15" vs. 17"
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Like to see a pic and what size adapters did you use?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,948
Likes: 3,351
From: NYC NY
I'm amazed how many people on this forum feel the difference in the ride a Corvette that is at least 30+ years old goes from comfortable to objectionable by going from 15" wheels to 17" wheels. 
These cars really ride that smooth and comfortable that 17" wheels are a deal breaker? Really?
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,982
Likes: 6,209
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
If you are worried about ride, the most significant difference Ive ever seen to a C3 (or C2 for that matter) is the addition of a composite rear spring.
Id want 15" wheels so the car looks like it was designed to look, not with an "updating."
Id want 15" wheels so the car looks like it was designed to look, not with an "updating."
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,135
Likes: 71
From: Umeå Sweden
I felt a big difference when i changed to 17" last summer,much more stable in higher speeds,it just feels like a new car.
And if you go with tires that are in the same size as the original 15" they look great
im running 225/55 in front and 255/50 in the back
And if you go with tires that are in the same size as the original 15" they look great
im running 225/55 in front and 255/50 in the back
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 259
Likes: 3
From: Plano TX
Size
I don't know...I'm wondering if 17" tires are headed for the dust bin too.
If you search on 255/50-17 at Tirerack (which is a 27.1" tall tire), there are only four results.
Search on 255/45-18, which is 27" or 27.1" depending on tire, and there's a gazillion results.
If you search on 255/50-17 at Tirerack (which is a 27.1" tall tire), there are only four results.
Search on 255/45-18, which is 27" or 27.1" depending on tire, and there's a gazillion results.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Not so many choices if you want to keep your speedo accurate without swapping out gears or adding adapters.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
Last edited by qwank; Apr 17, 2013 at 11:14 PM.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Like the salt-n-pepper bearded guy who sells suits on tv likes to say: You're going to like the way you look.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
yeah the main difference with these is they have the valve stem in the front instead of hidden.
My tires should be coming in today so I should have on car pics by the weekend.
I ordered mine through a dealer online. I think some local tire chain places can get them for you too, not sure which ones.
they don't list backspace, just offset. So you need 17x8 with -12mm offset. They don't make any other size that will fit our cars
My tires should be coming in today so I should have on car pics by the weekend.
I ordered mine through a dealer online. I think some local tire chain places can get them for you too, not sure which ones.
they don't list backspace, just offset. So you need 17x8 with -12mm offset. They don't make any other size that will fit our cars
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
three out of 4 tires mounted and balanced. One wheel has a small chip on the lip. I called the place I bought them from and they sent me a new wheel immediately. It won't be here until Wednesday though 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
X2 I agree! TT2 16X8 with 235-60-16 "W" speed rated tires on my wife's LT-1 roadster not that we plan many high speed trips exceeding 100MPH but these tires stick better at lower speeds and I don't have to worry about pot holes like I do on the C6.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I'm amazed how many people on this forum feel the difference in the ride a Corvette that is at least 30+ years old goes from comfortable to objectionable by going from 15" wheels to 17" wheels. These cars really ride that smooth and comfortable that 17" wheels are a deal breaker? Really?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
yeah the main difference with these is they have the valve stem in the front instead of hidden.
My tires should be coming in today so I should have on car pics by the weekend.
I ordered mine through a dealer online. I think some local tire chain places can get them for you too, not sure which ones.
they don't list backspace, just offset. So you need 17x8 with -12mm offset. They don't make any other size that will fit our cars
My tires should be coming in today so I should have on car pics by the weekend.
I ordered mine through a dealer online. I think some local tire chain places can get them for you too, not sure which ones.
they don't list backspace, just offset. So you need 17x8 with -12mm offset. They don't make any other size that will fit our cars