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help with tire size question

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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 10:39 AM
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Default help with tire size question

I have a newly purchased 2000 vert. I need new rear tires and I am looking around. I have a couple of questions ...I have found a set of used 285/53/18s for a good price but I don't know if they will affect my computer( don't want to upset my EBCM with active handling) or how the car handles in general? The stock are 275/40/18s. What other tire sizes are you guys running with sucess? Also, I have seen some of you asking about DOB dates...how does his affect the tire and how do you determine that date?
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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 11:34 AM
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You want to keep the rear tire diameter as close as possible to the original height. This tire calculator will give all the info you need. On the left enter the stock tire size, and on the right enter the size of tire your looking at. Once the data is given you can compare the two. As far as DOB, it is when the tires were made. Some shady discount stores will have high end tires for dirt cheap, the reason being is the tires are extremely old. Old tires can still be usable if stored correctly, but in most cases they are dry and hard.

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp
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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 01:41 PM
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Default what size rim do I have on the car?

Originally Posted by STALION
You want to keep the rear tire diameter as close as possible to the original height. This tire calculator will give all the info you need. On the left enter the stock tire size, and on the right enter the size of tire your looking at. Once the data is given you can compare the two. As far as DOB, it is when the tires were made. Some shady discount stores will have high end tires for dirt cheap, the reason being is the tires are extremely old. Old tires can still be usable if stored correctly, but in most cases they are dry and hard.

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp
the chart asks for a rim size....do you know what mine are?
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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 01:47 PM
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Default how old?

Originally Posted by STALION
You want to keep the rear tire diameter as close as possible to the original height. This tire calculator will give all the info you need. On the left enter the stock tire size, and on the right enter the size of tire your looking at. Once the data is given you can compare the two. As far as DOB, it is when the tires were made. Some shady discount stores will have high end tires for dirt cheap, the reason being is the tires are extremely old. Old tires can still be usable if stored correctly, but in most cases they are dry and hard.

http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp
how old is too old? where do I find the DOB date on the tire.
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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 02:55 PM
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Just keep the stock size if you're not doing anything special with the car. If you don't even know what size the wheels are then I doubt you're going to be doing anything crazy to the car.

275/40/18 is fine. 295/35/18 is Z06 size and an appropriate height but the base wheels are a bit narrow. I've seen people do it though. I'd just stick with stock.

Dope

Last edited by Dope; Apr 25, 2012 at 01:11 AM.
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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 03:16 PM
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The stock rim sizes on a C5 vert/coupe are 17x8.5 in front and 18x9.5 in the rear. I would say stick with the stock size tires - that way you know things are OK.
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Old Apr 24, 2012 | 04:53 PM
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I have a whole thing written up on my web site about properly sizing your tires to avoid traction control, and or active handling issues.

www.ToqueZ06.com

Toque
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Old Apr 25, 2012 | 02:57 AM
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I'm sure Toque covered it but all you have to do is keep a stagger of about a half inch (the top of the rear tire needs to be a half inch higher than the top of the front tire when you stand them side by side on the ground next to each other).

The rim size doesn't matter its the overall height (well circumference really) that matters. Guys put 18 inch rims all the way around with a taller side wall on the rear tires and have no problems.

Now as for what any given combination will do to the handling of the car....cant help ya there. I'm still on stock sizes.
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Old Apr 25, 2012 | 04:26 PM
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Default thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by 8VETTE7
Too old is more than 8 or 9 years if you drive the tires at highway speeds. DOB is molded into the sidewall of the tire. Here is a write up about the date code and how to read it:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=11&
thanks to all of you that responded. This is awsome information and just what I needed. what a great forum. you guys are great.
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