Going nuts picking tires and wheel sizing - help?

[gerno]

Originally Posted by Flash68

Seriously, most of us have been where you are. Where to stop and just Many (most?) have failed.

The 275/315 plan is obviously the safest.... most clearance... you know the tires already (Falkens)... but the real question can only be answered by you.... what effort you are willing to undertake (cost/time/headache) to achieve what you think you want. Do the bigger tires look better? Well yeah. Are they going to outperform the smaller ones by a substantial margin? Likely not, but depends on what you are shooting for. I know you are a pretty competitive guy from talking and see you. That's what makes me wonder if you'll be okay with taking the "easy" way out.

Okay, is that better? Probably not.

Good advice, I'm shocked... For once in my life I probably should take the "easy" way out. At this point I think the "easy" way may also be the most competitive too.

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

Yes I have a DSE sub. I do get some rub on the inside at full lock but the interference was worse with the 295. I have never checking how much steering angle I have but the turning radius is not as tight as a stock sub. I'm using a 10.5 wheel but was told by BFG that it was an acceptable width for the 315. Fwiw I've used a 275/335 combo and the car had a horrible push, I had to brake early and throttle the exit late to deal with it.

Good to know on the 275/335 setup as well as the 295 clearance.


At this point the idea of the 335 is gone from my choice because I don't want to cut up the front end to fit a 315 (yet) and I don't want a massive push on the track. I'm steering (pun intended) back to the 275/315 combo but will call Falken to see what the biggest rim I can run is for the front. I want to try to follow Ron Suttons advise on the front and stretch the tire so want to try for a 10.5 rim at least with possibly a 11" depending on what Falken says. With the smaller tire stretch I think the 11" will fit and give me room for more tire later. I am thinking this should increase grip and also reduce tire height to balance the profile front and rear.

I would love to go with the 19" rear for looks but I just can't find a tire that I'm comfortable with in that size. I'd take a little push for the look but I don't want to give up tire selection. Some reason I'm nervous to use the PS2's, supersports, Goodyears and the RE11 is under the 200TW rating. I'm not too concerned with Optima and Good guys but it would be nice to find something that worked.

[gerno]

Stopped by a local Vette specialty shop. They had stacks of worn out tires sitting beside their building. Picked up some 285/18, 285/19, 295/18 and 325/19 tires for free. Now hopefully I can finally make a decision.

[carbuff]

Sweet! Is that the shop on North Lamar by chance?

I picked up a worn out one from CL when I needed one, but the guy gave me the wrong one (front instead of rear), so it didn't help me... What aspect ratio are the ones you picked up?

[gerno]

Originally Posted by carbuff

Sweet! Is that the shop on North Lamar by chance?

I picked up a worn out one from CL when I needed one, but the guy gave me the wrong one (front instead of rear), so it didn't help me... What aspect ratio are the ones you picked up?

It was Corvette World off Mopac. They had a ton of tires and told me I could take as many as I want.

I picked up these 4

325/30/19
295/35/19
295/35/18
285/35/18

I also still had the Falken 275/35/18 and 315/30/18. Here's a pic of all of them so people can see the differences.




Here is the 315/30/18 rear









325/30/19 Rear











The 325/30/19 fills out the wheel well much better. It's tight but not unreasonable. I have over 1/2" on the inside and can compress the suspension all the way and it barely touches. When not compressed I could push the tire out another ~1/2" and still have plenty of clearance with the reduced lip. I may try to clearance the inner fender a little more, still deciding. Think I may be able to gain 1/8-1/4"

Pretty sure I'll be going 325/30/19 rear and 285/35/18 front.