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

Tire size suggestions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 3, 2023 | 10:20 PM
  #1  
jgcable's Avatar
jgcable
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 569
Likes: 20
From: Milford, CT
Default Tire size suggestions

I own a 1996 base model. I bought a set of 17 x 9.5 Grand Sport wheels from a 96 convertible for it. Went to Town Fair tire to talk about tire choices. Didn’t get much help. I am looking for suggestions. My car currently has staggered sawblades 255 on 8.5 front and 285 9.5 rear.
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2023 | 11:51 PM
  #2  
slammin's Avatar
slammin
Burning Brakes
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 939
Likes: 242
From: Fruita CO
Default

Go to tirereack.com for all the specs you'll need to make an informed decision. As I understand, Discount Tire has joined forces to offer mounting and balancing. You can have the tires shipped to the store of your choice and it's still free shipping. If you don't have a Discount Tire near by, Tire Rack can supply you with the names of approved tire shops in your zip code.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2023 | 07:42 PM
  #3  
jgcable's Avatar
jgcable
Thread Starter
Pro
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 569
Likes: 20
From: Milford, CT
Default

Is there a special alignment for a C4? My C3 was just basic normal GM at Town Fair Tire. I know that they have a Hunter Alignment machine there.

Last edited by jgcable; Jul 4, 2023 at 08:53 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2023 | 08:33 PM
  #4  
MatthewMiller's Avatar
MatthewMiller
Le Mans Master
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,091
Likes: 1,972
From: St. Charles MO
Default

There is one correct tire size for a full set of 17x9.5s on a C4: 275/40/17. This is what GM put on cars so equipped, and it's a good width fitment and a good tire diameter for a C4. There are several good high-performance tire options in that size in both "summer"* and "all season" categories. We should talk about what will work best for your intended use of the car and your budget. In what ways do you use the car, and in what types of weather? I notice you live in CT: do you drive in temps significantly below freezing, and/or on ice or snow? Or is your C4 used more for fair weather and stored in the harshest part of winter? Some "summer" tires are really good for three full seasons, so we can talk about that if they fit your other needs.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Tire size suggestions





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:19 AM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE