Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 166
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From: Toronto Ontario
Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice
I am sure this topic has been beaten to death before, but I need some help now, so no flames, please. My new baby (02 MY Coupe) is going on line and will be born next week. The Vette is comming with QF5 High Polished wheels, and I have 2 additional 18x9.5" rear H/P wheels I want to put on the front, so here is the advice/help I am seeking:
1. Can I mount the 18X9.5" wheels on the front without any modifications - will they fit and work properly (no hitting or rubbing)?
2. If they will work, what are the largest and lowest profile tires that will fit?
3. What are the largest tires I can mount in the rear with the stock rims?
P.S. I kinow I do need to balance the tire sizes front to rear please keep that in mind!
4. Assuming all this does work, can any of the tire Guru's/Experts/Mavens tell me what the correct alignment settings should be?
Just a final note, it is my intention to replace the tires with non-run flats.
As always thanks to everyone for thier input and help.
..........Sy
1. Can I mount the 18X9.5" wheels on the front without any modifications - will they fit and work properly (no hitting or rubbing)?
2. If they will work, what are the largest and lowest profile tires that will fit?
3. What are the largest tires I can mount in the rear with the stock rims?
P.S. I kinow I do need to balance the tire sizes front to rear please keep that in mind!
4. Assuming all this does work, can any of the tire Guru's/Experts/Mavens tell me what the correct alignment settings should be?
Just a final note, it is my intention to replace the tires with non-run flats.
As always thanks to everyone for thier input and help.
..........Sy
Race Director
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
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St. Jude Contributor
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (Vette7)
265/35 18 will work nice for the front! I would NOT go any bigger though with the 9.5" wide wheels! That would be a real nice big front tire and it WILL be fine with NO problems! :p:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,129
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From: Vette
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (Glennm27)
I’ve got my stock original rears on the front: 18x9.5 with BFG G-Force 265/35/18 tires and
18x10.5 (5 spoke knock offs) with BFG G-Force 295/35/18.
No problems at all and works awesome! :D :yesnod:
18x10.5 (5 spoke knock offs) with BFG G-Force 295/35/18.
No problems at all and works awesome! :D :yesnod:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (Vette7)
Thanks Guys.
I appreciate the insight. Seems the general consensous is 265-35-18 on the front without any fitment problems. I am concerned about the rears. I will be running the swame 18X9.5" H/P rims on the back.
-Will the 295-35-18 tires fit safely on the stock 18x9.5" rims?
-Will the offseting sizes (front to rear - relative hight) be the same or close?
-Will the speedo still read correctly?
-What should I do as to alignment settings?
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
Thanks for the input.........
............Sy
:confused:
I appreciate the insight. Seems the general consensous is 265-35-18 on the front without any fitment problems. I am concerned about the rears. I will be running the swame 18X9.5" H/P rims on the back.
-Will the 295-35-18 tires fit safely on the stock 18x9.5" rims?
-Will the offseting sizes (front to rear - relative hight) be the same or close?
-Will the speedo still read correctly?
-What should I do as to alignment settings?
:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:
Thanks for the input.........
............Sy
:confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 14
From: Vette
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (Vette7)
… are the BFG G-force tires runflats?
Sy,
I didn’t recognize you at first. We met at ARE once if you remember….
Just wanted to let you know that although many people have run 295/35/18s on 18x9.5 wheel w/o problems, it’s not recommended (wheel not wide enough according to tire specs)
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 166
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From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (EuG)
Yes Eug,
We met last spring at Nick's :seeya, wasn't sure if you remembered. Can you tell me the price of and where you got the 18X10.5's? Are they a good match to the factory QF5 High Polished wheels? I guess I could always sell 2 of the extra 18X9.5's I have.
Thanks for all your input.
We met last spring at Nick's :seeya, wasn't sure if you remembered. Can you tell me the price of and where you got the 18X10.5's? Are they a good match to the factory QF5 High Polished wheels? I guess I could always sell 2 of the extra 18X9.5's I have.
Thanks for all your input.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
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Kid Rock Fan
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (EuG)
I just put the chrome Z06 repros on my car. Went with 18x9.5 front with 265/35/18 and 18x10.5 rear with 295/35/18. They fit perfectly, they look great, and they don't rub, even though my car has been lowered. :smash: :smash: :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 46
From: New Milford CT
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (Drop_Top_Dave)
EuG, would you please answer Vette7's questions about the chrome knockoff wheels and how they match the polished OEM ones? I was thinking this is the way to go also!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 14
From: Vette
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (CJS)
CJS,
I wouldn’t know. :nonod:
Mine are painted and clearcoated. I got my wheels unfinished and had a local body shop match ‘em to my rears.
I doubt chromed ones will match polished though….
[Modified by EuG, 6:47 PM 1/16/2002]
EuG, would you please answer Vette7's questions about the chrome knockoff wheels and how they match the polished OEM ones? I was thinking this is the way to go also!
Mine are painted and clearcoated. I got my wheels unfinished and had a local body shop match ‘em to my rears.
I doubt chromed ones will match polished though….
[Modified by EuG, 6:47 PM 1/16/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 46
From: New Milford CT
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (EuG)
EuG, thanks for the reply, since the wheels can be purchased unfinished then they could be polished and clearcoated to match the OEM polished y2k's.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 166
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From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (EuG)
EuG,
Thanks for all the input. By the way, you would have loved to be with me in the Vette (or NOT) when I ran Deals Gap and the loop of the 224 at Little Ceasar in North Carolina into Tennessee on way way to the Museum for the Labor Day gathering last August. First time in 35 years I actaully scared myself... bouncing off the rev limiter in 2nd gear, hitting 3rd. The guys on the crotch rockets I met after thought I out of my mind... they were probably right, what an absolute adrenaline rush, 318 curves in 11 miles on the side of mountains. It took me 1/2 an hour to settle down after.
:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:
Thanks for all the input. By the way, you would have loved to be with me in the Vette (or NOT) when I ran Deals Gap and the loop of the 224 at Little Ceasar in North Carolina into Tennessee on way way to the Museum for the Labor Day gathering last August. First time in 35 years I actaully scared myself... bouncing off the rev limiter in 2nd gear, hitting 3rd. The guys on the crotch rockets I met after thought I out of my mind... they were probably right, what an absolute adrenaline rush, 318 curves in 11 miles on the side of mountains. It took me 1/2 an hour to settle down after.
:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :crazy:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,299
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From: Houston Texas
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (EuG)
CJS,
EuG, would you please answer Vette7's questions about the chrome knockoff wheels and how they match the polished OEM ones? I was thinking this is the way to go also!
I wouldn’t know. :nonod:
Mine are painted and clearcoated. I got my wheels unfinished and had a local body shop match ‘em to my rears.
I doubt chromed ones will match polished though….
I just recently got some chrome 18 in. knockoff's from Nate and they look great. I will try to post some pics if I get a chance or you can look at the thread in the southwest section, called "Mod day ant Mysea5's house" I have the black coupe.
[Modified by EuG, 6:47 PM 1/16/2002]
EuG, would you please answer Vette7's questions about the chrome knockoff wheels and how they match the polished OEM ones? I was thinking this is the way to go also!
I wouldn’t know. :nonod:
Mine are painted and clearcoated. I got my wheels unfinished and had a local body shop match ‘em to my rears.
I doubt chromed ones will match polished though….
I just recently got some chrome 18 in. knockoff's from Nate and they look great. I will try to post some pics if I get a chance or you can look at the thread in the southwest section, called "Mod day ant Mysea5's house" I have the black coupe.
[Modified by EuG, 6:47 PM 1/16/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 14
From: Vette
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (cjones)
cjones,
LOL 
:nono:
Going WOT in 1st on a hot summer day (when the road sticks nice) is like revving in neutral :crazy: Pretty much the same thing happens when you shift to 2nd if you’re not careful.
[Modified by EuG, 6:50 PM 1/18/2002]
Can you go WOT at all in 1st gear?
:nono:Going WOT in 1st on a hot summer day (when the road sticks nice) is like revving in neutral :crazy: Pretty much the same thing happens when you shift to 2nd if you’re not careful.
[Modified by EuG, 6:50 PM 1/18/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (EuG)
Crap. I'm waiting in anticipation of getting my MMS 388 installed. Not sure how much power it'll make through my A4, but I'm guessing 440 or so.
We'll see how it holds. I'm curious if 335s on a 12" rim will make that much of a difference or not. Not too excited about the idea of tubing.
We'll see how it holds. I'm curious if 335s on a 12" rim will make that much of a difference or not. Not too excited about the idea of tubing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 14
From: Vette
Re: Wheel & Tire Sizes: Need Advice (cjones)
cjones,
When it comes to traction, it’s not so much about HP, but TQ :yesnod:
Also, A4 usually helps hooking up, because power comes on smoother, so you should benefit from it.
When it comes to traction, it’s not so much about HP, but TQ :yesnod:
Also, A4 usually helps hooking up, because power comes on smoother, so you should benefit from it.