Front tire size for 9.5" wheels
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 392
Likes: 6
From: Churchville PA
Front tire size for 9.5" wheels
What size tires are you guys running on the front for 9.5" wheels? I put on a set of black ZR1 replica spokes and they're 9.5 all around... the front tires are 255/45/17 Firehawk Wide Ovals and Firestone specs say they're good for 8.0-9.5" wheel however, the sidewall looks stretched like the rim is too wide.
I'm looking to go a bit wider to fit the wheel better but, wanted to see what everyone else is running for fronts on 9.5" wheels...
Thanks,
Chris
I'm looking to go a bit wider to fit the wheel better but, wanted to see what everyone else is running for fronts on 9.5" wheels...
Thanks,
Chris
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,771
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
What size tires are you guys running on the front for 9.5" wheels? I put on a set of black ZR1 replica spokes and they're 9.5 all around... the front tires are 255/45/17 Firehawk Wide Ovals and Firestone specs say they're good for 8.0-9.5" wheel however, the sidewall looks stretched like the rim is too wide.
I'm looking to go a bit wider to fit the wheel better but, wanted to see what everyone else is running for fronts on 9.5" wheels...
Thanks,
Chris
I'm looking to go a bit wider to fit the wheel better but, wanted to see what everyone else is running for fronts on 9.5" wheels...
Thanks,
Chris
Although they will fit on 9.5" wheels, they do look a little funny.
The factory 9.5" wheels for the front came with 275/40-17 tires.
285/40-17 will also fit just fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
These are the listed tire size for the 9.5" rim...WW
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
This or 285/40's are the best bet for an all-around match. They'd provide the option to rotate your tires (if you wanted to).
I like the 275 option best -- so the front wheel well doesn't look to full. But people who like lowered cars may feel the opposite.
For appearance, the 255 fronts and 285 rears provide the better visual balance. Or...275 fronts with 315 rears. That way, the wheel wells are more equally filled.
I like the 275 option best -- so the front wheel well doesn't look to full. But people who like lowered cars may feel the opposite.
For appearance, the 255 fronts and 285 rears provide the better visual balance. Or...275 fronts with 315 rears. That way, the wheel wells are more equally filled.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 243
I have ZO6 replicas, the fronts are 17x9.5" and currently have 285 tires which look to fit perfectly. I considered reusing the 255s off my stock wheels but decided they would look very stretched.
I just bought 275s to replace them but havent had them mounted yet.
My opinion is that for a front wheel a 275-285 is OK on a 9.5" wheel.
Side note, the 285s do 'track' just a BIT on the highway and I imagine the 275s will as well. I don't find it bothersome but I've heard that is why the Vettes went to a skinnier front wheel at some point late in the C4 run.
I imagine your wheels are staggered size and cannot be rotated anyway. I run 295s in the back on 18x10.5
I just bought 275s to replace them but havent had them mounted yet.
My opinion is that for a front wheel a 275-285 is OK on a 9.5" wheel.
Side note, the 285s do 'track' just a BIT on the highway and I imagine the 275s will as well. I don't find it bothersome but I've heard that is why the Vettes went to a skinnier front wheel at some point late in the C4 run.
I imagine your wheels are staggered size and cannot be rotated anyway. I run 295s in the back on 18x10.5
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
I have Boyd Coddington 17 x 10 Smoothies on all four corners, with 275 x 40s all around. I may go with 285s on the rear next time but will probably stick with the 275s on the front so I don't have clearance problems. Putting 315s on the rear may cause problems without flaring out the fenders and I'm not sure if 315s would fit on a 10" wheel.
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Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 670
Likes: 55
I ran 255's for a long time on 9.5's they always looked funny. Then I went with 285 on the same rims in front, looked great but they track and dart at highway speeds, it was a pretty unsettling feeling. Now I have 275's on the same rims, very good choice in my opinion.
