tire size
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
tire size
What size tires are you all running on the rear of your car, I know it depends on your wheel size, so please state that. What I am wanting to find out is ultimitly the total tire diameter.
My car is running C5 wheels which means my rear wheel is a 9.5 X 18 inch. I am runnig 275/40/18 which has a diamiter of around 26.5 inches. I seem to see other vettes with either 275/40/17 or 285/40/17 on the rear, those would yield 25.7 to 25.9 inches Ultimitly this means I am running too large of a tire by betwen half and inch to 1 inch. I need to buy new tires for autox and if I go with 274/35/18 I would be at 25.7 which I am guessing would be closer to stock. The plus is more quick off the line, the negative is the gap from tire to body will increase which is ugly.
Anyway just wanting to confirm what most are running to see it my figures make sense.
My car is running C5 wheels which means my rear wheel is a 9.5 X 18 inch. I am runnig 275/40/18 which has a diamiter of around 26.5 inches. I seem to see other vettes with either 275/40/17 or 285/40/17 on the rear, those would yield 25.7 to 25.9 inches Ultimitly this means I am running too large of a tire by betwen half and inch to 1 inch. I need to buy new tires for autox and if I go with 274/35/18 I would be at 25.7 which I am guessing would be closer to stock. The plus is more quick off the line, the negative is the gap from tire to body will increase which is ugly.
Anyway just wanting to confirm what most are running to see it my figures make sense.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,771
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I would go with a 285/35-18 which is approx. 25.85"
The factory 285/40-17 on my '96 is approx. 25.98"
The 285/35 will get you back to very close to the factory specs.
And that tire will fit on you current 9.5" rim.
The factory 285/40-17 on my '96 is approx. 25.98"
The 285/35 will get you back to very close to the factory specs.
And that tire will fit on you current 9.5" rim.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
If you're serious about auto-x you may want to consider matching sizes front to rear.
In 93 they changed to a narrower tire up front and then offered a "performance handling" package that included the same size.
In 93 they changed to a narrower tire up front and then offered a "performance handling" package that included the same size.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,698
Likes: 3,467
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
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
