jvp

Hey gang -

Normally when I go to the track, my ZR1 is shod with Toyo R888s, front and rear. Both sets are 18", with the fronts being 295s and the rears 335s.

Last fall, I scored a set of 335 RA-1s from another user here on CF. They're brand new, unmolested, unheat-cycled, un-everything. And I got 'em cheap. To go along with those, I need something for the front. RA-1s didn't/don't come in 295x18. They have 275s or 305s, both sizes becoming exceedingly difficult to find.

I suspect this is the last set of RA-1s I'll ever get to run on a Corvette. Which size would you folks suggest I go with? I'd guess the 275s would increase the push over the R888s because I'd be losing 2cm/tire of width. The 305s will probably rub at lock, which would only be a problem when I'm backing out of my garage or turning around, etc.

Opinions? Those that say, "Get Hoosiers" will be ignored. This isn't a "which tire is better?" thread, it's a "which size of a specific tire should I get?" thread.

Thanks!

jas

travisnd

Since you have 335s out back I'd get the 305 and just remember not to turn the wheel lock to lock with them on.

AU N EGL

305 or 315 up front

jvp

There's no way 315s will fit without scrubbing the fender liners. No chance in hell.

jas

Bill Dearborn

Not RA1s but similar tires. Last year I ran 305/35/18 front and 335/30/18 rear R888s. The front tires were larger in diameter than the rear tires and they hit the upper outer edge of the front wheel well (black gurney flap) and the brake duct inside. The gurney flap wear occurred on the track while the duct wear occurred when turning tight in the pit and garage areas. The tire diameter issues won't cause an issue since as soon as you try to move the car the TC will cut in and remind you to turn it off. If you have a tire pressure issue on track it might be hard to get back to the garage due to the TC. Don't know if you can get an RA1 in the 305/30/18 size but it might work pretty well. From the Toyo web site it looks like you can't get any RA1 in a size larger than 275/18.

I am surprised you can get 18 inch wheels on the front of your ZR1.

Bill

whatcop?

315s will fit upfront on a ZR1. Ask ccw and they will tell you the same.

jvp

Thanks for sharing your experience Bill, that's what I was after even if it was with the R888s. The 305s are available, but they're painfully rare because Toyo doesn't make them any longer, which is why they're not on the website. You have to hunt around and find retailers that have a stash of them... and pay exorbitant prices for them.

I might give up on this and just try to find a set of 295 R888 scrubs to go with the 335 R888 scrubs I have waiting to be mounted.

As for the 18s, there are specific versions of the Forgelines that will fit. It sounds like CCW has a solution as well, but I think it requires a spacer; the Forgelines just fit.

jas

whatcop?

Yes a very tiny spacer