I guess I have to spell out why the tires are safer for the ones who insist on making up silly arguments.
15" vs. 17" wheels, that big a difference?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: South Western Ontario
I have REV 100's. They were under $600 for the set of 4 17/18 rims. The 4 Nitto tires to fit were about $200 cheaper than 4 BFG's. So, overall it was < $400 to change.
Race Director
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From: Long Island
the 15" tire with a 27" outside diameter will absorb more energy from hitting a bump in the road and transfer less energy to the suspension.
The 18" tire with a 27" outside diameter will transfer more energy to the suspension due to less sidewall flex + less sidewall to absorb the energy.
This can result in a suspension that cannot damper the energy sufficiently, cause lift in the vehicle and in severe cases damage to the vehicle.
Whenever changes are made to the wheel / tire size - considerations to the suspension should be evaluated for safety sake.
Currently the "stagger" ( tilted wheels) on the imports is considered in an accident investigation and is now a ticket-able vehicle defect.
A GM test (a few years back) on a ZO6 showed the vehicle was faster with 16" tires than 19" on a road course, but that was not what the public wanted..
Just some things to think about.
Burning Brakes
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Race Director
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From: California
The short answer is that 17/18 inch tires will make a HUGH difference in the way the car not only handles and steers BUT will actually ride BETTER than the crap tires available in the 15 inch size. Anyone who says the change is not that noticeable is either sleeping or put on a junk 17 inch tire in place of the BFG radial TA or another S/T speed rated 15 inch tire.
The 17 inch Z rated tire is made with modern design and technology, will have a lower aspect ratio, will have generallly softer rubber for superior traction in the dry and wet, and is MUCH stronger than the typical 15 inch select few tires available for a C3.
I have upgraded/changed every single component in my C3 suspension over the last 30 years and finally gave up on the 15 inch wheels since I could not find a decent 15 inch tire that was not a raised white letter standard passenger car tires offered on a Toyota Corolla that had even moderate performance...in fact the modern corolla has BETTER tires than a BFG TA 255/60/15 tire.
I now have 255/45/17 ZR tires that are fantastic AND offer a superior ride to my former BFG TA'a.
If all you want is the looks of the ballon 255/60/15 with zero performance, a wandering steering and bouncy ride, then stick with the 255/60/15's. If you are looking for a noticeable improvement in performance traction, dry and wet braking, superior steering response, and a BETTER ride.....GO 17/18 ultra high performacne ZR/W/Y rated tires NOW!
The 17 inch Z rated tire is made with modern design and technology, will have a lower aspect ratio, will have generallly softer rubber for superior traction in the dry and wet, and is MUCH stronger than the typical 15 inch select few tires available for a C3.
I have upgraded/changed every single component in my C3 suspension over the last 30 years and finally gave up on the 15 inch wheels since I could not find a decent 15 inch tire that was not a raised white letter standard passenger car tires offered on a Toyota Corolla that had even moderate performance...in fact the modern corolla has BETTER tires than a BFG TA 255/60/15 tire.
I now have 255/45/17 ZR tires that are fantastic AND offer a superior ride to my former BFG TA'a.
If all you want is the looks of the ballon 255/60/15 with zero performance, a wandering steering and bouncy ride, then stick with the 255/60/15's. If you are looking for a noticeable improvement in performance traction, dry and wet braking, superior steering response, and a BETTER ride.....GO 17/18 ultra high performacne ZR/W/Y rated tires NOW!
I run 18's... and yes to most of the above
Last edited by pauldana; Oct 26, 2017 at 02:37 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
NOT TRUE
the 15" tire with a 27" outside diameter will absorb more energy from hitting a bump in the road and transfer less energy to the suspension.
The 18" tire with a 27" outside diameter will transfer more energy to the suspension due to less sidewall flex + less sidewall to absorb the energy.
This can result in a suspension that cannot damper the energy sufficiently, cause lift in the vehicle and in severe cases damage to the vehicle.
the 15" tire with a 27" outside diameter will absorb more energy from hitting a bump in the road and transfer less energy to the suspension.
The 18" tire with a 27" outside diameter will transfer more energy to the suspension due to less sidewall flex + less sidewall to absorb the energy.
This can result in a suspension that cannot damper the energy sufficiently, cause lift in the vehicle and in severe cases damage to the vehicle.
A tire doesn't have any damping when it absorbs the energy from a bump.....
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Burning Brakes
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Have a nice day.
Banned Scam/Spammer
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I like the look of the torque thrust and a nice tire Blackwell,to fill out the wheel well..If I can gain a better feel to the road and a better ride, I will go with them....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
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From: South Western Ontario
Whatever. Way to follow the standard template when you don't have any useful tech.
- Throw some personal insults.
- Use "big" words to prove how much of an intellect you are.
- Add a happy tag line to show everyone you're not "really" being personally insulting because "hey, I'm really being nice".
Last edited by lionelhutz; Oct 26, 2017 at 03:10 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 568
Likes: 78
From: Nashville TN
I noticed a pretty big difference in ride and handling when I switched from the stock 15 rally wheels to 17"/18" staggered.
I wanted to keep the classic look. I had contemplated the 17" version of the rally wheels but just didn't like how it looked (just my personal preference). The 15" tires (BFG and if you can find Goodyears) were pretty expensive. Sure I paid more initially since I got 4 new wheels and tires, but it will be cheaper to replace them - plus I have a better handling car now.
I kept the 15" rally's on the off-chance I decide to sell - that way the potential buyer has the option to keep it original looking (or I might get bored and decide to put them back on one day!)
I wanted to keep the classic look. I had contemplated the 17" version of the rally wheels but just didn't like how it looked (just my personal preference). The 15" tires (BFG and if you can find Goodyears) were pretty expensive. Sure I paid more initially since I got 4 new wheels and tires, but it will be cheaper to replace them - plus I have a better handling car now.
I kept the 15" rally's on the off-chance I decide to sell - that way the potential buyer has the option to keep it original looking (or I might get bored and decide to put them back on one day!)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
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Cruise-In III Veteran
I've read your posts and honesty I can't figure out what your point is. Instead of making snide comments, can you please actually state your position and the logic behind it so it adds value to the thread for the OP?
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NOT TRUE
the 15" tire with a 27" outside diameter will absorb more energy from hitting a bump in the road and transfer less energy to the suspension.
The 18" tire with a 27" outside diameter will transfer more energy to the suspension due to less sidewall flex + less sidewall to absorb the energy.
This can result in a suspension that cannot damper the energy sufficiently, cause lift in the vehicle and in severe cases damage to the vehicle.
Whenever changes are made to the wheel / tire size - considerations to the suspension should be evaluated for safety sake.
Currently the "stagger" ( tilted wheels) on the imports is considered in an accident investigation and is now a ticket-able vehicle defect.
A GM test (a few years back) on a ZO6 showed the vehicle was faer with 16" tires than 19" on a road course, but that was not what the public wanted..
Just some things to think about.
the 15" tire with a 27" outside diameter will absorb more energy from hitting a bump in the road and transfer less energy to the suspension.
The 18" tire with a 27" outside diameter will transfer more energy to the suspension due to less sidewall flex + less sidewall to absorb the energy.
This can result in a suspension that cannot damper the energy sufficiently, cause lift in the vehicle and in severe cases damage to the vehicle.
Whenever changes are made to the wheel / tire size - considerations to the suspension should be evaluated for safety sake.
Currently the "stagger" ( tilted wheels) on the imports is considered in an accident investigation and is now a ticket-able vehicle defect.
A GM test (a few years back) on a ZO6 showed the vehicle was faer with 16" tires than 19" on a road course, but that was not what the public wanted..
Just some things to think about.
I didn't mention anything about what your going on about so move on.
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Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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A 15 inch tire with an overall height will "generally " have less torsional rigidity compared to a larger rim with the same overall height. There are 15 inch tires out there that are torsional stiffer but the side wall height decreases with rigitity. My neighbor is on the amerture drift car race circuit. He uses 15 inch rims and the tires are harder for him to come by and are very low profile so they don't peel off the rim. Taller tires will absorb more small bumps but will feel sloppy in tight turns. The difference from my 15s to my 17s was significant. The better rubber/smaller therefore stiffer sidewall holds better on the same turns at a higher rate of speed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
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Times they are a changing. I didn't even consider 17's on my 71. Went straight to 18". With good shocks like Bilsteins the 18's ride very nice. I'm running "staggered" 245 front and 255 rear. Easily could of gone 275 or 285 on the back. Staggered typically means wider rear tires compared to the front tires.
