DeTomaso Mailing List: May 1997, Message #91
     



From: JDeRyke@aol.com

Subject: Re: Handling and Tire/Wheel Selection

Date: Sat, 3 May 1997 04:02:01 -0400 (EDT)



Jim, you can safely run a 245-50x 15 Goodyear Eagle Gatorback or equiv. on

the stock 8" in front, clearing everything & no flares. Your idea of the 16"

rear XGT 315-40 is OK, too, if the tire is V- or Z-rated, or you have

superhuman control of your emotions. Most guys that opt for giant tires do so

partly to make room for equally giant brakes, and the 16" wheels won't clear

rotors much bigger in dia. than stock. The front rotors must obviously stay

stock dia. Second drawback to huge meats (other than cost): the car will

'wagon-track' or follow pavement lines much more than somewhat narrower

tires. 3rd negative: the shorter the profile, the stiffer the ride will

become. My advice: see if you can borrow a drive in a car rigged like you

think you want, compared to another that is running more conservative tire

sizes. Be sure to go on secondary roads as well as freeway, too. Let Debra

try to parallel-park the thing. Then, make an informed decision. J DeRyke