rjwz28

The Z06 came with 265/40s up front and 295/35s out back... those tire sizes you listed were for base cars and convertibles

Since the Z fronts aren't available in the PSS, I would run 245/45 fronts and 295/35 rears

nwolkonsky

Thank you for your information and explaination! I have been on the forums for hours trying to sort this out since last fall. It gets confusing and I have obtained wonderful advice in the past from you senior members. I have had the opportunity to drive with the Michelin's and they perform much better than the original model tires. HOPE at last!

rjwz28

If you do the 245/45|295/35 combo, please get back to us with pics and feedback... many people have swapped to bigger wheels (OEM 18s up front, aftermarket 18/19 or aftermarket 19/20) to run the PSS due to the lack of a 255 or 265/40-17 in the lineup, so you'd be the first here to run PSSs on the OEM Z06 17/18 wheels by running a 245/45-17 instead.

Just to make sure: you are running Z06 wheels (ten spokes) not the base C5 wheels (five spokes), right?

nwolkonsky

Correct, I am running the wheels that came stock with the Z06. All original equipment. I also attended the Ron Fellows Corvette Driving school this last August to learn about performance driving. They supplied the Michelin's on their cars and I felt secure cornering.

rjwz28

Okay, just making sure those Michelins are the same tires I was recommending, the Pilot Super Sport

245/45-17 up front and 295/35-18 out back, or install a second set of rear wheels up front and run 265/35-18 front and 295/35-18 out back for a bit more grip

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ot+Super+Sport

racebum

almost certain that's a ps2 on the black z06 just by the sidewall

C5Dobie

From the pic in the sig she has an 04 CE, I'm sure she has the stock oem z06 wheels.

245's are definitely narrower- will they fit the front wheels correctly? I was always under the impression 10mm +\- isn't a big deal but +20mm is more than 3/4" narrower, I would think going wider by 20mm would be a better fit.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

nwolkonsky

Thank all of you who have jumped on board with my tire craziness. I did in fact post the wrong size in my post yet brought the correct tire size to my local tire stores and dealership. I FOUND tires!

I have just purchased 295/35ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 N4(Porsche) for the rears and 265/40ZR17 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 for the fronts.

When the other stores say discontinued this is not true, it means that Michelin is sold out and will make more when orders come in to a certain amount.

Interestingly enough, for my year vehicle those tires were original equipment for porsche. That is where I found the rears for my car.

So thank you all for helping me figure this tire crazy thing out. I really did not want to put an Italian/Foreign tire on my American car!

Sincerely thanks as I was losing confidence in finding tires and getting confused.

Martha

Blue LS1-LT1

Are the Falken Azenis RT-615K no longer competitive? Mine are from 2012, and at the wear bars.
Need new HPDE tires on stock c5 Z06 wheels.
Might buy 2nd set of stock 18''s for the front, and therefore, increase choices...Likely the Super Sports for many reason, including asymmetrical which helps wear if you do lots of road courses

zeevette

Michelin tires are mostly made in France. Somehow they manage to be good anyway.

nwolkonsky

There is always a plan B! A gal has to have a solid plan b.

All options are open because I am making notes and placing them in my C5 Z06 folder.

Tires for my ride have been a difficult task and having other options are a benefit.

fat rat 56

I have narrowed my search down to Nitto NT01's. I drive limited miles a year and want max performance. If anyone else knows something, I and I'm sure others would like to hear. The Nitto'are around $1050. A set.

racebum

the pilot sport 2 and pilot super sport are both made in france and the USA, just depends on what run you get. QC is the same on either tire

the falken 615k is a great tire but unavailable in correct sizes

the rs3 is the new hot stock size ticket in 285 35 18 and 255 40 17. they put some rubber on the ground and are a great warm compound

that combo has been proven faster than the 295/275 nt05 by many people. the rs3 is a top scca street tire

Blue LS1-LT1

Racebum, what do you mean Falken 615's don't come in the right sizes?
They are mounted on my stock 2001 factory c5z06 10 spoke wheels.

rjwz28

I was referring to the tires used during her experience at the Ron Fellows school... the cars there would have been running Super Sports

245/45-17s are the same height as a 275/40-17 while being the narrowest recommended tire for a 9.5-inch wheel. This is the only tire size that will allow a Z06 owner to run the PSS on the OEM 17/18 setup

There is a lot of wiggle room for what tire sizes the stock wheels will take; just because they're mounted on the stock wheels doesn't mean they're stock sizes.

Regardless, I would investigate the R-S3 as your next autocross tire; I've heard nothing but good things about those in 255|285 on factory wheels. The PSS on factory 18s all around would be a wonderful street performance tire and competent for the occasional track day or autocross event, but I wouldn't use it as a dedicated autocross tire.

Blue LS1-LT1

Thanks, Bum. The falken tire size comno has worked for me, but, now worn. I don't autox anymore. This wheel tire combo is stricly for track days. I have the factory stock size magnesium rims with pilot sport run flats for daily drives which hardly happen.
Leaning towards picking up a pair of 18" stock z06 rears for the front with the Michelin super sports. Meaning, 18" stock c5 z06 wheels at all four.

z06_tim

Great thread on tires by the way. I'm after a little advice if I may on the PSS?

I wanted to ask fellow C5Z owners if anyone has used the Michelin PSS 295/35/18 (103Y)? Link below:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....um=935YR8PSSXL

I know the PSS is a great tyre. The ZP derivative is after all OEM on the C7.

But, it's that 103 Extra Load rating that makes me nervous. It's such a lot higher than the 91 (I think) from the original Goodyear Z06 tire. I always expect these XL tires to be considerably heavier than the norm, but the PSS is quoted as the same 28lbs as the original Goodyear.

Would be great to hear from anyone with experience of this tire. We don't have much choice on tires for the old C5Z over in the UK, and this is my favored option right now.

nwolkonsky

Well, I'm doing my first auto cross tomorrow and will have the opportunity to see what tires are on the other z06's in my class and age vehicle. I might get some good feedback or not. But until the arrival of my new tires I'll be running the good year eagles supercar version. We are getting a freeze here in Nashville tonight with a high of 46 tomorrow so I don't anticipate great traction. But I do anticipate fun! Whoot!

Sincerely,
Martha

racebum

265 40 17 and 295 35 18 are unavailable. guys have cheesed with 315 30 18 out back and 275 40 17 in front but the rear winds up being short vs the front.

if you're going to run offsize the rs3 in 255 40 17 and 285 35 18 has proven to be the fast street combo

racebum

it's the sidewall and casing the pss is made with twaron, not a typical steel belted radial. the pss has one of the most responsive cases i've ever encountered on a street tire. it makes the heavy truck steering of the z06 seem almost normal. tires usually run light weight wise vs competitors in the same size.