Wheel Width Difference
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Wheel Width Difference
On the 96 I recently bought I found that the front wheels are narrower than the rears 8.5" fronts vs 9.5" rears.
Anyone have a clue as to why that is?
I'vbe been looking at some aftermarket Z06 wheels but the ones I've found come with all four at 9.5". Has anyone gone that route and replaced the front 8/5s" with 9/5"?
Having uni-directional wheels and tires when the front wheels are narrower than the rears prevent any sort of rotation.
What's the poop??
Jake
Anyone have a clue as to why that is?
I'vbe been looking at some aftermarket Z06 wheels but the ones I've found come with all four at 9.5". Has anyone gone that route and replaced the front 8/5s" with 9/5"?
Having uni-directional wheels and tires when the front wheels are narrower than the rears prevent any sort of rotation.
What's the poop??
Jake
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Hi Jake,
To my best knowledge,GM put smaller rims up front to help increase stability of the car and stop the side to side tracking of the wheels the larger rims were known for over bad pavement,or track strips on roads.
Thats how I remembered it.
To my best knowledge,GM put smaller rims up front to help increase stability of the car and stop the side to side tracking of the wheels the larger rims were known for over bad pavement,or track strips on roads.
Thats how I remembered it.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The wider tires tended to get caught in ruts in pavement making the car feel "darty". Changes in alignment and the narrower front tire helped solve those issues. The 93 cars were the first ones with the small er front tires and wheels.Z07 suspension-equipped cars (or the 96 Z51 cars) got 9 1/2" wide wheels on all four corners along with 275/40 tires so you can move up to that wheel and tire size with no problems.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by Bill's86Coupe
Hi Jake,
To my best knowledge,GM put smaller rims up front to help increase stability of the car and stop the side to side tracking of the wheels the larger rims were known for over bad pavement,or track strips on roads.
Thats how I remembered it.
To my best knowledge,GM put smaller rims up front to help increase stability of the car and stop the side to side tracking of the wheels the larger rims were known for over bad pavement,or track strips on roads.
Thats how I remembered it.
Jake
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
The wider tires tended to get caught in ruts in pavement making the car feel "darty". Changes in alignment and the narrower front tire helped solve those issues. The 93 cars were the first ones with the small er front tires and wheels.Z07 suspension-equipped cars (or the 96 Z51 cars) got 9 1/2" wide wheels on all four corners along with 275/40 tires so you can move up to that wheel and tire size with no problems.
So, as I understand it, if I decide to go with the aftermarket wheels which are 9-1/2" on both the front and rear, I'd also need to go with a different size tire on both the front and rear. Well, that's a real "downer".
Jake
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: New Freedom PA
Originally Posted by JAKE
Thanks, Bill, for that Info.
Jake
Jake
just thought I would tell you I own a 92 C4 , it came with the wide 9.5 inch wheels on all 4 corners and 275x45/17 tires.
Just 4 looks I purchased a friends wheels 93-96 "sawblade type" that were polished and 8.5 frt / 9.5 rear. 255x45/17 frt and 315x35/17 rears
WOW what a difference in ride quality! , no more lane searching , or pulling the wheel out of your hands , overall major improvement to the driveablity of the Car , I would have never beleived the difference without experiencing it first hand.
Desert
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by Desert1957
Jake,
just thought I would tell you I own a 92 C4 , it came with the wide 9.5 inch wheels on all 4 corners and 275x45/17 tires.
Just 4 looks I purchased a friends wheels 93-96 "sawblade type" that were polished and 8.5 frt / 9.5 rear. 255x45/17 frt and 315x35/17 rears
WOW what a difference in ride quality! , no more lane searching , or pulling the wheel out of your hands , overall major improvement to the driveablity of the Car , I would have never beleived the difference without experiencing it first hand.
Desert
just thought I would tell you I own a 92 C4 , it came with the wide 9.5 inch wheels on all 4 corners and 275x45/17 tires.
Just 4 looks I purchased a friends wheels 93-96 "sawblade type" that were polished and 8.5 frt / 9.5 rear. 255x45/17 frt and 315x35/17 rears
WOW what a difference in ride quality! , no more lane searching , or pulling the wheel out of your hands , overall major improvement to the driveablity of the Car , I would have never beleived the difference without experiencing it first hand.
Desert
While I don't disagree with your situation/experience, to a degree, the lane pulling/darting/changing due to larger front wheels and tires can be due to tread and tire design (compound, grooves, belt type and placement, etc.).
Just trying to add to and clear up some info.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: New Freedom PA
oops
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
First, did you mean the tires you had on the 9.5" wheels was 275-40 or 275-45? And second, I didn't think 315-35 would fit on 9.5" rear wheels, or are those actually 11" wide wheels in the rear?
While I don't disagree with your situation/experience, to a degree, the lane pulling/darting/changing due to larger front wheels and tires can be due to tread and tire design (compound, grooves, belt type and placement, etc.).
Just trying to add to and clear up some info.
While I don't disagree with your situation/experience, to a degree, the lane pulling/darting/changing due to larger front wheels and tires can be due to tread and tire design (compound, grooves, belt type and placement, etc.).
Just trying to add to and clear up some info.
You are correct about the 315's being too wide for the 9.5 wheels , I have not noticed any abnormal wear or handling issues though.
Anyone else have 315/35X17 tires on 9.5 inch rear wheels?
Desert
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,477
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Originally Posted by Desert1957
Yes , sorry for the typo, the 92 wheels have 275/40X17 (dunlop SP) tires. the 93 wheels have 255/45X17 Goodyear GSC (Front) , 315/35X17 Sumitomo's (rear).
You are correct about the 315's being too wide for the 9.5 wheels , I have not noticed any abnormal wear or handling issues though.
Anyone else have 315/35X17 tires on 9.5 inch rear wheels?
Desert
You are correct about the 315's being too wide for the 9.5 wheels , I have not noticed any abnormal wear or handling issues though.
Anyone else have 315/35X17 tires on 9.5 inch rear wheels?
Desert
If you just cruise in the car, I guess thats one thing, but I wouldn't take it to track day event with that combination.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Wallingford CT.
Hi guys... I have chrome sawblades on my 94 coupe. Right now i have 8.5 with 255's on the front and 11's with 315's on the rear. I bought a pair 9.5's for the front cause i want the tires to come out alittle bit further from the wheelwell. i am going to get 275's for the 9.5 rims over the winter. I like the way the 315's look on the back of the car.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: TEMECULA CALIFORNIA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I'vbe been looking at some aftermarket Z06 wheels but the ones I've found come with all four at 9.5". Has anyone gone that route and replaced the front 8/5s" with 9/5"?
JAKE IF YOU WANT THE 8.5 Z06 WHEELS FOR THE FRONT, CHECK WITH TOMZ WHEELS (TOMZWHEELS.COM). HE HAS THEM.
JAKE IF YOU WANT THE 8.5 Z06 WHEELS FOR THE FRONT, CHECK WITH TOMZ WHEELS (TOMZWHEELS.COM). HE HAS THEM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 590
Likes: 2
From: Fairfield CT
I put a set of AFS "Grand Sport" copy rims on my '94 with the stock size tires; 245 / 9.5" front and 285 / 11.5" rear. I didn't notice any change in sensitivity until I started running lower air pressure - 34 psi vs 38 (some tire store jockey told me low profile tires need to run high psi). The handling improved at the lower psi. I'm a daily driver guy and not an auto crosser so my perspective may be different. I like the way the 285 on the 11.5" rear looks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Originally Posted by mffi115
I put a set of AFS "Grand Sport" copy rims on my '94 with the stock size tires; 245 / 9.5" front and 285 / 11.5" rear. I didn't notice any change in sensitivity until I started running lower air pressure - 34 psi vs 38 (some tire store jockey told me low profile tires need to run high psi). The handling improved at the lower psi. I'm a daily driver guy and not an auto crosser so my perspective may be different. I like the way the 285 on the 11.5" rear looks.
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Wallingford CT.
Hi... I see that you have Magnaflow exhaust on your '94. My Magnaflow's will be delivered tomorrow.How do you like them?
Any tips you would like to pass on.....
Any tips you would like to pass on.....
Originally Posted by mffi115
I put a set of AFS "Grand Sport" copy rims on my '94 with the stock size tires; 245 / 9.5" front and 285 / 11.5" rear. I didn't notice any change in sensitivity until I started running lower air pressure - 34 psi vs 38 (some tire store jockey told me low profile tires need to run high psi). The handling improved at the lower psi. I'm a daily driver guy and not an auto crosser so my perspective may be different. I like the way the 285 on the 11.5" rear looks.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 590
Likes: 2
From: Fairfield CT
Originally Posted by 9vette4
Hi... I see that you have Magnaflow exhaust on your '94. My Magnaflow's will be delivered tomorrow.How do you like them?
Any tips you would like to pass on.....
Any tips you would like to pass on.....
One thing. The mounting bracket on the left one broke a few weeks ago at the weld on the muff body and left it hanging. I used a couple large metal hose clamps to jury rig it until I can get my LT headers and I'll pull it and have it rewelded.
If you're going to do it yourself, don't cut too much of the stock pipe off. Measure twice - cut once. I measured once and had barely enough left to clamp. It lasted until I got it to the local shop and had them weld them.
Last edited by mffi115; Oct 19, 2006 at 12:26 PM.
