Tire Sizes and Brand Options for 18" FF Halibrand style wheels

[mlewis]

Hi all,

I sure this topic has been overplayed, but thought I would send a question out to those willing to input.

I have an MK4 build underway. I've purchased the 18" Halibrands (11" rears / 9" fronts).

I'm interested to know for those with these wheels, what tire brand/styles and sizes have been used. I do like some sidewall extension beyond the rim.

Any recommendations and photo if available would be greatly appreciated.

Much thanks in advance,

Mark

[edwardb]

Recent similar question and some responses: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?26581-Does-anyone-have-advise-on-18-quot-tires-for-my-IRS-MK4. These are the BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S tires on my Mk4. More pictures including the completed car in the #8674 build thread linked in my sig line.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Wheels%20and%20Tires/th_IMG_4126_zps8qbvd53a.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Wheels%20and%20Tires/IMG_4126_zps8qbvd53a.jpg.html)

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Wheels%20and%20Tires/th_IMG_4127_zps6ynwdkck.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Wheels%20and%20Tires/IMG_4127_zps6ynwdkck.jpg.html)

[Szatan5721]

If you move up to a 265 front
Michelin pilot sports are available

I have the same rims and am in the same predicament

[mlewis]

thanks both.

Paul - thanks for the link to the recent thread on this. I will look into those options.

Szantan5721 - I will look at that option as well, any concern with the fitment of the 265's ?

[Szatan5721]

I have not tried them yet
I know people were able to use 275 on the front with 17 inch rims

I’m not ready just yet for tires
But I should be soon

[JRL16]

The biggest problem is finding tires for the rear wheel. BFGoodrich was out of stock and on back order as were most of the brands. Only ones in stock were the Toyo but reviews were somewhat unfavorable for long life. BFGoodrich and Falken ratings are similar as is price. Falkens were the first ones off back order so they're on the car. Good luck.

[mlewis]

I have not looked at stock availability but the FALKEN AZENIS RT615K has a 265/35R18 in addition to the 255/40R18. Any thoughts on a 265 width on the front (only about .4" wider) ?

The PIRELLI P ZERO ROSSO seems like an interesting option (I bit more tread pattern). Comes in the 315/30ZR18 and 255/40ZR18 or 265/35ZR18 option. Any one have experience running Pirelli's ?

BFGOODRICH G-FORCE RIVAL also comes in P335/30ZR18 95W (about .8" wider then the 315) but as Paul point out, does not have a 255 option for the front. it does come in a 275/35ZR18 option which is about .8" wider than the 255 option (about 1.2" wider than the 245). Too much width for the front ?

[CraigS]

The diameter and width specs are the same for the 275-35x18 as the 275-40x17 so you can make them work. Be careful to thin down the edge of the front flare ahead of the tire and you may need a rack limiter to keep them off the f panel but for me a 275-40x17 has been the standard front tire for a long time. BTW, the Rival-S is one of the two hot tires in autocrossing in street tire classes so I'd go w/ them in a heart beat.

[David Williamson]

i looked at a lot of tires and checked reviews for my new coupe. Ended up with Michelin Pilot SS front 265-35-18 and PSll 315-30-18 rear. I did this becase the SS was not available in the 315 size and for some reason the the PSll was $100 more each for the 265 size. Very similar tires that look the same so it will work. I know Michelin is more expensive but they give good traction and stay round so no vibration, worth the extra cost to me.
David W

[Sanford]

Im running 275's on 18x9.5 and 315 on 18x10.5 Rivals. Wish the rear wheel was 1" wider. Fronts just fit with some added negative camber, have a small rack limiter
On a MKII Enkei Wheels NT03-M's with rear fender flares for reference on offsets, 1996 SN-95 rear axle and front spindles

[mlewis]

Thanks all.

Still digesting ...

[SteveHsr]

Hi all,

I sure this topic has been overplayed, but thought I would send a question out to those willing to input.

I have an MK4 build underway. I've purchased the 18" Halibrands (11" rears / 9" fronts).

I'm interested to know for those with these wheels, what tire brand/styles and sizes have been used. I do like some sidewall extension beyond the rim.

Any recommendations and photo if available would be greatly appreciated.

Much thanks in advance,

Mark

Nitto NT01 is available in most sizes between 225/18 and 335/18. It is not a cold weather tire however.

[GFX2043mtu]

I used Toyo R888R tires. As with the NT01’s and Fallon tires they are not cold weather tires. There are other options but it depends on your use overall power/torque and to a extent budget. Higher powered cars would be wise to use sticky tires if anything as a safety margin. The Nitto tires make a good street drag tire while the new Toyo’s are the new hot tire for cornering.

[Jim1855]

I've run PSIIs and will probably run them again if I go to 17s. A good all around tire for street, track and rain. But I would consider Rivals if I decide on 18s and have heard many good things. Sizing always seems to drive the selection.

At the same time I'm a long ways away from buying tires and it will all change by then. I wouldn't buy tires until the final phase of completion, they do have a lifespan not related to tread depth.

I think Goodyear GS-D3s are available for 18s. A favorite of mine.

Jim

[wareaglescott]

I have the Falken Azenis and am very pleased. I have the 245s up front and had to install a steering rack limiter to keep the tires off the F panels at full lock. 265s are going to have a greater potential for rubbing.

[mlewis]

Thanks all for the feedback/input.

Still kicking around options. I do like the BFG G-FORCE RIVAL S, although the Toyo R888R look like and interesting option. Is the latter OK for a street driving ? I need to do more search on theses as I have not been able to find the front/back sizes am an interested in. Let me know if these are any suggested suppliers for each.

I too like a wider tire.

For the rears I' think about: 335-30-18's - Don't think the added width should be a problem ?

For the fronts I'm thinking about: 275-35-18 due to availability. Scott, I surprised to hear you have some fit issues with the 245 ? What size limiter did you have to use ? The 275 will be about 1.2" wider but does sound like some have made these work.

Going to keep kicking this around.

Thanks again,

Mark

[edwardb]

Sure you can run Toyo R888R's on the street. By all accounts (I haven't personally used them...) a good tire. Factory Five has been using them on their demo cars for several years now. Probably because they have a sponsorship deal, but nonetheless... They are basically a street legal track tire though, and at 100 tread wear rating, won't last as long as the Rival S. Also really need to watch the temp and rain with those.

335's are likely going to rub the body and maybe also parts of the suspension. Plus they're supposed to be mounted on wider rims than the FF 18-inch Halibrands you've already mentioned. I personally don't see how they fit in the picture unless you're prepared to change some things.

Just about any front tires will require limiters on the steering rack. 245's, 255's, 275's, whatever. Some sizes will just take more than others. No big deal. 275's will apparently take some additional attention, like on the body, as CraigS mentioned.

I bought my Rival S tires at Tire Rack. Best price I could find and the time, plus their inventory and order fulfillment process is top notch. Took the tires and wheels to a local tire place and had them mounted and balanced.

I like a wide tire as much as the next guy. The 245/315 combination I have on #8674 works, fits without doing anything special, and have never been accused of being too skinny. Quite the opposite. Most comment how they look meaty and fit the car perfectly. As I already said, I would have used 255 Rival S if I could have for the front, but they aren't available. But also as mentioned, the Rival S 245 is nearly exactly the same actual dimensions as the 255 Nittos I had on #7750. Side-by-side, they didn't look any different. Looks at tire dimensions for brand choices not just rated size. There are differences.

[mlewis]

Paul,

Good point on the wear ratings on the Toyo's

You got me sold on the Rival S. I think I'm going to go in that direction. As you point out, the 335 is not an options for the 11" rim width. I need to kick around my options for the front.

Thanks for the feedback/guidance.

Mark

[GFX2043mtu]

I’m not sure what rack you are using but I know with the FFR manual rack and my mk4 with the kit provided F panels I dont rub at full lock with 255 fronts. 265 tires on my car would be close. I think FFmetal makes F panels for larger width tires if that’s the way you want to go.

[mlewis]

I'm using the PS rack form FFR.

Good tip on the FFmetal F panels (although I just pc'd my FFR F panel). I am going to take some measurements before I finalize my front tire size.

Thanks,

Mark

[CraigS]

....
You got me sold on the Rival S. I think I'm going to go in that direction. As you point out, the 335 is not an options for the 11" rim width.
Mark
Technically that is correct. But I am autocrossing w/ 335-17 Hoosier A7s and they are better than 315s from an ultimate grip point of view. They would probably be even better on 12 in wheels but they are a LOT more $. Especially in a straight line, I don't see how another 20mm of width won't have more traction.

[rginah1974]

Hi, I like this thread and will help me too. I do believe you also should take the following into account:
- Sidewall height
- Overall tirediameter
These 2 will influence the stance and look. The tirediameter of rear tire (ideally) should be a bit bigger than the front tire. And I would try to avoid a smaller diameter on the rear.

[Avalanche325]

Generally, the 200TW tires are the best high-performance all-around tires. They are good for street, autocross, and track days. 100TW are more track focused, so have even more grip. You need to be more careful when they are cold (not just cold weather, but when the tires are cold) and when it is wet. On a Cobra, I would not go above 200TW.