Tim Coltrain

Ok, I'm joining the C4 boys & girls. Most jump forward into the newer Generation. I'm jumping backwards from C6. I just purchased a 1996 Dark Purple Metallic something the wife has wanted for a long time so I surprised her with one two weeks ago. So' I'm glad to be part of the group. Here's the first question: I'm a Corvette lover. I already own a C6-2006 LMB, and just purchased a C4-1996 Dark Purple Metallic. Question: I need to purchase some tires for this car and would prefer the Michellin Pilot Sports run Flat. The GM stock tire is a P255/45-ZR17 (Front), P285/40-ZR17 (Rear). Well here’s the problem they only make a off set type of tire. The closest thing they can provide is a P255/40-ZR17 (Front), and a P275/40-ZR17 (Rear). My Chevrolet dealership said theres a tolerance chart to tell you how much you can go off Stock setting. Can you tell me if the sizes above can work on my Base Coup C4-96 without causing any problems. I don't want to even have to worry about there shouldn't be a problem. I would like to Sure thing there will Not be a problem period. Can ya'll help me out?

aDigitalPhantom

I think the 275s will work fine. I have 275/40ZR17 on all for corners.

Offtopic
Are you related to Rosco? :P

Tim Coltrain

I wish I was related, but no relation. I'm a true Coltrain from Pitt County NC. I'm the poor Coltrain.


Are you related to Rosco? :P[/QUOTE]

BigMac2395

I had a very tough time finding tires for my 96 Collector edition convertible. Same size tires you are looking for.

The problem with changing the tire size going to the 275 is the ride height is the overall height changes from 26 inches to 25.6 approx. The Tpms monitors are quite tall in these tires. Which I didn't realize.

But, in the end I decided to go with the factory sizes.

Nitto 555's they come in the correct sizes but not run flat. That is what I am getting put on this week.

Your 96 May not have Tpms??? I am not sure if they all came with Tpms or only if you ordered the car with run flats. If you are going with run flats I assume you either have the Tpms or are installing a system your self.

Everyone I spoke with told me the run flats are very hard etc. so I didn't go with them.

Good luck on your tire search. Nice looking ride.

aDigitalPhantom

If you want to get into extreme detail about the sizes there is about an 8mm difference in the two sizes for sidewall height.

285/40ZR17
285mm wide 40% ratio for 114mm sidewall
114*2=228 or 8.97in+17in=25.97in

275/40ZR17
275Mm wide 40% ratio for 110mm sidewall
110*2=220 or 8.66in+17in=25.66in

For a 0.31in or close to 5/16in difference. Not enough difference to worry about.

markKlein

Can I ask why you want the run-flats? Maybe your 96 had the spare-delete option? I just ask because I understood that run flats were more expensive with a harder ride, as well as reducing your size choices.

Congrats on the new car.

BigMac2395

Would the difference in height change the speedo read out much? That, in the end was my other main reason. And, afterward when I saw how tall the Tpms monitors were I was glad I stayed with factory sizes. Those were my main reasons in the end to stay with factory sizes. I agree .31 of an inch is not much difference though.

aDigitalPhantom

The speedometer will normally read around 1mph slower, unless you get over about 120mph then it will be about 2mph slower.