Wheels?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
From: Austin Texas
Wheels?
Hello! My 02 is about to be finished up at the body shop from a recent wreck. I’m tasked with making the decision of what wheels and tires I’d like to have my current replaced with. Just curious what you guys think the best sizes are.. I’d like to keep staggered. Stock is 17/18, what are the benefits/downfalls of going up to something like 18/19 or 19/20? I would like to understand the performance differences between them as well. It seems I’m finding more wheels that I like around the 18/19 and 19/20 sizes.. Thank you for the advice/suggestions
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2020
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If you put a gun to my head and made me choose I'd do 18/19 because 19/20 is going to ride a lot worse with no appreciable benefits. I say that as someone that runs 17 inch wheels and 26 inch tall tires front and rear so take that for what it's worth.
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
I recently went from 18/19 which I ran with since 2007, to a 19/20 setup
Reason for the change was because the rear tires I traditionally ran with suddenly became made of unobtainium instead of rubber.
The same-width tires in a 20" were much cheaper and more importantly, they were available.
Reason for the change was because the rear tires I traditionally ran with suddenly became made of unobtainium instead of rubber.
The same-width tires in a 20" were much cheaper and more importantly, they were available.
Le Mans Master
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From: Akron Ohio
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Apex Race Parts has some cool wheels in the 18/19 fitment. Anything over 19 on a C5 begins to look like a Hot Wheels car in my opinion.
APEX C5 Z06/Z51 Corvette Wheels (apexraceparts.com)
APEX C5 Z06/Z51 Corvette Wheels (apexraceparts.com)
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
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From: Long Island, NY
If starting from scratch than 18/19 no doubt about it... if you already have 17/18 or 18/18 etc than i wouldnt spend the money to go up. But from scratch than go for it... 18/19! I mean thats at least what i think after looking at 2,554 pictures of c5's with aftermarket wheels over the last 2 months 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
From: Austin Texas
Apex Race Parts has some cool wheels in the 18/19 fitment. Anything over 19 on a C5 begins to look like a Hot Wheels car in my opinion.
APEX C5 Z06/Z51 Corvette Wheels (apexraceparts.com)
APEX C5 Z06/Z51 Corvette Wheels (apexraceparts.com)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
From: Austin Texas
If starting from scratch than 18/19 no doubt about it... if you already have 17/18 or 18/18 etc than i wouldnt spend the money to go up. But from scratch than go for it... 18/19! I mean thats at least what i think after looking at 2,554 pictures of c5's with aftermarket wheels over the last 2 months
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2018
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From: Arizona, USA
Hello! My 02 is about to be finished up at the body shop from a recent wreck. I’m tasked with making the decision of what wheels and tires I’d like to have my current replaced with. Just curious what you guys think the best sizes are.. I’d like to keep staggered. Stock is 17/18, what are the benefits/downfalls of going up to something like 18/19 or 19/20? I would like to understand the performance differences between them as well. It seems I’m finding more wheels that I like around the 18/19 and 19/20 sizes.. Thank you for the advice/suggestions
Changing tire and wheel sizes certainly has an effect on vehicle performance as well as the ride comfort. This is because as the tire sidewall height decreases there is less rubber to flex in order for the tire to change directions, this increases steering response at the same time decreases ride comfort, meaning you will feel more connected with the road.
The inverse of this is also true, as the tire sidewall height increases there is now more rubber between the wheel and the road. This increases ride comfort as the tire is able to absorb more road imperfections. The steering response would also decrease.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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So one thing to consider is weight. The larger wheels tend to weigh more. If you go too big, you can have rubbing issues. Also a larger wheel with a lower profile tire will not ride as nicely as a smaller rim with a taller tire. Lower profile tires may also have more trouble hooking up in higher HP applications. Those a re the cons. The Pro are that the bigger wheels look better, and better fill the wheel well. The tires are cheaper and easier to find. You can also go with a wider tire that will help increase traction. Plus, certain larger wheels will allow for big brake kits. It all depends on what you want, and how you use the car. I think the 18/19 are a good middle ground.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
From: Austin Texas
We are sorry to learn about the wreck, hopefully everyone is okay.
Changing tire and wheel sizes certainly has an effect on vehicle performance as well as the ride comfort. This is because as the tire sidewall height decreases there is less rubber to flex in order for the tire to change directions, this increases steering response at the same time decreases ride comfort, meaning you will feel more connected with the road.
The inverse of this is also true, as the tire sidewall height increases there is now more rubber between the wheel and the road. This increases ride comfort as the tire is able to absorb more road imperfections. The steering response would also decrease.
Changing tire and wheel sizes certainly has an effect on vehicle performance as well as the ride comfort. This is because as the tire sidewall height decreases there is less rubber to flex in order for the tire to change directions, this increases steering response at the same time decreases ride comfort, meaning you will feel more connected with the road.
The inverse of this is also true, as the tire sidewall height increases there is now more rubber between the wheel and the road. This increases ride comfort as the tire is able to absorb more road imperfections. The steering response would also decrease.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
Likes: 7
From: Austin Texas
So one thing to consider is weight. The larger wheels tend to weigh more. If you go too big, you can have rubbing issues. Also a larger wheel with a lower profile tire will not ride as nicely as a smaller rim with a taller tire. Lower profile tires may also have more trouble hooking up in higher HP applications. Those a re the cons. The Pro are that the bigger wheels look better, and better fill the wheel well. The tires are cheaper and easier to find. You can also go with a wider tire that will help increase traction. Plus, certain larger wheels will allow for big brake kits. It all depends on what you want, and how you use the car. I think the 18/19 are a good middle ground.
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 136
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From: Long Island, NY
I have current stock wheels but they are damaged. They are 17/18. I wanted to move up and it looks like the common answer has been 18/19. Plus I think it would look a little bit better filling out the rear wheel well. Any recommendations on tire sizes? I’d prefer not to have any rubbing and would like to avoid any modification to deter it if possible
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
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From: Austin Texas
From what ive been reading a common size is 305/30/19 but that actually reduces the tire height compared to factory... and considering im not a fan of all the fender gap c5's have (yes i know we can lower with stock bolts - Its weird b/c i love the ride height of c5's.. i dont want it lower... but i cant stand the large wheel well gaps) id rather not increase it after spending all that money... .305/35 is usually a 27.4" tall tire which is about 3/4" taller than stock... now correct me if im wrong but that helps reduce the gap and allow you to really benefit from those 19's...so the 305/35 raises vet up a tad and reduces gap at same time... and the 4.2" side wall is near identical to stock.. i hate tiny side walls some are to close to the good old rubber band look... horrible look imo.... For me, if im spending money on improving the look of my vett im definitely not reducing the tires height. In a perfect world a 325/30/19 is near identical to the stock height but not sure those size fits and if its even available. I just reread my post and i feel like im all over the place sorry just thinkin out loud lol
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Bay Area
I would actually suggest 18x10" ET58 front, 18x11" ET57 rear based on your stated desires to maintain as much comfort as possible. This is a direct bolt on setup that works well with something like a 265 or 275/35-18 up front and 295/35-18 out back.
https://www.apexraceparts.com/shop-b...-corvette.html
https://www.apexraceparts.com/shop-b...-corvette.html
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Corvette Wheel & Tire Fitment Guides | Corvette Wheel Gallery
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Corvette Wheel & Tire Fitment Guides | Corvette Wheel Gallery
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Just my opinion, but going with an 18/19 setup opens up a lot more options in terms of tire availability for the car.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 110
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From: Austin Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I would actually suggest 18x10" ET58 front, 18x11" ET57 rear based on your stated desires to maintain as much comfort as possible. This is a direct bolt on setup that works well with something like a 265 or 275/35-18 up front and 295/35-18 out back.
https://www.apexraceparts.com/shop-b...-corvette.html
https://www.apexraceparts.com/shop-b...-corvette.html
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 44
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From: Washington DC
I can attest. I took off the 19/20s my car had when I bought it and put back on factory size tires with the OEM wheels. I expected a small improvement but it really was a night and day improvement in ride quality.