Tire Sizes
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 250
Likes: 5
From: Winchester VA
Tire Sizes
I am somewhat new to 'Corvette World' and preparing to buy a C4.
After looking at C4 specs I noticed that most of them come with different tires (and rims) for front and back with back being wider.
I assume this helps in handling on curves, etc.
My question is: Why not make the front the same? is it because of wheel well is not large enough?
It seems somewhat inefficient to have totally different wheels on front and back and I would assume that the tires will never wear evenly. Thus you would need to replace the front set much sooner than the back or vice versa.
I also saw where some some have changed their C4 so that all four wheels/ tires are the same. Is this recommended? If so, what size do you go with? I would guess the front size?
After looking at C4 specs I noticed that most of them come with different tires (and rims) for front and back with back being wider.
I assume this helps in handling on curves, etc.
My question is: Why not make the front the same? is it because of wheel well is not large enough?
It seems somewhat inefficient to have totally different wheels on front and back and I would assume that the tires will never wear evenly. Thus you would need to replace the front set much sooner than the back or vice versa.
I also saw where some some have changed their C4 so that all four wheels/ tires are the same. Is this recommended? If so, what size do you go with? I would guess the front size?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
Your right, its not very efficient to have different sizes on your car.Many of the C4 years had this and it works ok till your tires start to wear then you can't rotate..I am in the process now of shopping for a new set of wheels and they will all be the same size.. 17 X 9.5 is the size Im going with and the tires will be 275-40-17 , this is the standard size tire for this rim but some do run a 285. These will fit your vette all way around with no problem, but with the wider tires you may have more drifting when the tires are on a road that has ruts. I believe the front end wondering is why GM went with the smaller tire in the front to start with.Also if you buy directional tires you can only rotate front to back, not side to side...WW
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 36
From: Waynesboro, PA
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
The tires were the same size front and rear on the C4 through 1992, I believe. At that point, they were 275's. In 93, they made the fronts 255's and the rears 285's. They said it helped with straight line tracking, with the highway ruts and such. The Z07 cars still came with 275's all the way around, which they said was better for cornering/handling. Either way, you can't go wrong. Just don't put wider ones on the front than the rear. I've heard of some who actually have 315's all the way around. Personally, I have 275's on front and 315's on the rear of my 94, which is also the setup ZR-1's came with. Welcome to the world of Corvettes, and open up your checkbook....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 250
Likes: 5
From: Winchester VA
Your right, its not very efficient to have different sizes on your car.Many of the C4 years had this and it works ok till your tires start to wear then you can't rotate..I am in the process now of shopping for a new set of wheels and they will all be the same size.. 17 X 9.5 is the size Im going with and the tires will be 275-40-17 , this is the standard size tire for this rim but some do run a 285. These will fit your vette all way around with no problem, but with the wider tires you may have more drifting when the tires are on a road that has ruts. I believe the front end wondering is why GM went with the smaller tire in the front to start with.Also if you buy directional tires you can only rotate front to back, not side to side...WW
275-40-7 tires - do you expect any noticeable change in the car handling or performance by having all four tires this size? sometimes 'performance purists' go to an extreme with their toys and to a point that the normal person really would not notice any difference (especially for the extra $$ that it costs).....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 250
Likes: 5
From: Winchester VA
The tires were the same size front and rear on the C4 through 1992, I believe. At that point, they were 275's. In 93, they made the fronts 255's and the rears 285's. They said it helped with straight line tracking, with the highway ruts and such. The Z07 cars still came with 275's all the way around, which they said was better for cornering/handling. Either way, you can't go wrong. Just don't put wider ones on the front than the rear. I've heard of some who actually have 315's all the way around. Personally, I have 275's on front and 315's on the rear of my 94, which is also the setup ZR-1's came with. Welcome to the world of Corvettes, and open up your checkbook....
I am hoping to drive this car daily (weather permitting). I drive 30 miles to get to work and it is a combination of highway, some traffic lights, and some country road.....am I being realistic? I already have another car, so the Corvette will not be my only car.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
The C4 Corvette is a very reliable vehicle IF taken care of. Always buy the newest Vette you can afford in the best condition.
I drive my "91" Vette daily and it gets a Combined city/highway mileage of 20 mpg (if I control my right foot). Most parts are available everywhere. My Vette has the stock 275/40/17 tires on 17x9.5" wheels on all four corners and handles great but, the front end will track grooves or ruts in the pavement because of the wide tires (not a problem though).
You can expect to pay between $8000 and up for a well maintained decent mileage C4 Vette, anything less and you will most likely be investing a lot of money into routine maintenance.
I drive my "91" Vette daily and it gets a Combined city/highway mileage of 20 mpg (if I control my right foot). Most parts are available everywhere. My Vette has the stock 275/40/17 tires on 17x9.5" wheels on all four corners and handles great but, the front end will track grooves or ruts in the pavement because of the wide tires (not a problem though).
You can expect to pay between $8000 and up for a well maintained decent mileage C4 Vette, anything less and you will most likely be investing a lot of money into routine maintenance.
Last edited by GKK; Jan 13, 2009 at 02:55 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,956
Likes: 706
From: WI
If you aren't into corner carving then the reduced cost of a smaller front tire may equal in cost the ability to rotate a larger set. I have 285 on all four of mine and it tracks a lot depending on the road. It'll pull enough that you need to watch the road, you can't look out the side window and expect to continue in a straight line. I don't consider it dangerous but you should know it may add stress to a daily commute.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
If you aren't into corner carving then the reduced cost of a smaller front tire may equal in cost the ability to rotate a larger set. I have 285 on all four of mine and it tracks a lot depending on the road. It'll pull enough that you need to watch the road, you can't look out the side window and expect to continue in a straight line. I don't consider it dangerous but you should know it may add stress to a daily commute.
but remember, thats what the left lanes are for. (less grooves)
Last edited by ekess744; Jan 13, 2009 at 03:25 PM.
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