Bryan144

Well picked up some new wheels for my 98 base today. I'm looking at tires for the fronts. a 275/35r18 or a 255/40r18 and im leaning toward the 275. I've heard that a 275 is hard on the steering rack? Any truth to this or is it over exaggerated? The 275 retains the 1inch difference in tire diameter. The 255 has a .7 inch diameter difference between front and rear tires. Will I be better off with the 255 or 275. Car is used for aggressive handling so I want the best setup.

neutron82

either will work, .7" difference is enough to keep the traction control happy... I run a 275 on the front of mine and ran a 285 for a couple of years with no issues so I wouldn't worry about that

Bryan144

Yea I figured the .7 is enough to keep the TC happy so no problem there. I think I'll go with the 275 to keep the ratios closer to stock. Can't wait to feel the handling with the wider tires! I've seen so many people run 265/75/85 on the front.. heck some autoX guys are running 305's... But I have heard that the steering rack and components can wear out so I was skeptical. I think I'll give the 275 a go though. Thanks for the input

neutron82

you will have no issues with a 275 and I have never heard anything about it wearing out the steering components at a faster rate... do you suppose the autox guys are having these issues due to the aggressive alignments they run and the amount of stress they put the car through on the track?... to me that makes a lot more sense than them wearing the components from street driving

Bryan144

That is a good possibility, that they wear out because of the extremity of their setups and use.

I've only read it a few times.. In fact I had a hard time finding information on wear due to the tires but I remember reading it a few times in some posts a while back... It is so hard to know for sure though do to the difference in Corvette drivers. Some baby their cars and think it wears out the car while others drive them on the track and autox them.

For example: A lot of drivers say that the c6 z06 sway bars are not a good match while other drivers say that the c6 z06 sway bars are awesome and the difference, to me, is that some drivers who like them enjoy the car with a little more over steer and others are not into the looseness due to driving preferences/environment. But the debate between sway bars is best left for another thread!

Bryan144

Just thought about another question...

The new wheels do not have TPMS Sensors... Do I HAVE to buy new ones or can I mount tires without the sensors? Will it mess anything up aside from having a DIC message? I may have to break down and buy new sensors but I could care less about having TPMS honestly.

Blue 92

You can run without the TPS. It will just display an error on the DIC.

Bryan144

Oh okay well that's good news. I'm not really worried about having the TPMS I check my tire pressure almost every time I take the car out anyway. But I don't want the car to freak out for not having the sensors.

65GGvert

If you don't move the old sensors to the new wheels, or buy new sensors, you'll have to clear the error everytime you start the car so you can get to other displays on the DIC

hron61

Hey brian, be sure to post a pic or two of the new setup.
I'd like to have a look see.

6speedsteve

I don't run sensors on mine and I never have to reset anything, the old pressure readings from my original tires is always shown on the DIC

Bryan144

Definitely will post them up but for now im waiting on tires!