C5 Tire Upgrade?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceburg IN
C5 Tire Upgrade?
It's getting to be that time. My magnetic red C5 is almost 4 years old! Sees like I just brought it home. Time for new tires. Anybody have any upgrade suggestions over the factory Eagle F1's?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Member Since: 09-04-2007
PostsTotal Posts: 1
That seems to be a popular question. I also have the factory GY runcraps and will be changing to Michelins at the right time...I hate the roaring sound(among other things) of the runcraps. I haven't had a flat in decades and IF I do get a flat I will take my chances on the flat tire kit(air pump and repair kit or AAA)
Again, welcome to the forum and don't take it too personal if you seem to get a bunch of crapola for posting that most popular and beat to death question...
BTW, you might want to fill in some of your profile and also do a search on "tires"
Last edited by Yello95; Sep 9, 2007 at 06:17 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 929
Likes: 45
From: Wayne NJ
Tire Upgrade
Just put on the Michelin Pilot SportA/S Runflats. My car runs quieter,rides better and has better traction.If you dont want runflats go with with Michelin PS/2. These tires have a a high treadlife rating as well.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Ditch the run craps.................
if you want a decent tire that won't kill your wallet, try Sumitomos
I've heard very good things about this tire, also you can equip your c5 for roughly 500.00.
I've been using toyo proxes........and if you've never driven a C5 without run craps, you just cant imagine what you're missing.
I'll be switching to Sumitomos soon, and at that price I can easily afford a new set of rubber yearly. Even every 6 months if I want to.
Of course they will last far longer than a year.
if you want a decent tire that won't kill your wallet, try Sumitomos
I've heard very good things about this tire, also you can equip your c5 for roughly 500.00.
I've been using toyo proxes........and if you've never driven a C5 without run craps, you just cant imagine what you're missing.
I'll be switching to Sumitomos soon, and at that price I can easily afford a new set of rubber yearly. Even every 6 months if I want to.
Of course they will last far longer than a year.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 661
Likes: 5
From: New Jersey
alot of forum members like the Khumos as well, don't get runcraps again save the money and get AAA instead, thats the only downside for a major blowout, keep a can of fix-a-flat in the car for smaller emergencies
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Screw the Tire sensors if you get in a bind and your only way out is fix a flat.
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Mission Viejo CA
I just put on a set of Bridgestone RE050A tires.
Best upgrade yet. These tires are as good as the Pirelli Rossa's at a much better price.Almost as good as the Michelin Pilot Sports but about $700.00 or so less in price. I'm am totally satisfied and any of the above would be a great choice. I highly recommend going away from the run flats.
I went with 18" x 275's fronts and 19" 305's rear. Put them on ccw wheels.
savage1
Best upgrade yet. These tires are as good as the Pirelli Rossa's at a much better price.Almost as good as the Michelin Pilot Sports but about $700.00 or so less in price. I'm am totally satisfied and any of the above would be a great choice. I highly recommend going away from the run flats.
I went with 18" x 275's fronts and 19" 305's rear. Put them on ccw wheels.
savage1
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
C-5 Tire Choices
Tire Rack on their website display a "Tire Survey Results" for ultra high performance summer tires. The tires are rated by people writing in evaluating different parameters such as - would buy again - corner stability and dry traction. Tires are rated #1 to #45. The top five tires were #1 General Exclaim UHP - #2 Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2
#3 Firestone Protenza PE2 #4 BF Goodrich g-Force #5 Kumho Ecsta SPT As a new member and owner of a 2001 triple black Corvette convertible living in British Columbia, Canada I have a few tire/rim related questions. Does changing rim size or stock tire size on current rim size affect the active handling option on the car. Ultimately I am looking to lower the car slightly and install a set of tires and rims that will fill out the wheel wells more fully than the stock appearance. Notice on the forum many people either go with four 19 inch rims or run 20 inch on the back and 19 inch on the front. Which rim combination will fill out the wheel wells better giving the car that fuller look? Thank you for your time in advance. John
#3 Firestone Protenza PE2 #4 BF Goodrich g-Force #5 Kumho Ecsta SPT As a new member and owner of a 2001 triple black Corvette convertible living in British Columbia, Canada I have a few tire/rim related questions. Does changing rim size or stock tire size on current rim size affect the active handling option on the car. Ultimately I am looking to lower the car slightly and install a set of tires and rims that will fill out the wheel wells more fully than the stock appearance. Notice on the forum many people either go with four 19 inch rims or run 20 inch on the back and 19 inch on the front. Which rim combination will fill out the wheel wells better giving the car that fuller look? Thank you for your time in advance. John
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,268
Likes: 11
From: Florence New Jersey
i just had the same tires put on my 03 coupe!! everything above is true..much better ride!
eric
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Palm Desert CA
I just put on a set of Bridgestone RE050A tires.
Best upgrade yet. These tires are as good as the Pirelli Rossa's at a much better price.Almost as good as the Michelin Pilot Sports but about $700.00 or so less in price. I'm am totally satisfied and any of the above would be a great choice. I highly recommend going away from the run flats.
I went with 18" x 275's fronts and 19" 305's rear. Put them on ccw wheels.
savage1
Best upgrade yet. These tires are as good as the Pirelli Rossa's at a much better price.Almost as good as the Michelin Pilot Sports but about $700.00 or so less in price. I'm am totally satisfied and any of the above would be a great choice. I highly recommend going away from the run flats.
I went with 18" x 275's fronts and 19" 305's rear. Put them on ccw wheels.
savage1
I am running the same tires and love them. great choice 265/30/19 front and 305/30/19 rear 
good luck
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
Hi there,
Welcome to the Forum! You just pushed one of many "hot button" issues that just seems to come up all the time.
I am in the minority here (actually the silent majority ) that don't have any issues with the OEM run flats. IMHO, your tire choice should come down to how you plan to use your Vette. If you are like me and you drive your Vette daily and/or cruise a lot, you can't go wrong with OEMs. I don't like the idea of being on the side of the highway in God knows what kind of weather conditions fixing a flat. Now you may never experience a flat in all the time you own your Vette (I have only had two in my whole life) but you never know.
On the other hand, if you are looking to drag or track your car on a regular basis, or you don't really drive your Vette that much then non-runflats may be a better choice for you.
Well-maintained tire pressures and changing your OEMs out every 20k to 25k will prevent a lot of the issues that folks complain about with regard to OEM tires.
There are other run flat options as has been pointed out already, but I think this article might be an eye-opener for you depending on your mindset:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...Run+Flat+Facts
Not all run flats run flat alike
Welcome to the Forum! You just pushed one of many "hot button" issues that just seems to come up all the time.
I am in the minority here (actually the silent majority
) that don't have any issues with the OEM run flats. IMHO, your tire choice should come down to how you plan to use your Vette. If you are like me and you drive your Vette daily and/or cruise a lot, you can't go wrong with OEMs. I don't like the idea of being on the side of the highway in God knows what kind of weather conditions fixing a flat. Now you may never experience a flat in all the time you own your Vette (I have only had two in my whole life) but you never know.On the other hand, if you are looking to drag or track your car on a regular basis, or you don't really drive your Vette that much then non-runflats may be a better choice for you.
Well-maintained tire pressures and changing your OEMs out every 20k to 25k will prevent a lot of the issues that folks complain about with regard to OEM tires.
There are other run flat options as has been pointed out already, but I think this article might be an eye-opener for you depending on your mindset:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...Run+Flat+Facts
Not all run flats run flat alike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1794935
Also have a brand new pair of rear Michelin as zp's
Also have a brand new pair of rear Michelin as zp's
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,198
Likes: 15
From: Columbia MD
At the recommendation of the tire rack techs, put a set of new Firestone Firehawk runflats on the wife's '98 - excellent tires! No more noise; huge ride improvement, excellent wet/dry traction. Didn't want to take any risks of her getting a flat at night on the side of the highway with non-runflats.