16's Vs. 17's
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Wylie TX
16's Vs. 17's
Just wanted to get everyone's opinion on whether they like their 16 inch rims or 17 inch rims better. I am trying to decide which route to take. The 17's look cool but when I had them before on a different car it rode real rough and got zero traction. The 16's are a little cheaper but maybe aren't as visually stunning. Let me know what everyone thinks.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 0
From: Valencia (near LA) CA
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (tim_briz)
Zero traction with 17's :confused: ??
I went from the little stock '68 rims and tires to 17s and I think 17s look just right on the Vette. The ride is a little harsh on a bad road, but who cares it isn't a Lexus;) But the handling is much improoved! They work very well for drag racing also.
17" rims look quite normal today. A few years ago they were considered low profile, but many cars come stock with 17s and custom cars- civics and what not are runnning 18+ sizes. What's next? Solid rubber like a fork-lift :crazy:
~Jay
I went from the little stock '68 rims and tires to 17s and I think 17s look just right on the Vette. The ride is a little harsh on a bad road, but who cares it isn't a Lexus;) But the handling is much improoved! They work very well for drag racing also.
17" rims look quite normal today. A few years ago they were considered low profile, but many cars come stock with 17s and custom cars- civics and what not are runnning 18+ sizes. What's next? Solid rubber like a fork-lift :crazy:
~Jay
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 1
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (tim_briz)
I'd say 16s or 17s are the way to go. The key is to get wheels that will support Z-rated rubber which both will. Its personal preference after that. When I put my 17s on it rode a tad rougher (but not much) and I have TONS of traction. I kinda wish I had somewhat of a traction problem. :) Its fun to chirp 'em now and then (soI've been told ;))
I think it depends on sidewall you get. If you have an import 17s might be tougher ride, but with our Vettes, the proper size tire to retain stock size combo would be 255/50-17 and thats plenty of sidewall (see sig pic)
Anyway, here's another article that might be interesting reading. http://www.corvettefaq.com/redir.asp?site=430
good luck
-terry
ps: and I chose to run 16s instead of 17+s on my eclipse because of traction problems. Running 225/50-16 on there. My experience has been that 50 sidewall has been about a good balance for traction/comfort. Have Potenza RE730 rubber on both cars and it definitely provides the traction. (just ask the lt1 c4 I mingled with in the eclipse the other day :bb :seeya )
[Modified by terryrudy, 7:53 AM 7/31/2002]
I think it depends on sidewall you get. If you have an import 17s might be tougher ride, but with our Vettes, the proper size tire to retain stock size combo would be 255/50-17 and thats plenty of sidewall (see sig pic)
Anyway, here's another article that might be interesting reading. http://www.corvettefaq.com/redir.asp?site=430
good luck
-terry
ps: and I chose to run 16s instead of 17+s on my eclipse because of traction problems. Running 225/50-16 on there. My experience has been that 50 sidewall has been about a good balance for traction/comfort. Have Potenza RE730 rubber on both cars and it definitely provides the traction. (just ask the lt1 c4 I mingled with in the eclipse the other day :bb :seeya )
[Modified by terryrudy, 7:53 AM 7/31/2002]
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Wylie TX
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (terryrudy)
I agree with the sidewalls, I ran 275/45 17's on the camaro I had before and that is where the traction problem came from. The side walls are short and stiff and will not give any, creating wheel spin I also guess that causes the stiffer ride. That car ran better with 16's but didn't look nearly as good. I think that I am about talked into ordering the 17's. Thanks for everyone's input.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (tim_briz)
You really need to go tire shopping and then get the rims to fit them. If I had it to do over i would have went with 18's because they have correct diameters in the Z-rated tires widths I need.
My 315/35/17's are only 26 inches tall. So I have taller front tires right now.
My 315/35/17's are only 26 inches tall. So I have taller front tires right now.
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,456
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (gkull)
i say 17"s myself but that is just my personal preference. the 17" will be around for a while so tire avialability won't be an issue for 10-20 years. you already can't get decent performance tires for the 15" in our size and i think 16's won't be far behind, maybe 5-10 years. when i put mine on, the car didn't look quite right because the tires are smaller in diameter (255/45-17 front, 275/40-17 rear). this past weekend, i lowered the car about an inch and the tires now fill up the wheel well. it doesn't actually look lower, it looks like it should. for those interested, i will try to get some pictures posted soon.
as for traction and ride, i cannot figure out how you had better traction with 15's than you did with 17's. the only thing i can figure is tire pressure. i auto-x alot and have noticed the 17's are more sensitive to tire pressure. i generally run ~35psi front and ~28psi rear. any less in the front and it wants to push. any more in the back and it wants break loose.
if you don't have a gymkhana suspension or any other major changes to stiffen up the ride, i don't think you will notice an adverse effect on ride and a definate improvement in handling and responsiveness. i say, "go for it". i seriously don't think you'll regret the move.
as for traction and ride, i cannot figure out how you had better traction with 15's than you did with 17's. the only thing i can figure is tire pressure. i auto-x alot and have noticed the 17's are more sensitive to tire pressure. i generally run ~35psi front and ~28psi rear. any less in the front and it wants to push. any more in the back and it wants break loose.
if you don't have a gymkhana suspension or any other major changes to stiffen up the ride, i don't think you will notice an adverse effect on ride and a definate improvement in handling and responsiveness. i say, "go for it". i seriously don't think you'll regret the move.
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
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (wadew10)
The 17's were a great upgrade IMHO :yesnod: . Incredible handling difference, brought my car out of the 70's to hang with the newer rides :D .
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (SmokedTires)
Depending on width and offset of the rims, the 16" rims seem to have more clearance problems with the rear suspension. The 17" will tuck the spring inside the rim and go around the spring even if they're wider. The 16" will sometimes hit the sidewall on the end of the spring. We manufacture special composite springs shorter to incorporate the wider rims. The 15" and 16" are the most common sizes to do the mod for. My vote is for 17" for all the reasons.
[Modified by VBP, 1:53 PM 8/1/2002]
[Modified by VBP, 1:53 PM 8/1/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,281
Likes: 5
From: Boston
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (1bad69)
Good point Michael, very good point :lol: Well it all depends on "taste" who likes what. What's pretty and what's ugly?
In my opinion C3's look better with alot of rubber so I prefer the "15's. Others might prefer "18's but IMO is too "futuristic" for the C3's
My .02 :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (clutchdust)
It is mostly a matter of personal taste but, like clutchdisk said, it will be harder in the future to buy what you want in 16" than 17". Just TRY to get ZR rated 15" these days!
But as for traction I beg to differ. When I was running 245 60 x15" I had to really try to not light the tires at every stop light. Much more traction now.
It was kind of fun though! :D
But as for traction I beg to differ. When I was running 245 60 x15" I had to really try to not light the tires at every stop light. Much more traction now.
It was kind of fun though! :D
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Parker TX
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (tim_briz)
I agree with 1bad69. Ain't nothin' wrong with the looks of a 16".
BTW, 1bad69, what are the sizes etc. on your wheels and tires? Luv 'em! :cool: :cheers:
From Bahrain
River Rat (Desert Rat for now) :flag
BTW, 1bad69, what are the sizes etc. on your wheels and tires? Luv 'em! :cool: :cheers:
From Bahrain
River Rat (Desert Rat for now) :flag
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Moro IL
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (tim_briz)
I think when everyone is referring to better traction with 16's they are saying in a straight line. It's not really a factor of 16 vs 17" rims but more of sidewall flex and ability to squat for a bigger footprint on launch, that's why drag slicks have huge soft sidewalls on them. I went with 16's as a compromise, I'm sure my car would probably handle better with 17" rims, but I may have lost just as much to the 16's in traction off the line or jumping out of the corners. I figured with a big block traction out of the hole would be my biggest problem.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 884
Likes: 45
From: Hardeeville, South Carolina
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (tim_briz)
I'm with 1bad69.....the 16's look great and the change in the ride is awesome with the better rubber...
I'm running the Vintage Wheel works V-45 16X8
245/50/16 front and 255/50/16 on the rear
Dunlop SP-8000's all the way around
I'm running the Vintage Wheel works V-45 16X8
245/50/16 front and 255/50/16 on the rear
Dunlop SP-8000's all the way around
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (Markm10431)
You could have ZR-1 rims on your C-3 with our adaptors. Our adaptors are thick pieces of T-6 aircraft quality aluminum that are very strong with studs sticking out of them that actually bolt on to the hub, then the rims bolt on the adaptor. We offer wheel adaptor sizes ranging from 3/4" to 3" to fit the late model GM 17" and 16" rims camaro or corvette. We've had many customers install the ZR-1 rims on their C-3, even with the 17 X 11's and they love them. We have customers autocrossing with them so we know they are strong enough. :yesnod:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC, Canada
Re: 16's Vs. 17's (VBP)
You could have ZR-1 rims on your C-3 with our adaptors. Our adaptors are thick pieces of T-6 aircraft quality aluminum that are very strong with studs sticking out of them that actually bolt on to the hub, then the rims bolt on the adaptor. We offer wheel adaptor sizes ranging from 3/4" to 3" to fit the late model GM 17" and 16" rims camaro or corvette. We've had many customers install the ZR-1 rims on their C-3, even with the 17 X 11's and they love them. We have customers autocrossing with them so we know they are strong enough. :yesnod: