Rear tire clearance issue
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
When it comes to swapping out wheels and tires from 17''s / 18's to 18's / 19's I'm a newby at it. I really do appreciate and all info and help I can get for you guys on the forum.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 838
Likes: 17
From: Maple Valley WA
St. Jude Donor '10
No worries bud... Feel free to PM me if you need any additional help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
No offense man, but, I do this for a living everyday and the 255 will work just fine, yes the 275 is closer the width needed. I just don't want him to have any issues with rubbing if he were to lower it and you and I don't know the offsets. I do custom fitments all the time and it easy for both of us to talk out stuff, but, without the car in the shop and doing the fitment and setting it on the ground and driving it I'm keeping it on the safe side. He's already had tire issues in the rear with the wheels he purchased. So, no offense taken.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 838
Likes: 17
From: Maple Valley WA
St. Jude Donor '10
No offense man, but, I do this for a living everyday and the 255 will work just fine, yes the 275 is closer the width needed. I just don't want him to have any issues with rubbing if he were to lower it and you and I don't know the offsets. I do custom fitments all the time and it easy for both of us to talk out stuff, but, without the car in the shop and doing the fitment and setting it on the ground and driving it I'm keeping it on the safe side. He's already had tire issues in the rear with the wheels he purchased. So, no offense taken.
That being said, it's a C5 Corvette - The C5 Z06 came from the factory with a 265/40-17, which is technically identical in diameter to a 265/35-18 (given slight differences per manufacturer), on a 9.5 X 17" wheel. This is not a maxed out fitment, as no OEM manufacturer builds cars that way... They always leave some "wiggle room."
Now, if you do your homework, you'll see that the majority of people running aftermarket wheels on a C5 run a 275/35-18 up front (if they're running 18"s), even when lowered 1.5-2.0" on coilovers.
Sinister, get me your front and rear wheel offsets and I'll tell you which way you need to go.
Last edited by DannyG; Dec 9, 2009 at 05:55 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
I believe I said the 275 was the ideal fitment, I just said the 255 was safe and if the offsets are correct thats the wheel to use. Don't insult me that I sell wheels from a catalog, you have no ideal who I am and you don't know what I sell. Thats great that you worked for a race team, why aren't you still working for them. I know there is wiggle room from the manufacturer, I didn't insult you or doubt what you said, I actually agreed with you, but, its obvious that your much smarter then I am, so no need for my responses. Have at it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 838
Likes: 17
From: Maple Valley WA
St. Jude Donor '10
I believe I said the 275 was the ideal fitment, I just said the 255 was safe and if the offsets are correct thats the wheel to use. Don't insult me that I sell wheels from a catalog, you have no ideal who I am and you don't know what I sell. Thats great that you worked for a race team, why aren't you still working for them. I know there is wiggle room from the manufacturer, I didn't insult you or doubt what you said, I actually agreed with you, but, its obvious that your much smarter then I am, so no need for my responses. Have at it.
Man, I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings, so I apologize for doing so. You rebutted what I said by saying going with a 255 was a "safe bet" but that's just not how I function... Measure twice, cut once. The idea is to maximize the fitment, not just throw something in there that you know will work because it's a safe bet. And the reason I don't work for them anymore is because they went out of business - Result of the economy. In closing, I want to apologize again. To me, it was just a debate, that I found rather fun, actually. And my comment about you ordering wheels out of a catalog was just a result of seeing that you work for Big-O tires, and I know that's how they operate - They don't build custom wheels.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
I run 275/35-18 ( 57mm offset) on OEM ride height Z06 with no issues . Matter of fact the 275/35-18 is 25.6" diameter where the OEM on my Z06 is (265/40-17 w/54mm) is 25.4" inches in dia. The difference in offsets measure 3mm or .010" ( with both wheels at 9.5 " wide).http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp?postId=906
I have 295/35-19 (56mm offset) 10" wide wheels.
I have 295/35-19 (56mm offset) 10" wide wheels.
Last edited by dieseldave56; Dec 11, 2009 at 05:00 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
No problem, I operate a little different then that as I do the custom stuff for our store with American Racing and Boyd. We bring the cars in to do the custom offsets and back spacing. I recently did a 64 t bird with air ride, I'm doing a 71 chevelle with air ride now. I do order out of catalogs for the majority of trucks and cars that come in. Not to many understand the offset and backspacing setup thats required for clearances on a lot of the old cars with air ride. Thats what I'm known for,I didn't realize I had rebutted you and I was giving him an option that was safe. I'm about the only one in our 13 stores in Missouri that works with custom builds. Most everyone else does exactly what you said, they order from the catalog and that works for the majority of the applications. I do accept your apology and no hard feelings here. I know you have past experience that we can all learn from. Besides I'm 57 and I can't **** as far as I used to. Its all good and I do try to max out the tire/wheel if I have it in my shop. Thanks for your insight and I know we can both probably help a lot of guys on this sight in the future.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oviedo Florida
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No offense man, but I used to do this for a living - I was the Fikse wheel rep/tech for Ford Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Riley... I actually even devised the fitment for the first 2009 Camaro Koni car. I know what I'm talking about. Anyways, I digress...
A 255/40-18 isn't a correct fitment for a 9.5 X 18. Will it work? Sure... But it will be a very convex fitment. On a 9.5 X 18 wheel, you should run at least a 265/35-18. A 255/40-18 is meant for a 8.5-9.0" wheel. If you're that concerned about rubbing, and the car is that slammed, go with a 265/35-18. But that's as narrow as you should go with a 9.5" wheel.
A 255/40-18 isn't a correct fitment for a 9.5 X 18. Will it work? Sure... But it will be a very convex fitment. On a 9.5 X 18 wheel, you should run at least a 265/35-18. A 255/40-18 is meant for a 8.5-9.0" wheel. If you're that concerned about rubbing, and the car is that slammed, go with a 265/35-18. But that's as narrow as you should go with a 9.5" wheel.
rear and 275-35-18 front. The tires stick out a little I have a fender
kit in route.
