Gen 2 Tire / Wheel Replacement: Questions!

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

I'm getting ready to buy new wheels and tires. I've been looking at options, and have found some puzzling specs at Michelin and Tire Rack. Here's what I found, someone let me know where If I got something wrong.

OEM Front tire: 275/35/18 Pilot Sport
OEM Rear tire: 335/30/18 Pilot Sport

I believe both of these tires were Viper specific.

Well, if you go to Michelin website, and punch in 2001 Viper, looking for OEM tires, Michelin comes back with unable to fit your car (However, they do have the OEM fronts). In fact, you can't even find the 335 Pilot Sport listed anywhere. Punch in a Gen 3, and you get the Pilot Sports, with a rear tire of: P345/30ZR19.

So, my conclusion is that Michelin stopped making the Pilot Sport rear 335/30/18 for the Gen 2, and switched to the P345/30ZR19 for the Gen 3.

This is a problem if you need to replace a single rear tire, but I'm looking for a full set so not a big deal right? Well, wait a minute. Note that Michelin did not recommend any tires for my car on the website. I thought that there must be a mistake, since I've read about many Gen 2 owners using PS2s.

I next went to the Tirerack website, and they confirmed that the OEM tires are not an option. So, what options did Tirerack come up with? Only Pirelli PZero Rosso, in the OEM sizes. Not the PS2s.

So, why did Tirerack and Michelin not recommend the PS2 for the rear? I believe the answer is found in the tire specs. If you look at the PS2 spec for the 335/30/18 tire, you will find that the recommended "Rim Width Range" is 11.5-12.5". The Viper uses a 13" rear wheel, so use of the PS2 is not recommended.

I also looked up the P345/30ZR19, and again found that the recommended "Rim Width Range" is 11.5-12.5". Well, if the Gen3 with a 13" wheel is using a Michelin PS with a max Rim Width Range of 12.5", I figure that there can't be too big an issue if the Gen2 folks run the 335/30/18 on our 13" wheels. Still, it makes you wonder....

So, here are my questions. If one is buying new wheels, and intends on getting PS2s, shouldn't he (or she) get a rear wheel that is of the recommended width? Unfortunately, I find that most aftermarket wheels come in 18x13 or 18x11.5. No 18x12.5.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Well... I have a set of Gen-2 18" PS rears on Ebay right now... new.

But yes, I have come to the same conclusion, they dont make 'em anymore.

The gen-2 is a 13" rear rim as well, any 335 should fit, including the PS2's. It just might be a goofy calculator on the site, or they just overlooked the app. Stick with a 13" rear, as then you have the ability to go wider if you want. I wouldnt try to force a 345+ onto a 12.5.

 

[Purdue_Boiler_Viper]

The specs came from Michelin's table, not a calculator. So, I don't think it's a math error. Interestingly, the Kumho 345/35 ZR18 calls for a rim width range of 11.5-13.5".

 

[Viper Specialty]

The specs came from Michelin's table, not a calculator. So, I don't think it's a math error. Interestingly, the Kumho 345/35 ZR18 calls for a rim width range of 11.5-13.5".

(Note: A 345/35 is going to have a much larger sidewall profile, and its going to a wider range of fitment because of that)