in this months 5.0 mag there is a guy running 274/40/17 Nittos on a 17X8 wheel. I want the same size BFG but the specs for it are a 9-11 inch wheel. So anybody have experience with this large a tire on an 8 inch rim? Thanks in advance guys. Peace.
No bigger than 255 if you want the sidewall to have proper support helping to actually keep the tread on the ground.
Rule of thumb is the section width of the tire (255, 275, etc.) no bigger than 2" wider than the wheel. The section width is in mm -- so divide it by 25.4 mm/inch to convert it to inches. (8" wide wheel X 25.4mm/inch) + 2" = 254mm. There's your limit. If you want to run 275's - you need a 9" wheel.
Don't misunderstand - you can MOUNT a 275 tire on an 8" wheel. But it's not an optimum situation - you won't get the most out of your tire.
Michael has it right. The rim size can greatly effect the contact patch. You will be stuffing it with a 275, and it won't probally have any more traction than the 255's, just less controll. With a low profile tire, they are more picky than a tall sidewall tire. It's hard to say with Nitto's though, because they do run thinner. 245/45R17 is the perfect size for a 17x8. 255/40R17 and 275/40R17 is a perfect size for a 17x9. Put on a 245 or 255 width 45 series tire on the car and if that's not enough traction then your best bet is a 15" rim with somthing with some sidewall on it. Low profile tires just don't cut it on launch.