I think the important question is what size tire gives the best handling. Read Mark Donahue's book "The Unfair Advantage" and the chapter on tires. Going wider has its pitfalls. On a 356 unless one does extensive chassis mods I doubt anything over 185 is going to gain very much especially with regard to the weight of the car. If you can add downforce a wider tire may be more effective in high speed cornering but I shall stick with 185 as my max size on a street car.
On the other hand if all you are going for is the aesthetics and have no interest in handling the go as wide as you want.
What is the ideal wheel width?
- David Jones
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
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David Jones #9715
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David Jones #9715
- Steve Proctor
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?
You can Google for charts that provide recommend wheel size for various tire sizes. The shorter the aspect ratio, the wider the wheel. Have seen at least a couple of cars that ignored such recommendations and had 195 x 60 on 4.5" wheels. I'm surprised a tire store would install those as you get a dramatic trapezoidal effect and most likely lose some contact area. I know that our local Costco, for instance will not install non-specified tires on a car.
STP
Steve Proctor
Member Since 1977
VIN 84757
Steve Proctor
Member Since 1977
VIN 84757
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- 356 Fan
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Re: What is the ideal wheel width?
I think more rubber isn’t necessary. I want the handling the car had in period - it’s lightness and responsiveness. Modern compounds are so much better now that the grip is much improved anyway. There’s not much horsepower in our engines to worry about either. Finally, bigger tires just look wrong to me.