My 255x45 Pilot Sports just cant take the power. I am considering these new Mickey Thompson ET Street Radials http://www.mickeythompsontires.com/s...et_radial.html
They are only offered in 275x40, measuring rim in their specs is a 9" wide, usually these are =/- 1" in the recomended rim range. Since they are just for straight line performance I will absolutly be taking it easy in turns and what not. I dont drive the Max enough to wory about tire wear or rain. I just want third gear to hold so I can test and tune on the street in third not fourth. Pushing 130mph to test a tune adjustment is wack. Anyhow, do you guys think that 275 is too wide for an 8" rim? The Nitto 555R is offered in the same size and their recomended minimum width is 9". My next choice is 245 NT555R, I think that I would be loosing out compared to a 275 width.

 

Matt, you could be ok in a drag-only setting, but that size be VERY careful on any evasive maneuvers that could pull the wheel off the lip of the rim...especially with a soft sidewall (IIRC) that drag radials have. Can't you fit a 9" rim up front, though? That would be a safer alternative if you're going to use these tires on the street. 275 on that wheel seems WAY wide to me.

I run 245/45/17 on my 17x8's for autocross, and they are as wide as I was comfortable with....if 235's were available I would rather have had them.

you could also try going with one of the softer road race tires like the Falken Azenis 615, which hook up nicely on launches, especially if you shave them....they would be available in the correct sizes.

 

I don't think I would want to run a 275 on an 8" wheel. I'm afraid 2 things may happen. 1 by pinching the sidewall down, is it going to flex properly to give you the traction your looking for... the section width of that tire is 11". 2 since they list info on "beadlock" wheels and bead screws, I'm afraid you might pull the tire off the rim in an emergency situation.

 

275? Jeez, and I wasn't even gonna go up to 255 on an 8.5" wheel...

It's possible, but it's not very safe. And... are you sure that'll even fit without crazy rubbing?

If I were you I might consider getting a set of wider wheels... what do you have on there currently? (type, not size..)

 

Hoosier has a new drag radial that many F-body guys are going with this year. There is a version in the 275/40/17, but calls for at least a 9" wide wheel.



https://www.hoosiertire.com/Drtire.htm

D.O.T. Drag Radial

Item Tire Size Width Approx. Dia Cir. Rim Measured Rim * Section Width Tire Weight
17325 P255/50R16 9.25" 26.4" 83.0" 8-10" 8" 10.5" 22
17330 P275/40R17 9.8" 25.7" 81.0" 9-11" 10" 11.3" 21