1994 wheels
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 19
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1994 wheels
I have a 1994 that has the 8.5 inch wheels in front and 9.5 in back. The original rims were chrome and are getting a lot of pitting.
A friend has a great set of 1992 regular rims in perfect condition.. non chrome.. My question is my front tires are 245-40 -17 and the rears are 295-40-17
can the front tires be mounted on the 9.5 inch rims and what would the negatives be .. Thanks
A friend has a great set of 1992 regular rims in perfect condition.. non chrome.. My question is my front tires are 245-40 -17 and the rears are 295-40-17
can the front tires be mounted on the 9.5 inch rims and what would the negatives be .. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Ahh I thought those sounded just a little off. The 255x45 will technically fit on the 9.5" wide rims but you will be stretching the sidewall a bit and you may loose some handling ability as a result.
A number of the late model C4's (94-96) when ordered with the Z07 suspension pkg actually came with 9.5" wheels on all 4 corners BUT they used 275x40x17 tires on all 4 corners. My 95 came this way. The advantage here is that you can rotate the wheels & tires from front to back and significantly improve the # miles that you will get out of a set of tires! Just something to consider.
As a point of clarification there were no C4s that came from the factory with chrome plated wheels. The later years came with machined surfaces with a clear coat over them. The previous owner may have had his wheels chromed after purchase.
A number of the late model C4's (94-96) when ordered with the Z07 suspension pkg actually came with 9.5" wheels on all 4 corners BUT they used 275x40x17 tires on all 4 corners. My 95 came this way. The advantage here is that you can rotate the wheels & tires from front to back and significantly improve the # miles that you will get out of a set of tires! Just something to consider.
As a point of clarification there were no C4s that came from the factory with chrome plated wheels. The later years came with machined surfaces with a clear coat over them. The previous owner may have had his wheels chromed after purchase.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,770
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Ahh I thought those sounded just a little off. The 255x45 will technically fit on the 9.5" wide rims but you will be stretching the sidewall a bit and you may loose some handling ability as a result.
A number of the late model C4's (94-96) when ordered with the Z07 suspension pkg actually came with 9.5" wheels on all 4 corners BUT they used 275x40x17 tires on all 4 corners. My 95 came this way. The advantage here is that you can rotate the wheels & tires from front to back and significantly improve the # miles that you will get out of a set of tires! Just something to consider.
As a point of clarification there were no C4s that came from the factory with chrome plated wheels. The later years came with machined surfaces with a clear coat over them. The previous owner may have had his wheels chromed after purchase.
A number of the late model C4's (94-96) when ordered with the Z07 suspension pkg actually came with 9.5" wheels on all 4 corners BUT they used 275x40x17 tires on all 4 corners. My 95 came this way. The advantage here is that you can rotate the wheels & tires from front to back and significantly improve the # miles that you will get out of a set of tires! Just something to consider.
As a point of clarification there were no C4s that came from the factory with chrome plated wheels. The later years came with machined surfaces with a clear coat over them. The previous owner may have had his wheels chromed after purchase.
When I went to the ZR-1 replica's (9.5"), I mounted the original front (255/45) on that rim.
As mentioned it fit, but it looked funny. The tire width at the bead (rim contact point) was wider than the tread width of the tire.
So, I replace that tire with the 275/40 size. I kept the 285/40 on the rear though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
The '92 wheels are slightly different than the '93-'96 wheels. The '91-'92 are painted, while the '93-'96 are the same basic style but have machined surfaces on the face that are clear coated. Look at the face on the 'vanes" the later ones have a machined flat on the face, while the early ones do not. Both types are very similar, but if you have any concern on original looks, it may be an issue. (For my opinion, I like the looks of the later machined ones better, but I have had both).
The 255/45/17 tires can be mounted on 9.5" wheels. If you look at the manufacturers recommendations (look at a tire on Tire Rack and look at specifications. It will show the recommended rim widths) most tires of this size have a recommended rim width including 9.5".
The appearance questionable. Some tires of the same size are actually wider/narrower and have wider/narrower tread widths. I had some Firestone and some Sumitomo HTR Z tires in 255/40/17 size. The Sumitomos were nearly an inch wider than the Firestones. I had the Sumitomo's on a '94 front, but later put them on a C5 Z06 front wheel (17" x 9.5"). I did not mind the appearance, but the Firestones would have looked quite small.
My opinion is that the 255/45/17 tire size generally will work on the 9.5", however due to appearance (and I like wider tires) I think going back to a 275/40/17 or 285/40/17 tire is a better choice (I have run both sizes on all four wheels.) So perhaps you could use your tires until you replace them, then upgrade to the wider size.
Good luck.
The 255/45/17 tires can be mounted on 9.5" wheels. If you look at the manufacturers recommendations (look at a tire on Tire Rack and look at specifications. It will show the recommended rim widths) most tires of this size have a recommended rim width including 9.5".
The appearance questionable. Some tires of the same size are actually wider/narrower and have wider/narrower tread widths. I had some Firestone and some Sumitomo HTR Z tires in 255/40/17 size. The Sumitomos were nearly an inch wider than the Firestones. I had the Sumitomo's on a '94 front, but later put them on a C5 Z06 front wheel (17" x 9.5"). I did not mind the appearance, but the Firestones would have looked quite small.
My opinion is that the 255/45/17 tire size generally will work on the 9.5", however due to appearance (and I like wider tires) I think going back to a 275/40/17 or 285/40/17 tire is a better choice (I have run both sizes on all four wheels.) So perhaps you could use your tires until you replace them, then upgrade to the wider size.
Good luck.
