Help solving tire height dilemma

[wayner]

In the brand of tire that I am running,
my 275/40 rears are 25.62 tall

The options for the front are either 245/40 or 245/45 series
40 front = 24.71
45 front = 25.68
(current rear is 25.62)

The question is, if I limit my selection to just these two tires in this brand, which of the two sizes would you chose?

Thanks

[javadog]

245/45.

[IROC]

There's no reason to keep the front and rear diameters close. I don't see any advantage to the taller 45 series tire in the front (and the potential disadvantage of clearance issues and the taller sidewall having more flex/less stiffness). I would vote for the 245/40.

I ran 275/40-17s and 245/45-16s (24.68" diameter) for years...

[wayner]

First two opinions and I am back where I started

Thanks for the input so far guys.
I've just added a poll to this thread.

[Sboxin]

More information is needed to be helpful . . .
--- year of car (maybe 73 or other)
--- wheel size and offset
--- fender flairs or not -- Turbo?
--- spacers

We run 275/40/17 and 245/40/17 Hoosier R6 on 78SC stock fenders rolled
with 8" and 9" Kenesis wheels and have some rubbing on the inside -- you
can see car in my Garage photos

You will probably get 50/50 on your poll from this forum group

EDIT: OK I see your beautiful car - congrats on that !! IMHO of course, I would
use the 245/40 to keep a stiffer sidewall in the front . . .

Regards,

[Joe Bob]

Not much 245/45/16 around to choose from. One maybe two street suppliers......sucks as that was my choice as well. None when I needed to replace....stuck with 50 series.

[javadog]

I think he's running 17 inch wheels on a wide body '73, so clearance shouldn't be an issue. Might even have anough horsepower to push these heavy things around.

JR

[175K911]

How about adding a third choice in your poll:
3) It doesn't matter

If you're setting up a car after the tire installation, then it really doesn't matter. Personally most of the SC/Carrera racers are running 245/40 & 275/40 Hoosiers. Nobody runs 245/45 front

[wayner]

Originally Posted by javadog

I think he's running 17 inch wheels on a wide body '73, so clearance shouldn't be an issue. Might even have anough horsepower to push these heavy things around.

JR

Correct!

I'm replacing my existing 245 race rubber on the front with street rubber to match the new rears.

My dilemma is, given that both sizes fit fine and neither are the same diameter as the rear, which would you chose, slightly taller or slightly shorter?
It sounds like going with the 245/40s is the way to go from the comments, but 70% of the poll says 245/45
Thanks

[spiderduct]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Not much 245/45/16 around to choose from. One maybe two street suppliers......sucks as that was my choice as well. None when I needed to replace....stuck with 50 series.

Had the same problem with my 83 SC.
Finally found 245/45/16 for my rear, Firestone of all places.
PRIMEWELL PZ900...........that right PRIMEWELL, I never heard of them either.
Did my homework and 20K later.......GREAT. Quite/smooth/wet-dry handling and holds on in the "D" curve to work every morning.

[boss11]

personally I preffer the look of taller tire on the rear, i would go with 245/40

[wayner]

Thanks for everyones input on which 17" tire height would match best with my 17 rears.

My dilemma was to either go for a slightly taller or slightly shorter front.
My rears are 275/40/17

I solved this a while ago.

On the front I have gone with 245/40/17,
which is slightly shorter than the rear, rather than the 245/45/17 which is slightly taller than the rear.

Thanks everyone.

[wayner]

Here is how it looks from the side with the 40s up front. Even though shorter, they look taller. I think that was the best decision.

Corner weighting will follow.