I don't think you'll find turn in affected very much. I don't think you'll find heat up time to be a significant concern unless you're someplace VERY cold.

 

There is also a slight gearing change for the worse:

255 diameter is 25
275 is 25.7

I would not recommend running 275's on a 9.5 rim. IMO 10" minimum and better on 10.5 or 11".

275's on a 9.5 is a far from optimal upgrade.

I agree with the others who have said to spend the money elsewhere. I agree with Ckit, best to use the sticker tires and;
Keep the unsprung weight the same or lower, not increase the diameter, not increase the tire weight.

If you want to use one set of wheels and tires for street and track I suggest getting 17 x 10" wheels for your 255 RA1's. They will perform significantly better than on your 9" rims. You could give the NT01's a try and get lighter wheels.

 

I just read the OP more carefully. You're talking about getting a new set of wheels anyway.

My vote: keep current 17x9 wheels and put NT-01s or Pilot Sport Cups on them. Buy cheap set of AP2 wheels for daily. If you were creative, you could get two sets of rears to make a cheap 17x8.5 set if you bored out the centers. There are tons of used OEM tires out there. I've got like three sets that are just sitting around: OEM 070s I'll never use again, Toyo R1Rs that have lost their "magic layer," slightly crunchy Star Specs.

Actually, you could do the reverse and just make a set of 17x8.5 OEM wheels with stickier tires for track pretty cheaply. Get NT-01s, Pilot Sport Cups or Toyo RA1s and drive to track on them.

And... your 17s are pretty heavy. You can get a moderately priced ($350) 17" wheel that weighs ~15 lbs.

 

Thanks for everyone's input. I think I've decided to go with a 17x10" wheel and keep the 255/40 setup. The larger 18" wheel really bothers me. Now time to search on RA1 vs R888 vs NT01 threads.

I did for a split-second think about the 275/40 setup on the 17x10" wheel...

 

You do not want to run R888. That should help.

NT01 comes 6/32, bigger tread blocks and less tread squirm than the RA1 8/32 if you don't shave them. But the RA1 will last longer at full tread.

I have had many many sets of the RA1 and I like the tire, very consistent through out the tread life and good value.
I suggest you run a set of NT01's. I have found it to be very similar in some respects and better in some. It's and a great tire.

You might consider RA1's on the new 17x10 wheel to compare performance to what you had then go to a set of NT01's.

As Ckit suggested, two sets of wheels is the way to go. Buy the new 17x10 keep the old rims for street tires then you can run a set of R1 or R6 later on if you want.

 

Quote:

Now time to search on RA1 vs R888 vs NT01 threads

I've run all 3.


The R888s make good rain tires but I'm not a big fan in the dry.


Unshaved RA1s are very squirmy. I thought I had a suspension problem the first time I ran them. When shaved they are very similar to NT01s.


Love the NT01s. No need to shave, available through discounttire.com, very predictable and love you long time.

 

R888 are not the best in the dry I agree. Compared to Advan A050 it has nothing on the Advans.

 

+1. That is still the best $500 I have spent towards racing.