18 inchers in the front
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
18 inchers in the front
After installing 18 inch wheels in the front of their vette has anyone noticed any negitive effects such as slower steering response. I was just wondering since the Z06 doesn't even come with 18s in the front from the factory. There must be some reason GM uses a 17.
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 6,456
Likes: 2
From: D/FW Area TX
Re: 18 inchers in the front (Loaded45)
Cafaro designed it that way for two reasons, styling and better acceleration. It's the same principle implemented on funny cars and dragsters. In fact, Cafaro wanted an even bigger difference between front and rear. It's documented that he wanted 19s on the rear, but increased drag and fuel economy concerns played a role in shutting out that design.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 6,456
Likes: 2
From: D/FW Area TX
Re: 18 inchers in the front (Loaded45)
BTW, bparker has 18s all around. You should ask him about any negative effects.
The main thing you need to do is to keep the overall diameter the same, so you'll need to use really thin tires on the front to keep it the same as the overall stock diameter when mounted on 18" front wheels.
The main thing you need to do is to keep the overall diameter the same, so you'll need to use really thin tires on the front to keep it the same as the overall stock diameter when mounted on 18" front wheels.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 10,753
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From: Dallas TX
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Re: 18 inchers in the front (TargaC5)
I have 18's all the way around with no noticeable effects on the negative side. I did add Pilot Sports at the same time, which made handling much better than the run flats did.
RG
RG
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 1
From: Stockholm
Re: 18 inchers in the front (Loaded45)
I have never had 17" in front. I bought my car new from DRM with all mods made as you can see in my sig. So far I've put 7000miles on the racetrack (most of them with 18*265/35 tires in front) and I'm very happy with the steering response. A Swedish car magazine who tested my car wrote 'This car has a very exact steering response' but I think it's very personal how you want your steering (as well as every thing else) to respond. I will use 18*285/30 tires next summer but some people has told me that I might loose a little of the current steering feeling with wider tires. My $0.02 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 933
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara Ca
Re: 18 inchers in the front (Loaded45)
My '99 has 275/35/18 on front and offsetted with rears of 335/30/18s.
I have found no negatives and that includes during open road races on public roads where speeds have been as high as 172 MPH and taking turns at 115 to 140 MPH.
With the electronic steering function at higher speeds the stock steering is too overacting and thus slowing it down is a postive. I know of 2 C5s that at these speeds during an ORR that crashed due to the steering design to allow driver to oversteer without a hint to that driver.
Within the C5R team they go as far as using a different power steering pully size to slow the steering response down.
I have found no negatives and that includes during open road races on public roads where speeds have been as high as 172 MPH and taking turns at 115 to 140 MPH.
With the electronic steering function at higher speeds the stock steering is too overacting and thus slowing it down is a postive. I know of 2 C5s that at these speeds during an ORR that crashed due to the steering design to allow driver to oversteer without a hint to that driver.
Within the C5R team they go as far as using a different power steering pully size to slow the steering response down.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Elburn Illinois
Re: 18 inchers in the front (Loaded45)
Loaded45,
I have 18" all around with Michelin Pilot Sports. Ihave 345's in the rear and 275's in the front, I have had no problems with this setup including codes steering and handeling.
Tom
I have 18" all around with Michelin Pilot Sports. Ihave 345's in the rear and 275's in the front, I have had no problems with this setup including codes steering and handeling.
Tom
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