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[Z06] 17" or 18" drag radial which is better?

Old 05-11-2011, 11:08 PM
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paisa427
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Default 17" or 18" drag radial which is better?

Im looking to possibly pick up some drag radials in the near future and i see that 2 popular choices are to use the c5 z06 17 and 18 rims and mount drag radials on them. What are the pros and cons of using the 17 inch wheels over the 18 inch wheels and vice versa?
Thanks
Old 05-11-2011, 11:15 PM
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fasz06
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I hope Ranger doesn't get upset over this......He uses 17" and with his achievments thats good enough for me....Tires are just 1 part of the puzzle and Ranger has all the parts for a Z06 to go fast
Old 05-11-2011, 11:16 PM
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17's have more sidewall and should yield better results... That being said, I have 18x10.5" chrome Z06 replicas with Hoosier 335/18 DR's and have cut 1.57 60's so far...
Old 05-11-2011, 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted by fasz06
I hope Ranger doesn't get upset over this......He uses 17" and with his achievments thats good enough for me....Tires are just 1 part of the puzzle and Ranger has all the parts for a Z06 to go fast
I would actually like for him to chime in, he is 1 hell of a driver, and he is very meticulous when it comes to drag racing, and i learned a lot from his drag racing tips, helped me cut a 1.78 60ft on only my 4th pass with street tires.
Old 05-12-2011, 07:16 AM
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17-inch rear wheels provide the C6Z an advantage at the drag strip.

Evidence supporting that conclusion can be found on the Fast List (post-1 of the sticky thread atop this board).

Of the top-10 ETs on the Bone-Stock with Non-Stock (rear) Tires, all but two drivers were running 17-inch rear wheels. The two that were on 18-inch rears were running 295.35.18 BFGs, which based on their specific profile are shorter than most 17-inch tires.

To see for yourself, go to the Fast List, click on the "details" link for each pass and note the tire used.

You want to keep in mind that fast 60-foot times are possible with a variety of wheel/tire combinations, but not without the enabling techniques known collectively as the "driver mod." Moreover, even with a great launch, there are still a lot of driver actions that need to be right before the overall ET will be fast.

Finally, I've written it here over and over, but many continue to buy the biggest drag radials that will fit in the wheel wells. Huge mistake. You want the drag radials with the smallest contact patch (tire meets pavement) that will provide traction, given the tread compound. A contact patch larger than that only increases the burden on the clutch.

Ranger

Last edited by Ranger; 05-12-2011 at 03:10 PM.
Old 05-12-2011, 10:10 AM
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I did a 315/35/17 and wish I just did the 275s. Now that I'm making 550+rwhp and putting a dual disc clutch in I hope the 315s will now be a better tire. For a <500rwhp car I would do the 275s.
Old 05-12-2011, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Ranger
17-inch rear wheels provide the C6Z an advantage at the drag strip.

Evidence supporting that conclusion can be found on the Fast List (post-1 of the sticky thread atop this board).

Of the top-10 ETs on the Bone-Stock with Non-Stock (rear) Tires, all but two drivers were running 17-inch rear wheels. The two that were on 18-inch rears were running 295.35.18 BFGs, which based on their specific profile are shorter than most 17-inch tires.

To see for yourself, go to the Fast List, click on the "details" link for each pass and note the tire used.

You want to keep in mind that fast 60-foot times are possible with a variety of wheel/tire combinations, but not without the enabling techniques known collectively as the "driver mod." Moreover, even with a great launch, there are still a lot of driver actions that need to be right before the overall ET will be fast.

Finally, I've written it here over and over, but many continue to buy the biggest drag radials that will fit in the wheel wells. Huge mistake. You want the drag radials with the smallest contact patch (tire meets pavement) that will provide traction, given the tread compound. A contact patch larger than than only increases the burden on the clutch.

Ranger
Thanks for the insight. Looks like i will be going with some 17's.
Old 05-12-2011, 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by paisa427
Thanks for the insight. Looks like i will be going with some 17's.

A reminder for all reading the thread.

Many of us have used OEM C5Z06 fronts on the rear of the C6Z and the fit is snug at the calipers but clearance is adequate. You do have to be careful in the placement of stick-on wheel weights. If placed inside the barrel near the spokes, the wheel weight will hit the caliper.

I've also run 17" x 11" C4 Grand Sport rears. These are the 50mm offset, not the 36mm offset found on the C4-ZR1. Details are here.

Finally, I've also run CCW Classics in 17" x 12". They fit fine.

That makes for three proven 17-inch wheels for the rear of a C6Z. If you select a different wheel, be certain to do a test fit before making the purchase.

Ranger
Old 05-12-2011, 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Ranger
A reminder for all reading the thread.

Many of us have used OEM C5Z06 fronts on the rear of the C6Z and the fit is snug at the calipers but clearance is adequate. You do have to be careful in the placement of stick-on wheel weights. If placed inside the barrel near the spokes, the wheel weight will hit the caliper.

I've also run 17" x 11" C4 Grand Sport rears. These are the 50mm offset, not the 36mm offset found on the C4-ZR1. Details are here.

Finally, I've also run CCW Classics in 17" x 12". They fit fine.

That makes for three proven 17-inch wheels for the rear of a C6Z. If you select a different wheel, be certain to do a test fit before making the purchase.

Ranger
Thanks again. Also any one know the stock wheel offset?
Old 05-12-2011, 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by paisa427
Thanks again. Also any one know the stock wheel offset?
+59mm

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