[Z06] Wheel size affect on handling?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 884
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From: Murrieta ca
Wheel size affect on handling?
Im looking for wheels and with the birth of my son...I just cant swing the I forged Aero's I want. My question is what kind of decrease would I see in traction by going from the stock Z06 size wheels to a staggered 18x9.5 in front and 19x9.5 in back???
What is the larger tire I can put on a 9.5in rim?
Thanks in advance
Shawn
What is the larger tire I can put on a 9.5in rim?
Thanks in advance
Shawn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
Why would you go to a narrower rear wheel than stock? 
If a Z06 has 295 on a 10.5, then on a 9.5 me tinks a 275!
http://www.tirerack.com/
If a Z06 has 295 on a 10.5, then on a 9.5 me tinks a 275!
http://www.tirerack.com/
Last edited by JETZ; Mar 22, 2006 at 03:34 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta ca
Only because I found a nice wheel that at its widest is a 9.5. My thinking was that If I upgraded to a 18x 9.5 in front a stayed 265 or maybe 275 and went 19x 9.5 in back and could actually use a 295 on the rim....then I would still be upgrading my contact patch overall because I would be going from a 17/18 combo to 18/19. The company has 2 styles of wheels that I love but I dont want to compromise handling. i figure a couple years down the road I will order the I-forged Aeros I want but for now money is a little tighter as my son was born 7 weeks ago. AND....I need tires soon so figured why not?
Anyone else have any thoughts on the effect of overall handling??? Is it a wash if I can go 295 in back still since I am upgrading contact patch?
Anyone else have any thoughts on the effect of overall handling??? Is it a wash if I can go 295 in back still since I am upgrading contact patch?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter FL
Originally Posted by MAJ Z06
I wouldn't do, it will make you less safe in a curve, your AH will activate a lot more adding wear to that system and the rear brake pads. Just save your pennies until you can do it properly.
You're putting a fair amount of power to those rear wheels. There's a reason that GM put larger/wider rims and tires in the rear. Don't go narrower, you'll be sorry. And forcing a 295 onto a 9.5" rim will distort the sidewall, and may fall outside the range of rim width depending on the tire you choose (check manufacturer specs.). Don't cheap out on safety.
And wheels and tires are a MAJOR safety issue.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta ca
Originally Posted by MAJ Z06
I wouldn't do, it will make you less safe in a curve, your AH will activate a lot more adding wear to that system and the rear brake pads. Just save your pennies until you can do it properly.
My other option I am looking at is buying the 18x12 C5 ZO6 from House of Wheels...Can I move my 18x10 rear to the front and purchased a different size tire so that it would work???? I believe I have seen people go that route.
Shawn
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta ca
Originally Posted by FasterIsBetter
You're putting a fair amount of power to those rear wheels. There's a reason that GM put larger/wider rims and tires in the rear. Don't go narrower, you'll be sorry. And forcing a 295 onto a 9.5" rim will distort the sidewall, and may fall outside the range of rim width depending on the tire you choose (check manufacturer specs.). Don't cheap out on safety.
And wheels and tires are a MAJOR safety issue.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter FL
Originally Posted by SmacZ
Ok so I would see a reduction even with a stickier tire than worn out stockers , with a larger contact patch due to size....because the rim itself is smaller by .5 inch? Assuming a manufacturer says a 295 was ok? Im trying to understand how going bigger in front overall and going with a same width but larger diameter rim in back would reduce handling.
For my money, if I couldn't afford a proper set of rims, I'd get myself a decent set of tires for the stock rims and be happy with that. You've got a 7 week old kid in the house. Keep your priorities straight. Being safe is far more important than what your rims look like. You have a high HP car that's capable of doing a lot of damage. Set it up right and be safe.
Okay, done preaching.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta ca
Originally Posted by FasterIsBetter
IMHO, you're throwing off the balance of the car. This car seems to want more tire in the rear than the front. If you put a too-wide tire on a smaller rim, it distorts the sides, causes tire roll problems, and distorts the tread pattern as well. Maybe someone else will disagree, but my estimation is that it will throw off the balance of the car and increase the risk of losing the rear end more easily in high speed turns. I would not want to rely on A/H to save my butt in that situation. You need the right sized tires on the right sized rims.
For my money, if I couldn't afford a proper set of rims, I'd get myself a decent set of tires for the stock rims and be happy with that. You've got a 7 week old kid in the house. Keep your priorities straight. Being safe is far more important than what your rims look like. You have a high HP car that's capable of doing a lot of damage. Set it up right and be safe.
Okay, done preaching.
For my money, if I couldn't afford a proper set of rims, I'd get myself a decent set of tires for the stock rims and be happy with that. You've got a 7 week old kid in the house. Keep your priorities straight. Being safe is far more important than what your rims look like. You have a high HP car that's capable of doing a lot of damage. Set it up right and be safe.
Okay, done preaching.
Oh believe me...Im in no way try to compromise my safety and my priorities are fine. He is number one in my life. I just traded in one of my toys so he could have a safe comfortable vehicle to ride in, that being a 06 Dodge Datona Charger. Im just wanting to probe people and understand. As far as the rims from a aesthetic purpose.......I need tires badly and figured I would look at some cheap rim alternatives as my stocker are curb to snot from the person that owned my vehicle before me. Im looking at multiple options including having my stockers...stripped , fixed, and powdercoated. Just weighing my options.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by SmacZ
Im confused now as I thought that the AH would only go crazy if I changed overall diameter??? People upgrade to 18/19 combos all the time?
My other option I am looking at is buying the 18x12 C5 ZO6 from House of Wheels...Can I move my 18x10 rear to the front and purchased a different size tire so that it would work???? I believe I have seen people go that route.
Shawn
My other option I am looking at is buying the 18x12 C5 ZO6 from House of Wheels...Can I move my 18x10 rear to the front and purchased a different size tire so that it would work???? I believe I have seen people go that route.
Shawn
First you undersize your rims, now over! Am I understanding this correctly, you want to mix wheel brands too? Save your dough, put stock size rubber on your old wheels. When you get some money 'do it right the first time'!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta ca
Originally Posted by JETZ
18x12? would never work on your car, the wheels woul be sticking way out, or scraping inside! First you undersize your rims, now over! Am I understanding this correctly, you want to mix wheel brands too?
Save your dough, put stock size rubber on your old wheels. When you get some money 'do it right the first time'!
First you undersize your rims, now over! Am I understanding this correctly, you want to mix wheel brands too? Save your dough, put stock size rubber on your old wheels. When you get some money 'do it right the first time'!
You guys are KILLING me!!!! Are you not aware of the 18x12 wheels that House of Wheels and Bob our Forum Supporter offers??? They require removal of the air ducts which do almost nothing for us unless you track the car and the stick out the slightest and I mean slightest amount. There have been tons of photos and discussions about those wheels on the board. And are you suggesting that if I buy the 18x12 rims that I should also buy reproduction rims for the front when I already own the OE version which is better?????
Man I have never taken such a confused beating on this forum...Normally I am answering others questions....Im just not much of a wheels and suspension guy......
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter FL
Originally Posted by SmacZ
I need tires badly and figured I would look at some cheap rim alternatives as my stocker are curb to snot from the person that owned my vehicle before me. Im looking at multiple options including having my stockers...stripped , fixed, and powdercoated. Just weighing my options.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,654
Likes: 1
From: Palo Alto CA
Shawn... come out to the AutoX this weekend and check out the handling of my car on "wrong sized" wheels.
I run 4 x 315/35-17 on 4 x 17x11. The Active Handling doesn't "freak out" though I turn it all off for AutoX. I wouldn't go that route for a street tire of course. My street wheels are 19x10 w/ 275/30-19 and 19x11 w/ 305/30-19 BTW, you don't have to have staggered rims to have staggered tire-heights.
But you could run a 265 or 275/35-18 on the front 18x9.5 your were looking at and a 295/30-19 on the back and still have some stagger (approx .5") and a widder than stock back tire.
Also, I've heard of several ppl running 18x12s w/ the right offset (and removing the rear brake ducts). I think "don't believe everything your read" applies well to this thread.
-TJ
I run 4 x 315/35-17 on 4 x 17x11. The Active Handling doesn't "freak out" though I turn it all off for AutoX. I wouldn't go that route for a street tire of course. My street wheels are 19x10 w/ 275/30-19 and 19x11 w/ 305/30-19 BTW, you don't have to have staggered rims to have staggered tire-heights.
But you could run a 265 or 275/35-18 on the front 18x9.5 your were looking at and a 295/30-19 on the back and still have some stagger (approx .5") and a widder than stock back tire.
Also, I've heard of several ppl running 18x12s w/ the right offset (and removing the rear brake ducts). I think "don't believe everything your read" applies well to this thread.
-TJ
Last edited by tjZ06; Mar 22, 2006 at 01:38 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 5
From: Jupiter FL
TJ,
He's talking about running a 295/30-19 on a 9.5" wide rim. If you check the specs on most tires that size, they want a 10 - 11" rim, and their dimensional specs are measured on a 10.5" rim. Even in the 18" diameter, the 295's want a minimum 10" rim. Could you squeeze it onto a 9.5 wide rim? Maybe. But if the tire manufacturer calls for a minimum rim width of 10", I wouldn't put them on a 9.5" rim. But that's just me. YMMV.
Steve
He's talking about running a 295/30-19 on a 9.5" wide rim. If you check the specs on most tires that size, they want a 10 - 11" rim, and their dimensional specs are measured on a 10.5" rim. Even in the 18" diameter, the 295's want a minimum 10" rim. Could you squeeze it onto a 9.5 wide rim? Maybe. But if the tire manufacturer calls for a minimum rim width of 10", I wouldn't put them on a 9.5" rim. But that's just me. YMMV.
Steve
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta ca
Originally Posted by tjZ06
Shawn... come out to the AutoX this weekend and check out the handling of my car on "wrong sized" wheels.
I run 4 x 315/35-17 on 4 x 17x11. The Active Handling doesn't "freak out" though I turn it all off for AutoX. I wouldn't go that route for a street tire of course. My street wheels are 19x10 w/ 275/30-19 and 19x11 w/ 305/30-19 BTW, you don't have to have staggered rims to have staggered tire-heights.
But you could run a 265 or 275/35-18 on the front 18x9.5 your were looking at and a 295/30-19 on the back and still have some stagger (approx .5") and a widder than stock back tire.
Also, I've heard of several ppl running 18x12s w/ the right offset (and removing the rear brake ducts). I think "don't believe everything your read" applies well to this thread.
-TJ
I run 4 x 315/35-17 on 4 x 17x11. The Active Handling doesn't "freak out" though I turn it all off for AutoX. I wouldn't go that route for a street tire of course. My street wheels are 19x10 w/ 275/30-19 and 19x11 w/ 305/30-19 BTW, you don't have to have staggered rims to have staggered tire-heights.
But you could run a 265 or 275/35-18 on the front 18x9.5 your were looking at and a 295/30-19 on the back and still have some stagger (approx .5") and a widder than stock back tire.
Also, I've heard of several ppl running 18x12s w/ the right offset (and removing the rear brake ducts). I think "don't believe everything your read" applies well to this thread.
-TJ
Im leaning towards the 18x 12 route or picking up a 19x11 C5 ZO6 replica and moving front to rear and having all of them powdercoated.....We will see....
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
Originally Posted by SmacZ
Im confused now as I thought that the AH would only go crazy if I changed overall diameter??? People upgrade to 18/19 combos all the time?
My other option I am looking at is buying the 18x12 C5 ZO6 from House of Wheels...Can I move my 18x10 rear to the front and purchased a different size tire so that it would work???? I believe I have seen people go that route.
Shawn
My other option I am looking at is buying the 18x12 C5 ZO6 from House of Wheels...Can I move my 18x10 rear to the front and purchased a different size tire so that it would work???? I believe I have seen people go that route.
Shawn
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta ca
Originally Posted by MAJ Z06
I'm saying TC and AH will activate more due to reduced traction.
Fair enough
So far the only logical info seems that if I found a 295 that would fit the 19x9.5 the EXTRA tire would make the sidewall less stiff and more prone to rollover THEREFORE a reduction in handling.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,654
Likes: 1
From: Palo Alto CA
Originally Posted by SmacZ
Fair enough So far the only logical info seems that if I found a 295 that would fit the 19x9.5 the EXTRA tire would make the sidewall less stiff and more prone to rollover THEREFORE a reduction in handling.
So far the only logical info seems that if I found a 295 that would fit the 19x9.5 the EXTRA tire would make the sidewall less stiff and more prone to rollover THEREFORE a reduction in handling.-TJ
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by SmacZ
You guys are KILLING me!!!! Are you not aware of the 18x12 wheels that House of Wheels and Bob our Forum Supporter offers??? They require removal of the air ducts which do almost nothing for us unless you track the car and the stick out the slightest and I mean slightest amount. There have been tons of photos and discussions about those wheels on the board. And are you suggesting that if I buy the 18x12 rims that I should also buy reproduction rims for the front when I already own the OE version which is better?????
Man I have never taken such a confused beating on this forum...Normally I am answering others questions....Im just not much of a wheels and suspension guy......
Man I have never taken such a confused beating on this forum...Normally I am answering others questions....Im just not much of a wheels and suspension guy......
You never stated what size tires you were thinking of mounting on the 18x12 if you went that route!
I'm not a fan of " stick out the slightest amount" way of look, especially on our Vettes! If they stick out, you really can't lower the car much. If you hit a rut, or pothole etc., the tire will hit the lip causing a fracture in the fender. If you want wide wheels/tires you need to tub it, and put all the rubber on the 'inside' of the lip, or go with 18x11 max, with a 315.
Buying the wrong undersized wheel (9.5''- widest they come in), because you like the looks, over a 'correct size' of at least stock width is a waste of money IMHO. Most car nuts go for 'proper' wider wheels/tires for the right look, and performance.
It seems 'looks' are swaying you more than 'function'!
On the other hand, I've seen posts of indaviduals stating how they forced a 335 onto a stock 10.5, stating 'look's great, no tub required'!
I read the sixties were over!
Good luck on your endevor.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: Murrieta ca
Originally Posted by JETZ
We're just trying to give you friendly advice!
You never stated what size tires you were thinking of mounting on the 18x12 if you went that route!
I'm not a fan of " stick out the slightest amount" way of look, especially on our Vettes! If they stick out, you really can't lower the car much. If you hit a rut, or pothole etc., the tire will hit the lip causing a fracture in the fender. If you want wide wheels/tires you need to tub it, and put all the rubber on the 'inside' of the lip, or go with 18x11 max, with a 315.
Buying the wrong undersized wheel (9.5''- widest they come in), because you like the looks, over a 'correct size' of at least stock width is a waste of money IMHO. Most car nuts go for 'proper' wider wheels/tires for the right look, and performance.
It seems 'looks' are swaying you more than 'function'!
On the other hand, I've seen posts of indaviduals stating how they forced a 335 onto a stock 10.5, stating 'look's great, no tub required'!
I read the sixties were over!
Good luck on your endevor.
You never stated what size tires you were thinking of mounting on the 18x12 if you went that route!
I'm not a fan of " stick out the slightest amount" way of look, especially on our Vettes! If they stick out, you really can't lower the car much. If you hit a rut, or pothole etc., the tire will hit the lip causing a fracture in the fender. If you want wide wheels/tires you need to tub it, and put all the rubber on the 'inside' of the lip, or go with 18x11 max, with a 315.
Buying the wrong undersized wheel (9.5''- widest they come in), because you like the looks, over a 'correct size' of at least stock width is a waste of money IMHO. Most car nuts go for 'proper' wider wheels/tires for the right look, and performance.
It seems 'looks' are swaying you more than 'function'!
On the other hand, I've seen posts of indaviduals stating how they forced a 335 onto a stock 10.5, stating 'look's great, no tub required'!
I read the sixties were over!
Good luck on your endevor.
I think last night I found all my solutions and neither involve the aforementioned 18/19x9.5 or 18x12 possibilities......I'll post pics if I can make it happen :P
