[Z06] 18-19 inch rims
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
From: Santa Ynez Ca.
18-19 inch rims
As I do my homework looking into the various cool rims out there, I am wondering what the effect is on ride quality, handling, milage/electronic calibration and gearing if any, if I change rim size.? I'm running stock wheels and tires on my '01 but I need tires so I'm considering a wheel and tire package but want to cover all the issues I can think of before I make a decision. Things like the weight of the rims, turning radius,and rubbing I have no experience with. I would appreciate any comments from those who have changed out from oem to different size rims. Is there any advantage to say 18" all around or is it better to mix sizes? Also curious about the issue of different aspect ratios from front to rear. Thanks in advance for any comments and suggestions.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
As far as aesthetics are concerned, a staggered fitment looks better than 18s (or 19s) all around, IMHO. I swithed to an 18/19 combo years ago, and although I noticed a VERY slight increase in tramlining, I don't regret it at all. There weren't many tires available in the 19 size, years ago, but now there are several options.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
I think all 18's or 18/19 give the car a much better "look" when mounted up and the car is lowered. I think that a little more tire and wheel up front looks much better. To me....it's not a big difference in weight, turning raduis or rubbing....
Happy wheel shopping!
Happy wheel shopping!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
I've had the stock 17/18, then went to a 18/19 CCW setup, and now have 19/20. My car is lowered (stock bolts). I have noticed a slight loss of ride quality with each size bigger wheel, but not too bad at all. Since the OD is the same, there are no speedo/electronic issues to speak of.
I do agree that the staggered setups look a LOT better on Vettes than the same size front and rear.
Here is a progression of the sizes on mine...
17/18
18/19
19/20
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
I run a 19/20 combo and have been very happy with them. The car handles better and hooks better but thats due to the better than stock tires. Not sure how much the rim size affects the handling with the same type of tires.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,742
Likes: 43
From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Generally speaking, bigger wheel (diameter) = worse handling if no other variables.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg MB
I've had the stock 17/18, then went to a 18/19 CCW setup, and now have 19/20. My car is lowered (stock bolts). I have noticed a slight loss of ride quality with each size bigger wheel, but not too bad at all. Since the OD is the same, there are no speedo/electronic issues to speak of.
I do agree that the staggered setups look a LOT better on Vettes than the same size front and rear.
Here is a progression of the sizes on mine...
17/18
18/19
19/20
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 344
Likes: 14
From: Minneapolis MN
If you do the same size wheels all around you will have traction control issues. I don't have a Z06 but I would assume the same issues would apply. The wheel speed sensors are programed to recognize that the fronts will be spinning faster than the rears due to the different circuference of the wheels on a typical staggered set up. When you change wheel diameter so that they are the same the wheel speed sensors now read that the wheels are spinning at equal speeds and as soon as you begin to make a turn the computer will sense "wheel spin" and kick on traction control and slow the car.
I overlooked this issue when buying wheels and just got them on last week and now I am wishing I had stepped up to 19's in back instead of 18's all around. If anyone knows a way around this chime in, i'd love to hear a solution. Right now I just drive with traction control off and it isn't a big deal. Safety is at a risk though and the DIC continueously displays the traction control off message and you can't scan through any other menues. Maybe the Z06 is different but I'm just trying to help someone avoid the same mistake I made. Will probably have to upgrade to 19's and it will be way more costly.
I overlooked this issue when buying wheels and just got them on last week and now I am wishing I had stepped up to 19's in back instead of 18's all around. If anyone knows a way around this chime in, i'd love to hear a solution. Right now I just drive with traction control off and it isn't a big deal. Safety is at a risk though and the DIC continueously displays the traction control off message and you can't scan through any other menues. Maybe the Z06 is different but I'm just trying to help someone avoid the same mistake I made. Will probably have to upgrade to 19's and it will be way more costly.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: Jenkins Kentucky
TC should have nothing to do with wheel diameter, it's the tire diameter. Get a lower profile front tire where the rear tire will be about 1" taller or so than the front tire, wala.... your problem is fixed.
Although I have never tried it myself, but when you turn TC off you should be able to hit reset and it will bring you back to the normal driver information screen and allow you to scroll through all the other menu's as normal. The only difference is your TC light on the dash will stay on. I know it does this in "Competitive Driving" because I usually drive around on that mode, then just hit reset.
Although I have never tried it myself, but when you turn TC off you should be able to hit reset and it will bring you back to the normal driver information screen and allow you to scroll through all the other menu's as normal. The only difference is your TC light on the dash will stay on. I know it does this in "Competitive Driving" because I usually drive around on that mode, then just hit reset.
