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What’s up my brothers. I’m looking to get some new tires for my 2002 VETTE. I’m using the oem thin spokes rims. They are 17x8.5 fronts. And 18x9.5 rears. I’m thinking about getting the tires pictured here. My question is would it be ok and not trip any codes or traction control issues by using a 245/40/17 instead of the stock 245/45/17 in front. The rears will be 285/40/18. A little wider. But still stock sidewall height. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Your spedometer won't read true. Changing the sidewall ratio changes the tread diameter. You'll need to have the computer tuned to calculate speed correctly. As for those cheap tires, I wouldn't.
What’s up my brothers. I’m looking to get some new tires for my 2002 VETTE. I’m using the oem thin spokes rims. They are 17x8.5 fronts. And 18x9.5 rears. I’m thinking about getting the tires pictured here. My question is would it be ok and not trip any codes or traction control issues by using a 245/40/17 instead of the stock 245/45/17 in front. The rears will be 285/40/18. A little wider. But still stock sidewall height. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Those sizes will worth ok. The AH/TC on C5's is only sensitive to front tires that are taller, than the rear. The diameter difference between the oem 275/40/18 and a 285/40/18 is roughly a 1/4", not enough to bother anything. A 245/40/17 is pretty short so if it were my car, I'd probably stay with a 245/45/17 front.
Those sizes will worth ok. The AH/TC on C5's is only sensitive to front tires that are taller, than the rear. The diameter difference between the oem 275/40/18 and a 285/40/18 is roughly a 1/4", not enough to bother anything. A 245/40/17 is pretty short so if it were my car, I'd probably stay with a 245/45/17 front.
Tire calculator shows the rears OP suggests 285/40/18 are 0.9" larger in circumference. Further the 275 is 756 revs per mile, and 285 is 748 revs per mile. Quite a difference.
But hey, who needs an accurate speedo on a Corvette?
Last edited by Gorn Captain; Apr 23, 2026 at 12:22 PM.
Reason: correction
Yeah, of course you are correct. Morning brain was just locked in on travel per rpm (circumference), not focused on the tread diameter. My bad. Edited.
No worries. I just stepped up to a 295/35/19 as my Rear Tire size so I will be changing that in the tune when I get them on the car. Definitely stuff that's fresh in my mind at the moment.
I'm not sure how to react to the "cheap tires" comment above. Maybe for those Forceum tires but, not the Goodyears. Those Goodyear tires (the 3's) are what is found on an 6th gen SS 1LE and a variant of which is on the ZL1 1LE (3r). I think those are plenty good for a C5 Corvette in the vast majority of situations. However, I think a Michelin Pilot Sport 4S would be even better in OEM sizes (if available).
You went up a size on the rear, why not go up a size on the front too? 255/45/17? And I wouldn’t mismatch my front and rear tires either, not for daily driving. I’ll add a drag radial just for drag strip days, but go back to my standard street tires when my drag strip day is done.
Anyone who has or had run these tires. I’d appreciate any feedback before I order them. I’ve read some reviews of people saying after switching to these Nittos. The car felt looser. Thx again
I think the G2 stands for Gen 2, I have the first Gen Nitto NT555 Tires on my Monte SS. 1st and 2nd I can blow them off the car, I'll get them to bark going into 3rd and I can break them loose in the higher RPM's. Then again this car makes about 520hp, 6spd Manual with 3.89 Gears in the back so that's a factor.
Anyone who has or had run these tires. I’d appreciate any feedback before I order them. I’ve read some reviews of people saying after switching to these Nittos. The car felt looser. Thx again
I ran the 555 G2's on my 70 El Camino restomod, with 420rwhp 385" Dart motor, TH350 w/2800 converter, and 3.42 gears. They were decent tires but definitely not top line.
255/35/18 fronts and 305/30/20's on 18x9 & 19x10 wheels.
Anyone who has or had run these tires. I’d appreciate any feedback before I order them. I’ve read some reviews of people saying after switching to these Nittos. The car felt looser. Thx again
I had G2's on one of my Camaro's. I can't say that I was a fan of them as they can get greasy with heat in them. Ironically, Toyo owns Nitto and I generally like Toyo's tire lineup a lot better than anything Nitto has. It's largely a feel and confidence level thing for me. Not a bad tire if you're not making a bunch of power but, I wouldn't run them if you were trying to push the car at all.
Last edited by -ZEEOHSIX-; May 4, 2026 at 11:50 AM.
Man this sux. Looks like I’m back to where I started. I wanted to get the Goodyear eagle F1’s Supercar for the rear. And a different tire set up for the front. But didn’t really want different tires front to back. Well any more info or help would be appreciated. I don’t know what to buy now.
Man this sux. Looks like I’m back to where I started. I wanted to get the Goodyear eagle F1’s Supercar for the rear. And a different tire set up for the front. But didn’t really want different tires front to back. Well any more info or help would be appreciated. I don’t know what to buy now.
I have the Contiental DWS06+ on my car (albiet with C6 rims/sizes), and they are very good, with more than enough grip for public roads. Honestly I would just stick to the stock sizes for your thin spokes.
Some help with new tires please.
