Will a 305/35R18 fit on the front?

FastMatt

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 7, 2001
Posts
457
Reaction score
0
Location
alamogordo nm USA
I have some new 18" wheel on the way for my Viper, 18x11's front and 18x13's rear. My question is will 305/35R18 (26.3" tall tire) fit on the front? (Toyo R888's) I'm worried if I will be able to open and close the hood? As it is now with 275/30R19's (25.7" tall) the corner of the hood when closing it slightly touches the hood. Has anybody run a tire this tall on the front?

Thanks
 

MoparBoyy

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 16, 2011
Posts
648
Reaction score
0
Location
Apopka, FL
someone just posted a thread about this someplace, i thought they said it would fit, but will rub on full lock turns.
 

JonB

Legacy\Supporting Vendor
Supporting Vendor
Joined
Dec 8, 1997
Posts
10,325
Reaction score
45
Location
Columbia River Gorge
THE YEAR MATTERS....

The tallness of the -35 series might rub a Gen 1-2 lower hood corner as you UNLATCH it, or re-latch it. If you must run these, be certaain to have your wheels cocked full left-or-right before opening/closing. And NEVER try to drive away with the Gen 1-2 hood popped-open to the "cooling position" or severe damage could result.

Example: creeping forward in the drag staging lanes.....hood part-way up. BAD IDEA!!!


I dont think there are any Gen 3-4 issues with 305, maybe at full-lock inner fender well rub at parking-lot speeds in a bumpy lot.
 
Last edited:

345s-bspinnin

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 15, 2009
Posts
657
Reaction score
0
Location
Houston, TX
Agree Jon, I run a 305/30-18 have zero rubbing issues with my car (Gen III) dropped about 1" from stock height. While my tire is shorter than the 305/35 the OP mentioned, I have dropped my car over 2.5" on the front for some of my standing mile events. No rubbing issues there in straight line, however I am certain the fender will rub if I am in full lock and hit a bump at mild speed.
 

CA97GTS

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 4, 2011
Posts
129
Reaction score
0
Location
Riverside, Ca.
Why not go to the 315/30 ? I have 305/30 on a11" rim now- but they no longer make the tire-
Looking at a new set-R888--- at the top of the list in 315/30 and 335/30 on 18's
 

MTGTS

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 25, 2007
Posts
2,251
Reaction score
0
Location
Orlando, Fl
I run a Hoosier 305/30/18 lowered on Penskes and have no rubbing issues. What is your suspension setup??
 

RedEnuf93

Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 14, 2002
Posts
2,591
Reaction score
2
Location
Lancaster, PA
Gen 1, lowered with Eibach's (about 1-1.5") and 30530/18 Kumho's in front. No issues whatsoever...
Car is however VERY nervous on highway, but goes through corners like a ***** monkey.
275 or 285 will calm down the nervousness. That does not bother me too much.
Oh, BTW, JonB fixed me up with tires and wheels.... (11" in front):2tu:
 

CA97GTS

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 4, 2011
Posts
129
Reaction score
0
Location
Riverside, Ca.
Gen 1, lowered with Eibach's (about 1-1.5") and 30530/18 Kumho's in front. No issues whatsoever...
Car is however VERY nervous on highway, but goes through corners like a ***** monkey.
275 or 285 will calm down the nervousness. That does not bother me too much.
Oh, BTW, JonB fixed me up with tires and wheels.... (11" in front):2tu:

I have same on mine currently, Gen2, GTS, fine at speed, highway, check alignment, throw a little toe in up front.
I know you want toe out a little for track time, but makes the car nervous in street driving.
 

RedEnuf93

Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 14, 2002
Posts
2,591
Reaction score
2
Location
Lancaster, PA
I have same on mine currently, Gen2, GTS, fine at speed, highway, check alignment, throw a little toe in up front.
I know you want toe out a little for track time, but makes the car nervous in street driving.

Street = Track
Track = Street

Alignment is just fine :D
 

DrumrBoy

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 21, 2003
Posts
2,612
Reaction score
0
Location
GA
Ii run 305 30 18 (fronts) on my street car with no problems. 98 GTS
 
OP
OP
F

FastMatt

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 7, 2001
Posts
457
Reaction score
0
Location
alamogordo nm USA
Thanks guys

the car is a 2001 gts with Eibach', I wanted to go with the taller tire in front because I'm going to be running the 345/35R18 MT Drags out back and I wanted a tire that looks a little taller and fills the wheel well the way the nearly 28" tall tire is going to in the rear.

And being ever so helpful, John B even called me yesterday to give me the lo-down on running the taller tires and the GTS hood. Talk about customer service! I did not even buy the wheels from him! (but I have bought quite a few other things, hence why he had my number)
 

SoCal Rebell

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 3, 2000
Posts
3,035
Reaction score
0
Location
Mission Hills, Ca USA
I fit a pair of 335/30-18 on the front of my 2000, you just had to make sure the wheels were pointed directly straight before you open and closed the hood, wouldn't open/close if the wheel were even slightly turned. Fine once the hood was shut.
 

SmokinViperGTS

Enthusiast
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Posts
258
Reaction score
0
Location
Bellevue, WA
If you find that to be problematic, don't hesitate to back off to a 305/30-18. I've run two sets of Kumho's in this size without ever rubbing anything, hood open or closed on my '99. It truly transforms the car, both on the highway :mad: and on the track :headbang:. There are 3 of us here in the local area, that have done this. Two '99 GTS's and a '99 RT10.
 

DrumrBoy

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 21, 2003
Posts
2,612
Reaction score
0
Location
GA
Hey, one additional thought for you. As you can indeed fit the wider tires up front (even up to 335's as has been pointed out) when you put them on, do get underneath to check clearances for stiff like brake lines. It shouldn't be a problem, but if they have been secured incorrectly, they may clear 295s and touch/rub on larger sizes. Not intending to be chicken little or anything, just in light of the brake-fail thread it seems worthwhile checking all clearances.
 

MADMAX

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 19, 2007
Posts
197
Reaction score
0
Location
UK
Hey, one additional thought for you. As you can indeed fit the wider tires up front (even up to 335's as has been pointed out) when you put them on, do get underneath to check clearances for stiff like brake lines. It shouldn't be a problem, but if they have been secured incorrectly, they may clear 295s and touch/rub on larger sizes. Not intending to be chicken little or anything, just in light of the brake-fail thread it seems worthwhile checking all clearances.

Good point DB.
I run 315s up front which DO rub the swaybars (just) at full lock.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
153,609
Posts
1,684,960
Members
18,179
Latest member
Luigi93
Top