Ted1996

Last fall I purchased a 1996 Corvette knowing it was in need of new tires. Having owned a 1988 and a 1989 Corvette, there are plenty of options for the 17" rims. My 1996 has the 255/285 8.5"/9.5" tires and rims. I contacted TR and discovered three options. The Nitto 555 G2s are the lowest cost option but the reviews are mixed. TR made an interesting suggestions of down sizing to 245/275 to expand options. A typical difference from a 285 to a 275 is -.5" less sidewall width, -.1" less tread width and a -.3" reduction in diameter. a typical difference from a 255 to 245 is -.4" less side wall width, -.2" less tread width and a -.3" reduction in diameter. Since I only drive less than 2K non aggressive summer a season, tires will age before they are 50% consumed. So here are my questions. With a similar set up as mine, has anyone downsized to 245/275? Would you do it again? Do the tires look undersized on the stock rims due to the tighter side walls? Any negative effects other than the speedometer/odometer will be slightly off? TR also mentioned Riken Raptors are popular with C4 corvette owners looking for a lower cost option, especially where age is an issue. Thank you in advance.

C4 Steck

Look at the continental extreme contacts. For the staggered setup 285 and 255, I believe they are the best you can get. I have the Nitto 555 G2’s on my car. At first I was furious with them. They flat spot quickly when the car sits but raising the tire pressure 36/34 front and rear or 37/35 pretty much eliminated that issue for me. They seem to perform better at that pressure as well

yakmastermax

I need to add some air to my NT555 G2s....
Mine vibrate like heck and don't balance out well at all.

I would try the Contis

C4 Steck

Even with the issue, I still neglect them. Anyone who has them should be parking on cradles. I think with a set of them and the pressure up, they wouldn’t have issues. All summer high performance compound tires are susceptible to flat spotting but these are by far the worst I’ve heard of.

jlbruggeman

I have a very low miler also, ended up with Nitto 245/50/17 and 285/40/17. I can't tell the difference, I just know that the new tires are a lot stickier than the old hard rubber that I replaced!

Whaleman

I have the Continental Extreme Contact Sport and like them. When I need to change I will defiantly buy the Michaelin Pilot Sport all season 4. This is the same tire as on the C8. It is made in 1996 stock sizes. Dan

Garack

I went with Nitto Motivos. 275 on all 4 wheels and never looked back. Made in USA. Great wear and traction. No flat spotting. I keep them at 32psi. Now I have 315s in the back with widened Sawblades. Nitto Motivos for the win.

mazdaverx7

I recently ordered a set of Nitto 555 G2's for my 93. I understand that they have mixed reviews, but for the cost, I decided to buy a set and try them. I paid $733 out the door for a set that was the original tire size. I didn't have to downsize the tires and I saved $500 over the Continentals so thats what swayed me to the Nittos. I'm hoping to install them next week if the weather is good. Once they're installed, I'll report back and let everyone know what I think of them.

gtFOOTw

I downsized with the 245/275 Sport Pilots and I love them. Look great, you’ll never notice the size difference. Never flat spot after being parked a week or two. Roll super smooth and still have grip when it gets colder. Only drawback is kinda pricey, I paid around $900 from TireRack.

Ted1996

gtFootw, Talked to my tech this morning. He totally agrees with your comment about downsizing. Regarding speedometer issues. He laughed and said I'm already down to 4/32s tread depth on all 4, so going to 275s in the rear is a non issue. I didn't know this, but the Riken brand in owned by Michelin. The current tires are well beyond useful life at 18 years in the front and 12 in the rear.

dburgjohn

I went with Cooper Zeon RS3 due to a good price and rebate plus the fact that I was putting tires on wife's car and my 4x4 at same time. However I have been very pleased with them. We have run the Cooper CS5s on her car since replacing the originals and she likes them also. The Continental Extreme Contacts are nice and I would have picked them if my budget had been unlimited.

dash7510

FWIW - I had 10 year old NITTO 555s on my 1995 when I bought it last year. I drove it last summer with those tires. This winter, I purchased Continental Extreme Contact Sport 02 tires. In my experience so far, the Conti tires are better riding and haven't given me any flat spot issues (like the Nittos did).

C4 Steck

I don’t think you’ll have too much of an issue with them. One thing I noticed other than having to bump up pressure is that they can be a little greasy until you get a good 500 or so miles on them. Nitto even says so. Any poor reviews or tests showing mediocre performance I would take with a grain of salt because who knows if it was done with them straight out of the box. My car hooks up pretty good on them and the flat spotting is much less noticeable than it was before I raised the pressures. Any minor vibration works itself out after 5 miles or so even after the car has sat in winter storage. One test review I read said they were not great at first. But on the second round, after they cooled from the initial torture, they were much better. They don’t do any one thing extremely well compared to more expensive brands but I think the performance you get is about what you pay for. In other words, they are not a great value but they are exactly what you paid for.

Ted1996

Ordered Riken Raptors from TR on Monday, arrived in one day, had them installed today. Selected these tires based on TR's recommendation for a good dry weather tire with limited summer use (will age before they are worn out) and all season to avoid any chance of cold temperature cracking. July 2023 dates on all 4. They are a popular low cost option for C4 owners. After playing around on the road force balancer, we found it best to align the yellow dots to valve stems. One tire did not have any dots (red or yellow) so that took extra effort from the tech. Took it out for a highway spin in 45 degree weather. Smooth at all speeds, right up to 80. Sharp steering and a much better ride than the 18/12 year old Kumhos. Ready now for a nice day trip with safe tires.

Ted1996

Forgot to add... Speedometer measured pretty much dead on to Waze. A few times in would show 1 mph lower or higher, most times the same.

AffableCurmudgeon

FWIW, last year, I put on Toyo Extensa HP II 275/40/17 on my 91. I like them. Handle wee and are quiet. Were pretty cheap too.

BMH95

No offense but this always baffles me. There are tires out there in the factory sizes. Why go to a different size that doesn’t match what was designed as part of the visual design? I have Mickey Thompson on both sets of wheels for my 96. I can go stock staggered or GS staggered. All the same and correct.

Whaleman

I feel lucky that the Michelin Pilot Sports are being made in my 1996 sizes. It is amazing that 28 years after my Corvette was made I can buy the same tire that GM thinks is the best for a 2024 Corvette. I am positive that a skilled driver in a C8 will put factors more stress on the tires than I could ever dream of. I am sure if you are racing there are maybe better tires. Dan

Faceman89

Ive always had good luck with Contis. Running them on two of my cars.

Leftseat88

Where did you find the stock sizes in the Michelin Pilot Sports? I would like to go with the stock sizes as well, but can’t find them anywhere.