I purchased a 2002 Corvette last year and it is time to replace the tires. Up until this time I thought I had original C5 wheels on the car (front 17" and rear 18") but as it turns out the previous owner put C6 wheels on it so I actually have 18" and 19" front and rear. In doing so the previous owner changed the tire size to maintain the same original C5 height and width.

Here is the comparision of what the original C5 was, mine as it exists and the stock C6 sizes

Car Tire Height Width

2002 Stock Front P245/45ZR-17 25.681 9.646
2002 Stock Rear P275/40ZR-18 26.661 10.827

2002 Mine Front 245/40ZR-18 25.717 9.646
2002 Mine Rear 275/35ZR-19 26.579 10.827

C6 Stock Front P245/40ZR-18 25.717 9.646
C6 Stock Front P285/35ZR-19 26.854 11.220


I plan to go back with run flats ( I know this is a huge controversy but it is the route I plan to go) What I am finding is I am severely limited in choice due to the size of tire currently on the car. Front size is not a problem but the rears are.

If I change from the current 275/35-19 to a 285/35-19 my tire height changes by approx 0.275" and the width increases by 0.4"

I know I can always recalibrate the speedometer but my question to the forum is do you know if the increased height or width will be a problem fitting on the car.

Has anyone else encountered this before?

Thanks!

 

No problem!It will fit just fine!The speedometer will be so close you won't have to recalibrate it either.

 

Jamieo, thanks for the input! I appreciate it.

 

No problem!By the way,your speedometer will be off less than .5 MPH at 60 MPH so you will be fine!

 

Whats funny is a friend and I created a spreadsheet years ago for comparing tire size, rear end / transmission gear ratios etc and I just updated it to include speedometer error. It looks like it would be .62 MPH off

I will share that file here for anyone who wants to play with it as well.

I was mostly concerned about any clearance issues since I have not taken a close underneath to see just how close things are.

Thanks again!

 

.62 MPH if I did my math right....it has been a long week

 

Sure hope you rethink those run flats. I've seen hundreds of posts from guys who've changed from run flats to non run flats and are so happy they did. The ride is so much better and the prices are way lower too. Either way, it's your ride and hope it works out the way you think it will. Plus you'll have a much bigger tire selection.

 

Cactuscat, thanks for the input. I have continued to do a great deal of reading up on this topic and I think I change my mind daily

 

Castleworks, if your staying with the C6 rims/sizes, may I suggest looking at the Firestone Wide Oval RFT, made to fit C6 Corvette.

I have them on my 02 C5 with after market C6 wheels to fit C5 and they are a great tire. A lot quieter that Goodyear, good ratings, good looking too. Check out tirerack.com.

FYI,
c5firstimer

 

If you stick with runflats, I found the Michelins to be far quieter than the Goodyears. Rode better, didn't hunt around and chase every crack in the pavement.