Pharmer81

I'm putting Z06 wheels on my FRC and need new tires. I'm going with the standard 295/35/18's on the rear. I know most people run 275/40/17 on the front, but I found an amazing deal on 255/40/17 (1/2 the price of the 275's). My question is twofold.

1. Will the TC and ABS cause any problems with the smaller tire?
2. Will going with the smaller tire noticeably affect my handling in a negative way?

sprayed1998

Do the 255's, IMO the 275 are too tall and look bad on C5's. I have been using 255's for years and they work fine and look much better.

Pharmer81

I just placed my order. Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 295/35/18's for $163 and 255/40/17's for $119 per tire. I don't know why Tirerack has them so low, but I couldn't pass it up.

Pharmer81

Forgot to mention, Goodyear also has a $50 rebate on four tires. If anybody needs tires, I don't think this price can be beat.

Z06supercharged

I hated the look of 275's taller sidewall (even though its not much more taller its VERY noticeable vs rear sidewall height) on the front so I went with 255's and they look MUCH better and didnt affect the AH at all. You wont notice any handling difference on the street with the 255's vs 265/275's fronts.

Bill Dearborn

I doubt most people run the 275s on the front. Why not use the stock 265 Z06 front tire size? Then everything remains the same as if you had stock base tires and wheels on your C5.

Bill

Pharmer81

There are only a few tires that come in the 265 size, and they are all extremely expensive, with the exception of Wide Ovals and RE760s. I wanted something that performed better than those. There is a huge selection when you go to the 275 or 255 sizes.

corvettebob1

The 255's will give you a very short sidewall.
At the advise of Luke at the Tire Rack a couple of years ago I went with the 275's and have loved them.
I had ordered the 255's and he called me and asked why, so I told him I was trying to get the same thing as you are Z06 sizes in the F1-GSD3.
So he made me an offer, get the 255's if you like them keep them heck you can even mount them JUST DON'T DRIVE on them and you can return them for the 275's.
Well it cost me the price of return shipping but I went with the 275's, BTW the taller sidewall will make the car almost perfectly neutral handling.

tblu92

The issues of having the TC and ABS brake systems to NOT work correctly is based on the tire size height split between the front and rear---In stock trim the fronts are apprx. 1" shorter than the rears-there was a chart floating around on this or the Z06 forum called the "delta tire size chart" You can fudge a little but getting it over a 1" split will send those systems erroneous data and in a panic situation on the brakes you may get into trouble---most Vettes aren't driven much in the snow or ice but its there again you could get into trouble-- as far as the TC is concerned-- it just won't work correctly--It may make it overly aggressive and yank too much timing OR will make it not work very much at all------basically it's your call and your life--But if you go over the 1" split just be careful at 1st until you see the affects-

ericsterling

I've got 275/35/18 on the front of my C5, the wheel is 9.5", the front tire could be wider but i'd have to go to 30, which I didn't want to do but it's ok... actually it's good. now for my back tires... jesus have I had problems (and lost much money) finding the perfect fit to get a larger stance... Now running 19" 325/30/19 invo's... anyone need some 315/35/20 NT05's? brand new... haha

Kappa

I know of a good bit of people with Z06-sized wheels running 275s. It's a fairly common tire size and easy to get. The 255 work but I'd rather go up than down.

chrismullins99

Can somebody post a side pic of a vette with 275/40 and 295/35 tires?

CoreyZ06

the 275 40 17 is HIDEOUS.

i was gonna do it too till i found pics of it on this forum. its awful. i have a pretty critical eye but still.. not to offend anyone.. if yo are running them and you are happy well thats great, i just wont be joining you. its amazing how much of a change a little more than half an inch can make.

i just got the gsd3's for my rears, wish i had the option on the front. for the front, im probably just going to run wide ovals on the street. i had the oldschool re750's on my cobra and they were badass.. so hopefully they truly are the same tire.

i coulda swore i read someone say something about the larger tire helping the balance of the car earlier in this thread? come on....

a 275/35 would be a dream come true.

corvettebob1

See my avatar, sorry but it's the closest shot to a full side view.

chrismullins99

ok everyone has a different opinion on the 255/40 vs 275/40 size tires

someone explain exactly what dimensions don't look right when you go with these size tires. Is it the sidewall height that looks bad or what?

Blue 92

Look just terrible don't they.

chrismullins99

I can't really notice anything wrong, can someone point it out to me? I just don't want to waste my money on something that won't look good to me or others, thanks

chrismullins99

Blue 92 are you at stock ride height?

Blue 92

Where's the "I have no idea smiley" when you need it?

The previous owner used it as a semi-dedicated track car with upgraded suspension throughout. He moved over to a Z06, removed the aftermarket parts from the vert and installed the Z06 suspension parts back on the vert. He also raised it up from where it had been previously.

I'd say it's lower than stock but not radically so. Maybe 3/4" in the front and similar in the rear.

In it's previous life:


Now:

corvettebob1

OMG, They look just like mine.........
What a terrible fitment you have there!
BTW, your ride height appears to be very close to what mine is, and it's stock.