boomnzoom

I picked up a set of 2001 Z06 Wheels for my 97. I'm going to Auto-X a few times a summer and want to use the Z06 wheels for that. Tire suggestions for that? I want to go 200TW or harder. Options seem limited. No street use for this set so what's your input.

Thanks

Gordy M

Two options that I know of would be BFG Rival S or Yokohama Advan 052, Hopefully your area SCCA has a street tire class for SSP or you will be running in a very tough class. If you are running NCCC events you are OK, I am not sure of other groups.

eduncan

Nitto NT05

mister2

Are the wheels your only "modification" from the original 1997 specs? Because they really kick your car up to a class where you will be running against much stiffer opposition. Staying in BStreet, though, is where your car is still very competitive, depending on who's in that class at your events. Bimmer M2s and S2000s can be bad news, but if just casual autocrossing to keep the ABS exercised, I'd say run what you brung. Just sayin'....

That said, you might also consider adding Bridgestone Potenza RE71Rs to your short list. Normally less expensive and better suited to single-driver, sub 60-second course designs, they can give the BFG Rival S a run for its money. Both of them are 200 TW.

Early C5s have their own brand of fast. Have a blast!

strano@stranoparts.com

No.

strano@stranoparts.com

I can help. Assume you want to be on at 200 treadwell set. The ZO6 wheels as a complete set are not exactly optimal because of the 17x9.5-in front wheel. They're just really aren't fast 200 treadwear tires that come in anything bigger than 255. That said they are pretty impressive, we have run that setup on cars doing some testing and you give up very little front grip versus say a 275 on an 18 by 9.5.

now maybe you are looking to do something other than run 200 treadwear street tires. In which case things get a little bit more easy in terms of size option. But then you're going to end up running in either SSP or SSM on something like a Hoosier.

I carry tires. I am extremely priced competitive with big boys like tire rack. I know these tires like the back of my hand because I deal with them on a constant basis between setting up cars for national events, teaching schools and driving other people's cars, and the fact that right now at this current moment I own More tires than any same person should have including, but not limited to, BFGs, bridgestones, Hoosiers, Pilot Sport cup 2, a different set of pilots for the street, and a set of continental extreme contact sports. Notice I said not limited to because I have other tires as well. Why do I have this many tires? Because I do a lot of testing.

jesup16

The Yokohama Advan 052's are not approved by SCCA as they don't meet the minimum tread depth. They only have 6/32's and SCCA requires 7/32 for a 200tdw to be legal. Rumor has it that Yokohama may be re-vamping this, but as of the time of this post, they are not legal. Also, the sizes are not very friendly... maybe they will offer better sizing options when/if they re-release.

Also, agree with everyone here that this is a bad idea as it would move your car (if its stock) way up into STU or CAM-S classes.

Easy answer - buy a C6 front wheel (18x8.5) and buy a set of C5 rears (18x9.5)... they will be miss matched by style but will meet the street class requirements. RE71's will probably be your best bet in these sizes. 265/35 or 275/35-18 up front and 285/30-18 in the rear... the short rears will lower your effective gear ratio, which is a plus for autocross.

Unfortunately, the BFG Rival S 1.5 isn't very Vette friendly in the size offerings...

MX621

255/40/17, 285/35/18 hankook rs4 May be your best 200tw option.

jesup16

If you want to be slower than the guys on RE71R's... Sarcasm Alert!

jesup16

Why don't you tell us what class you plan to run your car in? Are you even running in a SCCA class or just showing up to a BMW or similar club event where they group a bunch of random cars together by arbitrary rules...

Nobody's recommendation is going to mean squat to you until you tell us this.

MX621

lol your not wrong. But I’m a track guy, and on track I don’t think they are really a disadvantage vs a rival or a re71. They last forever and don’t get greasy.

mister2

Particularly if it's legal, there's a "form follows function" genius look to mismatched anything, especially wheels and tires that show up at an event. Funny, if it fails; but if that car blows everybody out of the water, it's "monkey see, monkey do"! Happens all the time.

My street tires are older R-S3s (Version 2) from a long-forgotten AX season. But they're more versatile even if they're not a current autocross-specific front runner. And they last forever on my lighter, stock FRC.

Gordy M

Jesup16, the OP cannot run in the stock class so he would be bumped to SSP using the Z06 wheels. They are available in a 265/315 sizes for the Z06 rims so it is an option

mister2

^ +1

Super Street Prepared is a formidable class, first 10 of 11 placers in the SCCA Solo Nationals were Z06s, the rest being R8, McLaren and turbo 911s. Quite a (frustrating) reach for an otherwise stock 1997 C5.

Local events are another matter, altogether. As mentioned above, a lot depends on which organization is running the event. SCCA has so many classes, events very often have one car, or none, for each class. And, if just for fun runs, it's alright. After more than a couple of events, though, the competitive edge may emerge and it's time to pay attention to classification.

jesup16

What makes him go to SSP? He can run those wheels in STU and CAM-S, both of which are considerably less prep (well, maybe not CAM-S) that SSP and allow 200tdw tires, as the OP suggested he wanted to run. 200tdw tires in SSP will be non-competitive.

Again, this thread is useless without the OP telling us what class/prep level he is targeting.

boomnzoom

I haven't thought about class yet. Stock 97, with the rim/tire combo that I'm looking at. At this point I'm not to concerned about class as I will be looking to improve my driving skills and drop a little time. Mostly local events for now but Salt Lake City is close and has SCCA events almost every weekend in the summer.

jesup16

Ok, this helps tremendously. Call / Email Sam Strano (he posted in this thread) for a set of wheels/tires that will keep you in B-Street class. Buying those Z06 wheels will move you to STU/CAM-S where you will be under prepped and out gunned... doesn't matter if you are just having fun, if you want to learn and improve, you need comparisons and b-street will give you that.

Also, a set of Z06 wheels is 18-15 years old at this point. The likely hood of getting a set that's not bent, cracked, etc is slim. Again, call Sam. He will set you straight. I wish I had when I started autocrossing...

mister2

That says it all, …. even for non-beginners! Have fun, and if it gets serious, at least you're pointed in the right direction!