Tire Tech Questions

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May 7, 2004 | 04:56 AM

LBear

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 2,246

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From: West Coast

Tire Tech Questions

A Z06 rim has: 17x9.5 FRONT P265 40ZR-17
18x10.5 REAR P295 35ZR-18

A C5 coupe rim has: 17x8.5 FRONT P245 45ZR-17
18x9.5 REAR P275 40ZR-18

Can you fit a Z06 tire on a C5 rim?
Will a wider tire provide better handling for the coupe?
Does a shorter sidewall(Z06) provide better handling?
:seeya

May 7, 2004 | 07:23 AM

ArmyVette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 6,386

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From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas

Re: Tire Tech Questions (pettrix)

I'm not a tire expert but I do know the tires and rims must match sizes.

The short answer is: NO! You need a 9.5 inch wheel (rim) to match the 9.5 inch tire.

[Modified by ArmyVette, 7:24 AM 5/7/2004]

May 7, 2004 | 09:17 AM

6Speeder

Safety Car

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 4,818

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From: Albuquerque NM

Re: Tire Tech Questions (ArmyVette)

While the wider tire will fit on the narrower rim, it won't give optimum handling. I wouldn't go any wider than 255/285 on stock C5 wheels. Either Tirerack or tires.com has charts showing suggested wheel sizes for different brands of tires, min, max and tested.

The shorter sidewall will flex less, giving a more responsive tire, but with a firmer ride. It will also make the car accelerate quicker (if mounted on the rear wheels) due to the gearing advantage it gives. :cheers:

May 7, 2004 | 10:10 AM

Duck916

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 21,372

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From: Various places in Southern California.

Re: Tire Tech Questions (pettrix)

As noted above, they will fit, but not properly. While you can get 'em on the narower wheels, the sidewalls will be pinched in somewhat resulting in a rounded tread profile. This will negatively affect the handling with the larger tires.

I don't think the Z06 tires will get you any gearing advantage. While the aspect ratio of the tires is smaller, the overall height is very close to the regular tires. This is because the sidewall height is the product of the aspect ratio and the section width of the tire.

May 7, 2004 | 01:20 PM

LBear

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2004

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From: West Coast

Re: Tire Tech Questions (Duck916)

So a Goodyear GSD3 will be the same size as a factory tire and offer better handling and noise control?

May 7, 2004 | 02:12 PM

6Speeder

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Joined: May 2000

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From: Albuquerque NM

Re: Tire Tech Questions (pettrix)

The Z06 sized rear tire is 1/2" shorter in diameter than the stock C5 sized rear tire.

May 8, 2004 | 03:56 AM

LBear

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 2,246

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From: West Coast

Re: Tire Tech Questions (6Speeder)

Which tire size would work with my factory rims and provide better handling?

245/40/17 OR 255/40/17 FRONT
275/35/18 OR 285/35/18 REAR

Or should I just stick with the factory sized tire of 245/45/17 & 275/40/18?

:seeya

May 8, 2004 | 04:20 AM

7.0sc SuperVette

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 797

Likes: 1

From: Sunny Earthquake Country, USA On the Left Coast (which is becoming more Right!)

Re: Tire Tech Questions (pettrix)

Get new rims!!!
Get a set of ZO6 Chromies, 18' front and rear! They're cheap.
18x9.5 front with 265/35/18s.
18x10.5 rear with 295/35/18s.
Get some soft tires, BFG KD's or similar.
It will be like day and night!
Then get bars-Hotchkiss, ZO6, or similar.
It will again be like day and night!:thumbs:
Good luck,
Roy