Wheel Size and Performance Question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,386
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From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
Wheel Size and Performance (Does Size Matter?? :lolg: )
Search engine is down but I need to ask.
Looking to upgrade the wheel/tire package from the 2004 Coupe OEM to the Z06 package (or something else). I've seen our Forum Vendors offering some nice packages on wheel sizes up to 19 inch front and 20 inch rear. Also, I've seen packages where the front and rear tires are the same size (18 inch). What's the largest wheel/tire size I can safely consider?
How do these size tires affect handling and performance for a street only vehicle (don't look for me anywhere on the track except in the bleachers)?
Also, do I have to make any edit or other adjustments when I change wheel/tire sizes?
Thanks for the help! :D :D
[Modified by Jeff in Alexandria, 3:47 PM 2/2/2004]
Looking to upgrade the wheel/tire package from the 2004 Coupe OEM to the Z06 package (or something else). I've seen our Forum Vendors offering some nice packages on wheel sizes up to 19 inch front and 20 inch rear. Also, I've seen packages where the front and rear tires are the same size (18 inch). What's the largest wheel/tire size I can safely consider?
How do these size tires affect handling and performance for a street only vehicle (don't look for me anywhere on the track except in the bleachers)?
Also, do I have to make any edit or other adjustments when I change wheel/tire sizes?
Thanks for the help! :D :D
[Modified by Jeff in Alexandria, 3:47 PM 2/2/2004]
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,066
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Re: Wheel Size and Performance (Jeff in Alexandria)
If you keep the overall diameter of the wheel/tire combination about the same as stock in the front and the back you will not have any problem. The back's have to rotate about 4% slower than the fronts to allow best performance from the AH/TC.
Bill
Bill
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From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Re: Wheel Size and Performance (Bill Dearborn)
If you keep the overall diameter of the wheel/tire combination about the same as stock in the front and the back you will not have any problem. The back's have to rotate about 4% slower than the fronts to allow best performance from the AH/TC.
Bill
Bill
VR :cheers:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 0
From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
Re: Wheel Size and Performance (Bill Dearborn)
If you keep the overall diameter of the wheel/tire combination about the same as stock in the front and the back you will not have any problem. The back's have to rotate about 4% slower than the fronts to allow best performance from the AH/TC.
Bill
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
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From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Wheel Size and Performance (Jeff in Alexandria)
19/20 is no problem with AH/TC as the tire heights are almost identical to stock.
I have approx 10k miles on my 19/20 setup with no issues whatsoever. I would get the same setup again without hesitation.
:cheers:
I have approx 10k miles on my 19/20 setup with no issues whatsoever. I would get the same setup again without hesitation.
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 0
From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
Re: Wheel Size and Performance (Y2Kvert4me)
Tom, thanks for the info. Did the larger diameter tires bring the car further off the ground? If so, I would think that would affect the handling and cornering to some degree.
BTW, what size tires are you running now? I'm not sure how to convert my OEM GY's into the larger 19 and 20 inch sizes and still keep the same aspect ratio. (I will, of course, be getting new wheels.) Been looking at the Tire Rack but it just gives me a listing of available tires and there are all different sizes with different sidewall ratios.
Thanks again. :seeya
[Modified by Jeff in Alexandria, 8:38 PM 2/4/2004]
BTW, what size tires are you running now? I'm not sure how to convert my OEM GY's into the larger 19 and 20 inch sizes and still keep the same aspect ratio. (I will, of course, be getting new wheels.) Been looking at the Tire Rack but it just gives me a listing of available tires and there are all different sizes with different sidewall ratios.
Thanks again. :seeya
[Modified by Jeff in Alexandria, 8:38 PM 2/4/2004]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 764
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From: South Florida
Re: Wheel Size and Performance (Jeff in Alexandria)
If you want comfort and performance stay in the 19 f&R or 18/19 or 18/18.
THe tire diameter sizes will vary but under 35 profile(295/35/18or19) will affect the bumps and crack feel of the road.
But if you have Run FLats now I guess your use to it by now.
Good luck & remember don't hurt ride for looks.........
:seeya :seeya
THe tire diameter sizes will vary but under 35 profile(295/35/18or19) will affect the bumps and crack feel of the road.
But if you have Run FLats now I guess your use to it by now.
Good luck & remember don't hurt ride for looks.........
:seeya :seeya
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
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From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Wheel Size and Performance (Jeff in Alexandria)
The tires aren't any larger in diameter, only the wheels are. So no difference in the car height, nor do they "fill the fenders" any more.
As for keeping the same aspect ratio when switching to 19/20's...ain't gonna happen. If the aspect ratio (and tire width) were to remain the same, you'd end up with a 2" taller tire when switching to the 2" larger diameter wheels, and no way will that work. You have to reduce the sidewall when upsizing wheels and not mess things up, just no way around it.
I'm using 275/30/19 on 19x9.5 wheels front and 285/30/20 on 20x10 rears. As stated above, these tire sizes are about the same overall diameter as the stock 17/18 tires.
As for the performance characteristics, handling feel and cornering seems quite better, but I don't track my car and just "feeling" different on the street is no measure of actual handling improvement. Traction is ok, but I'm comparing that to the runflats, which aren't great either. 19/20 should be done for looks only..if you have serious performance goals, 18s or 18/19 would be a better choice.
:cheers:
[Modified by Y2Kvert4me, 8:07 PM 2/4/2004]
As for keeping the same aspect ratio when switching to 19/20's...ain't gonna happen. If the aspect ratio (and tire width) were to remain the same, you'd end up with a 2" taller tire when switching to the 2" larger diameter wheels, and no way will that work. You have to reduce the sidewall when upsizing wheels and not mess things up, just no way around it.
I'm using 275/30/19 on 19x9.5 wheels front and 285/30/20 on 20x10 rears. As stated above, these tire sizes are about the same overall diameter as the stock 17/18 tires.
As for the performance characteristics, handling feel and cornering seems quite better, but I don't track my car and just "feeling" different on the street is no measure of actual handling improvement. Traction is ok, but I'm comparing that to the runflats, which aren't great either. 19/20 should be done for looks only..if you have serious performance goals, 18s or 18/19 would be a better choice.
:cheers:
[Modified by Y2Kvert4me, 8:07 PM 2/4/2004]
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Wheel Size and Performance (Jeff in Alexandria)
Tom, any idea what the tires sizes would be for 18 fronts and 19 rears?
Thanks again! :D :cheers:
Thanks again! :D :cheers:
If you want slightly shorter, a 265/35/18 front, and either a 295/30/19 or 305/30/19 rear will also work well.
A lot of that decision comes down to tire preference and who makes what size. The choices are kind of slim in the 19" sizes. Michelin and Yokohama make the 295/35/19's...Continental and Pirelli make the 295/30/19 size, and I think only Pirelli offers the 305/30/19.
:cheers:
[Modified by Y2Kvert4me, 9:35 PM 2/4/2004]