Biggest Tire Setup On A Base C6
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
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From: Ventura, CA
Biggest Tire Setup On A Base C6
What’s the biggest tire I can run on a stock C6 base without messing with the nannies?
My current tire setup is:
Front - 245/40R18
Rear - 285/35R19
On Continental Extreme Sport’s
I want the rear to be at least 305/35R19 but I am unsure if this will cause problems with the nannies on a stock C6 base
My current tire setup is:
Front - 245/40R18
Rear - 285/35R19
On Continental Extreme Sport’s
I want the rear to be at least 305/35R19 but I am unsure if this will cause problems with the nannies on a stock C6 base
Popular Reply
Jan 11, 2022, 08:22 PM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
A narrow body has 10" rear and 8.5" front width rims. Michelin says their 305/35 19 PS SS is fine on a 10" rim. I've run 305/30 19s on stock rears for years with no issues. No uneven tire wear either. Currently running 295/35 19 rear and 255/40 18 front Michelin PS4's. I have no problems with the nannies. 255 is the max width Michelin recommends on an 8.5" wide rim. Tirerack.com and other tire sites has this info available.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4,243
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From: North Myrtle Beach SC
I put the 305’s on back of mine and had occasional active handling messages. Cleared but popped up once in a while. Put stock back and no problem. You would need to put taller front tires to keep it in sync.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
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Very easy, and use a tire calculator to do the OD sizer difference from the stock tires front to back (1.08"), the plug in the rear tire you want to run, and find a front tire that it's OD will give you close to the same 1.08" calculation.
Also, note that width needed for the rims, since installing a tire on a narrow rim that recommended, will cause the OD to be slightly larger, since the tire will balloon out of the rim. Hence your 305 on a stock rear rim, may end up with greater center contact patch than desired, and not give the best traction when its ballooned on a rim too narrow for it.
Also, note that width needed for the rims, since installing a tire on a narrow rim that recommended, will cause the OD to be slightly larger, since the tire will balloon out of the rim. Hence your 305 on a stock rear rim, may end up with greater center contact patch than desired, and not give the best traction when its ballooned on a rim too narrow for it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
Likes: 161
From: Ventura, CA
Very easy, and use a tire calculator to do the OD sizer difference from the stock tires front to back (1.08"), the plug in the rear tire you want to run, and find a front tire that it's OD will give you close to the same 1.08" calculation.
Also, note that width needed for the rims, since installing a tire on a narrow rim that recommended, will cause the OD to be slightly larger, since the tire will balloon out of the rim. Hence your 305 on a stock rear rim, may end up with greater center contact patch than desired, and not give the best traction when its ballooned on a rim too narrow for it.
Also, note that width needed for the rims, since installing a tire on a narrow rim that recommended, will cause the OD to be slightly larger, since the tire will balloon out of the rim. Hence your 305 on a stock rear rim, may end up with greater center contact patch than desired, and not give the best traction when its ballooned on a rim too narrow for it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
A narrow body has 10" rear and 8.5" front width rims. Michelin says their 305/35 19 PS SS is fine on a 10" rim. I've run 305/30 19s on stock rears for years with no issues. No uneven tire wear either. Currently running 295/35 19 rear and 255/40 18 front Michelin PS4's. I have no problems with the nannies. 255 is the max width Michelin recommends on an 8.5" wide rim. Tirerack.com and other tire sites has this info available.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 13,262
Likes: 3,151
From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I put a set of tall 305/45 -17 drag radials on the rear of my GS ... I would sometimes get active handling messages until I installed slightly taller front tires.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Happens the other way around too. I tried to run 305/30 19's (shorter than stock rears) along with stock fronts. T/C would come on right after the 3/4 shift during a hard pull. Disconcerting best describes it. Changed to 265/35 18's on the front and all was good.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
Likes: 161
From: Ventura, CA
A narrow body has 10" rear and 8.5" front width rims. Michelin says their 305/35 19 PS SS is fine on a 10" rim. I've run 305/30 19s on stock rears for years with no issues. No uneven tire wear either. Currently running 295/35 19 rear and 255/40 18 front Michelin PS4's. I have no problems with the nannies. 255 is the max width Michelin recommends on an 8.5" wide rim. Tirerack.com and other tire sites has this info available.
295/35 19 rear & 255/40 18 in front on Michelin PS4’s. Has anyone else tried this setup & active handling or TC wasn’t affected?
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 6
I'm running the exact same tires as Old Motorhead on my 2011 base C6 A6 vert with no AH issues (and much more traction than the stock run flats). These tires are exactly as you describe in your last post: 295/35 19 rear and 255/40 18 front Michelin Pilot Sport S4. I got mine through Tire Rack. They're not cheap but I think you will be happy with them.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 6
I neglected to mention that, if you are still running your original TPM sensors, now is the time to replace them with new AC Delco units (actually made by Schrader in the UK). If you need the correct P/N let me know and I will get it for you.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
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From: Ventura, CA
I'm running the exact same tires as Old Motorhead on my 2011 base C6 A6 vert with no AH issues (and much more traction than the stock run flats). These tires are exactly as you describe in your last post: 295/35 19 rear and 255/40 18 front Michelin Pilot Sport S4. I got mine through Tire Rack. They're not cheap but I think you will be happy with them.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 176
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From: Long Island, NY
can you post that p/n? Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
What’s the biggest tire I can run on a stock C6 base without messing with the nannies?
My current tire setup is:
Front - 245/40R18
Rear - 285/35R19
On Continental Extreme Sport’s
I want the rear to be at least 305/35R19 but I am unsure if this will cause problems with the nannies on a stock C6 base
My current tire setup is:
Front - 245/40R18
Rear - 285/35R19
On Continental Extreme Sport’s
I want the rear to be at least 305/35R19 but I am unsure if this will cause problems with the nannies on a stock C6 base
For what purpose?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
Likes: 161
From: Ventura, CA
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 562
Likes: 161
From: Ventura, CA
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,892
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From: God's Country, ID
I step-up to a stickier compound vs wider unless you dd the car a good distance.
My C6 gripped excellent on a toyo r888r in a 285mm at 620ft lbs tq.
My lowly LT1 Camaro wont hook for crap on a 305mm Nitto at only 420ft lbs tq.
If it was a dd or sees rain then Id probably mount Michelin's as well.
My C6 gripped excellent on a toyo r888r in a 285mm at 620ft lbs tq.
My lowly LT1 Camaro wont hook for crap on a 305mm Nitto at only 420ft lbs tq.
If it was a dd or sees rain then Id probably mount Michelin's as well.