tires
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 223
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From: barnegat new jersey
tires
I have been shopping for tires for my 1996 firestone has a listing for 275/ 40 r17 has any one used these on front and back with stock rims thanks in advance for all replies
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 213
Likes: 23
From: Fond Du lac Wisconsin
I ran the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires on my 90 C4 3 years ago.. Very good tire. Awesome in the rain. However, I believe that the V pattern style thread pattern is no longer in production. Have you looked into the Riken Raptor ZR A/S? I just bought some last week from Tire Rack. 48 hrs from order to front porch.. Very good reviews and less money than the Firestones. About $390 for a set of 4. Made by Michelin.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,090
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
I also recommend the Rikens, as long as you don't crave really sharp steering response. They don't provide that. OTOH, they do provide pretty good ride quality and low tread noise, and decent grip.
So if your car is originally a Z51 suspension, it will have 17x9.5" wheels at all four corners, and originally came with that 275/40r17 tire size at all four corners (as FAUEE mentioned). If your car is a base model like mine, it came with 17x8.5" wheels up front and 17x9.5 in back - the "staggered" wheel setup. The OE tire sizes were 255/45 front, and 285/40 rear. As you may have already figured out, there are almost no choices in that size anymore, from anyone. You can go with 245/45 front and 275/40 rear with no problems - both will be about 1/2" shorter that the larger tires, but look good that way. If you have 8.5"-wide wheels up front, I wouldn't recommend shoehorning the 275/40 tires on them. They will physically fit, but they will not work as well as the correct 245/45 size.
So if your car is originally a Z51 suspension, it will have 17x9.5" wheels at all four corners, and originally came with that 275/40r17 tire size at all four corners (as FAUEE mentioned). If your car is a base model like mine, it came with 17x8.5" wheels up front and 17x9.5 in back - the "staggered" wheel setup. The OE tire sizes were 255/45 front, and 285/40 rear. As you may have already figured out, there are almost no choices in that size anymore, from anyone. You can go with 245/45 front and 275/40 rear with no problems - both will be about 1/2" shorter that the larger tires, but look good that way. If you have 8.5"-wide wheels up front, I wouldn't recommend shoehorning the 275/40 tires on them. They will physically fit, but they will not work as well as the correct 245/45 size.
