Optimum wheel width

[dantos]

What is the optimum rim width for 315/35/17 and 335/35/17 tires? The car is used basically for weekend road racing. Is there a rim width that would be acceptable for either of the mentioned tires? Thanks, Steve

[SWCDuke]

Check the manufacturer's web sites for the specific tires you are talking about. Look at the specification page for the "design" width and acceptable range. The best width is usually something between the design width and the maximum.

If you mount a tire on a width narrower than the narrowest width in the acceptable range, tire performance can be compromised and with short sidewall tires, widths outside the acceptable range should be avoided. Buy a tire the is correct for your wheel width, or get the proper width wheel for the tire you want to run.

Duke

[gcrouse]

For many tires I've looked at (michelin, pirelli, yoko, bfg, dunlop, goodyear):

315: design rim width = 11.0", range 10.5-12.0"
335: design rim width = 12.0", range 11.0-13.0"

For road racing, I like to get rim width at least 90% of section width, for maximum tread flatness/support. This suggests 315s on 11.5" and 335 on 12.5". Like the man said, it's usually between the design width and maximum; definitely don't go smaller.