i know 245/50/16's will fit my 16x7's, but i was wondering would a 255/50/16 work or even a 265/50/16.

I'd worry about getting the stickiest rather then the widest. Even a 245 is too big for a 7, the bent sidewalls are just going reduce your contact patch. Thats already too wide a tire for a 7inch rim for any kind of racing involving turning

well i was going to be mounting drag radials.

I'd go 225. MAX 245....but I'd rather have a 225. Not sure what kinda DRs you can get in 225 though

They offer 225/50-14 or 225/45-14 if memory serves me correctly.

check tirerack

--BillyM

All the research I did for my 7x16's said that no more than 225's were recommended. You can go wider, but you go backwards in terms of sidewall flex and handling, for street tires.

No idea on what that does for drag radials, but the manufacturers should have their recommendations.

yeah I know you were interested in drag radials Will, but my advice still stands, max 245, and make it a 245/45 as well, the tread width will actually be a bit skinnier and they will fit the rim a little better. A 225 would still be ideal. You should see if you can find yourself a set of 8s or 9s for the rear, bigger diameter isn't really important, in fact the lower the better for acceleration

a 45 series would have a wider tread width than a 50 series...

--BillyM

nope, look it up on tire rack.

225/45-16 treadwith = 9 inchs
225/50-16 treadwith = 9.3 inchs

kinda hard to find 16in enkeis wider then 7in when that was the only width available. i guess its 245/50/16 nitto nt555r's. they dont make them in a 45 series.
william

I wasn't implying find another pair of enkies, just get a set of 8 or 9s for dragging for the rear, who cares if they match. Hell get some 15s even, cheaper rubber, better gearing

for track use i plan on 15x7 enkie 92's with 24x8x15 et drags. the dr's will be for everyday street use.

I'd like to say just run 225s for the street then, but 225/50s are much taller then stock. 245/45-16s are the right diameter and have a decent selection. I'd say 225/45-16 but its a pretty sad selection in that size and the prices aren't so hot. So if you don't mind taller gear rations, go for the 225/50s, if you do I guess 245/45s but they'll be a bit of a stretch

nope, look it up on tire rack.

225/45-16 treadwith = 9 inchs
225/50-16 treadwith = 9.3 inchs

This depends on the specific make/model of tire, not just the size. Just because section width is the same, the tread width won't neccesarily be.

Also you can run a much wider tire on a 7" wide wheel, you just have to get a tire with a taller sidewall. Although generally this would mean sloppier handling.

I think with the right tire, 225 would be wide enough.

nope, look it up on tire rack.

225/45-16 treadwith = 9 inchs
225/50-16 treadwith = 9.3 inchs

This depends on the specific make/model of tire, not just the size. Just because section width is the same, the tread width won't neccesarily be.


yes those numbers do, but my point was take any single brand of tire, look up the treadwith and it will always be less on the lower profile version of the same tire (with the same width size).

For instance, I have 245/50-15s on an 8 inch rim, and the tire has huge bulge. It looks like it needs a nine inch rim to sit square. Yet a 245/45-16 on an 8 inch rim looks almost perfectly square. Again differnt brands, but my point above is true.

nope, look it up on tire rack.

225/45-16 treadwith = 9 inchs
225/50-16 treadwith = 9.3 inchs

This depends on the specific make/model of tire, not just the size. Just because section width is the same, the tread width won't neccesarily be.


yes those numbers do, but my point was take any single brand of tire, look up the treadwith and it will always be less on the lower profile version of the same tire (with the same width size).

For instance, I have 245/50-15s on an 8 inch rim, and the tire has huge bulge. It looks like it needs a nine inch rim to sit square. Yet a 245/45-16 on an 8 inch rim looks almost perfectly square. Again differnt brands, but my point above is true.

Yes :D