tire size
 

Damn True-

I agree 100% that tire size did not have an effect on the numbers the corvette pulled. I was eluding to the fact that tire technology has really advanced and it is possible to be great performance out of the bigger sizes. I believe that Dave Hill, head engineer for the corvette, stated that new tire tech has helped the corvette achieve its current results.

Steve-

What the hell? Tell me you are not going to change the rims on Penny.

I wasn't meaning you in general steve.....and I agree 100% with what you said...first time I had seen those links also, looks like you have been preparing for this question.....lol since it is asked so frequently :D

Steve you mentioned somewhere that you have Forgeline wheels. I am trying to order a set of Forgeline SP3P wheels in 18x12 with 5.5" backspacing and they say they can't do it. The best he can do is 18x11.5 with 3" backspacing which is not the look i am going for.

What kind of wheels do you have? Size and BS?

Trev

I will be running 345/19's on my '68. My answer to the inertia problem is just bigger brakes! I also plan on 285's up front. The ONLY thing that scares me about running these sizes is standing water. I don't like the idea of becoming one large ski. I say go for the 19's.

Mike

How will you handle the problem of only one tire available in that size?

I'll offer my two cents, on two topics. One, if you are going to run the car on the street and truly want to enjoy the ride, I'd go with as large a sidewall as possible while still hitting the look you are after width-wise. Two, the most importnat thing you can do to make your car truly awesome in the rear is to install a Lateral D three link setup! :unibrow:

Okay, so I'm biased... Honestly though, tires are SO good these days, you probably wouldn't notice the difference in performance between an 18, 17, and maybe other rim sizes, stressing performance. In terms of ride quality, the more sidewall you have, in general (depends a ton on tire construction), the better of you'll be.

One truly hard thing to do is to find a really good, huge tire for the bigger cars, like the 68 GTX we're doing, like yours, there are few choices for tires on this one. Aaack.

Mark

Current production Viper tire so I don't think they will quit making them anytime soon.

As far as sidewalls, 345/30-19 has 3.5 inches of sidewall. More than most any 18" tire anyone else is running so I feel comfortable with the ride quality I will have.

Mike

Good call, that is exactly the size tire I have settled on for the back of the GTX, plenty of meat all around. And they're cheap too.....NOT! Gulp, oh well, price of playing I guess. I saw Pilot sports, but haven't seen a whole lot of other options, including any R-compund tires which I'd prefer, big time. Anyone know of a set? Hoosier slicks come next, not sure the local law enforcement would let that go though!
M

Hell no! the wheels are one reason I bought the car.. lol

Just changing the tires to a stickier variety.. :)

I just ordered 335/30/18 in the Toyo competition tire.. oh, are you going with 19's? If so then your screwed.. I havent found R's in anything bigger than a 18..