295's vs 275's
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 912
Likes: 1
From: Clinton Twp. MI USA mi
295's vs 275's
I am in a situation where if I want to keep the pirelli P-zero's with the logo on them I would have to go down to a 275 40 18 on back and 265 40 17's on front. This is on a 97 with stock rims. I currently have the same size fronts but have 295 35 18's in back. Is going to the 275 40 with the 265 40 up front a good combo or would it not be recomended for some reason? Just try to make sure before I purchase. Thanks for any help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
I dont think that would be a problem. The stock size on the coupe is
XGG - FRONT TIRE-P245/45ZR17 BW SBR
YGH - REAR TIRE-P275/40ZR18 BW SBR
I just ordered 295 up front and 305 in the rear, but I was going to order 265 upfront with 305 in the rear. Either would have worked.
The different was all the front tire - larger tire better traction in turns, but worse on the highway because it will follow the groves too much. The smaller tires up front better on the highway, but not so good for the turn in at the track.
XGG - FRONT TIRE-P245/45ZR17 BW SBR
YGH - REAR TIRE-P275/40ZR18 BW SBR
I just ordered 295 up front and 305 in the rear, but I was going to order 265 upfront with 305 in the rear. Either would have worked.
The different was all the front tire - larger tire better traction in turns, but worse on the highway because it will follow the groves too much. The smaller tires up front better on the highway, but not so good for the turn in at the track.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Originally Posted by mowton
You bought more tires 
Have I said this lately.......
Your out of control
Congrats on the new tires
Ed
Have I said this lately.......
Your out of control
Congrats on the new tires
Ed
I know but what else am I gonna spend my money on
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 19,557
Likes: 1,470
From: I love you & miss you Linda
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Contributor
Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
I know but what else am I gonna spend my money on
On a more serious note, aren't those 295's a little much for the front?????
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 912
Likes: 1
From: Clinton Twp. MI USA mi
Is going from a 295 to a 275 going to make a big difference traction wise. My car is puttin out about 380 at the rear wheels and hardly get good hook up with the 295's, but I realy like the pirelli's(would have to get 275) or should I stick with 295's and get the gs-d3's? Mainly I just want to know if you think I would notice a difference going to 275's?
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,847
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From: Iowa
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by abraham
come on, this is the trusty corvette forum, I am suppost to be able to count on you guys for some opinions before I go spent $1000. 
Gee, I'm certainly no expert on this stuff, but just simple logic would tell me that if you don't get a good hook with 295's, you sure as hell ain't going to get any hook with a smaller width tire like a 275.
But that's just my opinion, of course.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 912
Likes: 1
From: Clinton Twp. MI USA mi
not sure how big of a difference in size these are. I know going smaller is not going to give me more hook, just not sure how big of a difference we are talking here. Thanks for the reply though. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
you will need a sticker tire to get better traction. One of the main reasons I did not tub my car or go with 19in tires was because those guys that have done that said the traction is not much better.
Going to a r-compound tire or a real aggressive tire is the only true way to increase traction.
It only makes sense. A wide tire that is hard as a rock will not stick as well as a skinner tire that is soft.
The down fall though is tire life and the abilty to use the tire in different weather.
I have Michellin Pilot Sport Cups. R-compound tires that are sweet once they warmed up and if there is little to no water on the ground.
Cold roads and wet weather these tires are hard to handle.
Going to a r-compound tire or a real aggressive tire is the only true way to increase traction.
It only makes sense. A wide tire that is hard as a rock will not stick as well as a skinner tire that is soft.
The down fall though is tire life and the abilty to use the tire in different weather.
I have Michellin Pilot Sport Cups. R-compound tires that are sweet once they warmed up and if there is little to no water on the ground.
Cold roads and wet weather these tires are hard to handle.
Last edited by Wicked Weasel; Mar 22, 2006 at 10:44 AM.