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Want to drive your C7 Z06 in the Winter without issues?

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Old 10-07-2015, 05:52 PM
  #41  
TripleBlack99
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Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack
I can see how the 305/35-20, which has an overall diameter of 28.5", can cause rubbing issues and I am also not at all surprised that they rubbed a hole in the liner.

Yes, using a 28.5" rear tire and a 26.0" front tire would cause the headlights to point very low

The 305/30-20 has a diameter of 27.3" and will not rub at all. Using a 27.3" tall rear tire along with the 26.5" tall front tire will also keep the on-board electronics much less invasive as well.

While the 305-30-20 specs list a maximum wheel width of 11.5" the tire itself is 12.4" wide. The pictures that I posted are of the 305/30-20 mounted on a 12x20 wheel.

The reason I had thought of this combo is actually based on some real world tire applications.

The 2004 Porsche GT2 uses a 315/30-18 rear tire which also has a maximum wheel width of 11.5". The Porsche installed factory wheel is a 18x12.

That reaching beyond the RMA specs goes the other way as well. The 1995 BMW M3 came with a 17x7.5 wheel but the OE tire size of 235/40-17 minimum wheel width is 8.0".

hope that this has answered all of your questions ... if not feel free to post any additional thoughts.

Thanks,
Luke

Just ordered these from Luke, thank you very much Luke it was a pleasure to talk with you. It is refreshing to deal with a smart friendly person who knows his stuff - Mark

Size & Description Qty Availability Price Each Item Total
305/30R-20 PIRELLI WINTER SOTTOZERO 3 XL
DOWNLOAD WARRANTY BROCHURE PDF

2 In Stock $438.62 $877.24
RETAIL TIRE REGISTRATION CARD
1 In Stock N/C N/C
BASIC LIMITED WARRANTY
1 In Stock N/C N/C
275/35R-19 PIRELLI WINTER SOTTOZERO 3
DOWNLOAD WARRANTY BROCHURE PDF

2 In Stock $316.19 $632.38
Tire Rack Road Hazard Protection Included ($49.26 value. Exclusions apply.) $0.00
RETAIL TIRE REGISTRATION CARD
1 In Stock N/C N/C
BASIC LIMITED WARRANTY
1 In Stock N/C N/C
Track
Old 10-07-2015, 05:54 PM
  #42  
0Luke@tirerack
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it was my pleasure ... thank you
Old 10-07-2015, 10:49 PM
  #43  
VERT07
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Luke,
What is the difference in diameter of the OEM front tires on the Z06 (285 30ZR 19 at 26.5") and the Pirelli 275 35R 19 which you recommend. Your website does not list the diameter of the Pirelli's.
I agree that the rears ( .7" difference) hopefully should not rub, (do you know this for sure?) but is there any concern about the front tires rubbing being 35 R height (Pirelli's) as compared to oem Michelin 30 R height?
I want to get it right this time.
Thank you.
Old 10-08-2015, 10:32 AM
  #44  
0Luke@tirerack
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the 285/30-19 Michelin Runflat is 25.8

the 275/35-19 Pirelli SottoZero 3 is 26.5"

I know of several people using these sizes right now with zero issues

Last edited by Luke@tirerack; 10-08-2015 at 04:42 PM.
Old 10-12-2015, 04:22 PM
  #45  
0Luke@tirerack
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nobody else?
Old 10-12-2015, 05:38 PM
  #46  
Poor-sha
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Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack
nobody else?
I'll be calling you for a set for sure. I'm just waiting to get through track season first.
Old 10-12-2015, 08:04 PM
  #47  
GreenGA
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Originally Posted by azcanuk
as can be seen by the various postings here, there are varying "types" of owners, those that have the Vette as a daily driver and those who have them as garage queens, those that drive them in the winter and those that don't, those that don't mind them getting rained on and those that do... the only question I have is.. should we mount these winter tires on Chrome or Black rims??? I'M KIDDING!!!!!


Good one...
Old 10-13-2015, 06:34 PM
  #48  
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Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack
nobody else?
I asked if you had any wheels available to make a complete bolt on package, and you never responded.
Old 10-14-2015, 07:54 AM
  #49  
0Luke@tirerack
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Originally Posted by fdxpilot
I asked if you had any wheels available to make a complete bolt on package, and you never responded.
Sorry, I must have missed that one .... Unfortunately we do not have any wheels that will work on the C7 Z06
Old 10-14-2015, 09:35 AM
  #50  
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I would never drive this car in the snow even with winter/snow tires. But on each of my last 911s, I bought a set of winter wheels/tires and mounted them about this time of the year. The Pirelli summer tires are just terrible when the temps dip below 50. Even with AWD on my 911 Turbo, the wheels would lose traction at the top of 1st. By switching to winter rubber, I had more grip.

I imagine that the PSC2 tires are probably even worse than the Pirelli P Zero tires on my 911s, in which case Zs are probably breaking traction much more easily.

I could have taken my 911 Turbo out in the winter on a perfect day with no road salt on the stock Pirelli tires and enjoyed it with a bit of caution. Can the same be done on a 40 degree day with a Z06? Would I light up the rears or risk bringing the tail around on a dry road?
Old 10-14-2015, 03:08 PM
  #51  
Greg00Coupe
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Originally Posted by Enzom
I would never drive this car in the snow even with winter/snow tires. But on each of my last 911s, I bought a set of winter wheels/tires and mounted them about this time of the year. The Pirelli summer tires are just terrible when the temps dip below 50. Even with AWD on my 911 Turbo, the wheels would lose traction at the top of 1st. By switching to winter rubber, I had more grip.

I imagine that the PSC2 tires are probably even worse than the Pirelli P Zero tires on my 911s, in which case Zs are probably breaking traction much more easily.

I could have taken my 911 Turbo out in the winter on a perfect day with no road salt on the stock Pirelli tires and enjoyed it with a bit of caution. Can the same be done on a 40 degree day with a Z06? Would I light up the rears or risk bringing the tail around on a dry road?

Yes you would light it up and break it loose. AND I have posted before that is only half the challenge. Imagine a panic stop!!!! People seem to forget about that side.

As an example my Z51 '14 would break traction hitting 4th gear say in 30 degrees.

Thats why I run a set of contis in cool and snowie weather.
Old 10-14-2015, 05:18 PM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by 3 Z06ZR1
Then with snow and ice on the roads the Corvette looks out of place. I much rather drive a 2016 Tacoma 4x4 in the winter.
Then you get the tires on and drive all winter and are rewarded with pits all over the paint and windshield.
Nope not for my Corvette's!
Agree with you.. Why ruin a great looking car with chips everywhere.
Old 10-14-2015, 06:48 PM
  #53  
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Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack
Sorry, I must have missed that one .... Unfortunately we do not have any wheels that will work on the C7 Z06
Anybody know who does sell a set of wheels (besides GM) that we can match with these tires for the c7 Z06?
Old 10-14-2015, 07:49 PM
  #54  
lawdogg149
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Originally Posted by 6104696
Anybody know who does sell a set of wheels (besides GM) that we can match with these tires for the c7 Z06?
I have great success with tsw interlagos in 18x10.5 all the way around. I run a 315 tire on the track with no problems.
Old 10-15-2015, 08:44 AM
  #55  
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I thought these tires would fit on the stock size wheels? In that case why not pick up a set of the $1500 cup wheels from DocZ?
Old 11-19-2015, 09:48 AM
  #57  
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I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on these. My concern is that the 305/30/20 in the rear is listed to only fit a 10.5-11.5 inch wheel while the Z wheel is 12". This is why I went with 305/35/20 last year but they ended up rubbing because the listed diameter was wrong.

Anyone running these? Happy with them? I've got a lowered on stock bolts Z07. I don't feel like dropping another 2k on winter tires that don't fit perfectly.

Thanks!

Best,
Gene

Last edited by phantasms; 11-19-2015 at 09:50 AM.
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Old 11-19-2015, 10:03 AM
  #58  
0Luke@tirerack
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Originally Posted by phantasms
My concern is that the 305/30/20 in the rear is listed to only fit a 10.5-11.5 inch wheel while the Z wheel is 12".
The pictures I posted were of a 305/30-20 mounted on a 12" wide wheel

Last edited by Luke@tirerack; 11-19-2015 at 10:03 AM.
Old 11-19-2015, 10:55 AM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack
The pictures I posted were of a 305/30-20 mounted on a 12" wide wheel
Thank you. I saw that but is it safe? Why does Pirelli say 11.5" max? I see no reason they would be conservative on this. My 305/35-20 was already stretched on the wheel a good amount.

Let me know. If you can convince me it's safe I'd love to order a set today. It's finally starting to get cold around here.

Best,
Gene

Last edited by phantasms; 11-19-2015 at 11:08 AM.
Old 11-19-2015, 01:48 PM
  #60  
0Luke@tirerack
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Originally Posted by Luke@tirerack

The 305/30-20 has a diameter of 27.3" and will not rub at all. Using a 27.3" tall rear tire along with the 26.5" tall front tire will also keep the on-board electronics much less invasive as well.

While the 305-30-20 specs list a maximum wheel width of 11.5" the tire itself is 12.4" wide. The pictures that I posted are of the 305/30-20 mounted on a 20x12 wheel.

The reason I had thought of this combo is actually based on some real world tire applications.

The 2004 Porsche GT2 uses a 315/30-18 rear tire which also has a maximum wheel width of 11.5". The Porsche installed factory wheel is a 18x12.

That reaching beyond the RMA specs goes the other way as well. The 1995 BMW M3 came with a 17x7.5 wheel but the OE tire size of 235/40-17 has a minimum wheel width is 8.0".

hope that this has answered all of your questions ... if not feel free to post any additional thoughts.

Thanks,
Luke
....

and good news fro anybody following this thread ....

Pirelli has finally been able to loosen up it's strangle hold on the 305/30-20 SottZero 3 and we are airfreighting some into the states. Current estimated arrival for them is the late November/ early December.

use this link if you want to get in line early for your set

Last edited by Luke@tirerack; 11-19-2015 at 02:21 PM.


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