; too low a profile tire to begin with has already created ground clearance problems and there's no where to go to lower it to get rid of the gap at the top.

Here's a link to a nice online calcutor for tire size:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

MyCamaro5 · 09-02-2009, 01:53 AM

Thanks Doc

MyCamaro5 · 09-02-2009, 02:13 AM

Ahh another question! For:

Front: (18" x 9.5")

Rear: (19" x 11")

Could you fit 275/45/18 for the front and 305/40/19 tires on those rims? or does each rim have its down specific dimensions that it can only fit to?

Doc · 09-02-2009, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyCamaro5

Ahh another question! For:

Front: (18" x 9.5")

Rear: (19" x 11")

Could you fit 275/45/18 for the front and 305/40/19 tires on those rims? or does each rim have its down specific dimensions that it can only fit to?

Yes you can fit those tire sizes on those rims. A 275 is designed for a 9.5" rim, and a 305 is designed for an 11" rim.

If you're putting these on an SS with Brembo brakes the 18 might not fit on the front; you'd have to do a fitment check with the wheel company that makes the rim to check for clearance issues.

MyCamaro5 · 09-02-2009, 09:46 PM

This would be on a 1LT just to let you know

SS 376 · 09-02-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rolnslo

By the way, this is what a 305 looks like on a 19" rim...Not sure of the aspect ratio but I seem to remember someone saying it was a 30 series tire 305/30R19.

Another car with 305/30/19, but this is 305/30/19 all around.

600hp-lpe · 09-02-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyCamaro5

This would be on a 1LT just to let you know

They (18") should fit ok on the LT. Are you buying rims, or re-using a 'vette rim with a wheel spacer (not sure the proper wheel spacer you would need exists for the 2010 camaro yet)

18" might fit on the SS with aftermarket rims with an offset. Don't know what the Backspacing/offset needs to be.

I am leaning towards either 305 30 19 or 285 35 19 for my tire selection. Like Doc, I am going with the same size tire on the front and rear.

I'm still waiting for my car to show up...any day now.

09-01-2009, 05:37 PM	#1
MyCamaro5 Drives: 96' Infiniti G20 Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 95	How big and how small? Hey guys I was just wondering is there a limit to how big or small your tires can be on the camaro/ how wide they can be? I was thinking about Front: (18" x 9.5") - 275/35/18 Rear: (19" x 11") - 325/30/19 or 305/30/19 Do you guys think that this would look wierd? Cause i've seen some posts with people with smaller rims and i personally didnt really like it Thoughts/suggestions please

09-01-2009, 05:48 PM	#2
rolnslo Rolling along... Drives: 2011 2SS/RS SGM Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,366 View My Garage	Tires can be as wide as you want, as long as your rims have the right offset for clearance on the inside. As for your tire size choices - they are all too small. Stock tire height for all factory wheel sizes (18", 19", 20", and 21") are right about 28.65". 275/35R18 = 25.58" 325/30R19 = 26.68" 305/30R19 = 26.20" Those will all add an additional 1-1.5" gap (beyond the huge gap from the factory) between the top of tire and the fender that you'll need to deal with by lowering the car. Also, wheel diameter is going to be dependent on whether you have the SS with the Brembo brake calipers or the LS/LT with the smaller stock setup. 19" should fit over the Brembo setup but barely. 18" is unlikely to fit unless you have a really good wheel design that clears the calipers. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS Synergy Green A6

09-01-2009, 05:51 PM	#3
Ringo Politically incorrect Drives: 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Soggy Seattle Posts: 782	I think your going to have a lot of wheel gap with rims that small. You can lower it but the gap is big on the sides and not on the top so it looks uneven. Have yet to see 325's on a Camaro, but 305's will fit. I like the larger wheel sizes, and would'nt go smaller than 20's. Prefferably 22's and 21's in front of somebody made them. __________________ 2SS/RS M6 IO interior. Built 8/14/09. Delivered 9/9/09.

09-01-2009, 06:41 PM	#6
rolnslo Rolling along... Drives: 2011 2SS/RS SGM Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,366 View My Garage	Tire diameter is calculated this way: (using 275/35R18 as the example) 275 = tread width in millimeters 35 = aspect ratio expressed as a percentage of the tread width (35% = .35) R18 = rim diameter in inches 25.4 = conversion factor from mm to inches Overall tire diameter = (((tread width * aspect ratio) / 25.4) * 2 ) + rim diameter (((275 .35) / 25.4) 2) + 18 = 25.5787" tall NOTE: ((tread width * aspect ratio) / 25.4) is the calculation to find out the tire sidewall height in inches On an LT, you should be fine with an 18" rim. If you don't want a bigger gap than the stock gap, then you need to make sure your tire diameter is about the same as the stock 28.6" size. For a 19" wheel, a 305/40R19 would be about 28.6" tall. For an 18" wheel, a 275/50R18 would be 28.82" tall. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS Synergy Green A6

09-02-2009, 01:36 AM	#8
Doc Dances With Mustangs Drives: 2010 1SS/RS MT Join Date: May 2009 Location: USA Posts: 3,819 View My Garage	19's will work fine but 18's might be too small. You didn't say which Camaro you wanted the rims for; V6 or SS with Brembos? I'm getting 19 x 9.5 all the way around so I know a 9.5 fits in the front. For tire size I'm going with 275/40-19 which overall is about 1 inch smaller in height than the stock 20" tire/rim combo. I'd looked at the 275/35 but it lowers the car too much to begin with; a full inch. A 275/40 will lower the car only 1/2 inch which leaves me room to lower the car further with a Pedder's setup. The combo I'm getting will reduce unsprung weight by about 9 lbs per wheel which will have the effect of reducing sprung weight by 180 lbs. The bigger the tire/rim, the heavier they are; the slower your car will be accelerating and take longer distances to stop. Think carefully about what you want before you buy: a boulevard cruiser, show car? Or a performance car. For cruiser/show, the bigger the wheel/tire the better seems to be the current fashion trend. For performance, drop to a 19" and go with the lightest wheel/tire combo you can find/afford that looks good to you. If you go with a smaller diameter rim you should go up in sidewall ratio instead of down so you don't have ground clearance problems. The picture of the yellow Camaro that was posted shows what it looks like when you do it the wrong way; too low a profile tire to begin with has already created ground clearance problems and there's no where to go to lower it to get rid of the gap at the top. Here's a link to a nice online calcutor for tire size: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html __________________ Blue Angel is here!! 1SS/RS LS3 M6 IBM

09-01-2009, 06:02 PM	#5
MyCamaro5 Drives: 96' Infiniti G20 Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 95	Ok I just tried looking up how to read tire sizes etc on google but i dont get it... rolnslo could you please explain how you calculated the tire sizes? "275/35R18 = 25.58" 325/30R19 = 26.68" 305/30R19 = 26.20"" Oh and this will be on an LT So what would I be looking for? in terms of size if i didnt want a bigger gap?

09-02-2009, 01:05 AM	#7
MyCamaro5 Drives: 96' Infiniti G20 Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 95	Wow thanks a lot! so i should be good as long as the tire height is about the same as stock correct?

09-02-2009, 01:53 AM	#9
MyCamaro5 Drives: 96' Infiniti G20 Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 95	Thanks Doc

09-02-2009, 02:13 AM	#10
MyCamaro5 Drives: 96' Infiniti G20 Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 95	Ahh another question! For: Front: (18" x 9.5") Rear: (19" x 11") Could you fit 275/45/18 for the front and 305/40/19 tires on those rims? or does each rim have its down specific dimensions that it can only fit to?

09-02-2009, 09:46 PM	#12
MyCamaro5 Drives: 96' Infiniti G20 Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 95	This would be on a 1LT just to let you know