Question re: 18" Wheels for C5
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 454
Likes: 19
From: Prescott AZ
Question re: 18" Wheels for C5
I'm toying with the idea of putting 18" wheels and tires on my 2004 CE.
Why?
Because I figure the ride height in the front will come up a little to avoid scrapes, and then I might be able to put on bigger brake rotors/etc. as on the C6 series.
The other benefit is that I'd be able to rotate the tires to improve the tread life.
Yes, I realize the rake will be changed and I'll probably not have the standard stance/look, but I figure that can be partially restored by lowering the front on it's bolts. I am looking at getting a set of Factory Reproduction wheels to do this with the correct offsets, by the way.
Has anyone here done that and what were your results? (Or am I a frigging guinea pig on this one?)
Thanks in advance.
Jim
Why?
Because I figure the ride height in the front will come up a little to avoid scrapes, and then I might be able to put on bigger brake rotors/etc. as on the C6 series.
The other benefit is that I'd be able to rotate the tires to improve the tread life.
Yes, I realize the rake will be changed and I'll probably not have the standard stance/look, but I figure that can be partially restored by lowering the front on it's bolts. I am looking at getting a set of Factory Reproduction wheels to do this with the correct offsets, by the way.
Has anyone here done that and what were your results? (Or am I a frigging guinea pig on this one?)
Thanks in advance.
Jim
Last edited by ScumOne; Mar 31, 2014 at 07:19 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
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No can do! The traction control system will go crazy if you do. The system requires that the front wheel/ tire circumference be smaller than the rear. If it detects that it isn't, you will get error codes or worse from the TC and Active Handling systems. Secondly, I'm not even sure that a full width rear tire even fits in the front.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 454
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From: Prescott AZ
No can do! The traction control system will go crazy if you do. The system requires that the front wheel/ tire circumference be smaller than the rear. If it detects that it isn't, you will get error codes or worse from the TC and Active Handling systems. Secondly, I'm not even sure that a full width rear tire even fits in the front.
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No can do! The traction control system will go crazy if you do. The system requires that the front wheel/ tire circumference be smaller than the rear. If it detects that it isn't, you will get error codes or worse from the TC and Active Handling systems. Secondly, I'm not even sure that a full width rear tire even fits in the front.
You need to maintain a 1/2 to 1 1/2" overall diameter difference between the front and rear to keep the TC/AH systems happy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: SW Nuh Hampsha
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
Putting 18" wheels on the front won't help to increase ride height in the front. Putting taller tires on the front (and still maintaining the proper front/rear stagger) will do next to nothing, as well. You're better off just adjusting the front spring bolts if you want to raise it, and it wont cost you anything but a few minutes. Now, if you're putting on 18" wheels on the front to clear bigger brakes, then that has some merit. I'm running 18s all around, but my front tire diameter is less than the rear's, as mentioned above, to maintain the proper stagger. If you're concerned about the scraping, the center air dam is made that way. You can trim some off that (I took off 3/4") and you won't hear that annoying sound on speed bumps and ramps. 
Last edited by c5vetteguy; Mar 31, 2014 at 09:27 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 454
Likes: 19
From: Prescott AZ
Putting 18" wheels on the front won't help to increase ride height in the front. Putting taller tires on the front (and still maintaining the proper front/rear stagger) will do next to nothing, as well. You're better off just adjusting the front spring bolts if you want to raise it, and it wont cost you anything but a few minutes. Now, if you're putting on 18" wheels on the front to clear bigger brakes, then that has some merit. I'm running 18s all around, but my front tire diameter is less than the rear's, as mentioned above, to maintain the proper stagger. If you're concerned about the scraping, the center air dam is made that way. You can trim some off that (I took off 3/4") and you won't hear that annoying sound on speed bumps and ramps.
I was just informed by another source (the wheel maker) that bigger Z06 type brakes in front might need 19" wheels, not just 18", so this whole idea may be a bust. But thanks for your info as well!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 354
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From: Virginia
C6z's com with 18's up front, so fitment shouldnt be a problem, but every style rim is made slightly different, so you would want to make sure its cut for big brake kits.
Now if you were trying to run the zr1 brakes, then you would have to run 19's i believe.
Now if you were trying to run the zr1 brakes, then you would have to run 19's i believe.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Severn MD
I'm considering 18's all around, some good info here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-z...r-fitment.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-z...r-fitment.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 454
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From: Prescott AZ
Thanks for the replies. I put my Vette mechanic onto the case and he's going to get me a definitive answer tomorrow. He says the 18's will work, but I should stay with a staggered setup (smaller front, larger rear tire) so that may be what some of you have eluded to with TC, etc.
He said that as long as the tire sizes are right there should be no codes, but he wants to double check to make sure.
So hopefully I can run 18's all the way around, and if the Nitto tires aren't unidirectional, that would allow swapping from side to side for wear/etc.
Anyway, as soon as he gets the scoop for me I'll update this thread. Thanks for the help!
Jim
He said that as long as the tire sizes are right there should be no codes, but he wants to double check to make sure.
So hopefully I can run 18's all the way around, and if the Nitto tires aren't unidirectional, that would allow swapping from side to side for wear/etc.
Anyway, as soon as he gets the scoop for me I'll update this thread. Thanks for the help!
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Putting 18's on all four corners is not an issue, if you run the proper sized tires, check out some of these posts by searching "ACE Alloy" or Z07 wheels. I've got C6 Z06 brakes with 18 inch wheels on all 4 corners; Ace Alloy Slick Wheels Hyper Black sizes 18x9.5, 18x11 with Conti's Extremes DW 295/35/18 rears and 265/35/18 fronts, no abs or active handling issues.
Cheers,
Kevin
Cheers,
Kevin
Last edited by 69; Mar 31, 2014 at 09:18 PM. Reason: Type O
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Richardson TX
I have 18X9.5" wheels up front and 18X11" wheels out back with 285/35/18 front wheels and 305/35/18 rear wheels. I think it looks fantastic. Really makes the front wheel wells look more "filled in" in my opinion, and makes the rear tire look fatter, since it has a larger side profile than the front tire (stock tire profiles are about the same front and back).
You just gotta make sure you size the tires right. I prefer it over a staggered setup, and purposely looked for a set of 18" wheels on all 4 corners. I also considered 4 17" wheels, but there aren't as many tire choices IMO.
You just gotta make sure you size the tires right. I prefer it over a staggered setup, and purposely looked for a set of 18" wheels on all 4 corners. I also considered 4 17" wheels, but there aren't as many tire choices IMO.
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
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Hey Jim.
I have 18 inch front and rear, As said before you need to have a different size tire front and rear, I am running 265-35-18 front and 295-35-18 rear and my TC/AH works just fine. No way you can run the same size tire front and rear.
Bill
I have 18 inch front and rear, As said before you need to have a different size tire front and rear, I am running 265-35-18 front and 295-35-18 rear and my TC/AH works just fine. No way you can run the same size tire front and rear.
Bill
Melting Slicks
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Before changing to an 18/19 combination I ran 18x9.5 thin spokes front and rear. I mounted 275x35 tires up front and 295x35 tires in the rear. This gave me an adequate rake with no TC/AH issues and a nice stance.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 22
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From: Minnesota
I'm toying with the idea of putting 18" wheels and tires on my 2004 CE.
Why?
Because I figure the ride height in the front will come up a little to avoid scrapes, and then I might be able to put on bigger brake rotors/etc. as on the C6 series.
The other benefit is that I'd be able to rotate the tires to improve the tread life.
Yes, I realize the rake will be changed and I'll probably not have the standard stance/look, but I figure that can be partially restored by lowering the front on it's bolts. I am looking at getting a set of Factory Reproduction wheels to do this with the correct offsets, by the way.
Has anyone here done that and what were your results? (Or am I a frigging guinea pig on this one?)
Thanks in advance.
Jim
Why?
Because I figure the ride height in the front will come up a little to avoid scrapes, and then I might be able to put on bigger brake rotors/etc. as on the C6 series.
The other benefit is that I'd be able to rotate the tires to improve the tread life.
Yes, I realize the rake will be changed and I'll probably not have the standard stance/look, but I figure that can be partially restored by lowering the front on it's bolts. I am looking at getting a set of Factory Reproduction wheels to do this with the correct offsets, by the way.
Has anyone here done that and what were your results? (Or am I a frigging guinea pig on this one?)
Thanks in advance.
Jim
I left well enough alone on messing with rim size on my current 2000 and my past 2003. Of course, YMMV.
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I put 18's all around on my 2001 and learned by my mistake. OMG. What a nightmare to find tires to fill the wells! Laugh if ya'll want to because I'm not using the right terminology - but I spent TONS of money on the rims and then found out it was next to impossible to make it look "right." The car was designed to run staggered rims. I ended up running 305's in the rear to get the aesthetics correct on the tires that would match with the fronts (filling the wheel well to the same degree) and ya'll know what that looks like. I LOVED the rims I had - but it was NOT worth the headache to find tires.
I left well enough alone on messing with rim size on my current 2000 and my past 2003. Of course, YMMV.
I left well enough alone on messing with rim size on my current 2000 and my past 2003. Of course, YMMV.
Hmmmm, I think mine looks ok with 18 front and rear.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Minnesota
Indeed it does. But I imagine you know exactly what I mean. What tires/size are you running? Lowered?
ETA: Ooops! Reading is fundamental. I see the size you're running. What tire?
ETA: Ooops! Reading is fundamental. I see the size you're running. What tire?
Last edited by C5 Mojo; Apr 1, 2014 at 08:51 PM.
Drifting
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From: Lawrenceburg KY
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Race Director
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14