Undersize wheels
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Undersize wheels
Man, I think I just cracked my third rim on my 05. I am so sick of the **** poor condition of the roads out here. But, as I have come to realize, not sick enough to get rid of my Vette.
Does anyone here have experience with running undersized diameter wheels to achieve a larger and more protective sidewall? What is the smallest wheel that can fit, given the size of the stock brakes?
Any opinions on this? Feedback from anyone who has tried it?
Thanks,
Marty
Does anyone here have experience with running undersized diameter wheels to achieve a larger and more protective sidewall? What is the smallest wheel that can fit, given the size of the stock brakes?
Any opinions on this? Feedback from anyone who has tried it?
Thanks,
Marty
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 3
From: Central NJ
Man, I think I just cracked my third rim on my 05. I am so sick of the **** poor condition of the roads out here. But, as I have come to realize, not sick enough to get rid of my Vette.
Does anyone here have experience with running undersized diameter wheels to achieve a larger and more protective sidewall? What is the smallest wheel that can fit, given the size of the stock brakes?
Any opinions on this? Feedback from anyone who has tried it?
Thanks,
Marty
Does anyone here have experience with running undersized diameter wheels to achieve a larger and more protective sidewall? What is the smallest wheel that can fit, given the size of the stock brakes?
Any opinions on this? Feedback from anyone who has tried it?
Thanks,
Marty
The Tire Rack **might** help you out, they know their stuff. But I bet that would be their first...
My vote is just to learn how to avoid the potholes
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
There are several considerations that would preclude me from going that route and just in general, I don't see that as a solution to the problem. You've cracked a lot of rims though....are you using factory wheels with runflat tires? Some wheels are 'stronger' than others. Maybe consider a different brand of wheel. Runflats have fairly stiff sidewalls as it is. It's not a huge difference but I and most serious road racers I know use 18" wheels all-around. You might check in the drag racing section. I believe some drag racers use 17" rims. Sorry about the 3rd broken wheel and good luck in the future. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,992
Likes: 2,694
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
There are places with worse roads than Illinois, but not many.
But still, we've driven 150k miles in three Corvettes over most of the U.S., never damaged a rim. We use runflats and factory wheels, most varieties of the factory wheel are available used at very good prices. I usually try to find them on Craigslist and inspect before purchase.
But still, we've driven 150k miles in three Corvettes over most of the U.S., never damaged a rim. We use runflats and factory wheels, most varieties of the factory wheel are available used at very good prices. I usually try to find them on Craigslist and inspect before purchase.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Yeah yeah, I knew I was going to get at least one "learn how to drive" comment. 
I'm in central Jersey, pothole capital of the world, using the stock 5 spoke rims. I don't even know what is happening here because I don't really hit bad bumps often, and when I do, it isn't anywhere near the time that the rims crack. Has anyone else had this problem? I never cracked a rim on my Jag STR, and that had lower profile tires than the Vette. I don't want to have to replace rims every few months, it gets to be costly, you know.
I'm in central Jersey, pothole capital of the world, using the stock 5 spoke rims. I don't even know what is happening here because I don't really hit bad bumps often, and when I do, it isn't anywhere near the time that the rims crack. Has anyone else had this problem? I never cracked a rim on my Jag STR, and that had lower profile tires than the Vette. I don't want to have to replace rims every few months, it gets to be costly, you know.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
There are places with worse roads than Illinois, but not many.
But still, we've driven 150k miles in three Corvettes over most of the U.S., never damaged a rim. We use runflats and factory wheels, most varieties of the factory wheel are available used at very good prices. I usually try to find them on Craigslist and inspect before purchase.
But still, we've driven 150k miles in three Corvettes over most of the U.S., never damaged a rim. We use runflats and factory wheels, most varieties of the factory wheel are available used at very good prices. I usually try to find them on Craigslist and inspect before purchase.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
There are several considerations that would preclude me from going that route and just in general, I don't see that as a solution to the problem. You've cracked a lot of rims though....are you using factory wheels with runflat tires? Some wheels are 'stronger' than others. Maybe consider a different brand of wheel. Runflats have fairly stiff sidewalls as it is. It's not a huge difference but I and most serious road racers I know use 18" wheels all-around. You might check in the drag racing section. I believe some drag racers use 17" rims. Sorry about the 3rd broken wheel and good luck in the future.
Are the stock rims notoriously "weak"?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,992
Likes: 2,694
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Actually, I don't use run-flats anymore. The stock good years don't hold the road (in any condition) as well as the contis I have on there now, and they're loud and uncomfortable. Can that be part of the problem? The first rim cracked while I still had the run-flats.
The Michelin PS2 runflat is on our car right now and I'm very happy with them in all respects except price.
BTW, in addition to being careful, we have also been lucky in regards to potholes. Don't want to put you down...
Be sure your tires are 30 psi cold, be careful, and buy used wheels cheap when needed.
Good luck!
:cheeers:
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
Make sure you have a quality tire pressure gauge as well - I use a Moroso racing gauge. The cheap ones can be several pounds off in their readings. Last thing you want to do is over inflate our super low profile tires putting all the stress on the wheels. I tend to run mine a pound under to even out the tire wear to the edges.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
The factory runflats are, as you experienced, not the best tires anymore. But the super-stiff sidewalls probably help to prevent rim damage.
The Michelin PS2 runflat is on our car right now and I'm very happy with them in all respects except price.
BTW, in addition to being careful, we have also been lucky in regards to potholes. Don't want to put you down...
Be sure your tires are 30 psi cold, be careful, and buy used wheels cheap when needed.
Good luck!
:cheeers:
The Michelin PS2 runflat is on our car right now and I'm very happy with them in all respects except price.
BTW, in addition to being careful, we have also been lucky in regards to potholes. Don't want to put you down...
Be sure your tires are 30 psi cold, be careful, and buy used wheels cheap when needed.
Good luck!
:cheeers:
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,451
Likes: 2
From: DFW Texas
I'm not sure if you could get a 17" front rim... i wanna say if stock vette you could, but definitely not z06. IF you went 17/17 or 17/18 that would improve things for sure
I actually like to downsize my rims, had an 08z that i put 18/18 on. also cheaper tires
win win
I actually like to downsize my rims, had an 08z that i put 18/18 on. also cheaper tires
win win
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 3
From: Central NJ
Yeah yeah, I knew I was going to get at least one "learn how to drive" comment.
I'm in central Jersey, pothole capital of the world, using the stock 5 spoke rims. I don't even know what is happening here because I don't really hit bad bumps often, and when I do, it isn't anywhere near the time that the rims crack. Has anyone else had this problem? I never cracked a rim on my Jag STR, and that had lower profile tires than the Vette. I don't want to have to replace rims every few months, it gets to be costly, you know.
I'm in central Jersey, pothole capital of the world, using the stock 5 spoke rims. I don't even know what is happening here because I don't really hit bad bumps often, and when I do, it isn't anywhere near the time that the rims crack. Has anyone else had this problem? I never cracked a rim on my Jag STR, and that had lower profile tires than the Vette. I don't want to have to replace rims every few months, it gets to be costly, you know.
(knock on wood)