When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Just picked up a 1996 Collectors Edition. Has 8.5 " wheels on the front and 9.5"s wheels on the rear. Staggered tires are limited to one vendor Continental.
Is anyone running 275/40R17 tires on their front 8.5 inch wheels. I had a Z51 with these tires on all 4 corners but it had 9.5" wheels all around. I was wondering if those running these tires on 8.5' wheels noticed any difference. Thank you in advance.
I believe that the 8.5" wheel is too narrow for 275.
Like your Z51 my 95 Z07 has them on all 4 corners on the 9.5" wheels. BTW continental is not a bad tire at all I've run the Conti Extreme Contact DWS for years on a separate set of wheels for my winter rain & snow tires.
The 285s choices are limited than the 275s but there are several different manufacturers. 275 on the 8.5 will cause sidewall to bow in towards rim. It will be noticeable. Some owners go to 275 rears and 245 fronts. Tire diameter is about .250-.300 difference between the 285 and 275 tires so speedometer is close.
The 285s choices are limited than the 275s but there are several different manufacturers. 275 on the 8.5 will cause sidewall to bow in towards rim. It will be noticeable. Some owners go to 275 rears and 245 fronts. Tire diameter is about .250-.300 difference between the 285 and 275 tires so speedometer is close.
Thank you. I checked and there are more choices for these two slightly smaller sizes than the stock sizes. Very appreciated advice.
8.5" then add 1" since wheels are measured inside the beads. Then multiply by 25.4 to get get millimeters. 241mm so find a tire closest to 241 which off the top of my head would be 255 err 245. That's the ideal size for the wheel. You can go wider but it's not ideal
Or just accept the fact that sooner or later you will need to change rims as tire sizes get slimmer, so if you can afford it, do it now and save yourself some grief.
The advantage to going to the same size rims and running same size tires is being able to rotate the tires to some degree and not wear the fronts prematurely.
Or just accept the fact that sooner or later you will need to change rims as tire sizes get slimmer, so if you can afford it, do it now and save yourself some grief.
The advantage to going to the same size rims and running same size tires is being able to rotate the tires to some degree and not wear the fronts prematurely.
Thank you. I had previously owned a 1996 Z51 with the same 9.5" wheels on all four corners. It was easier to select tires with more choices.
Pretty much I agree with all the above. The best play IMO is to move to 245/45/17 front and 275/40/17 rear. That's what I did for my street/winter(ish) tires. They are the same diameter (obviously) as the 275-square option for Z51 and Z07 suspensions, so they are still right in the OEM wheelhouse for that. And yeah, more choices that include all-seasons if you drive in winter in PA. OTOH, if you don't drive in below-freezing temps and snow/ice, then the Continental ExtremeContact Sport is an outstanding choice in either size. They have great grip in dry weather and they are one of the two best rain tires you can get (way better wet grip than any all-season tire, for real). But if you truly need all-season or want to go cheaper, then step down the sizes front and rear.
Pretty much I agree with all the above. The best play IMO is to move to 245/45/17 front and 275/40/17 rear. That's what I did for my street/winter(ish) tires. They are the same diameter (obviously) as the 275-square option for Z51 and Z07 suspensions, so they are still right in the OEM wheelhouse for that. And yeah, more choices that include all-seasons if you drive in winter in PA. OTOH, if you don't drive in below-freezing temps and snow/ice, then the Continental ExtremeContact Sport is an outstanding choice in either size. They have great grip in dry weather and they are one of the two best rain tires you can get (way better wet grip than any all-season tire, for real). But if you truly need all-season or want to go cheaper, then step down the sizes front and rear.
08-29-2022, 09:05 PM
275/40R17 Tires on 8.5" Front Wheels
