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hmmm. I went and looked. They do make 18" x 8 REV classic 107s. Backspace is 4.5" so I'm wondering if that would be an issue.
While I was there I submitted a question asking if the standard center caps for 68-82 Corvettes would fit the wheel.
hmmmm.....
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.
A 27" diameter tire on a 15" is still a 27" diameter tire on a 17" or an 18" wheel. The wheel well is still filled but you just have a bit more wheel to admire.
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 faster with 16" tires than 19" on a road course, but that was not what the public wanted..
Very noticeable difference going from stock tires to 275/40 ZR17 Nittos all around on mine. Cost me $1500 for wheels, tires, and wheel adapters. Sold my old set for $300.
Stick with the 255-60-15 Bf good rich white letter radicals old school look....Keep your aluminum rims and save the money......Leave the race track handling to the 40-60 thousand dollar newer vettes...
What a load of POOO,,,, We have 6 corvettes we race, and I race the 79, and I can woop there arss's day and night. Just got through smoking a 2015 Viper last week... so that is a load of BS
Originally Posted by jb78L-82
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!
That's OK, you prove the point that it's pointless to argue with an "unarmed" man. Posting doesn't make it true.
Actually, there is no argument because I wouldn't waste my time with a forum member of your solipsistic nature, it would be like standing at the ocean shore trying to hold back the incoming tide with a shovel.
A tire doesn't have any damping when it absorbs the energy from a bump.....
Maybe one day I will get away from the BF Goodrich 255s.....I live in NY so long nice curves are out of the question...More like, avoid the next pothole or uneven road surface....
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....
Actually, there is no argument because I wouldn't waste my time with a forum member of your solipsistic nature, it would be like standing at the ocean shore trying to hold back the incoming tide with a shovel.
Have a nice day.
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; 10-26-2017 at 03:10 PM.
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!)
Actually, there is no argument because I wouldn't waste my time with a forum member of your solipsistic nature, it would be like standing at the ocean shore trying to hold back the incoming tide with a shovel.
Have a nice day.
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?
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
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.
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.
10-26-2017, 09:59 AM
I guess I have to spell out why the tires are safer for the ones who insist on making up silly arguments.
