Help! New C5 owner and I messed up...
02-11-2013, 11:13 PM
#1
6th Gear
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Help! New C5 owner and I messed up...
Just bought a '03 C5 and ordered new wheels and tires without doing enough homework. I know, I know.
I ordered 18x8.5 with 255/45 for the front and 18x9.5 with 285/40 for the rears off the internet. After doing some research I now realize that I need to maintain the staggered diameter ratio front to rear. These are 27" tires all the way around. What's gonna happen? I cannot get the Nitto 555s for the front in a 255/40 so is my only course of action to send all 4 tires back and go to another brand? I got a great deal on the tires and its gonna cost me some $$ to send them back.
Any help for a newbie?
I ordered 18x8.5 with 255/45 for the front and 18x9.5 with 285/40 for the rears off the internet. After doing some research I now realize that I need to maintain the staggered diameter ratio front to rear. These are 27" tires all the way around. What's gonna happen? I cannot get the Nitto 555s for the front in a 255/40 so is my only course of action to send all 4 tires back and go to another brand? I got a great deal on the tires and its gonna cost me some $$ to send them back.
Any help for a newbie?
02-12-2013, 05:52 AM
#4
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Likely the AH/TC is going to cause you significant driveability issues. ie it's going to be doing it's thing when it should not by applying brakes and backing out throttle and timing. You could put the car in COMP mode every time you drive the car but guaranteed you will forget.
If it were me I would do what I could to get the tires changed out so that the rears are between 0.5" and 1.5" larger in overall diameter than the fronts....
A wider rear wheel would have made tire selection a lot easier.........
If it were me I would do what I could to get the tires changed out so that the rears are between 0.5" and 1.5" larger in overall diameter than the fronts....
A wider rear wheel would have made tire selection a lot easier.........
Best to swap them for the proper stagger front to rear.
02-12-2013, 10:49 AM
#5
Racer
Wow!!! I never considered that tire sizes would affect my handling because of the AH/TC. It makes sense to me that it would happen. I'm a new owner to corvettes and I'm learning a lot about the car that I've never considered before. These cars are a lot more sophisticated than I ever realized.
Is there a minimum speed at which the traction control kicks in? - i.e. Cruise control won't kick in until the speed reaches 25 MPH so I'm thinking along those lines.
Is there a minimum speed at which the traction control kicks in? - i.e. Cruise control won't kick in until the speed reaches 25 MPH so I'm thinking along those lines.
02-12-2013, 11:07 AM
#6
Melting Slicks
Well, you were very close - only off by one digit.
Your 285/40-18s are perfect for the back as they fill out the wells better than anything else available. The fronts should be 255/40-18 (not 45). This setup will give you the stock 1" diameter differential between front and back. Nitto makes the 255/40-18s, so maybe you can trade out just the fronts. They're Invos and Motivos but they're still Nittos...
Your 285/40-18s are perfect for the back as they fill out the wells better than anything else available. The fronts should be 255/40-18 (not 45). This setup will give you the stock 1" diameter differential between front and back. Nitto makes the 255/40-18s, so maybe you can trade out just the fronts. They're Invos and Motivos but they're still Nittos...
Last edited by c5vetteguy; 02-12-2013 at 11:12 AM.
02-12-2013, 11:39 AM
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I have 18 inch on all 4 corners, My tire sizes are..
Front: 265/35/18
Rear: 295/35/18
And have no issues with this size.
Mr.Bill
Front: 265/35/18
Rear: 295/35/18
And have no issues with this size.
Mr.Bill
02-12-2013, 03:31 PM
#11
Race Director
Well, you were very close - only off by one digit.
Your 285/40-18s are perfect for the back as they fill out the wells better than anything else available. The fronts should be 255/40-18 (not 45). This setup will give you the stock 1" diameter differential between front and back. Nitto makes the 255/40-18s, so maybe you can trade out just the fronts. They're Invos and Motivos but they're still Nittos...
Your 285/40-18s are perfect for the back as they fill out the wells better than anything else available. The fronts should be 255/40-18 (not 45). This setup will give you the stock 1" diameter differential between front and back. Nitto makes the 255/40-18s, so maybe you can trade out just the fronts. They're Invos and Motivos but they're still Nittos...
02-12-2013, 08:58 PM
#13
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Thanks to all. I called the tire company and they sent me 245/45-18 out today, get them tomorrow. 25.7" which is same as stock. Wanted the 255s but didn't want to miss match tires and the 555s don't come in 255/40.
If you haven't dealt with TireBuyer.com they are the best deal on the net. Cheapest prices, free shipping and 2 day turnaround. And I just found out great customer service. The new tires were only $150 ea and were $40 cheaper than the others and only cost me $30 to send back. They even arranged everything for me, just have to leave them where they dropped them.
So crises averted. Thanks again.
If you haven't dealt with TireBuyer.com they are the best deal on the net. Cheapest prices, free shipping and 2 day turnaround. And I just found out great customer service. The new tires were only $150 ea and were $40 cheaper than the others and only cost me $30 to send back. They even arranged everything for me, just have to leave them where they dropped them.
So crises averted. Thanks again.
02-12-2013, 09:19 PM
#14
Team Owner
I guess I'm confused as to how that will help you. What size are you going to end up with on front and rear?
02-12-2013, 09:29 PM
#15
Burning Brakes
Sounds like the OP got it handled nicely!
02-13-2013, 09:25 PM
#17
Team Owner
03-17-2013, 11:46 AM
#19
Safety Car
Ran across this and have to ask .I have 04 ZO-6 and a set of C-6 ZO-6 18/18 wheels a little wider Back 7mm front 3 mm I don't think that is a big deal the tires front to back .7 difference ,it looks like from what I am reading that is Ok with the AH/TC deal... I read .5 and over is good ..???..Thanks...If not any body need a set of C-6 ZO-6 wheels and tires .. 18/18 .Hope I can put them on ,very nice set up...Thanks..