C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

tire size

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Old Mar 17, 2014 | 05:41 PM
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my 85 has 255' s 16 inch rims....going to replace the mags yet the vette suppliers mags are almost always 17 and up for c4.s rather than rely on tire store reps blowing sunshine up you know what, i'll rely on you guys on whats best....if I get bigger rims do I have to get a smaller tire?...I like them wide...Paul....
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Old Mar 17, 2014 | 05:44 PM
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I'd run nothing less than the standard 275's that came on the later model years. If you get a wider wheel say a 17X11 for the rear 315's can be put on there with the correct wheel. Just my .02
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Old Mar 17, 2014 | 05:50 PM
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I have 18x9.5 on my 1985 and 275/35 all the way around.
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Old Mar 17, 2014 | 06:09 PM
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Originally Posted by TBSS/85vette
I have 18x9.5 on my 1985 and 275/35 all the way around.
sounds about right.....any difference the the speedometer??
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Old Mar 17, 2014 | 07:24 PM
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No change at all.
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Old Mar 17, 2014 | 07:49 PM
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275/40-17s
315/35-17s
275/35-18s
Are all the same height (very slight variations from different brands but nothing to be concerned about).

Last edited by 3JsVette; Mar 17, 2014 at 07:52 PM.
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Old Mar 17, 2014 | 08:08 PM
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A popular replacement wheel choice is the ZR-1 style wheel that is made with the proper 38mm offset for the 84-87 C4's. This wheel is a 17x9.5 and you can mount a 275/40-17 tire. Use the same size tire and wheel on all 4 corners so that you can rotate the tires for longer tread life. The 275/40 tire has almost the same diameter and tread width as the 255/50-16 so you won't have any issues with the speedo or odometer.

You can get a 17x11 wheel and use a 315/35-17 tire but that size is getting harder to find. The "real" ZR-1 wheel has a 36mm offset and it will fit on the rear of the early cars. But you lose the ability to rotate tires.

A good wheel brand are those from AFS Wheels; they advertise of eBay so just do a search there for "AFS Corvette wheels" There are some other vendors that will have the same design too. I have two sets of AFS wheels; one set for autocross with Hoosier A6's and another set for track use with Nitto NT05's. Never had a problem with them and they really don't take a lot of wheel weights to balance.
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Old Mar 18, 2014 | 01:54 AM
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Originally Posted by playsdixie
sounds about right.....any difference the the speedometer??

I have an 85 with auto trans and 3.07 rear, with 275/40/17 all round on 9.5 inch wide rims. the speedo displays the same as my gps so perfect.

Chrome wheels look good, depending on the color of your vette.

You can get 88-96 wheels with adapters OR the correct offset wheels, they do have The A mold wheels with correct 84-87 offsets at corvette central.




Last edited by gerardvg; Mar 18, 2014 at 01:57 AM.
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Old Mar 18, 2014 | 07:51 PM
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thank you for all your input....the forum is great....that afs site is for me.....paul
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