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Need to get new tires for my 2002 Z06. Unfortunately, stock sizes (265/40R17 Frt and 295/35R18 Rr) are hard to come by andpretty costly. Only Goodyear F1 Supercars and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 seem to be available at roughly $350/tire or more. So in order to have more choices in tires and pricing, I'm wondering what are the pros/cons for the following setups ...
1) Upsizing to 275 fronts and 305 rears (can't find any availability so maybe not a realistic option)
2) Downsizing to 255 fronts and 285 rears (lots of options such as: Michelin, Sumitomo, Bridgestone, Hankook, Falken, and Continental)
3) Mix of 255 fronts and 295 rears (Conti ExtremeContact Sport)
Not sure about the upsizing because I don't want the tires to stick out of the fenders on the stock wheels (17x9.5 Frt and 18x10.5 Rr) plus no one seems to have matching set of fronts/rears available. Would downsizing be the better option or would the tires look too small in the wheelwells? Or would the third option (Conti 255 frt and 295 rr) be the way to go? I know I have to keep the stagger within certain limits to make sure it doesn't mess up the AH and TC systems.
I "might" have a line on a set of Toyo Proxes T1 Sports in stock sizes (265 / 295) that may be available but the date codes for those are early 2018. I've been think about those but the downside is if I have a problem with them, that model has been discontinued so I couldn't get a replacement if I needed to.
What's the general consensus? Any feedback and pics of your setup would be greatly appreciated!
Option 2) for me. Falken FK510. $735 for all 4 mounted/balanced/installed/fees. So far so good, but I haven't really pushed the car yet to test traction (the Z06 is a DD currently).
Doing it over I'd go with what Ron C! did. When I ordered my Falkens there was a national backorder on Conti ExtremeContact in either 275/40/17 or 295/35/18 so I couldn't go with them. BUT nonetheless I saved probably $300+ going with these Falkens over the Contis.
Option 2) for me. Falken FK510. $735 for all 4 mounted/balanced/installed/fees. So far so good, but I haven't really pushed the car yet to test traction (the Z06 is a DD currently).
Doing it over I'd go with what Ron C! did. When I ordered my Falkens there was a national backorder on Conti ExtremeContact in either 275/40/17 or 295/35/18 so I couldn't go with them. BUT nonetheless I saved probably $300+ going with these Falkens over the Contis.
Did you order these online (if so, from where) or a local dealer? Thanks!
I run the Continental DWS06 tires in 295 rear 255 front. My first set of Continentals had a 275 front and I did not like the feel during turns (too mushy). The 255s feel solid and would consider this size again.
I already have a problem with 265's visually, the sidewalls being taller than the rears. So I wouldn't go 275 out front unless 305 or 315 were possible out back. Never seen either with matching 275 fronts.
OP, that's the first I've heard of the Toyo obsolescence (I thought a fairly new option for factory size). Scares me a bit for my next tires...
I’m running Pirelli P Zero’s, 275/30R19 in front and 305/30R19 in the rear. They work perfectly for me. Not too mushy on tight turns, nor are they too firm on rough roads. They also don’t poke out of the wheel well up front (do slightly out back). I had 255/35/R19 up front prior and didn’t feel I was getting as much grip up front as I wanted.
If i was having the same problems that you Z06 owners are having. I myself would put Stock coupe and vert sizes on. I have been running Z06 size wheels on my car for 8 years With the stock tires. Just my opinion, I don't like to drive myself crazy.
I already have a problem with 265's visually, the sidewalls being taller than the rears. So I wouldn't go 275 out front unless 305 or 315 were possible out back. Never seen either with matching 275 fronts.
OP, that's the first I've heard of the Toyo obsolescence (I thought a fairly new option for factory size). Scares me a bit for my next tires...
This is one thing I have definitely seen more than once, worse so with people running replica setups. You have meaty looking front tires / sidwalls and rubber bands out back. I had originally thought about upsizing to the Z06 sizing when it was time for new tires, but given the unavailability of the proper Z06 sizing, I'll have to do some real calculations and study if I decide to upsize.
I run the Continental DWS06 tires in 295 rear 255 front. My first set of Continentals had a 275 front and I did not like the feel during turns (too mushy). The 255s feel solid and would consider this size again.
That’s good to know. I’m leaning towards the 255/295 Contis unless the 255/285 is a better option.
Midland? I’m just an hour away from you. Any pictures of you Z?
275/40 & 295/35 are the correct sizes for factory Z06 rims. 255/40 will fit, but it is too small for a 9.5" rim and is stretched to fit. Look at the specs for each tire and you'll see the recommended rim sizes. I'm running 275 & 295 Continental Extreme Contact Sports on my Z and they work great.
I already have a problem with 265's visually, the sidewalls being taller than the rears. So I wouldn't go 275 out front unless 305 or 315 were possible out back. Never seen either with matching 275 fronts.
OP, that's the first I've heard of the Toyo obsolescence (I thought a fairly new option for factory size). Scares me a bit for my next tires...
I always thought the same thing about the front sidewalls. I read somewhere that maintaining at least a ”30” (295-265 = 30; 305-275 = 30) or better yet “40” (295-255 = 40) difference between the front and rear sidewalls gives a better look. Doesn’t make the front sidewalls look out of proportion to the rear.
Yeah the Toyo Proxes T1 Sports in Z06 sizes (265/40R17 and 295/35R18) have now been discontinued. I might have a line on a set that’s still in inventory but my fear is if I had to replace one I’d be SOL. Same with the Bridgestone RE760s which I currently have on my Z06. They’ve been discontinued too. Only the Goodyear F1 Supercars are available in the stock sizes. Guess the tire companies won’t make models with small demands with the C5 Z06. It is scary if you’re trying to find replacement tires in the stock sizes.
275/40 & 295/35 are the correct sizes for factory Z06 rims. 255/40 will fit, but it is too small for a 9.5" rim and is stretched to fit. Look at the specs for each tire and you'll see the recommended rim sizes. I'm running 275 & 295 Continental Extreme Contact Sports on my Z and they work great.
Steve
Just an FYI ... the correct sizes for Z06 tires/wheels are 265/40R17 on 17x9.5 wheels in front and 295/35R18 on 18x10.5 wheels for the rear. So you’d either be upsizing to 275 or downsizing to 255 in front compared to the OEM 265. That’s what I’m trying to figure out what the best option is and still not mess up the AH and TC.
Lots of road course C5s are set up with the same tire size front and rear, and as far as I can tell nobody run into AH / TC issues. So as long as the diameters are getting less staggered, I'd expect no issues.
Front has ~5mm poke, mostly because of the 1/2" spacer I needed to clear Stoptech ST-60 calipers
Rear flush at top, slight poked lower down. 1.5 degrees camber, 3mm spacer
The clearance issue is partly due to the wheels themselves, TSW Nurburgings have a ton more clearance.
ordered a set of nitto nt05 275/40/17 front 295/35/18 in the rear seems like they are plenty full and similar to the toyo's after all nitto is owned by toyo and I've heard pretty good things about them
Last edited by capper1231; 01-06-2019 at 11:05 PM.
I always thought the same thing about the front sidewalls. I read somewhere that maintaining at least a ”30” (295-265 = 30; 305-275 = 30) or better yet “40” (295-255 = 40) difference between the front and rear sidewalls gives a better look. Doesn’t make the front sidewalls look out of proportion to the rear.
Yeah the Toyo Proxes T1 Sports in Z06 sizes (265/40R17 and 295/35R18) have now been discontinued. I might have a line on a set that’s still in inventory but my fear is if I had to replace one I’d be SOL. Same with the Bridgestone RE760s which I currently have on my Z06. They’ve been discontinued too. Only the Goodyear F1 Supercars are available in the stock sizes. Guess the tire companies won’t make models with small demands with the C5 Z06. It is scary if you’re trying to find replacement tires in the stock sizes.
That was probably me, I posted pretty much exactly that simplified way to confirm tire sizes. Best for looks and to maintain AH. I'd done the long math so many times... had to be an easier way. Yep.
Dang on Toyo dropping our sizes.
01-06-2019, 03:14 PM
Upsizing vs Downsizing Tires on Z06
