Mikes1991

Ive been looking at some ZR1 wheels on ebay. I notice they are all
17 X 9.5 rim size. My fronts are 17 x 8.5 I believe. Will the tires I have now fit on a wheel one inch bigger. I have the right size tires all around not sure of the exact size right now but Im just wondering in what way would this effect my handling and how much would it stretch my tires. I assume my real question is has anyone put these on there car keeping the same tires sizes and how did it handle after and feel. I appreciate any help here

Mike

rodj

Depends what size tires you have at present.
Any size tire could be fitted to the car now, some owners cheap out and go smaller to save $$$
The factory 9.5" wide rim came with a 275 or 285's and the 8.5's came with 255


Earlier C4's came with 9.5"rims all round; but with the above width tires

Mikes1991

I think my 1993 came from the factory with a smaller front tire. I like how it handles with that size tire. Ill check tom but I probably have the 255 in the front and with the smaller rin and tire there seems to be less jarring than I had with the wider 9,5s and bigger tires. If I could keep my stock tire with the 9.5 Id probably be ok with it. Wondering if others have used that tire size with the 17 x 9.5s I see them on many c4s

rodj

The factory fitted 255's to 9.5's rims on the 16" rims used on the 84 -87 cars.
But remember, tire will not act exactly the same by being stretched tighter on a wider rim ; less give in the sidewall so it will be less compliant ( harder )

lt4obsesses

I am not sure exactly what year they started staggering wheel sizes. But if yours are staggered, then your fronts are 17x8.5 w/ 255/45/17's and your rears are 17x9.5 w/ 285/40/17's.

The ZR1's were equipped with 17x9.5 on front and 17x11 on rear tire sizes were 275/40/17 and 315/35/17 respectively. I think that is the best looking set up on a C4. So theoretically you could get a pair of 17x11's and move the 9.5's to front, unless there is an offset difference on the 9.5's front vs rear. I don't know the answer to that one.

RollaMo-LT4

I put the ZR1 replicas on my '96.
You can put your stock 255/45-17 front tire on the new 9.5" rim.
BUT, IMHO it won't look right. The tire bead at the rim (rim width) will be slightly wider than the tread width. So it will look funny.

I don't think it will hurt anything, it just looks funny.
So, I went with a 275/40-17 tire since that size came standard on some Vettes with 9.5" wheels.
I kept the 285/40-17 on the rear.

Lots of people use 274/40-17 or even 285/40-17 on all four wheels if you have the 9.5" wheel.

If your going to get the 11" rear wheel, you'll need to use the 315/35-17 tire.