275/50R15 tire question

[cwelk87gn]

I have done some research here on the largest tire you can put on a stock height, stock wheeled GN and the number I keep coming up with is a 275/50/15. Will I need to run spacers with this setup or will they be fine as is?

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

i know a guy here in town with that tire on his stock GN wheels-
no spacers needed, and they are a tight fit, the GN wheels have more of a backspace, so it will take the tire closer to the frame-

his dont rub even with 4 people in the car last i hear
BW

 

[forzfed]

Every car is different. Some will rub on one side only and others will not rub at all.

 

[turbo nasty]

7"(stock) wheel with 275/50 's will crown ...wear in the middle....you really should run a 8" rim.
I personally run 265/50 's on my t rims and have to run them low psi to get them to wear proper.

 

[XLR8]

I run Nitto 275/50/15 on my stock GN wheels with no rubbing on either side. The wheels do seem a bit narrow for the tires however, as the tires wear more in the middle and I run 24# air pressure in the tires.

 

[2QUIK6]

I have 275/50/15 BFG DRs on stock wheels, I rub on one side, the thinnest of spaces cured the prob. I also have a pair of MT ET streets 28x11.5 which have a wider contact patch but they don't rub at all, guess because the side walls don't puff out as much like the BFG's.

 

[bishir]

Chris, the rub on one side on my car too. My solution was to buy some aluminum drums. You can come try out mine sometime to see if the fit is right.

James

 

[UNGN]

275/60's work better than the 50's. They are 1.75 to 2.0" taller than stock, but our stock tires are too short, anyway.

The taller tires hook better and fit better on a 7" rim. They are also slightly narrower through the section so they will rub the frame less than the 50's.

The ONLY downside to the 60's is your Speedo will be 5 mph slow on the highway. It will also register miles 7% less, but that isn't a downside

 

[bishir]

I will agree with UNGN that the 60s are much better.

James

 

[scottyb]

I have had a set of BFG 255/60's on my T wheels for 2 years now. About a month or 2 after I installed them, I noticed them wearing in the middle at ~ 28 psi, so I have since run them at 18. I think they have kept at even wear since then. (today, there's only tread on the outside )

 

[DJay]

My 275/60/15's required a small spacer on both wheels. After that, though, they've given me nothing but pleasure.

 

[cwelk87gn]

So 60's will fit better than 50's huh? That may be the way to go! James, I may take you up on those aluminum drums...I wouldn't mind having a set of my own. Are you going to be able to drive the GN to the test and tune? If you need some help let me know, I'll be glad to donate a Saturday to lend you a hand.

 

[Jimn8or]

You have some accurate responses here. My car would not take these tires on stock rims w/o rubbing like a fat chick wearing spandex shorts. 7.5" Centerlines eliminated the problem. As mentioned, each car seems to be different...if you have an opportunity to borrow a set and try 'em out, your set. UNGN's comments should not go unnoticed either.
Jim

 

[GSX-PKV]

I've run 275-50-15 tires on 7" rims for 15 years with no rubbing at all. I've used BFG Euro TA's and BFG Drag Radials in that size and they fit perfectly and your speedo is correct. Paul

 

[strikeeagle]

Your results may vary...

I always give this advice - if it seems too big, it probably is. People don't use common sense, putting 10" tires on 7" rims on a car that has very little tire clearance to begin with.

But hell, you'll do what you want to anyway...

 

[The Don]

I run 275/50/r15 ons my gn but dats in the rear....I have 235s in the front! I don't have any problems and my car has bad struts

 

[bishir]

So 60's will fit better than 50's huh? That may be the way to go! James, I may take you up on those aluminum drums...I wouldn't mind having a set of my own. Are you going to be able to drive the GN to the test and tune? If you need some help let me know, I'll be glad to donate a Saturday to lend you a hand.

Hey now, I'm not selling my aluminum drums. Got a great deal on em. They will however space your wheels farther out if you currently have steel ones. I do have some 275/50s mounted on stock rims if you want to see if they'll fit. My street tires are 275/60s. They fit much better as UNGN told ya. My car should be together before dyno day and if it is I'll go. I don't think it will be painted though. The owner of Mobile Dragway "Gary" has offered to hook me up with some painter in Mobile but I don't know much about it yet. He says he drives the "Witch Doctor" car. You may him, never know.

James