1996Z15

I am considering buying new tires for the car and was wondering what the largest tire would fit on the 9.5" rear rims? I don't have the money to buy 11" rims to enable me to go the 315 route so if someone knows what will fit on the 9.5" rim I'd appreciate it.

Midnite 88

A 285/40/17 will do nicely.

BlackBeast2

I would really like to find a 295/35 as replacements, but so far have been unable to locate any.

vader86

Id use 285s

Mikez40

Check this chart out, it should answer your question. http://michelinman.com/assets/pdfs/doc_pilotsport.pdf

Alex D

I have seen 315/35s on 9.5x17s in Bloomington,,,,,

scorp508

You can put a 315 on a 9.5" wide rim, but it won't give you the same contact patch as it would on an 11" rim. It'll give more sidewall "bunching" and be good for launches as the tire will want to wrinkle.

any4xx

When I first bought my '86 it had 315's on the stock 9.5's. They actually cleared everything, laid a nice footprint, and filled the wells nicely. They were Mitchelin MXL's or something close to that letter designation. Now I'm running the stock sizes though.

Tom.

HOWSER

I'm running 295-35-18's on mine. Fit is great. As others have said some folks have gone up to a 315, but the fit isn't the best.

Eric

dizwiz24

According to the 2000 Tire Guide, A Bennet Garfield Publication for Goodyear/Kelly/Dunlop....


285's are the widest tire for recommended use on a 9.5" rim.

Its true the sidewalls will wrinkle more (a little better for launches) since your ply cords wont be in tension with a larger size tire.

However, scary handling characteristics will be the result. Stretching the ply cords will give better steering response.

mitymek

check this out http://www.c5-corvette.com/tirecalc.htm
i to am tire shopping for 9.5 rims atm.
it bugs me to see taller gear ratio for 285's
and i street more than strip so think i'll pass on the 315's
the sumitomo htrz2 in stock size is only 122.00 ea
look pretty good....for budget tires.
oddly the old sumitomo htrz tires are cheaper (like 114 ea) and are z rated.
the htrz2 style is only w (i think)
they never make it easy....
good luck :cheers:

C10 JDR

When I was buying tires, I checked out the tire manufacturers sites, many of those said what size rims their rubber would fit. :)

Phil-tha-Rush

I have 295 (18) on the rear of mine. Look good, but I wouldnt go any larger :seeya

click on my HOMEPAGE link in my sig to get a better look :D


[Modified by Phil-tha-Rush, 8:31 AM 7/8/2003]

_freakmonkeydogboy_

i have 285s on all 4 corners, but i had 295s on the rear and have seen 315s, but you can see what i ended up with :D

vette_dreamer

for 17 rims with9.5", the largest recommended by most manufacturers is 285

TA

285/40/17 is the largest tire you can safely put on a 17x9.5 rim

BlackBeast2

I sure would like to find some 285 or 295 by 35's. Not been easy to locate.