What would be the proper size for a very wide 14" rim-based tire for my car? I now use 225 60 16 tires, and I'd like to go to a 14" - maybe even 13" - rim set at the front. I found out here that the early 90'* Trans Sport vans use 14" steelies, and that might be just the rim for my front wheels.

I want a pair of front rims for the drag strip and then switch out to my 16" stock rims for everything else. Seeing as how I'll only be using this to race, I might probably even go to a shorter side wall as well as a smaller rim for a different gear ratio.

What I've found so far is 235 60 14 tires at Pep Boys for $56 each. I'm actually interested in using smaller, wider wheels at the front because it would be similar to using deflated normal-sized tires.

That'* probably a lot to read all at once, but please help me out. Also, happy Independence Day!

15" H body steel wheels barely clear our calipers. I seriously doubt you'll be able to get 14'*, much less 13'* to even bolt up.

I run 15" Buick PA rims on my slicks.

Well, that really clears it up. Would it be worth it to drop an inch? I'm not getting nearly enough traction currently, so anything, I believe, would help.

Can I, though, get a crater-like steelie pair and then bolt each one backwards to leave the caliper away from the rim? Is it legal?

I found this interesting. Does it mess with the PCM to run the smaller tire. At 90+mph the pcm probably thinks your doing 100+ or is speed not part of the calculation during wot if at all?

I don't run a smaller tire. Not by much anyway. Mine are about .6" smaller, changing my final drive ratio from 2.97 to 3.03.

Radomir, running the rims backwards isn't even remotely possible or practical, nor would anyone in their right mind suggest it.

If you can't get enough traction for daily driving, I suggest better quality street tires. I do just fine on the ones I have. Sure, I can light 'em up, but I can also control it. Have your tires siped for starters, then go buy new ones if that doesn't do it.

I don't need to know my actual speed while screaming down the drag strip. I might as well read a higher speed, anyway

For daily driving, I'll switch back to the normal tires. Popatim, the PCM can't tell the wheel size difference.

Rad, you may have missed my post above.

Judging by your signature, I don't see you anywhere near slick territory at the track. I suggest better street tires, and a controlled launch.

I get perfectly good traction for street driving, but I'm asking specifically about drag strip-worthy tires. I want to be laughed at when I try to burn out with these.

You don't do burnouts on street tires at the track. Only slicks.

I still stand by my comment that you're not really even close to slick territory right now. They'll gain you very little if anything. Don't worry about slicks until your car is in the low-14'*.

If you do go with slicks, get H body Steel 15" wheels.

Yes I know. perhaps you did not understand what I asked. Does running a smaller tire mess up the PCM'* calculations for fuel (injector timing, pulse width...) or is vehicle speed not part of the calculation. Or perhaps speed is not considered at WOT.

I'm not meaning to be offensive here, I'm new to the PCM side of these and trying to teach this old dog a new thing or two. In normal driving I would have to say that a smaller tire would affect the PCM'* engine load calculation although probably not much.