Front tires on stock suspension - How big can you go?

[gomopar440]

The title pretty much sums it up. I'm looking at what size tire I can get away with on the front of my Challenger with a stock suspension. Stock UCA's (no tubular anything yet), stock LCA's with the reinforced bottom plate and an oversize (1.25"?) sway bar being the only thing different (if it matters ).

Right now I'm planning on using 245/45-17's in front and 315/35-17 out back (already been mini-tubbed). I'd like to have more tire up front if possible to compliment the wider rears. I'm trying to keep both front and rear tires at about 26" to keep potential rub issues at a minimum.

[EvilTwinATX]

 

[HP2]

NZ had 255s on the front of his Challenger and has seen one with 265s. These have both been with 15" wheels, but 17" should be close to the same width.

[gomopar440]

The main reason I'm asking is that I'm looking at a full set of tires that come with two 315/35-17's and two 275/40-17's. The price is very good and I like the idea of using 275's. Any chance I might be able to use those?

I also still need to check the tire height on the 275/40-17 to see how close to 26" tall it is.

EDIT: Tire Rack list these 275/40-17's as being 25.7" tall. It's within half an inch of the rears (26") and it'll be just slightly smaller in the front so it should look fine if I can use that size.

[cowboy]

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I go with 235/60-15 on rally's, sits low, and take fender at full turn..

[Carlwalski]

NZ had 255s on the front of his Challenger and has seen one with 265s.
These have both been with 15" wheels, but 17" should be close to the same width.

Close. I've only had/have 245/60s but you're correct, I have seen a guy running 265/50s on 15s. I have seen the car in person 3 or 4 times up close, bone stock front arm & suspension components. Why someone would want that much wheel up front is beyond me but, different strokes for different folks I guess. Below is a photo of the car, next time I see it I'll take close up shots of the tires dimensions. Didn't get to talk to the owner about it to discuss tire rub at full lock (if any) but he drives it heaps so it can't be rubbing at all. He has 295/50s on the rear.

[73Chally]

Keep in mind that with such large tires up front, you will be putting a huge stress on your steering pump (God forbid if it is a manual steering box).  Hemmings Muscle Machines did a feature car a few months ago in which the owner had to put narrower tires on the front because he blew out 2 or 3 steering pumps.  I believe it was a Chevy for what it's worth, but my father-in-law dumped his 255's on his Satellite after just a week because it was such a pain in the arse.

[gomopar440]

Close. I've only had/have 245/60s but you're correct, I have seen a guy running 265/50s on 15s. I have seen the car in person 3 or 4 times up close, bone stock front arm & suspension components. Why someone would want that much wheel up front is beyond me but, different strokes for different folks I guess. Below is a photo of the car, next time I see it I'll take close up shots of the tires dimensions. Didn't get to talk to the owner about it to discuss tire rub at full lock (if any) but he drives it heaps so it can't be rubbing at all. He has 295/50s on the rear.

I looked on the TireRack.com website and can't find any specs on that size (265/60-15) tire. Are you sure thats the right size?

As to why? I'm going to have a heavy RB up front so I would like a lot of tire under the front to allow the most grip for cornering. I'd like to play around on an autocross course with the car after it's finished.

[gomopar440]

Keep in mind that with such large tires up front, you will be putting a huge stress on your steering pump (God forbid if it is a manual steering box).  Hemmings Muscle Machines did a feature car a few months ago in which the owner had to put narrower tires on the front because he blew out 2 or 3 steering pumps.  I believe it was a Chevy for what it's worth, but my father-in-law dumped his 255's on his Satellite after just a week because it was such a pain in the arse.

It will be a heavier load on the steering components with larger tires up front. However, if the alignment is kept set properly and you run a PS cooler the added component strain should be minimal.

[ChallengerHK]

I looked on the TireRack.com website and can't find any specs on that size (265/60-15) tire.

I think he said they were 265/50s.

[wiging19]

 

[HP2]

Wheel selection will be a HUGE factor on something that big as offset will need to be on the money for any chance of fitting. XV does put 275 on the front of some of their builds, so there must be room in the fender for them.

Rim width is also a factor in this as a wider rim can stretch a smaller tire bigger or vice-versa. Also, many manufactures also have tires that are somewhat over/under stated some amount from their published size as well. For grins, here is a conversion;

235=9.25"
255=10.03"
275=10.82"
295=11.61"
315=12.4"
335=13.18"

So to go from a 235 to a 275, your going to add around 7/8" per side or about 1 5/8" total width.

[gomopar440]

I think he said they were 265/50s.

DOH! Typo there, but they don't have anything for that size either.

[gomopar440]

Well, I'm going to find out what it really takes to fit 275's on the front. I got some promising feedback on this subject from some autocross guys over on Moparts. I went ahead and got the 315/275 tire combo on ebay. Kinda hard not to bite when I was able to get all four tires for $479 + $85s/h. 

I have a bid on some wheels right now with just under 2 days left on the auction. If I get them I'll pick them up in Houston when I go to the Mopar Lone Star Shootout next weekend. I'll get pics and post them here for everyone when I get the tires mounted on them.

After the tires and wheels are together I'll be able to mock them up to get the measurements for the spacers. It'll take me a little while to get the spacers made before I can mount the tires/wheels on the car properly. I plan on turning them out while the machine shop is slow for the holidays if all goes well.

[Carlwalski]

DOH! Typo there, but they don't have anything for that size either.

They had them but I'm 95% sure they no longer stock or make them, they just didn't sell well. They're thinking of discontinuing making the 295s as well, just not good sellers. Not sure if it's true but I believe it.

Here's a 265/50 BFG for sale, an old one: http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/pts/468767082.html Also, if you do a Google search "265/50 BFG" you'll see they did indeed sell them, might find the odd shop that still do but if you set up your car for them be prepared to have mismatched front and rears unless you swap all 4 to suit.