[Z06] Z06 Wheel Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 100
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Z06 Wheel Question
Recently picked up a 03 z06 and will need tires very soon. When looking at the size, the fronts were 17, the rears 18. Why would someone go down in size on the wheels for this car? What advantage or disadvantages? They replaced stock with the chrome wheel, not my favorite!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 590
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From: Hanover Maryland
As said above, thats normal Z stagger. Chrome does indeed suck, especially when the stock wheels aren't included with the car.
Your next issue is going to be tire selection up front. 265/40/17 is pretty much a dead size, very little options. Move into 255/40/17 or 275/40/17 for a much wider range of options.
Your next issue is going to be tire selection up front. 265/40/17 is pretty much a dead size, very little options. Move into 255/40/17 or 275/40/17 for a much wider range of options.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
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From: Lynn MA
Originally Posted by 1rino56;15. 99072114
Thanks, somehow I thought stock was 18 & 19. The car has Nitto NT05’s on it now. 275/40 up front, 295/35 rear. Owner said they only lasted 6k miles. They are not dead yet, but very hard & loud.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 113
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From: Phoenix, AZ
I plan to run the rear 18" OEM wheels up front on my 2004Z and run a 295 square setup on all 4 corners as soon as I snag another set of rear 18" wheels.
Last edited by Bushman66; Mar 19, 2019 at 03:09 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
The chrome wheels are not stock, and cannot compare to the stock Z06 wheels. If you want to go with 18/19 or a square 18 setup get a decent (avoid very cheap Chinese repro’s) wheel that will accommodate the tires you want. I have a set of TSW Nurburgrings and love them. Them and Cray are reasonably priced decent quality wheels and won’t be mistaken for cheap repros.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
My friend, Striper, on this forum just posted his. I’ll find the post.
here you go:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-for-sale.html
here you go:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-for-sale.html
Last edited by chasboy; Mar 20, 2019 at 07:29 PM.
3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
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Check out the Continental Extreme Contact Sport for replacements. Very good tires at a very good price. Use Discount Tires and if you don't like them, take 'em back but I'll bet you'll love them. I have a set of the previous model "Extreme Contact DW" and have over 20K miles. The fronts still have 8/32 on them....Just replaced the backs with the Sport and just love them. Quite and smooth and stick lick crazy!
I have the DWS06 which is all season and they are just great. I had them on my Challenger also. They are one of the great tire buys available.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Chicago
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I'm curious too, why anyone would go with the 255 over the 275? I would think wider is better. At least that's what my wife says.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
I went with 255 because my front wheels are 9” instead of 9.5, and the relative diameters put me well into the stagger requirements, while 275 put me ‘under’ (.4” instead of .5”). For me there was also an availability issue.
I replaced my originals on my Z with 275 front and 295 rear, so I’ve done both, and if I remember right the tread width difference was not all that great.
I replaced my originals on my Z with 275 front and 295 rear, so I’ve done both, and if I remember right the tread width difference was not all that great.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 113
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Purely aesthetics in my case. I had Discount mount the 275's, the sidewall height looked funny to me with the 17" wheels relative to the rears. Eventually, I will go to a square setup before I track the car. The difference in width is minimal between the 255 and 275, and the handling difference on the street is negligible to me.
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Stock Z06 wheels appear in the C5 Parts for Sale section quite often. Check that section for any good deals.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Northern California
I have 2 of the stock z06 17 fronts. Not a scratch or mark on them. Shipping is not pretty. I went with a stock 18 on the front for a square setup. You can get new stock rims from house of wheels if you want to go that route.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
You can try Fastenal shipping service if the locations are good for you and the seller. Friend of mine uses them a lot and they are cheaper than all the typical shippers
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
If you were asking me, I have 17 and 18. There as no issues with the width or the offsets. In fact I think the tire/wheel combo sits just right, offset wise.