19 inch Tires
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
19 inch Tires
Ok, help me out. What 19 inch tires are you running and why? Be specific about size and brand. I am trying to decide what tires to go with on 19 inch front and rear and can't make up my mind. I have looked at Pirelli, Michilin, BF Goodrich, and Toyo. Sizes 305/30/19, 295/35/19, and 295/30/19 rears and 275/30/19, 265/30/19, 255/35/19 fronts and can't decide. I don't want the rears to stick out to far, that is why I am kind of siding toward 295's in the rear. Help me decide.
Last edited by waupachino; May 16, 2007 at 11:36 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
I have 19x11's on the rear with 285 35 19 GY RF's on my '98 w/the C6 Z06 rims and 18x9.5's with 245 40 18's upfront w/GY RF's.
I bought these from another forum member and this is what was on them.
If and when it is time I will continue with GY Run Flat's but will at least go to 295's or 305's if available for the rear!
I think 295's are the best of both world's and this is probably the size I will go with and yes! I do like the run flat's over the KUHMO's I had before! A big differance all the way!
I hope this helps!
Thanks,Matt
I bought these from another forum member and this is what was on them.
If and when it is time I will continue with GY Run Flat's but will at least go to 295's or 305's if available for the rear!
I think 295's are the best of both world's and this is probably the size I will go with and yes! I do like the run flat's over the KUHMO's I had before! A big differance all the way!
I hope this helps!
Thanks,Matt
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
I forgot to add about the front's I would "NOT" run 295's up there I will probably go with 265's at the most.
I do like the feel of the 245's upfront but feel a little more meat might not be a bad thing!
Thanks,Matt
I do like the feel of the 245's upfront but feel a little more meat might not be a bad thing!
Thanks,Matt
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 2
From: Haymarket VA
CI 7-8 Veteran
18's up front, 19's on the rear. 305/30/19 Michelin PS 2. they are on 11.5" CCW T10s. The sidewall sticks out but the contact patch doesn't. Probably wider than what you're looking for.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
I was wondering if the 305 would stick out. I believe my 505's are 19X11 rears, I wonder if the 305 would stick out on the skinnier wheel?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 13,542
Likes: 1
From: Are you fat because you're lazy or lazy because you're fat? San Jose, CA
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
I'd look at the BFG KDW 2's in 275/30 19 and 295/35 19. The tread pattern looks awesome, they are inexpensive, and should last longer than the PS2's and Pirellis.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
Thank you for the input and I am considering them. I just want to make the right decision the first time. I have read too many threads where members have spent a lot of money and are not happy.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
I have the same exact tire and sizes. I have about 12k-13k on my tires and the wear is not that bad so far. I don't drive my car during the winter, so I was not too concerned about over all wear. FWIW I don't have a lot of experience in the rain with them(some people complain the KDW's are bad in the rain)..the KDW2's are supposed to be better then the KDW's in the rain. On drive pavement they hook great for my power level (410RWHP) and 342 gear. And, yes the tread does look bad azz
No complaints over all very happy so far. I bought them from CCW when I got the wheels..it was a package deal, but I ended up paying just around 900 I think for the tires.
Last edited by FrankTank; May 16, 2007 at 01:56 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7,727
Likes: 7
From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
You may trade off some "stickiness" for the wear though
Now a CTS-V Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,675
Likes: 1
From: Central Ohio
CI 5-6-7 & 9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Todd, I've got 275's on front and 305's on rear. The tread does "just barely" stick out, but no problems and they look 
By the way, check your front door!!!!
By the way, check your front door!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere between the Red and the Rio Republic of Texas
I went through two sets of Pirelli P-Zero's (F=275/30/19; R=305/30/19) and found that the tires were just too soft. I have switched to the PS2's and really like the performance and they seem to be holding up fairly well. But whatever you go with, know that 19's are expensive so take it easy off the line unless you have $$$ to burn.
As for the rear tires being too wide, my tires stick out just about the same width as the quarter pannel flare (almost perfect).
As for the rear tires being too wide, my tires stick out just about the same width as the quarter pannel flare (almost perfect).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 2
From: Palm Desert CA
I'm running 295/35x19 BFG KDWs on my C5 and LOVE THEM! Grip is incredible and the price is right 
and they don't stick out at the back, they are just about flush with the body panel:
and they don't stick out at the back, they are just about flush with the body panel:
Last edited by UKXPAT; May 16, 2007 at 02:14 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 13,542
Likes: 1
From: Are you fat because you're lazy or lazy because you're fat? San Jose, CA
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
KDW2s are 300.
PS2s are 220.
Pirelli Rossos are 140.
The higher the #, the harder the compound, the longer it shoud last. These #'s are only ratings though, real world stats mean a lot more.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 10
From: Simi Valley CA
1. Don't take pictures on trash day
2. Your garage is a mess. clean it up.
Dang, your car looks great!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
Thanks to everyone who has been putting imput in. I appreciate it and keep it coming.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 7,727
Likes: 7
From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
I guess we are saying the same thing in different ways
Guess I should have said higher #,but if you read the statement..it should be clear what I meant
Last edited by flynbya2; May 16, 2007 at 03:28 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 2
From: Haymarket VA
CI 7-8 Veteran
The easiest way to find out is to call JOhn at CCW. He'll be able to tell you exactly what and what will not stick out with that wheel size. I spent about 45 minutes on the phone with him going over all my options when I got the T10's. The guy knows more about tires and wheels than most people know about their cars.