Some Good Tires
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lampasas TX
Some Good Tires
I have a 2003 vette and want to keep the orginal wheels. I have the orginal run flats and want to change to something a little larger in size (No run flats) need some advise on what has worked best. Performance and handling is important and something quieter.. Any suggestions
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
#1 performance tires - incredible traction, dry AND wet, long-wearing, quiet, and much smoother ride than that of runflats. Best of all, they are made right here in the US by an American tire company. 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Also consider the BF Goodrich KDW2s too. Another excellent choice. You can check both of these out at www.tirerack.com.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,136
Likes: 24,734
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
The Goodyear GS-D3s are a good choice. You can also consider the Firestone Wide Oval tires - been getting some good reviews here on the forum.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert Arizona
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
I have heard great things about both the GY and the BFG KDW II's but i went with the BFG's. They are great in the dry and awesome in the wet. Plus they look awesome !! 
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 1
From: Louisville KY
The best price for the tires you choose is http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/home.do
With free shipping I saved $40 on my Goodyears.
Plus their website is much faster and easier to navigate.
With free shipping I saved $40 on my Goodyears.
Plus their website is much faster and easier to navigate.
Last edited by ROCKnROLL; Dec 31, 2006 at 02:19 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lampasas TX
I have a 2003 vette and want to keep the orginal wheels. I have the orginal run flats and want to change to something a little larger in size (No run flats) need some advise on what has worked best. Performance and handling is important and something quieter.. Any suggestions
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
If you want to stick with stock wheels, the 285/35/18 and the 255/40/17s are a possible choice, but know that your car will be lower by .8" in the rear and .65" lower in the front.
With the Z06 sizes listed, the rear height will be .5" lower, instead of .8" lower.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lampasas TX
I (and I'll bet the Tirerack people) would recommend that you switch to Z06 wheels if you want to go this wide. The GSD3 does offer the 295/35/18 size, but do not have the 265/40/17 for the front. They have a 255/40/17 and a 275/40/17.
If you want to stick with stock wheels, the 285/35/18 and the 255/40/17s are a possible choice, but know that your car will be lower by .8" in the rear and .65" lower in the front.
With the Z06 sizes listed, the rear height will be .5" lower, instead of .8" lower.
If you want to stick with stock wheels, the 285/35/18 and the 255/40/17s are a possible choice, but know that your car will be lower by .8" in the rear and .65" lower in the front.
With the Z06 sizes listed, the rear height will be .5" lower, instead of .8" lower.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I am not sure if there will be sufficient clearance, since even the Z06 fronts (265/40/17) are a bit lower than the stock 245/45/17s. I would call Tirerack and ask them what they think; more than likely, they have tried most of the closely-sized combinations. One other thing to consider is that there will be a bit more gap in between your tire and the wheel well opening. It'll be only half what the difference in diameter is, but it may be noticable.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lampasas TX
I am not sure if there will be sufficient clearance, since even the Z06 fronts (265/40/17) are a bit lower than the stock 245/45/17s. I would call Tirerack and ask them what they think; more than likely, they have tried most of the closely-sized combinations. One other thing to consider is that there will be a bit more gap in between your tire and the wheel well opening. It'll be only half what the difference in diameter is, but it may be noticable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 0
From: clackamas oregon
i have the Z06 size wide ovals and love them. quite.. smooth ride. great traction wet or dry. 1300 miles so far and very happy with them
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Lampasas TX
I am not sure if there will be sufficient clearance, since even the Z06 fronts (265/40/17) are a bit lower than the stock 245/45/17s. I would call Tirerack and ask them what they think; more than likely, they have tried most of the closely-sized combinations. One other thing to consider is that there will be a bit more gap in between your tire and the wheel well opening. It'll be only half what the difference in diameter is, but it may be noticable.