Why larger diameter wheels?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
The only good reason for big diameter wheels is big brakes. So why bigger on the rear than front when the front brakes do most of the work and are bigger? If quicker steering response was the reason the bigger diameter wheels would be on the front, not the rear.
They do it because they think it looks good.
I ran 17's all the way around on my C5, I'll probably go 18's front and rear on my C6.
If you want quicker steering response, add more air to the front tires.
They do it because they think it looks good.
I ran 17's all the way around on my C5, I'll probably go 18's front and rear on my C6.
If you want quicker steering response, add more air to the front tires.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 88
From: Sammamish WA
IMHO anything larger than 18" is little more than a fashion statement
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 238
Likes: 7
From: Ridgetop Tennessee
The only good reason for big diameter wheels is big brakes. So why bigger on the rear than front when the front brakes do most of the work and are bigger? If quicker steering response was the reason the bigger diameter wheels would be on the front, not the rear.
They do it because they think it looks good.
I ran 17's all the way around on my C5, I'll probably go 18's front and rear on my C6.
If you want quicker steering response, add more air to the front tires.
They do it because they think it looks good.
I ran 17's all the way around on my C5, I'll probably go 18's front and rear on my C6.
If you want quicker steering response, add more air to the front tires.
I think this was mentioned in the book "All Corvettes Are Red." I think it has to do with creating the correct stagger for aerodynamics.
I would recommend all C5 and C6 people read that book.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
18" in the front for the brakes, 19" in the rear for that modern styling. I think though, the "Big Wheel" look is just that, the stylists are going back to their "Big Wheel" childhood
Anyway, to my eye 18" is about the biggest wheel I would go with in a street application; for racing I wouldn't look for anything bigger then a 17" wheel-it just takes too much enegry to spin big hoops up to speed
Anyway, to my eye 18" is about the biggest wheel I would go with in a street application; for racing I wouldn't look for anything bigger then a 17" wheel-it just takes too much enegry to spin big hoops up to speed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,064
Likes: 6
From: Pinellas Park Florida
Yup, it takes more energy to spin up and stay at that speed. I guess Moment of Interia and Angular Momentum are the physic's involved, but I fell asleep alot during physic's so I am probably dead wrong.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
As for stagger, you get that with the diameter of the tires, not the wheels.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
the front and rear have the exact same sidewall height. If you go with 18's all the way around you have to run a tire with a taller sidewall in the rear to meet the front to rear bias on diameter. It would look goofy IMO.
My rear rotors fill up the 19" wheel......of course I went with the baer 2 pc. oversized rotor (14") The stock rear rotor looks like something off of a camry
Baer fixed that problem for me 
My rear rotors fill up the 19" wheel......of course I went with the baer 2 pc. oversized rotor (14") The stock rear rotor looks like something off of a camry
Baer fixed that problem for me
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
Besides, we're only talking about an increase in sidewall height of half an inch. I doubt most folks would even notice it unless it was pointed out to them.
