Running cold weather friendly rubber, what a difference!
03-01-2014, 06:13 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Running cold weather friendly rubber, what a difference!
I know it is an ongoing debate but I knew I had to get winter rubber for my Z51.
I decided the best way would be to get a set of standard C7 rims and put Michelin Pilot A/S 3 tires. The car is not driven in the snow. I have my daily for that.
I finally got it all together. I bought a used set with TPMS included. Tires from Tirerack.
While the look is "OK" the performance on cold streets is incredible.
I could drive the car with the Z51 Pilots but any aggressive inputs, especially throttle, would spin the tires with ease.
Now I have so much more grip. Heavy throttle now just causes rapid acceleration, not tire spin and oversteer (in turns).
I did have a small issue with the outside wheel weights and front caliper clearance but that was fixed by placing the weights the long way to avoid the calipers.
Also the ride is smoother. Just something I noticed but was not complaining about.
Come warm weather, I'll go back to the Z51 wheels and tires.
I decided the best way would be to get a set of standard C7 rims and put Michelin Pilot A/S 3 tires. The car is not driven in the snow. I have my daily for that.
I finally got it all together. I bought a used set with TPMS included. Tires from Tirerack.
While the look is "OK" the performance on cold streets is incredible.
I could drive the car with the Z51 Pilots but any aggressive inputs, especially throttle, would spin the tires with ease.
Now I have so much more grip. Heavy throttle now just causes rapid acceleration, not tire spin and oversteer (in turns).
I did have a small issue with the outside wheel weights and front caliper clearance but that was fixed by placing the weights the long way to avoid the calipers.
Also the ride is smoother. Just something I noticed but was not complaining about.
Come warm weather, I'll go back to the Z51 wheels and tires.
Last edited by Periokid; 03-01-2014 at 06:15 PM.
03-01-2014, 06:18 PM
#2
Team Owner
did you also notice that there's no more hopping and skipping during slow tight turns?
03-01-2014, 06:20 PM
#3
Pro
Thread Starter
03-01-2014, 06:27 PM
#4
SUPPORT AUTISM
I know it is an ongoing debate but I knew I had to get winter rubber for my Z51.
I decided the best way would be to get a set of standard C7 rims and put Michelin Pilot A/S 3 tires. The car is not driven in the snow. I have my daily for that.
I finally got it all together. I bought a used set with TPMS included. Tires from Tirerack.
While the look is "OK" the performance on cold streets is incredible.
I could drive the car with the Z51 Pilots but any aggressive inputs, especially throttle, would spin the tires with ease.
Now I have so much more grip. Heavy throttle now just causes rapid acceleration, not tire spin and oversteer (in turns).
I did have a small issue with the outside wheel weights and front caliper clearance but that was fixed by placing the weights the long way to avoid the calipers.
Also the ride is smoother. Just something I noticed but was not complaining about.
Come warm weather, I'll go back to the Z51 wheels and tires.
I decided the best way would be to get a set of standard C7 rims and put Michelin Pilot A/S 3 tires. The car is not driven in the snow. I have my daily for that.
I finally got it all together. I bought a used set with TPMS included. Tires from Tirerack.
While the look is "OK" the performance on cold streets is incredible.
I could drive the car with the Z51 Pilots but any aggressive inputs, especially throttle, would spin the tires with ease.
Now I have so much more grip. Heavy throttle now just causes rapid acceleration, not tire spin and oversteer (in turns).
I did have a small issue with the outside wheel weights and front caliper clearance but that was fixed by placing the weights the long way to avoid the calipers.
Also the ride is smoother. Just something I noticed but was not complaining about.
Come warm weather, I'll go back to the Z51 wheels and tires.
Took mine out today and just put it away in time for more snow tomorrow.
03-01-2014, 07:11 PM
#6
Race Director
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
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I think gm Wheels will hold up to the elements better.
03-01-2014, 08:20 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
Thanks for the information, I have already ordered a set of the Michelins and I am having them installed next week if this eternal winter will give me a break. Are you carrying a plug kit and a compressor? I have done that in the mini for some time and will transfer them from one to other. I had already made up my mind to make the switch as it transformed the handling and ride comfort in the mini exponentially!
03-01-2014, 09:13 PM
#8
Pro
Thread Starter
03-01-2014, 09:18 PM
#9
Pro
Thread Starter
The weights that were on the car from my tire guy were long and narrow. They were placed with the long way going from outside the wheel to the inside. All I needed to do was mark their location on each front wheel, take the weights off and separate all the weights (4 on one side and 3 not the other wheel). I then cleaned off all of the double sided tape, and replaced them so they where short from outside to inside (i.e. rotated them 90 degrees).
Works ok so far!
03-01-2014, 09:21 PM
#11
Pro
Thread Starter
Thanks for the information, I have already ordered a set of the Michelins and I am having them installed next week if this eternal winter will give me a break. Are you carrying a plug kit and a compressor? I have done that in the mini for some time and will transfer them from one to other. I had already made up my mind to make the switch as it transformed the handling and ride comfort in the mini exponentially!
I do have a compressor, plug kit and goo but I haven't put it in the car yet. I guess I should.
03-01-2014, 09:28 PM
#12
Why didn't you just spring for the all season Michiums run flats? I love mine.
03-01-2014, 09:35 PM
#13
Pro
Thread Starter
Also, RFs do not do well with potholes. They are very easily ruined.
I find non run flats more capable of surviving bad potholes. That is also the reason I decided to get the 18" - 19" set up vs putting tires on Z51 size wheels. The extra inch in diameter gives the tire a little more distance from street to the rim.
03-01-2014, 09:41 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
I understand the C7 has self programming TPMS sensors as well? If true, you would not have had to program the new wheels when you mounted them, just balance, mount, & go...
03-01-2014, 10:01 PM
#15
Pro
Thread Starter
Correct. I just put the wheels on the car with the new TPMS and the car recognized them in a few minutes. So easy.
Last edited by Periokid; 03-02-2014 at 05:54 PM.
03-02-2014, 01:23 PM
#17
Drifting
Member Since: Apr 2011
Location: "Sweet Home Alabama"
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Currently have the A/S Plus RF's on my C6 and will need tires soon.
Thinking seriously about getting the A/S 3 non run flats this time. The A/S plus has been a great tire but it just does not look like a tire that belongs on a Corvette
Post some close pics of the rear view please
Which compressor kit do youse guys use?
(forgive me for posting in C7 section-I lurk here because I will get a C7 at some point. Right now it's just not feasible for me to trade up....
Thinking seriously about getting the A/S 3 non run flats this time. The A/S plus has been a great tire but it just does not look like a tire that belongs on a Corvette
Post some close pics of the rear view please
Which compressor kit do youse guys use?
(forgive me for posting in C7 section-I lurk here because I will get a C7 at some point. Right now it's just not feasible for me to trade up....
03-02-2014, 03:55 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
Currently have the A/S Plus RF's on my C6 and will need tires soon.
Thinking seriously about getting the A/S 3 non run flats this time. The A/S plus has been a great tire but it just does not look like a tire that belongs on a Corvette
Post some close pics of the rear view please
Which compressor kit do youse guys use?
(forgive me for posting in C7 section-I lurk here because I will get a C7 at some point. Right now it's just not feasible for me to trade up....
Thinking seriously about getting the A/S 3 non run flats this time. The A/S plus has been a great tire but it just does not look like a tire that belongs on a Corvette
Post some close pics of the rear view please
Which compressor kit do youse guys use?
(forgive me for posting in C7 section-I lurk here because I will get a C7 at some point. Right now it's just not feasible for me to trade up....
http://www.dynaplug.com/products.html
And the VIAIR 90P compressor
03-02-2014, 04:26 PM
#20
I know it is an ongoing debate but I knew I had to get winter rubber for my Z51.
I decided the best way would be to get a set of standard C7 rims and put Michelin Pilot A/S 3 tires. The car is not driven in the snow. I have my daily for that.
I finally got it all together. I bought a used set with TPMS included. Tires from Tirerack.
While the look is "OK" the performance on cold streets is incredible.
I could drive the car with the Z51 Pilots but any aggressive inputs, especially throttle, would spin the tires with ease.
Now I have so much more grip. Heavy throttle now just causes rapid acceleration, not tire spin and oversteer (in turns).
I did have a small issue with the outside wheel weights and front caliper clearance but that was fixed by placing the weights the long way to avoid the calipers.
Also the ride is smoother. Just something I noticed but was not complaining about.
Come warm weather, I'll go back to the Z51 wheels and tires.
I decided the best way would be to get a set of standard C7 rims and put Michelin Pilot A/S 3 tires. The car is not driven in the snow. I have my daily for that.
I finally got it all together. I bought a used set with TPMS included. Tires from Tirerack.
While the look is "OK" the performance on cold streets is incredible.
I could drive the car with the Z51 Pilots but any aggressive inputs, especially throttle, would spin the tires with ease.
Now I have so much more grip. Heavy throttle now just causes rapid acceleration, not tire spin and oversteer (in turns).
I did have a small issue with the outside wheel weights and front caliper clearance but that was fixed by placing the weights the long way to avoid the calipers.
Also the ride is smoother. Just something I noticed but was not complaining about.
Come warm weather, I'll go back to the Z51 wheels and tires.