tire recommendations...throw them out there

[ESP Cobra]

1) section width (which is the width of the tire that is actually contacting the ground.

You may have wanted to say contact patch, which is basically what you described.

Section width is: (From Tire Rack)
A tire's section width (also called 'cross section width') is the measurement of the tire's width from its inner sidewall to its outer sidewall (excluding any protective ribs, decorations or raised letters) at the widest point.

 

[ESP Cobra]

Has anyone here ever ran the 265/17 Star Spec?

Nope. Ran the 255, first on the stock 8" rim, then picked up a set of 04 Cobra wheels. Amazing dual purpose tire for auto-x/HPDE and street use. The new ZII, BFG Rival, or the Hankook R-S3 will easily outperform the NT05 in any aspect.

 

[SVT_Troy]

Toyo R888's 275/40/17's om stock 03-04 cobra rims
Mine are for sale to