18s or 19s?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,471
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From: Morehead Ky
18s or 19s?
I am looking to purchase a set of CCWs SP500s. I am on the fence on whether to go 18s all around, 18-19s , or 19s all around. I dont race and use the car as a nice day driver. Our roads are pretty crappy here too.
The 19s add about 6 lbs total over the 18s. No problems on tire selection. What would you do and why? Thanks for your input.
The 19s add about 6 lbs total over the 18s. No problems on tire selection. What would you do and why? Thanks for your input.
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I'd get the 18/19 setup. Still have many tire choices and the staggered look goes best with the C5 IMO.
Team Owner
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I went with 18's all around but I do take my vette to the track. 6 lbs of weight doesn't sound like much but its unsprung, rotational weight and it will affect your acceleration, braking distance and handling. Like others have said, if you just drive around town, it won't matter much. Plus, the 19's in the back fill in the wheel well gap nicely. Here's a few pics of my SP500's:
Le Mans Master
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I'd get 18/19 wheels and then put the C6 runflats on them. The tires are a big improvement over the C5 runflats. That's what I did when I ordered my 18/19 iForged wheels.
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Le Mans Master
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I am working with John at CCW... gonna pull the trigger on 18x9.5 and 19x11 SP500's with the C6 sized EMT's (245/40/18 and 285/35/19). If you believe what Tire Rack has listed for section widths, this setup should keep the rolling diameters essentially the same (no speedometer change) and add one inch of rim diameter and tire WIDTH to the footprint.
Also, they will fit nicely in your wheel wells without tubbing. I was going to go with the C6 Z06 tires, but the 325's must be stuffed (unsafely?) on to an 19x11 wheel, and even then they will stick out about 1/4" (well, the sidewall sticks out, not the tread).
Anyway, remember that John Cafaro (designer of the C5) wanted the C5 to have a 18/19 stagger, but the beancounters made him go with a 17/18 to save money. By going to 18/19, you will achieve John's original design intent... totally C
L, IMHO.
It's your choice. Lots of guys have posted pix, and either combo will work and look good. You have to choose based on your own taste... and don't forget to consider tire size limitations in either setup!
Chuck
Also, they will fit nicely in your wheel wells without tubbing. I was going to go with the C6 Z06 tires, but the 325's must be stuffed (unsafely?) on to an 19x11 wheel, and even then they will stick out about 1/4" (well, the sidewall sticks out, not the tread).
Anyway, remember that John Cafaro (designer of the C5) wanted the C5 to have a 18/19 stagger, but the beancounters made him go with a 17/18 to save money. By going to 18/19, you will achieve John's original design intent... totally C
L, IMHO.It's your choice. Lots of guys have posted pix, and either combo will work and look good. You have to choose based on your own taste... and don't forget to consider tire size limitations in either setup!
Chuck
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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I had 18's all around and it never looked just right. I went with ccw's sp500w in 18 front and 19 rear. This looks much better and the six pounds is not noticable. You will loose a little traction with the 19's over 18's but not too much. If you look at a million wheel combo's the staggered look will always look much better. I would stay away from 19/20 for braking, handling, and acceleration reasons.
