17" vs 18" wheels?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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17" vs 18" wheels?
I'm still debating on what looks best?
It seems to me that the 18" wheels look best when the car is lowered substantially more than stock. Plus the 35 is more harsh of a ride no?
But the 17 inch wheels, some of them seem like the tire is too thick (40) (from looking at the c4 wheel thread).
It seems to me that the 18" wheels look best when the car is lowered substantially more than stock. Plus the 35 is more harsh of a ride no?
But the 17 inch wheels, some of them seem like the tire is too thick (40) (from looking at the c4 wheel thread).
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I'm still debating on what looks best?
It seems to me that the 18" wheels look best when the car is lowered substantially more than stock. Plus the 35 is more harsh of a ride no?
But the 17 inch wheels, some of them seem like the tire is too thick (40) (from looking at the c4 wheel thread).
It seems to me that the 18" wheels look best when the car is lowered substantially more than stock. Plus the 35 is more harsh of a ride no?
But the 17 inch wheels, some of them seem like the tire is too thick (40) (from looking at the c4 wheel thread).
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,022
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From: Chandler Arizona
i remember reading an article about wheel diameter and performance... the 17 is the "better" choice based on rotational mass... although if we're going on strictly looks, I do believe a "staggered" look 17f/18r or 18f/r would be best.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 526
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From: San Angelo Texas
I'm doing C5 wagon wheel 18's on all 4 corners. I am keeping the 40 series tires with the 18's which will add 1" total height to the wheels. At the fender well it should be about 1/2" closer to the fender. I think doing that and then cutting down the rubber bumpers on the springs to lower the vette another 1/2" would look sick! Cool part is with the added tire diameter the total height of the car should be the same. You just have to figure out how to correct the speedo error. From my math with the 18"s and 275/40/18 tires I have about a 4% error.
Oh, and on another note the C5 rear wheels have the correct offset. The front C5 17" wheels sit about 1/2" in farther than the stock C4 wheels.
Oh, and on another note the C5 rear wheels have the correct offset. The front C5 17" wheels sit about 1/2" in farther than the stock C4 wheels.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
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From: Vero Beach Florida
I run 18's all the way around on my 87 the only down side is the added cost of tires. You can use this site to see your speedo changes.
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
I have 275/40/18's on all 4 corners. They fill the wheel wells nicely + I like the extra ground clearance on my 1/4 mile of gravel driveway.
Lowering by mechanical methods will require realignment.
Speedo results, 70 mph indicated = 72 mph actual verified by Tom Tom & Garmin GPS units. Your results my vary dependent on tire brand as the squat radius per brand may be different.
Lowering by mechanical methods will require realignment.
Speedo results, 70 mph indicated = 72 mph actual verified by Tom Tom & Garmin GPS units. Your results my vary dependent on tire brand as the squat radius per brand may be different.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
What "Looks the Best" are 18's in my opinion. Buy a good Forged lightweight wheel and some low profile tires and your Vette will look Real Nice!
Also, whatever wheel size you go with, the suspension will have to be lowered front and rear to get the look just right.
Also, whatever wheel size you go with, the suspension will have to be lowered front and rear to get the look just right.
Last edited by GKK; May 11, 2009 at 10:54 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,283
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From: Houston Texas
Poncho those look sweet.
18's would be my choice as I have already had 2 sets of 17's and 2 sets of 18's on my car in 6 years. 19's are my favorite but then tires in the widths I want get real expensive and hard to hook up with big power.
18's would be my choice as I have already had 2 sets of 17's and 2 sets of 18's on my car in 6 years. 19's are my favorite but then tires in the widths I want get real expensive and hard to hook up with big power.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
If you are installing 18"
I installed 285/40ZR18 all around on my 95.
I wish I have installed 285/35ZR18
I wish I have installed 285/35ZR18
