Balancing Front and Rear Tire Sizes

[Mkelcy]

I'm thinking about wheels and tires for my '68 project car, and I need a little advice concerning front and rear tire sizes.

The car will emphasize handling. It will have a 21st Century front clip (C5 components, R&P steering, coilovers, sway bar), mini-tubs and the Lateral Dynamics rear suspension, as well as a healthy 383 (460-480 hp) and a Viper 6 speed in front of a 4.11 rear.

I think (but have not confirmed yet) the 21st Century front clip will let me go to up to a 275 front tire, and the minitubbed rear will allow up to a 315 or so. However, I'm just not that excited about paying $300+ per tire when I replace the rear tires and I want the car to be balanced rather than being over-tired on the back end. Finally, I really like the Nitto 555's as a street tire.

So I've been thinking about a 285-35-18, 285-40-18 or a 295-45-18 for the rear and a 275-40-17 for the front.

Any thoughts out there about running a 45 profile tire on the rear?

Any thoughts about the 275-285 or 275-295 stagger?

My only concern is perfromance, not impressing someone who wants to see how big the rear tires are.

Thanks.