John Madeja

Hello everyone!

first off i'd like to say i'm sorry for posting another thread about tires as I know there are already tons of threads out there. However I can't seem to find the right answer to my question. Also this is my first time buying performance tires so i'm new to the whole performance tire world (this is my first new set i'll be buying for my vette)

I'm looking into buying some new C7 Z06 Rims that are custom built for the C5 fitment (17inchX9.5inch front - 18inchX10.5inch rear)
The shop that is selling the tires was telling me they also offer a tire package with the rim so I asked and he let me know that the tires were Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport in the following sizes
(2) 265/40/17
(2) 295/35/18

now they rear tires seem fine to me but I tried researching why the bigger front tires and not just the stock 245/45 size?....I guess i'm just not experienced enough but what does a bigger front tire do for me? does it help with handling? or better traction?

P.S. - I also do freeway driving with grooved roads so will a wider front tire give more or less of that pulling feeling while driving, like the tires want to follow the grooves more or not...

Thank you for any advice guys!

dadaroo

Make sure the rear tires are 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches larger in diameter than the fronts or it will screw up Traction Control.

ZF Six

The stock 245/45-17 is for a 17x8.5 rim. Since you're going to a 17x9.5 front, they are recommending a wider front tire. Same with the rears. Stock is 275/40-18 for an 18x9.5, and you're going to an 18x10.5.

"Bigger" fronts isn't really the right term, you can just say "wider" as the overall height will be about the same. And a wider front tire will give you better handling.

Those wheel and tire sizes are OEM C5 Z06 dimensions.

Vetteman Jack

The tire sizes they are recommending will fit perfectly on those size wheels. As the poster above said, the wheel sizes are the same as a C5 Z06 as are the tires.

John Madeja

ok so "wider" tires not bigger lol thanks for the correction, like I said i'm new to this and not very mechanicky so to speak so I still catch myself all the time using the wrong terms

But if they give better handling then that is something I would definantly be interested in then rather then saving a few bucks.

does anyone know though whether or not the wider tires will be more affected by grooves in the pavement or less affect on that? the reason i ask is because it can just get kinda annoying when your driving on the freeway and your car feels like its being pulled left and right a lot. or is that more of like what type of tread is on the tire and could change from differing tire tread patterns and is not really based on size.

ZF Six

I believe you're referring to "tracking"

Yes, wider tires and lower profile tires (smaller sidewall) will tend to "track" more. I would say it's a small side effect for a better handling car. You may not notice much of a difference going from a 245/45 to a 265/40. When I get out of my truck with tall sidewalls and get into the Z06 that has low profile tires, I can feel a huge difference.

Mr.TT

I have had base and Z06 model C5s and the Z06 was not appreciably different as far as tendency to tramline.

In my opinion both are significanly "worse" than the average sedan but not different from each other. You likely won't notice a difference and just part of the price you pay with a sports car.

John Madeja

Thank you guys so much for the advice it is nice to be apart of this forum

Evil-Twin

So John just an FYI, you are ok with those tires wheel combo. Some of us are not just a pretty face ... some of us are worthy of giving good advice too...

John Madeja

Im happy with that combo i just wanted to make sure i knew what i was getting....i dont like jumping in to find out i wasted a good chunk of money or time....it happens but i try to avoid the uncertain lol

PhysicsDude55

Wider tires will overall have better traction and handling.

The front tire traction makes a significant difference in braking, since when you brake, a lot of the weight shifts to the front of the car, and obviously wider front tires help with cornering, as it allows the steer tires to get better grip.

In general, wider tires will "track" more like previously mentioned, and will be a bit more tricky in the rain (and snow... but you really shouldn't drive a C5 in the snow!). When I upgraded to wider tires I could tell that the rear of the car is less stable in the rain. No big deal, and not dangerous unless you're doing something stupid, but something to be aware of.

John Madeja

Thanks for the heads up about the rain, and yeah since I live in Michigan I don't drive it in the winter not necessarily because of the snow so much (although it doesn't go anywhere moving wise in snow anyways) but because of all the salt that is on the roads that doesn't get washed off by rain....

pewter99