Hey all,

I am 1000% sure this has een covered before but the search feature in CF is to broad, and it returned 50 million possibilities so I figured I'd just start a thread, and one of you kind gentlemen can either post the thread that answers my questions or just answer here.. Thank You.

So, what are the largest recommended wheels and tires should we run, on our C5's? Whats the sweet spot, wheel and tire size? Whats an extreme wheel and tire size?

Pictures would be awesome..

Thanks.

 

In my sig I have 19" front and 20" rear. I wouldn't go any bigger than this though.
255 /35 R19 front, 295 /30 R20 . I went against the grain as most on here go with a 30 series front and 25 series in the rear which look way too much like rubberbands.

 

Literally an impossible question to answer, as your question is too broad.

It would be better to know what you expect/want/plan-for...
...regarding your Corvette.

DD?
Garage queen?
Trailer queen?
Track car?
Occasional AutoX
Rough road part of country or not?
Lowered? How far?

Answer some of those questions, and you might be able to get some better guidance, but the way you are asking is like looking for info on which is the best color on a Corvette.

(BTW, it's Torch Red, FTW.)

 

19/19 285/35 Rear 255/35 Front 1" drop spindles & front bolts all the way down & rear lowered another 3/4" wheel well heights 27" & 26"



20/19 was going to be a 295/30 Rear 255/35 Front, wheel design would not allow perfect match with the front, the rear rim is machined with more material. so I decided to do what most dislike on these cars.



20/20 ride height in front to remain the same, rear will come down some with coilovers all around, Tire size will be 305/25 Rear & 295/25 Front, still waiting on front rims to check clearances, my best guess from my research is it should fit. I guess you could call that aggressive /extreme.

 

Okay I thought it was pretty straight forward. Ideal meaning what are most guys running with no issues, sweet spot meaning since it's a sports car combination of performance and look and extreme I guess this is broad- look meaning largest rim, or for traction in quarter mile times, or for road racing.
I'm asking because I noticed the real expensive wheels have their best lines of wheels starting at 19 inches and wanted an idea of what 19 front tire size I should go with and or either 19 or 20 rear wheel. I want the best combination of look and practicality. If that's even possible.

 

https://www.wheel-size.com/calc/

Be sure to maintain the correct differential between tire diameters from front and rear axles. A WAG says it has to be ~3/4"; I disremember exactly, but as I recall just over 1/2" will do. Maybe. If you don't, an AH/TC error message will light up the DIC.

As far as "look and practicality"... looks prolly means 19/20s. I sure wouldn't go bigger.

And that's what I'd have chosen, except for one thing--rotational mass. The larger the wheel, the more the entire assembly, tire & wheel, will weigh. The higher that sum is, the more performance is robbed. I math'd it out with different wheel/tire combos, and minimally, each wheel & tire's total weight gained at least 3-3/4 pounds per corner with 19/20 CCWs over OEM GMs. Without exception, the larger tire diameters I theorized added at least 13% more weight. "Sixteen" pounds of extra rolling mass just didn't seem worth it, so I stuck with 17/18s on my z06; it's the best compromise for speed and handling. (Don't quote me but think this is right--as I recall, 17s could even fit over the rear brakes--I considered it to reduce rotational mass, but the taller sidewall required for the rear tire to keep the AH/TC happy would mean that handling would suffer badly. [Besides, the extra sidewall's size added more weight and made the 17 idea almost a wash with 18s.]) Sooo... you'll have to figure out what's more important to you, "looks or practicality".

 

I think the stock c5z06 sizes are a good jumping off point, 18/19 wheels the best looks/weight/performance compromise. Proportionally, I don't think a 20 inch wheel 'fits' in the front wheel arch of a c5.

 

I just put new wheels and tires on my Z. I went 19's all the way around with 275/30/19's up front and 305/30/19's on the back. They fit nicely, no rubbing, and it increase the overall diameter front and back .2" which won't affect the electronic handling system. I was provided this link on here which helped me out a lot in deciding what to do: http://www.toquez06.com/wheels.html

 

I wish someone made aftermarket replica Z06 wheels in a larger size. I would do 18's front and 19's rear.

 

Ok I have 19x10 + 56 offset on the front (to clear big brakes) with 275-30-19 rubber and stock fenders and on the rear I have 20x12 +56 offset with 335-25-20 rubber also have CC wide fenders on the rear, I'm also lowered on coilovers, Good luck.

 

I think the 18/19 combo is the sweet spot for a stock body car.

 

Those wheels look great newer crays?

Agreed those or the Magnesium wheels in larger sizes. 17/18 just looks too small on a modern sportscar.

 

Yes those are new Crays. They are smashing!

 

You are spot on Tom. They are Cray Spiders and you won't believe how close I was to buying the TSW Interlagos on your ride. I love the look of your car and thought the spiders were similar but a cool different look. Lowering is being done as we speak. Now if I can get that headlight package you have!

 

Wow, gorgeous cars guys. Thanks for posting pictures.. I have some work to do..

 

Not being rude, but they will fit. My 20x11 rear on the front, at ride height. I should add that if the ride height is right for a 20" some wheels designs look OK.

 

None taken. Not questioning if it fits. Coupled with the fact that I like to see a bit more sidewall, I think the sheer size of the 20" wheel is too much for the front wheel well. In my over 50 years of car ownership,I've always gone oversize.

 

18's and 19's

 

They look great! Love the lip depth!
Hey Cracker, how far are you from Allentown?

 

Thanks dude, About hour away.