jaybar

Ok, the last piece in my rebuild has been completed. Over the last month I have done, bushings, Zoe shocks, Hod kins sway bars, and z06 springs on my 00FRC.
I just picked up some used c5 zo6 wheels (yes they are real). Now to shop for tires.
This car will be used 80% HPDE, and if I must drive to a track I have street tires.

I know this question has been asked over and over, but my search I.Q. is limited and I get a lot of reading but not a lot of answers.

What would be a good size to track with. Once I get the size I can shop for tires, may even try for some scrubs.

Any help will be appreciated. My first event in this car will be at Roebling Road in March.

The Spark

I'm running 18" instead of 17" diameter wheels on the front of my C5 but still 9.5" width...18"x10.5 rear.

On street tires I'm running 275/35-18 front and 295/35-18 rear. I've lowered my Vette about an 1" and they fit inside the body without scraping. Ran them on the track for the first time last weekend and didn't have any issues.

I run Hoosiers 295/30-18 front and 315/30-18 rear. The rear tires stick about 1/2" outside the body. Haven't run them on the track yet but have tried them out in a parking lot in auto-x style. Seemed to work fine.

jaybar

Thanks for the reply but form the origional post I asked for tire sizes for the stock zo6 rims.

JimbeauZ06

Just bought a set of Nitto 555 RII which are DOT street-legal R compound (road race) tires. 275/17 front, 305/18 rear mounted on stock C5 Z06 wheels not shaved.

Ran them at Roebling in January and was extremely impressed. Others say you can drive them to the track although I have the good fortune of a friend with extra room to haul mine.

Toyo Proxes RA1s (also DOT approved) come in similar sizes, although it is recommended that you shave them for dry track use. If you're interested in slicks the most popular I see at the track are Kumho 710s.

All of these tires come in sizes that fit the stock C5 z06 wheels. Largest I've seen anyone run iin the stock 17 F/18 R configuration is 275/17 on the front and 315/18 in the rear.

Lots of good sources on the forum and often your local dealer will price-match or at least get close to what you can get on-line, but you have to ask.

Good luck! I'll be out at Roebling with Chin on March 8-9. I know Seat Time has an event later in the month. Which one you going to?

jaybar

Glad you mentioned Nittto's. I run Nitto DR front and rear on my 427 Cobra and love them. I ran NTO1's on my Mustang Cobra, also with good results.
I will look into the 555RII.

As to Roebling in March. I am running with Seat Time. It was an event set up by the Deep South Cobra Club in conjunction with some other club.
I love the track and plan to try out my Corvette there. Three years ago I ran there with chin as my first open track event. I got thought two classroom sessions and 1 1/2 track sessions when my number 3/7 rods went thought the oil pan. Yea 7 gts of Mobile one at the pit in. So I look forward to the event with mixed emotions. The down side is it could be quite expensive if the same thing happens. Just to play it safe I am going to trailer.

KBRVETTE93

On the stock wheels, which you have..... run a 275 40 17 and a 315 35 18. Kumho 710's seem to be the most popular tires for these wheels.

MungoZ06

If you're driving to the track, the Nitto 555RII's are my recommendation.
I run them on stock Z06 rims. They are great in the dry.
I have driven 275 miles to VIR and to Watkins Glenn on them ... They're OK on wet roads or track (yes, I've driven them in the rain ... just carefully!) ... You CAN'T drive them in rain where the water stands on the surface ... or thru ruts with water ... they will aquaplane in a NY second!.

JimbeauZ06

John K and Seat Time run a great event with lots of track time and if you haven't driven your 'Vette there yet, you'll have a ball! Hopefully the trailer will be a convenience and not a necessity.

zcobra1

I second this....Fine for daily driver- that is how I use them, as long as you do not drive in the rain regularly- even in light rain I found them no worse than the stock GY SC tires...
And great for track days-

jaybar

Ok, here is what I have done. I bought Nitto NTO1's. I am putting 275-40-17 on the front and 315-30-18 on the rear. I am going to try them out this weekend at the Gainesville Raceway. Its a short road course behind the drag strip, you could almost call it a glorified auto X, but its close and cheep. I will have plenty of time to work with tire pressure etc.
I will report back after the weekend.

These rims and tires are track only. I will trailer the car, or pull a small trailer with the wheels on board.


Thanks for all the great advice.