Tire Recommendations Help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 125
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Tire Recommendations Help
Hello! I’m I need of a new set of rear tires for my vette. I have 265/35/19 fronts and my rears can fit up to 345/30/19 (2 inch flared quarter panels). The car is used for daily driving, canyon carving, and the occasional street race 🤫. I want the car to feel balanced yet also be able to hook. I make 361 WHP and have 3.42 gears. I’m doing an a4 trans rebuild soon and planning on doing a 2800-32000 torque/stall converter. Thank you!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 324
Likes: 157
From: Maine
I am also looking for tires this spring and continental Extreme contact sport 02 have a 340 UTQG rating with 30 k Mile warranty they look like the best grip and go without giving up daily driving. I have never heard or read anything bad about them.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,352
Likes: 3,381
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Hello! I’m I need of a new set of rear tires for my vette. I have 265/35/19 fronts and my rears can fit up to 345/30/19 (2 inch flared quarter panels). The car is used for daily driving, canyon carving, and the occasional street race 🤫. I want the car to feel balanced yet also be able to hook. I make 361 WHP and have 3.42 gears. I’m doing an a4 trans rebuild soon and planning on doing a 2800-32000 torque/stall converter. Thank you!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 125
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,352
Likes: 3,381
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Both of those tires are pretty tall, for a C5.
265/35/19 = 26.6" diameter
285/40/19 = 28" diameter
Are you still running your rear inner fenders? Normally, anything over 27.5" tall necessitates their removal.
If it was my car, I would probably go with a 275/30/19 front @ 25.6" tall and a 305/30/19 rear @ 26.2" tall, maybe a 305/35/19 @ 27.2"
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 125
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
Pardon my ignorance but what are you referring to by Low Disk?
Both of those tires are pretty tall, for a C5.
265/35/19 = 26.6" diameter
285/40/19 = 28" diameter
Are you still running your rear inner fenders? Normally, anything over 27.5" tall necessitates their removal.
If it was my car, I would probably go with a 275/30/19 front @ 25.6" tall and a 305/30/19 rear @ 26.2" tall, maybe a 305/35/19 @ 27.2"
Both of those tires are pretty tall, for a C5.
265/35/19 = 26.6" diameter
285/40/19 = 28" diameter
Are you still running your rear inner fenders? Normally, anything over 27.5" tall necessitates their removal.
If it was my car, I would probably go with a 275/30/19 front @ 25.6" tall and a 305/30/19 rear @ 26.2" tall, maybe a 305/35/19 @ 27.2"
and yes I am still running my rear inner fenders. I have not had any issue with rubbing back there.
As mentioned above, I have 2 inch flare rear quarter panels from carbon creations ready to install on my car. And thus will have more clearance for larger tires up to 345 width.
if I were to keep my current fronts, since they are new. Would running the 305/30(35)/19 rear tires still be “optimal”?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,352
Likes: 3,381
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I am still running my rear inner fenders. I have not had any issue with rubbing back there.
The reason I asked is most people run into clearance issues, with any rear tire over 27.5" tall.
As mentioned above, I have 2 inch flare rear quarter panels from carbon creations ready to install on my car. And thus will have more clearance for larger tires up to 345 width.
Widebody fenders will allow wider tires but not taller.
if I were to keep my current fronts, since they are new. Would running the 305/30(35)/19 rear tires still be “optimal”?
The reason I asked is most people run into clearance issues, with any rear tire over 27.5" tall.
As mentioned above, I have 2 inch flare rear quarter panels from carbon creations ready to install on my car. And thus will have more clearance for larger tires up to 345 width.
Widebody fenders will allow wider tires but not taller.
if I were to keep my current fronts, since they are new. Would running the 305/30(35)/19 rear tires still be “optimal”?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 125
Likes: 4
From: San Marcos CA
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Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
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I agree 100% with USaZR1 as far as tire sizes. As far as brand/type of tire, I'm currently running Continental Extreme contact sport 2 tires on my supercharged C5 making 500 HP at the wheels. They should easily be able to handle the HP/Tq that you'll be making even with aftermarket gears and a Tq converter. With your rims, you could probably upgrade to Michelin Cup 2s, but I honestly don't think it would be worth it in your case. Keep in mind neither can be used if it's below 40°.
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Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
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