Author Topic: Front tire size and handling characteristics  (Read 1390 times)

Offline ff6849

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Front tire size and handling characteristics
« on: October 18, 2013 - 05:02:56 PM »
I just pick up a new set of weld pro star knock offs from Jegs. I got 7x15 4inch BS for the front and 15x8 with 4 1/2 inch BS for the rear. I am definitely going with 275/60/15 on the rear.

Need some advice for the front tires. I want to install 235-255/60 (255's might have some clearance issues) on the front how does the wider front tire change or help the handling characteristics of the car.  The front suspension has a complete rebuilt with up graded heaver torsion bars (BB bars I believe they were 1.125), ploy bushings, offset upper control bushings, A.R.T. sub-frame connectors with torque boxes in all four corners, all new tie rods and ball joints, with an aftermarket 1.125 front sway bar.

I like the look and stance of the bigger/wider front tires but not sure how it will affect ride and drivability.  What are your opinions on such matters. Drive train is 440 with 727.
(__________]]]]]}~~~~

73 440 Cuda'
915 heads (mild head work, stock bottom end 10/9:1 compression)
A518 2600-2800 Stall
4.10 rear gear
TTI headers with 3' exhaust with  X pipe 
comp XE274H cam
Hughes Roller Rockers
Holley Sniper EFI
Holley Street Dominator intake
MSD ignition




Offline arcticmopar

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Re: Front tire size and handling characteristics
« Reply #1 on: October 18, 2013 - 08:07:13 PM »
On my chalenger I went from 245/60r15 BFG's to 235/60r15 BGF's and cant say as I noticed much of a difference on pavement. Both sizes give up and slide around about the same.lol (mounted on the same 15x7 rims.)
RUNS WHITH SISSORS!  and  DIGITALY CHALLENGED!

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Front tire size and handling characteristics
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2013 - 10:24:41 PM »
I believe handling has a lot to do with balance & adjustment of the weight & suspension , also comparative sway bar diameters etc . This is not to take away from the tires , I have heard that 1/2 of the gain in handling is attributed to the tires & wheels  , having said that more tire = more grip to a point , tread compounds & design + larger diameter wheels & reduced sidewall should have a lot of effect as well so going from a 235 to a 255 of the same make & compound may not make much difference but going to a softer compound & better tread design should make a big improvement , go from 15" to 18 " rims should vastly improve handling .
I made a lot of changes to my Charger to make it handle but it will not turn , the understeer is terrible , on the track I finally gave up & started steering with the rear , drifting was far mpore effective than trying to make the car turn  :burnout:

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline dodj

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Re: Front tire size and handling characteristics
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2013 - 01:13:16 PM »
on the track I finally gave up & started steering with the rear , drifting was far mpore effective than trying to make the car turn  :burnout:
And looks cool  :smokin:
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
Good friends don't let friends do stupid things. ........alone.

Offline Mopar Mitch

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Re: Front tire size and handling characteristics
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2013 - 05:13:14 PM »
I recently (~3 wks ago) replaced my fronts from 245-60-15 T/As to 255-60-15 T/As (and the rears are again 275-60-15 T/As)... mounted on 15x8 vintage  minilites... ride is great; handling is good... this combo works very satsifying to me for local cruising and hwy driving.  The taller sidewalls provide a better ride in consideration of my very stiff competition autocross suspension (1.24 TBs, 225# leafs, etc)... not harsh at all on the street as long as the bad bumps are avoided within reason... its great on the hwy and reasonable on road courses (forget about the small pylon autocrosses).  Car is lowered front/rear; my fender lips are tucked in and slightly pulled.. still look stock... so to accomodate other racing rims/tires (16x10 rims with 275-45-16 Hoosier A6 tires front/rear).   Remember, you can always adjust the ride comfort by adjusting the tire pressures... I'm running ~28-30 front and ~26-28 rear with my new 255/275 15s on the street/hwy... a comfortable and pleasing ride, as well as still good for non-severe handling requests (road course lapping would increase f/r by ~8 psi).
Autocross/road racers go in deeper... and come out harder!

See  MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2006 ISSUE for featured article and details on my autocross T/A.