Tire sizing; 17x8 wheels; stagger tires or not?

[suprarx7nut]

Hello everybody. I'm debating my tire options for the Supra. I have 17x8 FN01R-C wheels all around. I currently have 235/45/17 all season tires which are simply no good. I lose traction WOT with only 8-10 lbs boost in second gear.

My new tires will likely be BF goodrich G-force KDW 2's.

I'm debating sizing and so far I'm thinking a few different options:

1) Even all around
a)235/45/17 or b)245/40/17

2) Staggered
a)235/45/17 front 245/40/17 rear
b)235/45/17 front 255/40/17 rear
c)245/40/17 front 255/40/17 rear

Anyone have any input? The car will not see over ~350 whp at any time, so maybe 245 is plenty of grip for the rear, but I'm really not sure. I'm leaning towards 1b or maybe 2b.

 

[Suprapowaz!(2)]

If I were to run the same tire all around I'd go with the same size all around. Especially if the rim width is the same front and rear. Most people stagger rim widths, not tires. Plus you can rotate them and your tires would last longer. BTW, where are you getting your tires from?

 

[suprarx7nut]

Yeah, I haven't heard of many people staggering just the tires.

Tires will likely be purchased through a local business "Tire Source" in Boulder, CO. They tend to have prices equal to or better than tire rack if you include shipping and they do free mounting, balancing. Plus it's a small business so I feel good supporting them.

 

[dubsupra209]

tirerack.com has some good deals on g forces. Last time i looked it was $500 for 245/40/17 and 275/40/17 and the hankooks where in the low $400 price range.

 

[te72]

I'm running 255's on a 17x8 on my car for the winter. I'd recommend going with a skinnier tire, it's just really not enough width on the wheel side of things, get too much sidewall flex. Could also be the tires I'm running, so check your tire manufacturer's recommendation. Might also look into the Nitto NT05, they are what I run during summer. Damned sticky tire for the price, can't beat them overall.

 

[AJ'S 88NA]

I've had both, 245's all around and 225 in the front and 245's in the rear. I like the feel much better with the 225's in the front on the track.

245's all around kind of gave me a "flat footed" feel kind of hard to explain.

Just personal preference.

 

[te72]

I've had both, 245's all around and 225 in the front and 245's in the rear. I like the feel much better with the 225's in the front on the track.

245's all around kind of gave me a "flat footed" feel kind of hard to explain.

Just personal preference.

I think I know what you mean, just for fun I ran the 275 summer tires out back and something like 225 or 235 up front, car for some reason liked to oversteer a lot more. Never did really understand that, I would have thought it would understeer due to lack of front end grip...