Kumho Tires for C5?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 119
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
Kumho Tires for C5?
I've been looking into replacement tires for my car. Right now I have the original equip. Goodyear's. I autocross and occasionally attent open track days. Right now I the best choice seems to be the Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole Positions, which are about $800 for a set. I've seen Kumho advertising tires and mentioning the Corvette specifically, but Tirerack never listed them for my car. After checking Kumho's site I've found it is because they don't make the Ecsta in a 275/40/18, rather a 275/35/18, which would have the effect of lowering the rear of the car about 1 inch due to the smaller aspect ratio. The price is right, about $500 for a set, and I've heard good things about Kumhos, but I am wondering if there would be any ill effects of going with a smaller aspect ratio. Any thoughts?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 36
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From: v town ca
Re: Kumho Tires for C5? (Rand)
the good things that you been hearing about kumho is wrong for the corvette app. These tires are a baisic performance tire they will not hold that well in hard corning they do not get that good of traction. we took the firestone sv 50 off a bmw m3 and put the kumho on and the m3 couldnt hang the on ramp. we were 8 mph slower. the so3 will stick like glue give you great traction and a+ in the rain. putting the smaller tire on will make you brake traction more often :smash:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 2
From: Seattle suburb wa
Re: Kumho Tires for C5? (Rand)
the 712's are not good replacement tires for a C5. yeah, for the money they're quite fine, a bargin at that price. but compared to 'good' tires, ala pilot sports or bfg g forces or Pirelli P-0's etc etc they are mid pack. not a "ultra high perf tire". I wouldn't put em on my car unless money was a severe constraint.
as to the wrong size, that 1 inch lower tire in the rear will make your speedo off by ~ 4%, ie you'll be qptimistic, so that when it says you're doing 145 you'll only be doing 139..
as to the wrong size, that 1 inch lower tire in the rear will make your speedo off by ~ 4%, ie you'll be qptimistic, so that when it says you're doing 145 you'll only be doing 139..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 873
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From: Albuquerque nm
Re: Kumho Tires for C5? (no cure)
If you can afford an ultra high performance tire go for it.
Two I have experience with are BFG G-Force KD ( on the vette), and Bridge. SO 2 (now SO 3, on my S-2000) IMHO they are some of the best rubber you can put on your corvette for all round performance....
[Modified by evil-1, 7:48 AM 6/17/2002]
Two I have experience with are BFG G-Force KD ( on the vette), and Bridge. SO 2 (now SO 3, on my S-2000) IMHO they are some of the best rubber you can put on your corvette for all round performance....
[Modified by evil-1, 7:48 AM 6/17/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,071
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From: Savannah GA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Kumho Tires for C5? (John Shiels)
Just went from Mich. Pilots to S-02's and absolutely love them. I chose the S-02's b/c of the awesome tread design and the fitment I needed(265/35-18 and 295-35/18). I have heard the S-03's are supposed to be better but I like the tread pattern of the S-02. The S-02's grip is unreal compared to my pilots and old stock runflats.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 150
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From: Oakland CA
Re: Kumho Tires for C5? (Rand)
I would consider the Kumho's if you don't drive the car faster than the speed rating. Last I checked the highest rating for them was W (168 MPH), which is significantly under the Y rated (186 MPH) tires the car comes with. For those of us who have access to the vast expanses in Nevada, Y is the letter to have.
I am using Birdgestone S03's (and autocross/track day), but I think I would save the $ next time and simply go with the non-runflat version of the Goodyear F1...they are incredibly cheap at Tirerack...and would have the benefits of the F1 (good mileage, good rain performance, Y speed rating) without the excessively stiff sidewalls and the problems that result.
My 2 cents...
Dan
I am using Birdgestone S03's (and autocross/track day), but I think I would save the $ next time and simply go with the non-runflat version of the Goodyear F1...they are incredibly cheap at Tirerack...and would have the benefits of the F1 (good mileage, good rain performance, Y speed rating) without the excessively stiff sidewalls and the problems that result.
My 2 cents...
Dan
