Tire/Wheel Dilemma....help! Opinion Mostly.

[Guest 71turboTEK]

Okay guys, bear with me here.

 

Im at the point in my build that I can address the rolling stock. Now, I have the rear JCR Cali-Z fender flares already bonded on (rears only!). After a bit of mocking with a old L60 (285/60/15 ish, 27.5 inches tall) I found that the fender wheel arches are a bit too far backward and not equal around the wheel. It seems to be a common problem with this kit. This can be fixed but it would probably create an "oblong" wheel arch. I feel that a set of ZG flares sitting slightly forward from the JCR arches would effectively resolve the issue after some trimming, and would also facilitate a 15x12 wheel and tire package...oh so nice! Here comes the "bumps;"

 

1. The only suitable tire for that 15x12 and under 28" inches tall is the Mickey Thompson N50-15. Nice tire, really like it, but its bias ply. And since Im running ZG flares in the back, I gotta run them in the front, and since I have flares in the front, i gotta run a 15x8 wheel. Unfortunately, there are nearly no bias ply "front" tires in that size. I really want the massive tread pattern that the N50 delivers, but the crap the is needed to round out the package really sucks. And plus, who wants bias plys on all four corners???

 

2. Mickey Thompson ET Streets (325/50/15) on a 15x10 wheel. Great looking piece. Now, with these tires I can order "stock" but matching 14x7 inch front wheels and use some practically new 205/70/14 tires I already have. But I would still have the lack of the ZG flares and the subsequent "oblong" wheel arch. Although I almost certain I can fix the wheel arch on the JCR flare and have it look good, the idea of running a 15x12 wheel is just so damn exciting.

 

3. Best of both worlds, sort of. the BFGoodrich G-Force DR can be had in a 345/55/15 size. This would allow ZG flares and a 15x12 wheel. I would still have to "bump out" the front wheels to an 8 inch and buy new front tires. The only problem with this is that the 345/55/15 specs out at 29.8 inches tall. Ouch! Id be real suprised if that would fit in any Z except a tubbed one.

 

So, does anyone know:

 

1. Is there a bias ply FRONT tire can be stretched over a 15x8 inch rim?

2. Are the 325 Mickey's big enough for any Z and my 345+ tires dream a bit excessive?

3. Can a nearly 30 inch tall tire fit underneath a Z? Granted the stock metal arch and JCR fiberglass will be trimmed out as much as possible.

 

Thanks guys!

[Dudeboy]

Here in the states you can get a Pirelli Pzero Asimmetrico Giallo, the size is 345/35-15. Check tirerack or 1010 tires--warning these tires are not inexpensive. To get and idea of the size of these tires, find a early 1980 's Lambhorghini Countach pictures (the tires on the rear).

 

Michelin has a tire that is not sold in the states, from what I have found, however they can be imported from here:

 

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelintb15.php

 

These are not inexpensive either, but they are 15 inch and wide.