Tire Size
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If you upgrade to 17" wheels, you can run a 275/40-17 or a 285/40-17. These sizes are very close to the diameter of the 255/50-16 tire mounted on the 16" rear wheel.
There are ZR-1 style wheels available with the proper 38mm offset so that the wheel will sit "correctly" in the wheelwell. If you want 17x11 ZR-1 wheels for the rear, you can use a 315/53-17 tire.
Or you can purchase 3/4" adapters and use 88 and later C4 wheels. Same with stock C5 wheels.
There are ZR-1 style wheels available with the proper 38mm offset so that the wheel will sit "correctly" in the wheelwell. If you want 17x11 ZR-1 wheels for the rear, you can use a 315/53-17 tire.
Or you can purchase 3/4" adapters and use 88 and later C4 wheels. Same with stock C5 wheels.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
With the 8.5" wheels I have seen 245/50/16 tires used. There are more choices available in this size. The speedometer will read a little bit more than you are actually doing (about 1 or 2 mph at highway speeds).
With the 9.5" wheels I think the 245's might be a little too small, but it is close and they might work.
I am needing some tires for my 85 Z51 (9.5") and I am also not sure what I will try.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
From: Sykesville Maryland
If you want to stay with the stock wheels there are not too many choices. The 255's are disappearing as new tire choices.
With the 8.5" wheels I have seen 245/50/16 tires used. There are more choices available in this size. The speedometer will read a little bit more than you are actually doing (about 1 or 2 mph at highway speeds).
With the 9.5" wheels I think the 245's might be a little too small, but it is close and they might work.
I am needing some tires for my 85 Z51 (9.5") and I am also not sure what I will try.
With the 8.5" wheels I have seen 245/50/16 tires used. There are more choices available in this size. The speedometer will read a little bit more than you are actually doing (about 1 or 2 mph at highway speeds).
With the 9.5" wheels I think the 245's might be a little too small, but it is close and they might work.
I am needing some tires for my 85 Z51 (9.5") and I am also not sure what I will try.
Does anyone know how long it's been since Goodyear stopped making the Gatorbacks?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 5
From: Bay Shore, NY
I bought a set of Falken Ziex ZE-512's for my 85. They were a good replacement for the worn BFG's that came on the car when I bought it. They are roughly $100 each. I know they are backordered at tires.com, but this site may have them in stock: http://www.performancetread.com/bran...tire_width=155
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita CA
I too need new tires and I have found that all of the BFG 255/50-16
G-force Sports are on back order.
Called BFG to get a status and they did not have a date for when tires would be available.
The only choice from them that anyone has is the drag radial in 255/50-16.
G-force Sports are on back order.
Called BFG to get a status and they did not have a date for when tires would be available.
The only choice from them that anyone has is the drag radial in 255/50-16.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 5
From: Bay Shore, NY
