Tires!
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: apple valley mn
tire sizes
I would go with 295/35/19 (wider tire for better grip for the rears) and 255/40/18 for the fronts. I've got new iForge wheels on the way and those are the sizes upon which I finally decided. Most people seem to prefer 275/35's for the front - but that's wider than you need and 1/2'' smaller in diameter (which just adds to that ugly tire/fender gap). Plus with the 40's in front your ride will be a little less harsh. And don't even think about 305/30's for the rear - they are a little wider but a full inch smaller in diameter; again adding to that big wheel/ small tire look that ladds to that ugly gap between the tire and fender
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
From: Alameda Ca
I've been researching this also, but i'd like to fit something a little larger than a 295 on the rear. By searching tire rack and tires.com, I'm finding a gap between the two closest - 295 35 19 then all the way up to 345 30 19. Is there any tire inbetween this, like a 315 35 19? I'd like to take full advantage of the 11 inch rim, and the 345 are just too big.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,308
Likes: 1
From: The Beautiful Greater Bay Area California
Hi Big Red,
Greetings to you. Welcome to the exciting, and, frustrating world of tire and wheel upgrades. In answer to your question above, you have the following exceptional tire options available to you:
1). Michelin Tires: With 18X9.5 Front Wheels you may certainly mount 275/30-18 Michelin Pilot Sports PS2's; and, its compliment of the 315/25-19 on 19X11 inch rear wheels.
2). Continental Tires: With, again, 18X9.5 Front Wheels you may also mount 275/35-18 Continental ContiSport 2's; and, its compliment of the 315/25-19 on 19X11 inch wheels on the rear.
These tire and wheel sizes provide a balanced "staggered" tire and wheel combination from front to rear. The rear 315mm tires are a proper tire width for an 11 inch wide wheel. And, will fit on the rear axle of any "untubbed" Corvette C5 with the proper o.e. offset 19X11 inch wheel.
Furthermore, you should have no issues with your C5's Active Handling. As you know, there is an increased perceivable benefit in safety, handling, braking and performance when one upgrades their wheel and tire sizes from a mere smaller o.e. application to an appropriate and wider Plus I, or, Plus II custom wheel application.
In effect, you are increasing the traction ability of the vehicle by providing a wider contact patch (via a wider wheel and tire above stock) of tire to the pavement. The Active Handling System works in conjunction with the vehicles available traction. Thus, by upgrading the available tire traction to a wider footprint, you have now just increased the safety and handling characteristics of your vehicle. However, be cautious with the laws of physics, and, always drive with proper attention and care. Best wishes to you.
Keep On Waving,
Eden
P.S. Point of Frustration: As consumers, we are still limited to only those wheel products and very limited tire sizes released by the manufacturers to date. Therefore, variety of applicable sizing is very limited in certain diameter wheels and tires. At this time, there is still far better availability in tire sizes within the 17, 18 and 19 inch categories, than the 20 and 20+ inch diameter tire range. In fact, important in between tire sizes such as a 315mm 20 inch tire for a 20X11 inch wheel, is not even available at this time (only 305mm which are just a little undersized for the 11 inch wide wheel).
Greetings to you. Welcome to the exciting, and, frustrating world of tire and wheel upgrades. In answer to your question above, you have the following exceptional tire options available to you:
1). Michelin Tires: With 18X9.5 Front Wheels you may certainly mount 275/30-18 Michelin Pilot Sports PS2's; and, its compliment of the 315/25-19 on 19X11 inch rear wheels.
2). Continental Tires: With, again, 18X9.5 Front Wheels you may also mount 275/35-18 Continental ContiSport 2's; and, its compliment of the 315/25-19 on 19X11 inch wheels on the rear.
These tire and wheel sizes provide a balanced "staggered" tire and wheel combination from front to rear. The rear 315mm tires are a proper tire width for an 11 inch wide wheel. And, will fit on the rear axle of any "untubbed" Corvette C5 with the proper o.e. offset 19X11 inch wheel.
Furthermore, you should have no issues with your C5's Active Handling. As you know, there is an increased perceivable benefit in safety, handling, braking and performance when one upgrades their wheel and tire sizes from a mere smaller o.e. application to an appropriate and wider Plus I, or, Plus II custom wheel application.
In effect, you are increasing the traction ability of the vehicle by providing a wider contact patch (via a wider wheel and tire above stock) of tire to the pavement. The Active Handling System works in conjunction with the vehicles available traction. Thus, by upgrading the available tire traction to a wider footprint, you have now just increased the safety and handling characteristics of your vehicle. However, be cautious with the laws of physics, and, always drive with proper attention and care. Best wishes to you.
Keep On Waving,
Eden
P.S. Point of Frustration: As consumers, we are still limited to only those wheel products and very limited tire sizes released by the manufacturers to date. Therefore, variety of applicable sizing is very limited in certain diameter wheels and tires. At this time, there is still far better availability in tire sizes within the 17, 18 and 19 inch categories, than the 20 and 20+ inch diameter tire range. In fact, important in between tire sizes such as a 315mm 20 inch tire for a 20X11 inch wheel, is not even available at this time (only 305mm which are just a little undersized for the 11 inch wide wheel).
Last edited by edensknight; Jul 28, 2005 at 08:42 PM.
