I'm thinking about a deal and the setup has the rear wheels at 285, I searched the forum for pictures of the wheels on the car in the back. But every picture is always dark or not at a low enough angle in the rear to show how the 285 looks from the back of the Z.

My fear is that 285 might be too big and will make me look like a clown that needs a roll over bar in the back to complete my drag car.

And is 285 wide tires really helps speed for grip, or is it really just a status symbol if you aren't drag racing?

 

Do it. I soooo regret not opting for the 285 rather than the 275. It all depends on the series tire and size rim too. IMO 285/35 19 looks horrible, but the 285/30 19 looks absolutely perfect on a 10.5" wide wheel. And yes it's more rubber = more traction any way you do it, just as long as you dont get crap tires.

That's just my $.02

 

285 is not too big. THey are the perfect size. Go for it.

 

hmmm...... 285 is fine..
i actually ran a 305 before/..
without any problem...

 

J,

is there any 305 for 20"?

 

Just wondering if a 285 will fit alright on a 18x9.5. Also, should it be 285/40 or 285/35? Thnx

 

285 is perfect imo If you wanna see tons of good pics click on the PICS link in my signature. I run 285/35 19's in the rear....

 

like everyone stated above, 285s will be fine.
but be aware that if you are lowered......285s can slightly vary on width with different tire manufactures.
my falken 285s fit fine, but with my new continental 285s it rubs pretty bad and i will have to roll my fender.

 

I'm thinking of getting BF Goodrich KDW 2s for my new Z. Would 265/30 & 295/30 on a LE37 9.5 & 10.5 rim with +22 offset avoid rubbing? What about 255/30 & 285/30? I know a 35 profile for either of these would rub.

 

ZlleH

as posted above many have run 285 in the rear

for a recent similiar discussion on 285's and even 295's see this thread
https://my350z.com/forum/wheels-and-tires/154914-275s-or-285s-with-18x10.html
there were some good posters with real world experience

for a different opinion, i feel that 285 is the absolute upper limit for a normally aspirated minimally modified Z. the weight and rolling resistance of such a large tire is starting to become a detriment to speed. traction may be improved over 275's for only the most aggressive drag launching drivers (Alberto). Handling - I don't know if you'll feel the difference between 275 or a 285 rear (i haven't done a back to back comparison), but if anything you will introduce more understeer with a larger rear tire. I run 275's myself.

what are you planning for the front?

now for looks, thats a different story and completely based on opinion.

pp

 

Thanks for all the reply.

I always had in my head that my future rims/tire upgrade would be F255/45/18 and R275/45/18 but I recently came across a deal with: F265/35/18 and R285/35/18 and wanted to know what 285 would look like from the rear and if it improved everday driving or is it just for looks and if you like to drag race a lot.

As for looks, I want to have an agressive rear look without crossing over to look like a guy driving a drag race car on the street.

 

Hey Jackson, you're getting another Z?!?

BTW, have you heard if the 255/35 in the front with a +22 offset will rub? If so, I'm screwed since I was considering getting that next time. My front is 9.5" +19

 

IMO 265/35 will look stupid, too large. Any real drag racer wouldnt have a 35 series sidewall on some 19's they would have some DR"s or slicks so I dunno what you mean by crossing over looking like a guy driving a drag car. Again if you wanna see a 285/35 from all kinda angles click the pics link in my sig, many shots for you there. My car looks mean as hell from behind, very intimidating imo.....

 

Thanks for the info, Alberto.

I'm still learning about the 30, 35, 45 thing, I still don't understand what those numbers represent.

What I mean by crossing over is that I once was behind a 5.0 cobra, the old style cobra and he had on these wheels that were so wide that it looked like those professional drag cars.

I did take a look at your pics but I didn't see the angle that I have been search for. The angle that I want to see is right at the back off the car down low. so you can see how wide the tires are in the back.

 

Ill get you a pic in 1 minute if I have one on my comp....and by your definition yes, the car looks racey, VERY wide agressive stance.

Edit-here is a rear shot down low Damn my car has a nice a$$ Although its dirty from the test-pipes....

 

ZlleH quote - "I'm still learning about the 30, 35, 45 thing, I still don't understand what those numbers represent"

Those numbers are the height of the sidewall represented as the aspect ratio. Aspect ratio is the relationship between the section height and section width of a tire expressed as a percentage of section width. For example, a 275/35 has a shorter sidewall than a 285/35 tire as 35% of 275 is less than 35% of 285.

as i posted in that other thread above, 265/285 is alot of tire for a minimally modified NA Z. again, my opinion only, others have run that combination and have been happy.

pp

 

So if you do all that aspect ratio math crap, what is the optimal size tire for a 19x10.5" wheel? The 275/35 seems too stretched, and going to a 285/35 maybe too tall (I think?). How about 285/30? Will that provide more or less protection for my wheels versus the 275/35?

 

bhasha

if you don't like doing the math, use any of many online calculators. for example, http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html.

as for choosing the right size tire. what are you most concerned with, the way the tire performs (ie. handling bias, weight, resistance, traction, etc) or looks?

a 285/30 as almost 1 inch shorter in diameter than a 275/35. you will have less rim protection. look at Alberto's pictures to decide yourself if you think 285/35 is too tall. looks is only a matter of one's opinion, and when it comes to your car, its your opinion that counts.

pp

 

Thank you, Alberto.

That is the perfect shot of a backend of a 285 I wanted to find. With that out of the way, I am more indecisive on a 285 or 275. Everytime I look at your picture, I think it's perfect and then I will look at it again and think it's too wide. LOL

But thank you, I will keep looking at your picture until I can decide

 

OK I got a question now, so we decide on a rear rim that is 10.5 with a 285/30/19 tire, now for the fronts being 9.5 what would be the perfect tire size that wont look taller, and not mess with VDC?? 245/35? 245/30? 255/35? 255/30?