quick question on 275's on 18" rims

[Jaymatic]

I am in the market for either 18" Z06 or C5 rims for my 96 Camaro and am looking to go with 275/40/18 tires. I know the 275/35/18's may be more popular, but the 275/40's won't through off the speedo as much.

I have searched and found mixed responses, some people say that this tire size will rub, but the posts that were made by people with 275's on 18's never said anything about any problems.

Suspension-wise, everything is stock, is there anything I will need to do in order to run this tire/rim size combo, and will they rub or not?

[FunkZ]

As long as the rims use an offset compatible with the 4th Gen Fbody (in the 50-56mm range) you will be fine.

I would use the 35 series tire.

[Jaymatic]

the 40 series will keep the speedo closer to what it should be, but why do you recomend the 35 series?

[FunkZ]

I assume you're comparing to a 235/55R16 stock tire?

235/55R16 = 26.2" diameter
275/40R18 = 26.7"
275/35R18 = 25.6"

A 40 series may be a tenth of an inch closer to stock diameter than the 35 series but it is a taller tire. This increases your effective gear ratio, increases rotating mass and decreases acceleration, all bad things when it comes to performance.

The stock optional tire sizes on the V8 cars 245/50R16 and 275/40R17 are both 25.6" diameter and are the usual size choices for those looking to upgrade.

[Jaymatic]

Those are very good points. Yea I am comparing to my stock size of 235/55/16.
I think though, if I go with the C5's they will be lighter than stock. I am not 100% positive about this but I think I found somewhere that they are lighter than the chrome salad shooters.
My effective gear ratio will still be higher with the 40 series though... decisions, decisions.