Tire Diameter vs Traction Control

[USAZR1]

After two months,our new 19" CCW wheels will be shipping out,today or tomorrow. I already have the rear tires,a pair of 335/30/19 Nitto NT-05's,but am trying to decide between their 275/35/19 and 285/30/19 for the fronts. If our 94 didn't have Traction Control,I would choose the wider and shorter 285's but those are approximately 1.25" shorter diameter than the rear 335's. My question is this: how much diameter difference can you get away with before running into problems with the TCS? I know I can just turn it off every time I drive the car but will it set codes by doing so?
There is only about 1/4" difference in height between the 275/35's and 335/35's so there wouldn't be a problem with that combo.

[batchman]

I have no experience with C4 traction control but in the SN95 Mustang world (same era) the issue was if the rear tires were a lower profile - the TC would presume there was wheelspin going on. No problem if the front tires were the shorter ones.

For tire stagger I find workable balance with 315 front and 335 rear, although the real match for neutral handling is probably more like 305/335. I think with 275/335 you may find the way to "understeer city", particularly in trail braking.

HTH,
- Jeff

[XfireZ51]

After two months,our new 19" CCW wheels will be shipping out,today or tomorrow. I already have the rear tires,a pair of 335/30/19 Nitto NT-05's,but am trying to decide between their 275/35/19 and 285/30/19 for the fronts. If our 94 didn't have Traction Control,I would choose the wider and shorter 285's but those are approximately 1.25" shorter diameter than the rear 335's. My question is this: how much diameter difference can you get away with before running into problems with the TCS? I know I can just turn it off every time I drive the car but will it set codes by doing so?
There is only about 1/4" difference in height between the 275/35's and 335/35's so there wouldn't be a problem with that combo.

Clint,

I don't think you should have an issue given that I am running staggered 18/19s on my ZR. Tires are 275/35/18 F/325/30/19s R. Haven't run into any problem w ASR or ABS on the 92. I know the rears are about an 1" taller than the stock tires because of the speedo error.

[USAZR1]

For tire stagger I find workable balance with 315 front and 335 rear, although the real match for neutral handling is probably more like 305/335. I think with 275/335 you may find the way to "understeer city", particularly in trail braking.
HTH,
- Jeff


The next size up from a NT-05 275/35/19 (26.65") is a 305/35/19 (27.44") tall.
I really don't want a tire that tall on the front,Jeff.

[USAZR1]

Clint,
I don't think you should have an issue given that I am running staggered 18/19s on my ZR. Tires are 275/35/18 F/325/30/19s R. Haven't run into any problem w ASR or ABS on the 92. I know the rears are about an 1" taller than the stock tires because of the speedo error.


Dom,I forgot to even mention the ABS and possible problems. On my former Callaway,I installed Michelin PS 285/35/18's (26.5") and 345/35/18's (27.7").
Even though it didn't have Traction Control,that diameter difference would set off the ABS light after a mile or two,every time I drove the car.

[XfireZ51]

Clint,

No issues here.