GhostC6

I have a 2005 C6 Corvette Convertible and it has actual Z06 wheels on it. The stock front tire size is 245/40/18 but on the wider front rims, they slope in and the wheel protector bead on the tires is useless so when I bought my new ones I wanted more rubber on the road and got 275/40/18, they look great and fit the wheel better BUT they hit the fender liner if I hit a decent dip in the road or turn sharp. I adjusted my ride height up but know it is almost maxed out and still hits at high speed if I hit a dip in the road. Even with shocks set stiff.

So since the wheels are wider and the 245 does not look right, my tire options I want to use are 245/40/18, 255/35/18, 265/35/18 and 275/35/18. I want to lower the car back down so I am considering the 255/35/18, they will be more narrow and not as tall so both help.

My question is does anyone know if the 265/35/18 will fit and not hit and allow me to drop the ride height back down. The 265/35/18 is also more narrow and shorter than the 275/40/18 I have now. They are only about 1 inch too wide but 1.5 inches less would be better.

Current 275/40/18 dimensions.
Diameter: 26.57
Width: 10.79

The 255/35/18 dimensions.
Diameter: 25.0
Width: 10.24

The 265/35/18 dimensions.
Diameter: 25.31
Width: 10.59

Factory 245/40/18 is:
Diameter: 25.7
Width: 9.7

So based on this I can either do stock size or maybe the 255/35/18 but not more, or am I incorrect?

Guess I need to sell my NITTO NT05 275/40/18 tires with less than 100 miles on them.

Patriot Six

I would ensure you keep a similar to stock rake from front to back. If running stock Z06 wheels, the 275/35/18 is stock size for front, which should give you about .5" more clearance. They'll work perfectly with stock Z06 rears at 325/30/19.

I also run 275/40/18 on my 07Z at stock ride height without rubbing.

GhostC6

Problem is, mine is a Base not a wide body so the tires hit the fender liner and fenders when I hit a dip or hole and more if I lower it back down. I did measure it last night and based on my current tire size, the 275/40/18 I need a tire 1 inch more narrow or more to have it clear, based on that, the 275 is 10.79 wide and the only one that will fit without hitting will be the original size the 245/40 or 35/18 or maybe the 255, see below.

245/40/18 9.65
255/35/18 10.24
265/35/18 10.59

Based on this, the 245 will clear no problem, the 255/35/18 may work, but the 265 will not. Not sure if I want to chance it or not, I may just get the 245 and say the heck with it. I can't afford to buy, mount, put 50 miles on two tires then unmounts them and try to sell them. I wish the 255 was closer to 10.0.

The tread actually fits in the fender, its the sidewall that is wider that hits. Humm, wish a tire specialist could chime in and let me know if I can use the 255 or not without them hitting cause the 245 really do not look right.

Patriot Six

Ok, didn't know if you had a wide body or not. Are there other model tires that may run narrower, yet the same stated size? Good luck getting it sorted out.