C7 Tech/Performance Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Tires, tires, tires???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 9, 2014 | 06:13 PM
  #1  
Dangerous Don's Avatar
Dangerous Don
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 114
Likes: 3
From: Mandeville Louisiana
Default Tires, tires, tires???

Hey everyone, I've searched and searched, and advanced searched some more. I have a '15 z51, the car came factory with 19/20's and the rear tire is a 285/30 which is a 26.5" tall tire, what's the tallest tire that can be used with a factory height vehicle as the only drag radials I've been able to find average 28.5" tall which seems to me as too tall for the car and could do some damage? I've even looked into 18" rims which I'm still not sure if they will even work with the brake cooling ducts, and all of those drag radials also range from between 28-28.5+ inch tires. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2014 | 02:33 PM
  #2  
savage's Avatar
savage
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
Default

Originally Posted by Dangerous Don
Hey everyone, I've searched and searched, and advanced searched some more. I have a '15 z51, the car came factory with 19/20's and the rear tire is a 285/30 which is a 26.5" tall tire, what's the tallest tire that can be used with a factory height vehicle as the only drag radials I've been able to find average 28.5" tall which seems to me as too tall for the car and could do some damage? I've even looked into 18" rims which I'm still not sure if they will even work with the brake cooling ducts, and all of those drag radials also range from between 28-28.5+ inch tires. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
ben@weaponx has what you want.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2014 | 03:35 PM
  #3  
Ben@WeaponX's Avatar
Ben@WeaponX
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,885
Likes: 486
From: Cin City
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

Originally Posted by savage
ben@weaponx has what you want.
thanks David, yes I have an 18x11" forged 3pc drag wheel that has a perfect offset/spec
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2014 | 05:50 PM
  #4  
"BoneStock"'s Avatar
"BoneStock"
Racer
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 14
Default

You can't fit drag radials on 20 inch wheels, they only come in 35 sidewalls and rub. I got 305/35 r 20 mickeys for mine and had to sell them because they were too tall.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2014 | 08:06 PM
  #5  
savage's Avatar
savage
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
Default

Originally Posted by "BoneStock"
You can't fit drag radials on 20 inch wheels, they only come in 35 sidewalls and rub. I got 305/35 r 20 mickeys for mine and had to sell them because they were too tall.
im running 18x11 inch wheels in the rear and 18x10 on the front, these are the rim sizes with factory offsets that i feel safe with. the new stingray is far from a widebody car. im very happy that even the z51 car fits 18's front and back. there are so many more tire sizes(choices) in 18's than 19's, 20's, 21's. also i have found offset means more on the c7 than c5's or c6's. on my 2002, 2008 it seemed that as long as the bolt pattern fit the tire/ wheel worked. on my c7 having the wrong offset by - 20mm on the rear even with a 315/30/18 tire destroyed my rear inner fender lips.this is why i spent the money on wheels with the right offset with my 2015 on the way. thanks
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2014 | 09:43 AM
  #6  
Stp94's Avatar
Stp94
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 387
Likes: 56
Default

So, am I to assume that even with the perfect offset I couldn't fit a larger tire under my car? I recently ordered some rims and I was planning to put 255/40/19 fronts and 315/35/20 rears. I was gonna stick with the Michelin Super Sport tires. This would in essence run into the same issue as others have with drag radials correct? Thanks!
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 02:09 AM
  #7  
Dangerous Don's Avatar
Dangerous Don
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 114
Likes: 3
From: Mandeville Louisiana
Default

Originally Posted by Stp94
So, am I to assume that even with the perfect offset I couldn't fit a larger tire under my car? I recently ordered some rims and I was planning to put 255/40/19 fronts and 315/35/20 rears. I was gonna stick with the Michelin Super Sport tires. This would in essence run into the same issue as others have with drag radials correct? Thanks!
Yeah the 315/35/20 is at 28.66 inches which from what my research has deemed to be way too big, our cars can't fit 28" tires near less bigger, so if you can cancel that order I would advise it.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 09:26 AM
  #8  
Higgs Boson's Avatar
Higgs Boson
Race Director
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,961
Likes: 2,643
From: Texas Hill Country
Default

another vote for Ben at Whippin Ex

18x11 or 18x12 with a high offset and a, IMO, 305 drag radial will hook just as good as a 315 or 325 without the extra weight and resistance. 26.5 or 27 inch height.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 11:31 AM
  #9  
savage's Avatar
savage
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
Default

Originally Posted by Higgs Boson
another vote for Ben at Whippin Ex

18x11 or 18x12 with a high offset and a, IMO, 305 drag radial will hook just as good as a 315 or 325 without the extra weight and resistance. 26.5 or 27 inch height.
i have posted a few times of the nightmare i had with my rear inner fender lips( they are not there anymore) and the car is traded. i talked to ben x about what would be SAFE for inner lips and work well, i went with the 18x11 because the hoosier i run is rated for a rim size 11 to 12, 315/30/18. the next size is 335/30/18 that would need the 12 inch but is never going to be SAFE to car. my thinking was even with all the neg. camber i plan to run autocross with might protect rear lips. but then the 12 inch might rub hard on the inside of wheel. there is only so much room back there. 315/30/18 on a 18x11 +78 offset is for me a safe way to go.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 11:44 AM
  #10  
Higgs Boson's Avatar
Higgs Boson
Race Director
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 10,961
Likes: 2,643
From: Texas Hill Country
Default

Originally Posted by savage
i have posted a few times of the nightmare i had with my rear inner fender lips( they are not there anymore) and the car is traded. i talked to ben x about what would be SAFE for inner lips and work well, i went with the 18x11 because the hoosier i run is rated for a rim size 11 to 12, 315/30/18. the next size is 335/30/18 that would need the 12 inch but is never going to be SAFE to car. my thinking was even with all the neg. camber i plan to run autocross with might protect rear lips. but then the 12 inch might rub hard on the inside of wheel. there is only so much room back there. 315/30/18 on a 18x11 +78 offset is for me a safe way to go.
i agree, 11 inch 315 +78 should work fine
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2014 | 02:06 PM
  #11  
Stp94's Avatar
Stp94
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 387
Likes: 56
Default

Thanks for the heads up Don! I'm going to se about downsizing to a 305/30 series tire.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2014 | 12:04 AM
  #12  
EcoBrick Bob's Avatar
EcoBrick Bob
Dazed Confused & Verklemp
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 110
From: Naples, FL & Clear Lake, IA
Default

I have a Z51 on order.
Wondering if TSW Cray Hawks in 19" x 11" 73 offset on C7 would work with Michelin Pilot Super Sports in size 325 -30-19"????? They are 26.7" tall. Where might they rub? They should have more rear clearance than 78 offset 11" wheels. From TireRack specs, this tire is about 2" wider than stock 285, both in girth and tread.
This is a nice looking wheel with some dish.

Would like to install the widest tire possible without cracking a fender or experiencing inside rubbing issues.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2014 | 06:08 AM
  #13  
savage's Avatar
savage
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
Default

Originally Posted by EcoBrick Bob
I have a Z51 on order.
Wondering if TSW Cray Hawks in 19" x 11" 73 offset on C7 would work with Michelin Pilot Super Sports in size 325 -30-19"????? They are 26.7" tall. Where might they rub? They should have more rear clearance than 78 offset 11" wheels. From TireRack specs, this tire is about 2" wider than stock 285, both in girth and tread.
This is a nice looking wheel with some dish.

Would like to install the widest tire possible without cracking a fender or experiencing inside rubbing issues.
73 offset would bring the rear tire out( not in) and break the inner fender lips right off with a 325, the only chance you have ( i said chance) is to run a 83 maybe 85 offset with a 325 tire, then does it hit the inside of wheel? i ran a 315 with a 58 offset(18 inch wheel) and once there was so much damage to inner lips i cut them out. started on one side and cut the whole wheel well out. after that the tire still hit past the lip and sooner or later im sure the fender would have cracked. offset means alot but there is still a tire size limit. im done with taking chances, 78 offset with 315 is the biggest i will ever go. good luck
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Tires, tires, tires???





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:52 PM.

story-0
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-1
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-2
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE