The more I look at this stuff the more foolish I feel. I have all kind of charts but I am more interested in real world experience. Here it is....
I like a lot of rubber on the road, I probably should have moved up to 18" wheels but I stuck with my original 17" and just went a half inch wider all the way around. My logic MAY be faulty but it was that I thought I could move to a wider than factory tire at some point but I could run the factory spec tires still on the car till they were not so new if I stayed w/ 17s and only went .5" wider on the wheels. The 275/40r17 and 315/35r17 combo has worked just fine but I really would like as wide as is feasible without worrying about rubbing. I am not crazy about getting taller sidewall height but that seems to be a must. Dumb as it seems I also do not know if a variation between the upgraded front and rear heights from each other AND compared to factory spec Front/Rear is a big deal or not. Then there are the circumference differences where the change is not the same on each end. These are the # differences I have been able to find:
.................. 285/40r17 .................. 325/35r17 ,,,, Variation of:
Sidewall Difference: ( +4.0mm ) ......... ( +3.5mm ) ,,,,, .5mm
Overall Height Diff: { +8.0mm ) .........{ +7.0mm } ,,,,, 1.mm
Circumference Diff: [ + 25.13mm ] .....[ +22.0mm ] ,,,,, 3.13mm
. I realize these are very small differences but they are not exactly on the same plane (completely level, as with the factory spec) and the front will not be raised the exact same amount as the rear. Maybe it is too small of an amount to worry about but I would rather expose my ignorance than screw up my car or buy a set of tires that won't work well. I hope I have explained in a way that it can be understood.
. Also, Does any one know who offers the 295/40r17 and/or the 325/30r17 tires? Otherwise, with the 285/40r17 and 335/35r17 combination, the variation between front and rear will be even greater. I have found Manufacturers/Dealers for the other two.
. Lastly to throw a real curve into it, It is for a ZR1 with no susp. mods(I know, there are things that probably need to be upgraded there as well, feel free to suggest what susp mods will be neccesary with larger/heavier tires as well. (Coilovers were a thought. It will take a while but I'll get there.)
Last edited by wildanblue; 08-23-2007 at 02:35 AM.
Corvette Store
17 x 10 front & 17 x 11.5 rear / tires?
than screw up my car or buy a set of tires that won't work well. I hope I have explained in a way that it can be understood.
