OhioRiderAaron

Looking for some insight from those who track their C7 Corvettes...

I'm not a Corvette owner yet, but I still want to compile information regarding potential track expenses before I pick my next track-capable vehicle. It seems like C5/C6 owners frequently switch to 18" all-around and a square tire setup to reduce costs and allow for easy tire rotation.

Are any C7 owners doing the same? Going to 19" wheels all-around would reduce rear tire costs by a significant margin and open up more tire options (and more track days!). Nitto NT01, RE71, RE11, Corsa, etc. Unfortunately, options are quite limited in standard C7 Z51 sizes (PSS or Cup2) and are overly expensive.

I apologize if it's already been covered here, I'm still new to the forum. Any advice would be greatly appreciated tho!

Aaron

c5racr1

If you are going to buy aftermarket rims, most go with the appropriate 18 inch set up because tires are cheaper and sizes more plentiful. You could get tires in the 18/19 stock set up but would cost more.

Bill Dearborn

Not sure about the base C7 body style but you might get by running 18x11 wheels front and rear with 315s all the way around.

On the C7Z you can use the C6Z hot setup which is 18x11 front and 18x13 rears running 315 tires in front and 345 in the rear.

Call CCW and talk to them about what they offer for the base C7.

Bill

Rob Willis

I went down a size each end.

18"f
19"r

OhioRiderAaron

Thanks for the replies!

I was initially thinking I would replace the rear Z51 wheels (20") with base wheels (19"), but their pattern is different and probably wouldn't be ideal.

18" or 19" all-around seems like it would work tho. Is there any relatively affordable wheel packages available?

18f/19r" would work, but I'm concerned about which wheels actually clear the Z51 brakes. Rob Willis what setup are you using?

Rob Willis

18/19" Finspeed rims with Nitto NT01s.
If your near Cincy/Dayton your welcome to check out.

Bad_AX

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...8x11-pics.html

I'd buy these and then find a car that fits them! All kidding aside, those wheels may be a bolt on fit for the C7 Z51 and price is incredible. The 18x18 setup will open the door to a lot of tires.

EvilBoffin

No Way those will fit. Offsets (54/58mm) are wrong for a C7 non-Z06.

If you get too aggressive with your offsets on a C7, especially with wide tires, you will take out your fenders.

Stock C7 Z51 wheels -
F - 19X8.5 - 56 mm offset
R - 20X10 - 79 mm offset

My CCW wheels used for Auto-x -
F - 18x10 - 62 mm offset - (295 or 315 Hoosier A7's)
R - 18x11 - 75 mm offset - (315 or 335 Hoosier A7's)

These wheels work FINE on my car - - 18's on both ends - - NO clearance issues, even with much wider rubber.
Keep in mind that I run -3.0f / -2.0r negative camber, which affects tire size limitations. I am not the only one running this configuration on C7 Z51.

CCW (weldwheels . com/ccwheel/) has lots of experience refining the sizes/offsets that will fit inside the C7's narrow wheelwells, and have always proven to be a go-to resource for me.

As Shown below - - C7 Z51 - 18x10 295's Front - 18x11 - 315's Rear

Magister Ludi

That's why I run 18" all around on my Z51. In that size, rubber is plentiful and cheap. I usually buy 18" A6 scrubs from forum vendors for about $100 each.

OhioRiderAaron

Thanks guys! Keep it coming.

Now I just need to refinance my non-existent mortgage to afford those Finspeed or CCW wheels! That's more than I spent on ALL my track events last year! Is there any cheap(er) options available? Currently, I'm not worried about saving too much weight as I wont be doing any TT or AutoX this year. My plan is to stay on street tires this season and under 305 tires.

Bill Dearborn

If you can't afford the wheels then stick with your stock wheels and tires and just replace the tires. The problem with going with cheap wheels is you then have to get rid of them when you get the funds to upgrade to the proper wheels. There is a limit to how many wheels and tires you can have sitting around the garage. I hit my limit at 16 wheels and 8 tires. If you have a spouse it gets difficult repeating the same conversation over and over about why you can or cannot get rid of what you don't need.

However, you should check with CCW to see what wheel size and offsets they recommend for your car with the type of tires you are thinking of running. You never know what might pop up in the for sale section on the forum.

Bill

Magister Ludi

I have found that, with a little patience, most things on my wish list show up for sale on the forum.

OhioRiderAaron

It's not that I cant afford them, it just seems like diminishing return for my purposes. I'd rather invest in more driving events than spend $5k+ on a set of rims.

I can probably fit an extra set of wheels in my garage without causing too much hassle with the ole' lady. I wouldn't want anymore than (4) wheels or tires though. However, I tend to use my Father's place for storage anyway. No wife to deal with over there.

I'll get in touch with some of the vendors here and see what my options are. CCW or Cray are both good options. I may look into replica wheels as well (even though they wont be forged).

Aaron

VADanno

I have a set of 18" TSW Interlagos for track wheels. 9" front and 10.5" rears. I am selling my Z51 C7 and will sell you the wheels for a good price. I will throw in a set of Yokohama slicks for free! PM me for details.

AUTO_X_AL

Less than $2000 in wheels and tires with no clearance issues and it's pretty quick. Repro 18's and 19's with re71r's on it. A set of hawk DTC 70's and 60's make this a pretty formidable setup.

This was my last session at NCM MSP. The wheels are cheap and pretty robust from a strength perspective.

Jedi-Jurist

Which vendors sell those?

QKSLVRZ

Wow, nice. I was going to ask about autox class restrictions due to a 2" change, but see you're in SSP.

Please correct me, I think I can do a 1" drop on both ends and stay in stock? But a 2" in the back drop would force the car into prepared correct?

STANG KILLA SS

listen to this guy, hes speaking the truth, and i dont know him from adam.

thats a very fast and cheap setup.


i would suggest either all 18s or 18/19s

Magister Ludi

See road racing / auto cross classifieds:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...assifieds-158/

Some Specific vendors:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ing-tires.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ly-2016-a.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-like-new.html

Bluefire

I was told that C5 Vettes inherently under-steer. I did notice that the car turned-in much easier after I went with 18" square setup.