MikeNSX

I am considering a set of TSW Nurburgring wheels for my 2002 Z06, and am undecided on which size wheels.

I can do a set of 17x9 front and 18x10.5 rear and use the new Bridgestone RE760 tires I just installed on my original wheels.

I could also go with a set of 18x9 front and 18x10.5 rear and use a 265/35 front tire and a 295/35 rear tire.

It seems most here go with the 18x9 front and 19x10.5 rear with the 265/35 front and 305/30 rear.

I think the 17" front TSW wheel might seem small, so I am leaning more towards either the 18/18 or the 18/19.

What does everyone think?

dbgoodwin

I love the way an 18/19 setup looks, but an 18/18 looks great too and may (honestly don't know) be more economical in the long run

dbaker

FWIW.....I run F:18x9 275/35 and R:19x10.5 295/30 on my 02Z.

Works & looks good for a DD.

\db2
Carolina

grantv

Something odd to my eyes on a square set. I would do 18/19 in a heart beat. When my brand new tires wear out (2-3 years??) that's where I'll go $ permitting.

Socko

18/18 has the most tire size/brand options i believe. I been thinking about wheels a bit. if i go to nurburgrings it will be 18X10.5 on all 4 corners, 275mpss up front 295 mpss in the rear.

grantv

Did a quick Tirerack.com search...
Factory OD:
265-40-17 = 25.35", 295-35-18 = 26.13"

265-35-18 (25.30") and 305-30-19 (26.20") gave 9 results
265-35-18 (25.30") and 295-35-18 (stock; 26.13") gave 6 results

Your sizes will work fine, but there are plenty options in 18/19 tires.

WA 2 FST

18/19 here.

275/35-18f, 345/30-19r ... but I am mini-tubbed in the rear, so I can run that width.

Toque

19/19 is always a decent option too.

19x10 - 275/30/19
19x11 - 305/30/19



Toque

TXGS507

18/18 FTW

rjwz28

17-inch performance tires are on their way out, so opting for 17/18 will be good for you in the short-term since they allow you to run your current setup, but they will limit you in the long run

If you want to get the most out of your current tires, I would wait to upgrade wheels

18/19 give you the most options, not 18/18; either way, however, you will be better off than with 17/18 as you will have access to the PSS and other brilliant tires in factory widths

There is also absolutely nothing wrong with going 19/19

It's all in what looks good to you, once you move up from 17s up front

Black 03 Z06

I went with 19 x 9.5 fronts with 265/30/19 (wanted 275's could not get them) and 19 x 11 rears with 305/30/19 rears. CCW's with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

Good luck with your choice/decision.

MikeNSX

Talked with Mike at need4speedmotors yesterday about a set of silver Forgestar F14 wheels, and if I order them will go with 18/19.

They are only about $200 more than the TSW's, but do have a wait of 6 to 8 weeks.

janky

Wise choice on the wheels.

Black 03 Z06

Worth the wait in my opinion.

MikeNSX

I do think the Forgestar wheels are well worth the extra $200 to $300 versus the TSW's, but the one thing that I worry about is the aggressive offsets offered in the Forgestar 18x9.5 and 19x11 fitment.

I have calculated that the fronts will extend out an additional 4mm from stock and that the rears will extend out an additional 10mm. In a lot of the pictures I have seen, the rears seem to poke out quite a bit more than I would like, but in other pictures, they seem to look totally flush.

I have not lowered my car yet, but plan on doing so once I have new wheels and tires.

Would lowering my car and also using a 265/35-18 front and 295/30-19 rear set up help eliminate the "poke" in the rear?

rjwz28

Yes

I assume you spent a good deal of time in the big F14 thread?

MikeNSX

Not yet...I'll do a search and see if I can find it.

I'm leaning towards a set of the F14's, but want to make sure I get everything right.

rjwz28

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ic-thread.html

MikeNSX

Thanks for the link.

I've been reading through all the threads from newest to oldest, and have found out a lot of useful information.

Looks like I'll be ordering a set of 18/19 F14's next week and using 265/35-18 fronts and either a 295/30-19 or 305/30-19 rear. Have checked on Tirerack and will go with either the Bridgestone S0-4 or Hankook Ventus. I believe both run smaller than the Michelin, which should help me with the rear "poke".

jerkyboy

When I picked up my 03 Z last year, it had the TSW's already on it 17's in front, 18's rear. The front tires on the 17's were 275's and to me the sidewall looked to large. Also (personal opinion totally) but I think the C5's with the big rear end's look better with a bigger wheel on the rear. Also I think the C5's need a "lip" on the rear wheels.

I sold off the TSW's and picked up a used set of I-Forged wheels in 18/19 with the 305's in the rear. I think the car looks much better.

I will say, the TSW's were incredibly lightweight though!

Here's both pics:

TSW's




TSW's in 17/18





I-forged 18/19