17x9.5 all around on a 1996 Coupe - Possible?

[Rain]

Any benefit, possibility, or reason to put 17x9.5 wheels on all four corners of a 1996 Coupe?


Thanks for clearing my head today,
Rain

 

[c4cruiser]

17 x 9.5's on all four corners was what you got with the Z07 suspension package, so it is doable. If you use either 275 or 285/40 ZR17 tires, you will be able to rotate the tires which will increase tire life.

 

[froggy47]

It'll trolly track a bit more, but handle better with bigger front meats - good autox setup

 

[Ken]

I have 17s with 285s all the way 'round - most of the time.

 

[Rain]

Thanks Gentlemen.

Have a set of sawblades near me that I considered buying. But just not sittin on enough $ for new front tires right now.

But now that I hear positive things about it, I will not hesitate when the time is right.
Thanks again
Rain

 

[Edmond]

Use Firestone SZ50's when you get new tires, they're great!!!

 

[Tuna]

One thing that was mentioned on a different post is that the ABS is sensitive to different tire diameters. So, if you have 285s on the rear now, it would be smart to use 285s on the front also when you switch to the wider wheel.

As for handling and feel, the wider front tire will make the car wander on the road a little more - toe settings become more sensitive. You may notice a quicker off center steering response also and less understeer when you push it. For sure, it will be a little quicker to go into 'trailing throttle oversteer' if you lift the throttle quickly in a tight turn. All of this explains why GM went to the narrow 8.5 wheel on the front in 93 - it makes the car safer for those that want to cruise more than rip the turns.

 

[Gary04Z06]

Use Firestone SZ50's when you get new tires, they're great!!!

Great tire, I have them. But good luck, they stopped production of them.:cry

My Z51 optioned 96' came with 9.5" 275s on all four cornors.

 

[Ken]

... they stopped production of them.

No ****??

 

[Edmond]

Great tire, I have them. But good luck, they stopped production of them.:cry

My Z51 optioned 96' came with 9.5" 275s on all four cornors.

when did that happen? :cry Why?

 

[Gary04Z06]

Stopped production a few months ago. Stopped because they did sell well.....yep, surprized me to.

 

[Ken]

Stopped because they did sell well.

:confused You mean did not sell well? :confused

 

[Gary04Z06]

Opps, yep, ment did not sell well.

 

[vee93]

Any benefit, possibility, or reason to put 17x9.5 wheels on all four corners of a 1996 Coupe?


Thanks for clearing my head today,
Rain

Wearing 285/40ZR/17 BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDWs all around. Those big feet up front will wanna find purchase on grooved roads. But good suspension tamped that down and traction is equal all around; true too come rotation time. Got caught in the rain once on one of those 2-lane, heavily truck traveled roads and that was not fun. Those BFGs aren't a pretty tire, but they are quiet.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Use Firestone SZ50's when you get new tires, they're great!!!

Yep, eventhough Mr.D cost me next to nothing through the Team I stuck a pair of SZ50 285´s on the back of Thunder because of the advice I got here. The grip is great, exiting a round-about where she used to break lose at constant speed on the 9000 275´s I can now punch her with no more than a long chirp. When I bought mine Tire Rack had them on sale for about $150. ea.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Great tire, I have them. But good luck, they stopped production of them.:cry

I am glad that I bought 4. I still have the SP9000´s on the front so the 2nd. pair of SZ50´s are new on the rack. I should have enough rubber to se me through several years of hot-roding.:cool

 

[Tim Scales]

My '92 Z51 came with 17" all around. EXCELLENT set up for my type driving ... one PLUS...You can get a great deal of mileage on the tires (providing you don't burn 'em out) just by keeping them rotated from front to rear every 5-7 K miles. You can't rotate different sizes without switching rims...ie side to side...a draw back I do not care for on the new C5 and C6.
I Ran a set of Pirelli P7000 or P8000 Super Sport for almost 68,000K before the tire lugs became so loud I could not hear myself yell. Great Handling but a lot of noise. I replaced with Continental Conti-Trac Extreme from Tire Rack for abput $115 each and have aprx. 38,000 miles with well over half the life left on them. They do not handle quite as well in the cornering but are EXCELLENT on noise, TRACTION WET or DRY and were MADE IN The USA! My Size is (Stock) 275-40 ZR 17. And the ride is as quality and smooth as some HP 15" tires! Hard to believe but is true in my case. Tim

Any benefit, possibility, or reason to put 17x9.5 wheels on all four corners of a 1996 Coupe?


Thanks for clearing my head today,
Rain

 

[WhalePirot]

The beast runs four Epsilon 17"x11", holding 315-35x17s.

 

[Alloydude]

I have 17x9.5 on all four corners with the 275-40 Continental Conti-trac Extreme’s (lame name but good tire) and the combination definatly improved handling characteristics in the turns but it’s a hand full on uneven roads.

 

[WhalePirot]

Dayum!

Might be a real chore to replace these hardened old BFGs, especially in 315x17s.