early c4 wheel question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
early c4 wheel question
I am shopping for tires for my 1985.
On the back I have the z51 model rims, which are 16 x 9.5"
The stock size tire for that rim is a 255/50/16... but that seems too small for a 9.5 rim.
I look at tire rack and the tires I want, say the acceptable rim with is 7" to 9" for a 255/50/16 (yokohama's).
So what's up?
What size can I use that might be more appropriate for a 16x9.5?
what effect would a wider tire have?
On the back I have the z51 model rims, which are 16 x 9.5"
The stock size tire for that rim is a 255/50/16... but that seems too small for a 9.5 rim.
I look at tire rack and the tires I want, say the acceptable rim with is 7" to 9" for a 255/50/16 (yokohama's).
So what's up?
What size can I use that might be more appropriate for a 16x9.5?
what effect would a wider tire have?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Does anyone make a wider tire in a 50 aspect ratio? The car came with 255/50/16's front and rear on 8 1/2" front and 9 1/2" rear wheels. I'd say wider tires would be fine, if you can locate any. I just had a pair of 245/50/16's mounted on 9 1/2" wheels. Now THEY look silly. I had thought they were going onto the 8 1/2" wheels, until it was too late.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
I can't believe you fit a 245 on a 9.5" rim. 
My reason to avoid wider tires if possible is that I dont want to mess up the speedo.
But do you think a 265 (or even 275) tire would be okay?
I looked a little more and I found a set of Sumitomo's that say the acceptable rim width is 10" - the tread width on those tires is a lot wider (almost an inch wider then the yokohama and bfg's I was looking at).
My reason to avoid wider tires if possible is that I dont want to mess up the speedo.
But do you think a 265 (or even 275) tire would be okay?
I looked a little more and I found a set of Sumitomo's that say the acceptable rim width is 10" - the tread width on those tires is a lot wider (almost an inch wider then the yokohama and bfg's I was looking at).
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Fallbrook Ca
If you go with 275's you will need to go with a 45 aspect ratio. try fooling around with this:
http://www.miatanet.com/garage/tirecalc.html
http://www.miatanet.com/garage/tirecalc.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
315/40-16 XGTV Michelins Sports (old school) hanging on the back of my '86. This might be a hard size to find, as I've only seen them from Michelin and only shoehorned on the back of someones Vette. 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by Calsquid
If you go with 275's you will need to go with a 45 aspect ratio. try fooling around with this:
http://www.miatanet.com/garage/tirecalc.html
http://www.miatanet.com/garage/tirecalc.html
That's a cool link, thanks
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by mikey whipreck
I can't believe you fit a 245 on a 9.5" rim.
My reason to avoid wider tires if possible is that I dont want to mess up the speedo.
My reason to avoid wider tires if possible is that I dont want to mess up the speedo.
A minor width difference, alone should have little effect on the speedo. Personally, I have never seen or heard of anything wider than a 255. If you can get 265's or 275's, I'd go for them.
Originally Posted by Stefan Nord
C4 17x9,5 wheels has 275 original...so it´s perfect with 275
Originally Posted by loiq
I have 255/50/16s on my 87 with Z51 rims. They look fine.
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Originally Posted by kkonen
Non z51 used 255/50 16s. I think 275/16 was stock on Z51, but I don't remember the aspect ratio. I know stock tires were Goodyear. I raced on some 265 kumho victorracers once that fit really well.
Non Z51's got the 8.5" 16" wheels, which from Gm came with 255/50 16's..
Z51's got the 9.5" wheels all around but the same tire width..Go figure..
I have been through 4 sets of wheels with my vette, and to whoever that is running 315/40's on his 9.5" 17" wheels, they shouldn't be. For 9.5" wheels they are way too thick and will not contact the ground perfectly.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by kkonen
Non z51 used 255/50 16s. I think 275/16 was stock on Z51, but I don't remember the aspect ratio.
RACE ON!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
Originally Posted by MrNuke
and to whoever that is running 315/40's on his 9.5" 17" wheels, they shouldn't be. For 9.5" wheels they are way too thick and will not contact the ground perfectly.
No, it's not optimum for best lateral handling, but it definately helps the 0-60 times. And it will pacify my urge for new rolling stock til next year.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 641
Likes: 3
From: Long Island NY
I have a set of Michelin Sport XGT Plus tires to sell. (2) 315/40ZR16 and(2) 255/45ZR16 that are mint with maybe 8500 miles on them. I had the 315's on the 9.5" rims and never had any issues with them. I just changed rim size and tires to allow for bigger brakes.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...1133867&page=2
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...1133867&page=2
