275s are little... lets go nuts.

CTS-Voodoo · #1 (**permalink**) 12-25-08, 11:14 PM

so I have the stock chromes on my 05 V. Theyre wrapped in 275s, but in first gear when the engine hits the powerband around 4500 I can feel the rear tires starting to let go - which is totally unacceptable. So its time to look at 295s or even 305s.

So my question, I know a few guys have had thier stockers widened, what kind of clearance do you have, how much was the rim widened, has anyone tried 305s or 315s? Im looking for no rubbing issues obviously, but I want the absolute MAX amount of traction without having to cut into things. (honestly Im not above getting a puller and bringing in the wheel tubs about an inch worst case or rolling fender lips..)

Let me know guys!

stkshkr · #2 (**permalink**) 12-26-08, 12:28 AM

Get a set of drag radials

Naf · #3 (**permalink**) 12-26-08, 02:13 AM

If you want to go wider u will need to go through a lot.

You will need at least mini tubs, wider wheels. and a few odds and ends i dont know of...

Option two is ease up on the throttle, or get better tires....I have F1s and on a dry day i need to be turnin and throttlin to break loose.

Twitch · #4 (**permalink**) 12-26-08, 09:47 AM

Do you want straight line traction only? With tires that wide in the rear, the car won't turn very well.
Big Jim has 9.25" rims in the rear with a small spacer. He's running 275s.
If you go real wide, you'll need to change suspension parts.
What tires do you have and are they heated up when you do this? Also, if its cold out, you won't get traction no matter what.

SoJersey05V · #5 (**permalink**) 12-26-08, 10:15 AM

My only mod is a Corsa Cat-back and i am running 245 pirelli pzeros.... in the past seasons, ol' caddy would let em loose a little bit but now that it's cold out i am getting the same deal with the spinning... lol. doesnt bother me though.

CTSV_510 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-26-08, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twitch

What tires do you have and are they heated up when you do this?

ding ding ding

STAGEUP · #7 (**permalink**) 12-26-08, 11:21 AM

I cant see why widening the rears would be a problem. I think you could go .5 more without a problem.

And I don't see how optioning to lifting off the throttle would be an option. If you're liftin, you can't drive and you need to go get a Cavalier

Luna. · #8 (**permalink**) 12-26-08, 04:30 PM

If you want to go wider than 275s, I believe you have 2 options, one easier than the other, but not necessarily a good route for everyone.

Option 1: Add fender flares, push the hubs out, and widen the heck out of the rims. I'd probably go something like 275/40 front with 315/35 in the rear (tire height is near-identical with that setup). Very easy solution and you can go wide on both the front and rear. The drawback, however, is you have to like the look of flaring the fenders...

Option 2: Do what I did and mini-tub the rear end. It's not that big a deal, but it does require the talent of someone who's fairly skilled at such a thing. Jason from Timeless Customs (Camarillo, CA) did this for me. I have a detailed thread on this exact thing somewhere around here...I think the cost was, say, ~$2k to modify the car. Note that this was for the rears only. The fronts I left stock.

CTS-Voodoo · #9 (**permalink**) 12-27-08, 03:12 PM

Well Ill put it this way, I have a shop in my garage lol. Who else do you know with air tools, a welder, plasma, english wheel, tubing bender, paint guns.... lol

What Im really trying to do is NOT have to pull and paint the rear quarters / minitub the thing, but Im not totally adverse to doing it. Of course if I start cutting, Im cutting to fit something nuts like 335s in the rear. Why? I dunno it looks scary...

So it looks like widening the rims about .5 of an inch and 295s are about the limit without getting crazy.. Oh and as for those who said that the car wouldnt turn well with 295s out back.. come on, Lambos have 325/335s in the rear and they do just fine on a track...

Luna. · #10 (**permalink**) 12-27-08, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTS-Voodoo

Well Ill put it this way, I have a shop in my garage lol. Who else do you know with air tools, a welder, plasma, english wheel, tubing bender, paint guns.... lol

What Im really trying to do is NOT have to pull and paint the rear quarters / minitub the thing, but Im not totally adverse to doing it. Of course if I start cutting, Im cutting to fit something nuts like 335s in the rear. Why? I dunno it looks scary...

So it looks like widening the rims about .5 of an inch and 295s are about the limit without getting crazy.. Oh and as for those who said that the car wouldnt turn well with 295s out back.. come on, Lambos have 325/335s in the rear and they do just fine on a track...

Mini-tubing the car wasn't too big a deal & I'm fairly certain there was no painting involved. Just a little massaging on the inside.

I believe a 10" rim is about as big as you can go (without pushing the hub out) and a 295 is probably as large as you can go. I believe the shock becomes the limiting factor after some of the more simple adjustments are taken care of.