Wheel Size Combinations Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 380
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From: Cedarburg WI
Wheel Size Combinations Question
Hi Folks,
I'm planning to replace my stock wheels on my C5 Vert soon and I need some advice. Is it feasible to run the stock 17" size on the front and a 19" on the rear?
The problem I have is that I have "like new" tires on the front and bald tires on the rear. So, I plan on replacing the rear tires when I purchase the wheels. I would rather not mess with selling the front tires and purchasing 18" tires for the front.
I'm thinking that I will buy the Chrome C6 Z06 reproduction wheels. Thanks for the advice.
I'm planning to replace my stock wheels on my C5 Vert soon and I need some advice. Is it feasible to run the stock 17" size on the front and a 19" on the rear?
The problem I have is that I have "like new" tires on the front and bald tires on the rear. So, I plan on replacing the rear tires when I purchase the wheels. I would rather not mess with selling the front tires and purchasing 18" tires for the front.
I'm thinking that I will buy the Chrome C6 Z06 reproduction wheels. Thanks for the advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 43
From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
It's possible.
First question: is the tire brand and model that you have on the front available in an appropriately sized 19" diameter? Assuming you have a 275/40-18 rear now, you'd be looking anywhere from a 275/35-19 through 295/35-19 or 305/30-19. Generally speaking not a good idea to mix different brand tires front and back.
Second is aesthetics - pretty big difference in wheels; I'm just not sure how it would look.
First question: is the tire brand and model that you have on the front available in an appropriately sized 19" diameter? Assuming you have a 275/40-18 rear now, you'd be looking anywhere from a 275/35-19 through 295/35-19 or 305/30-19. Generally speaking not a good idea to mix different brand tires front and back.
Second is aesthetics - pretty big difference in wheels; I'm just not sure how it would look.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Cedarburg WI
I'm running the Kumho Ecsta MXs today. They are cheap and a relatively good dry weather tire. I have to be a little more careful in the rain than I did when I was running Yokohamas. Kumho has a 235/35YR19 and a 245/35YR19.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,098
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From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
Way too narrow.... With the exception of winter snow tires, I would not go to a narrower tire with these cars.... I think you need to bite the bullet and do it right IMHO. Good luck with your decision.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Cedarburg WI
You are probably right. I don't want to screw up the handling. It is a daily driver. I will likely go with the stock sizes or go with 18" wheels front and rear. Does anybody have pics of the C6 ZO6 wheels on a lowered C5? I have seen the wheels on a stock height C5 and it seemed to me that it made the wheels look too small for the car. My car is lowered on the stock bolts. I may buy the stock sizes and slam the car down lower (cut the bushings, install longer rear bolts). It seems to be a tradeoff between looks and performance (handling and ride comfort). 
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: kent ct - "if i'm not in the vette, i damn well better be on the yacht."
St. Jude Donor '13
Originally Posted by wamara
It's possible.
Assuming you have a 275/40-18 rear now, you'd be looking anywhere from a 275/35-19 through 295/35-19 or 305/30-19.
Assuming you have a 275/40-18 rear now, you'd be looking anywhere from a 275/35-19 through 295/35-19 or 305/30-19.
thanks, dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 43
From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by bikesmith
do you have to deal with resetting the computers when changing wheel sizes... like for the speedometer to be acurate? odometer? A/H ? thanks, dave
thanks, daveAs to speedometer/odometer accuracy, I suppose technically yes unless the circumference (or rolling diameter as it is sometimes referred to) of the new tire is exactly that of the old tire. Practically speaking, unless you did something really bizarre, you'd (at worst) probably only be looking at a 2-3% error - not enough that I would be concerned. If you don't want to do the high school math, some of the tire websites will do it for you (or my fav http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html , which will also give you the % of speedometer error).
As to AH, just don't let the rear tire circumference be smaller than the front. I know I've always heard the backs should be bigger than the fronts, but I've seen enough posts from folks saying they have identical sizes at all 4 corners without problems to be willing to run with that caveat
Last edited by wamara; Oct 26, 2006 at 07:45 PM.
