C6 wheel options HELP!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 103
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C6 wheel options HELP!
I have a C6 w z51 package. I want to upgrade to the Z06 tire sizes without adding the wide body kit. I know this can be done by using staggered fit rims. I want to keep 18's on the front and 19's on the rear so I still have the option to use runflats. I want 325/30/19s and 275/35/18's. I'm on a budget so carbon fiber 3 piece wheels are out! What are my options?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
To run 325/19's in the back you need wheels that are at least 11" wide. There are several options that have the proper offset to fit this combo under the stock C6 fender. Fronts are easier, 18X9.5.
Check Forum Vendor, Corvette Garage for one such example. It's an Ace Slick wheel they refer to as "Z07". Very affordable, less than $1K (set of 4) and looks similar to the Z06 wheel. 19X11, 73mm offset and 18X9.5, 53mm offset.
Lots of options, almost too many, all you can do is start looking, once you have the sizes and price point determined.
Have fun shopping.
Check Forum Vendor, Corvette Garage for one such example. It's an Ace Slick wheel they refer to as "Z07". Very affordable, less than $1K (set of 4) and looks similar to the Z06 wheel. 19X11, 73mm offset and 18X9.5, 53mm offset.
Lots of options, almost too many, all you can do is start looking, once you have the sizes and price point determined.
Have fun shopping.
Last edited by Knob Jockey; Jul 2, 2010 at 09:18 PM. Reason: clarification
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
Look at CCW. American made, quality, forged wheels that mount Z06 tires without rubbing or touching anywhere. A little more expensive than Chinese made knock off cast wheels but worth it. The best price on quality forged wheels. And about the best customer service in the business. Do a search or ask around here. Heres my car wearing them(powder coated comp grey) with Z06 tires.
www.ccwheel.com
www.ccwheel.com
Pro
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 648
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham AL
Look at CCW. American made, quality, forged wheels that mount Z06 tires without rubbing or touching anywhere. A little more expensive than Chinese made knock off cast wheels but worth it. The best price on quality forged wheels. And about the best customer service in the business. Do a search or ask around here. Heres my car wearing them(powder coated comp grey) with Z06 tires.
www.ccwheel.com
www.ccwheel.com
JBurt, I say you go for a nice set of carbon fiber 3 piece wheels. Go ahead and get the wide booty to go with it.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Both Coasts
To run 325/19's in the back you need wheels that are at least 11" wide. There are several options that have the proper offset to fit this combo under the stock C6 fender. Fronts are easier, 18X9.5.
Check Forum Vendor, Corvette Garage for one such example. It's an Ace Slick wheel they refer to as "Z07". Very affordable, less than $1K (set of 4) and looks similar to the Z06 wheel. 19X11, 73mm offset and 18X9.5, 53mm offset.
Lots of options, almost too many, all you can do is start looking, once you have the sizes and price point determined.
Have fun shopping.
Check Forum Vendor, Corvette Garage for one such example. It's an Ace Slick wheel they refer to as "Z07". Very affordable, less than $1K (set of 4) and looks similar to the Z06 wheel. 19X11, 73mm offset and 18X9.5, 53mm offset.
Lots of options, almost too many, all you can do is start looking, once you have the sizes and price point determined.
Have fun shopping.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa
Look at CCW . . . heres my car wearing them(powder coated comp grey) with Z06 tires.
www.ccwheel.com
www.ccwheel.com
How is the ride quality & handling and even though the look is somewhat "Z06 worthy", does it adversely effect anything?
Last edited by GotVett?; Jul 3, 2010 at 01:46 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
I have Bridgestone Pole Position tires on mine. They are runflats with the same profile as the stock C6 sized tires, only wider in the width. Better traction and same ride quality as stock. I like the Bridgestones a little better than the Goodyears.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Handling and ride quality is going to be specific to what and how much you change things on your car.
If your new, wider wheels and tires are heavier than OEM, you will feel it, but depending on the tires in particular, handling, noise and ride harshness can improve significantly.
In my case I changed a lot of things all at once so it's a little hard to make a direct comparison. I added a considerable amount of unsprung weight with wider wheels/tires and Z06 brakes. 18X9.5 275/35 and 19X13 345/30.
The Michelin's runflats are quieter than the GY's and the car handles great. The ride is only a little harsher, but I think that is mostly due to the addition of Z51 sway bars to my F55 suspension.
I made these changes mostly for cosmetic reasons but the extra rubber certainly helps the car stay glued to the road. So much so that I'm hesitant to discover the actual limits of handling on anything but a track or airstrip/etc.
If you're going to track your car, smaller, lighter wheels with stickier, not necessarily wider, rubber is the better solution.
Like I said, this is all specific to your application and driving requirements. And if you add in the need to drive in the rain and snow, the choices/compromises are even more complex.
If your new, wider wheels and tires are heavier than OEM, you will feel it, but depending on the tires in particular, handling, noise and ride harshness can improve significantly.
In my case I changed a lot of things all at once so it's a little hard to make a direct comparison. I added a considerable amount of unsprung weight with wider wheels/tires and Z06 brakes. 18X9.5 275/35 and 19X13 345/30.
The Michelin's runflats are quieter than the GY's and the car handles great. The ride is only a little harsher, but I think that is mostly due to the addition of Z51 sway bars to my F55 suspension.
I made these changes mostly for cosmetic reasons but the extra rubber certainly helps the car stay glued to the road. So much so that I'm hesitant to discover the actual limits of handling on anything but a track or airstrip/etc.
If you're going to track your car, smaller, lighter wheels with stickier, not necessarily wider, rubber is the better solution.
Like I said, this is all specific to your application and driving requirements. And if you add in the need to drive in the rain and snow, the choices/compromises are even more complex.
Last edited by Knob Jockey; Jul 3, 2010 at 06:07 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,006
Likes: 26
From: JawJa
Handling and ride quality is going to be specific to what and how much you change things on your car.
If your new, wider wheels and tires are heavier than OEM, you will feel it, but depending on the tires in particular, handling, noise and ride harshness can improve significantly.
In my case I changed a lot of things all at once so it's a little hard to make a direct comparison. I added a considerable amount of unsprung weight with wider wheels/tires and Z06 brakes. 18X9.5 275/35 and 19X13 345/30.
The Michelin's runflats are quieter than the GY's and the car handles great. The ride is only a little harsher, but I think that is mostly due to the addition of Z51 sway bars to my F55 suspension.
I made these changes mostly for cosmetic reasons but the extra rubber certainly helps the car stay glued to the road. So much so that I'm hesitant to discover the actual limits of handling on anything but a track or airstrip/etc.
If you're going to track your car, smaller, lighter wheels with stickier, not necessarily wider, rubber is the better solution.
Like I said, this is all specific to your application and driving requirements. And if you add in the need to drive in the rain and snow, the choices/compromises are even more complex.
If your new, wider wheels and tires are heavier than OEM, you will feel it, but depending on the tires in particular, handling, noise and ride harshness can improve significantly.
In my case I changed a lot of things all at once so it's a little hard to make a direct comparison. I added a considerable amount of unsprung weight with wider wheels/tires and Z06 brakes. 18X9.5 275/35 and 19X13 345/30.
The Michelin's runflats are quieter than the GY's and the car handles great. The ride is only a little harsher, but I think that is mostly due to the addition of Z51 sway bars to my F55 suspension.
I made these changes mostly for cosmetic reasons but the extra rubber certainly helps the car stay glued to the road. So much so that I'm hesitant to discover the actual limits of handling on anything but a track or airstrip/etc.
If you're going to track your car, smaller, lighter wheels with stickier, not necessarily wider, rubber is the better solution.
Like I said, this is all specific to your application and driving requirements. And if you add in the need to drive in the rain and snow, the choices/compromises are even more complex.
I'm going to be at the point of getting new rubber fairly soon and I'm definately wanting a wider profile tire than the OEM's. Was thinking about going the 305 route (possibly with Nitto's), however I understand the footprint isn't really any different with those than what I currently have. Wasn't expecting to go into the Z sizes buuut . . . since CCW's for one have the correct offsets (as they alway's do)I it may be a consideration. I know more rubber is certainly not a bad thing and wasn't sure if it's too much for my baicly "stock" vette. Somewhere down the road I'd like to sc (Edlebrock hopefully) so I would benefit from larger wheels/tires at that point but not sure if there would be more of a negative than positive feel currently. I don't track but do like to drive mine while feeling the power of the vette. 
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
The larger wheels/tires will add a couple of extra pounds but the addition tire contact patch will offer better traction and handling, besides, the extra weight can easily be offset by adding hp/tq. I added an additional 170hp with a S/C. The extra wheel weight is not an issue.
