315 vs 295 vs 285 front tires

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

I'm getting ready to get new wheels and tires. I'm going to go with 18x13 and 18x10 wheels. I'm looking at Pilot Sport Cup tires, as I'm going to do a little track time. I never drive my car in the rain or in the winter. Any advice on Sport Cups vs. PS2? Also, I'm planning on going with 315 width in the front. Any downside vs. 285 or 295?

Thanks!

2001 GTS with Roe SC, hurst SS, Jesel rockers, stock suspension, RT catback.

 

[Viper X]

Sport Cups are deadly in water or cold. Not a good street tire. PS2's are much better.

You many want 11 inch front rims if you're going 315s. You'll like 315's on the track, but they will follow every rut on the street.

Better to go with a set of street tires and a set of track tires if you can.

If you plan to track your Roe car, you'll want some extra cooling capacity, like a vented hood, larger radiator, water / alcohol injection, etc.

Dan

 

[malcoll]

I have 315's on the front of my daily driver RT/10. They do follow every rut in the road, but it's not really any more significant than the 275's on the front.

I have no rubbing.... no issues at all.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Can you fit a 315 on a 10-inch wheel?

 

[Shelby3]

I run the 315's on the front with stock GenIII wheels with zero issues. No tracking the ruts, nothing.

 

[malcoll]

Can you fit a 315 on a 10-inch wheel?

I do not believe so... when I ordered my wheels from Purner, he sold me 11 inch fronts..... actually, I don't think I can go below 305's.. or maybe 295's....

 

[TexasPettey]

My 315's cause the hood to touch the tires when fully raised. Be careful when raising & lowering the hood.

 

[SoCal Rebell]

I've run 335s on the front on a road course. No rubbing problems, the front wheels must be completely straight to open hood. 315s will not fit properly on a 10" rim

 

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

Thanks for the input. I'm buying the wheels / tires as a package, so I'll be sure to get the correct wheel size for the tire choice.

 

[GTS Dean]

Can you fit a 315 on a 10-inch wheel?

Yes, you can. However, the tread profile will be more rounded and the tire will not perform as well as on an 11 or 12 inch wheel.

 

[Schulmann]

I always had the 275 tires in the front.

This week-end I test drove a Viper with 295 in the front on wet pavement.
It was driving perfectly ! I was stunned that I didn`t notice any change in the drivability.
Really the Viper was running perfectly.

Likely this 295 tire performs very well on track but might have a little issue during drag racing.

Next time I change my front tires I will likely go with 295 tires.

The only problem that you might have is some clearance issue if a body panels are poorly aligned.
This Viper was lowered and when the wheels were turned they were rubbing something.

 

[Viper X]

With 295's and up on the front, the hood will rub when it's open. Not a big deal if you're careful. I run 295's on the front of my GTS on the street and 305's on the front for track use.

I have found that the PS2's in 275 tend to be better about following the ruts on the street than regular Pilots.

Dan

 

[GR8_ASP]

295 Sport Cups here. On some roads it can be quite scary for the trammeling. On the track they are wonderful. Quite well balanced with 345's on the back.

295's are actually 1/2 inch smaller diameter than stock tires for the SRT, so no rubbing issues (unless you count my front splitter which does indeed ground during hard braking on the track at points where braking is on a slight incline).