[Procharged69]

At the moment I need to replace my tires and need some opinions and knowledge(for rear tires only). I currently have:

Rear 255/60R-15 tires w/ 15/8 4.5 b.s. wheels
Front 235/60R-15 tires w/ 15/6 3.5 b.s. wheels

I don't really understand tires and description (height/widtch/etc. and how to read tires ie:
((((255?/60R?-15?))))

I have a 69 camaro stock rearrend and looking to put BF Goodrich Comp T/A Drag radial tires on the rear. Here are the choices I'm thinking about and wondering if they will work and fit? Also don't really know the diffrence between tread/width and section/width? I'm looking for the biggest footprint I can put on the pavement!!!


Specifications:
* Tire size: P255/50R-16
* Overall diameter: 26.1 in.
* Section width: 10.3 in.
* Tread width: 9.7 in.
* Recommended rim width: 6.5 in. to 10 in.
* Load rating:1,687 lbs. at 44 psi

Specifications:
* Tire size: P275/50R-15
* Overall diameter: 26.1 in.
* Section width: 11.3 in.
* Tread width: 10 in.
* Recommended rim width: 7 in. to 9.5 in.
* Load rating:1,830 lbs. at 44 psi

Specifications:
* Tire size: P275/60R-15
* Overall diameter: 28.0 in.
* Section width: 11.1 in.
* Tread width: 8.8 in.
* Recommended rim width: 7.5 in. to 9.5 in.
* Load rating: 2,149 lbs. at 44 psi

Thanks for the help!!!

[HwyStarJoe]

The designations for tires read something like this....

255 - 255 millimeters wide tread. About 8".
60 - tire sidewall is 60% of the tread width. The larger the number, the taller the sidewall is. Smaller number, the shorter the sidewall gets.
15 - rim diameter

Check this link out..... http://www.teglerizer.com/tirecharts/explain.html

[bretcopsey]

If you visit this link there is a wealth of info on what the sidewall marking mean. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...l/sidewall.htm

In simple terms the first number xxx is the section width in milimeters. The second number yy is the aspect ratio and is a percentage of the section width. The third number zz is the rim diameter.

So following that xxx/yy/zz using one of your tires as an example nets the following:

255/50/16 is a tire that has a section width of 255mm or approx 10.2"

The aspect ratio is 50% meaniong the sidewall is 127.5mm or approx 5.1" and this tire will fit a 16" rim which obviously would not work on your 15x8 wheel.

Hope that helps some!

Ahh, Joe you beat me to it!!

[HwyStarJoe]

I like Tire Racks explanation better anyways Bret!
[img]smile.gif[/img]

[Procharged69]

Since I would like the greatest tread width which I would probable pick this one:

Specifications:
* Tire size: P275/50R-15
* Overall diameter: 26.1 in.
* Section width: 11.3 in.
* Tread width: 10 in.
* Recommended rim width: 7 in. to 9.5 in.
* Load rating:1,830 lbs. at 44 psi

Will this fit?
Yet are my current tires Rear 255/60R-15 tires w/ 15/8 4.5 b.s. wheels bigger or smaller then 26.1 diameter?

[DOUG G]

ProCharged, try this.


tire math

[metalchecker]

I have 275/60 r 15 on 11 inch wide rims. This is pushing the envolope in the wheelwell. Make sure to have good springs back there or you will be eating up some new tires with your wheelwells. I wish I went with 40 series instead of 60, they are a little to tall in MHO. [img]graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

[pdq67]

It's not tread width, but section width.

It's tread width only if the particular tire has "square" shoulders like the real old Sonic Maxima tire used to have. (I.e., like a true racing slick)..

FWIW, they were just about the first really big, wide 60 series tire that was relatively cheap here in the mid-west back about '69 or '70 or so.

I'm talking L/60's and not too sure they weren't offered in either M/50's or N/50's too?? They were big WIDE mothers and looked great on the rear of my buddy's almost new Road Runner!!

pdq67