1996 Collector Edition Wheel Question

[DWC]

Why does the 1996 Collector Edition Corvette have 17 X 8.5 on front and 17 X 9.5 on rear? I know that the rear has wider tire size, but I am wondering why couldn't I purchase all four wheels in 17 X 8.5 and have the same size tires on all four corners? Would there be some reason why such a change should not be made?

 

[69MyWay]

Next time you see a late model C4, notice how the front wheels sit inbound of the wheel well lip vs. a more flush rear fit. Then, look at a 85-90 model and notice how all four wheels have about the same lip to wheel edge fitment.

The offset front vs. rear wheel on the late C4 models (and CE) do indeed reflect how they also have different sized tires.

What year is your car?

You can do the wider wheel all the way around, but have to watch your tire size. I would suggest running the 275 40 ZR 17 in the front on the wide wheel, and the 285 rear tire that is stock on the back of a CE.

If you go with the more narrow wheel all the way around, I think it will look silly as the rear wheels will be sucked up under the fender lip.

I saw a CE the other day that a fellow must have rotated the tires without paying any attention to what he was doing. It had the small narrow ones on the rear and the beefy ones on the front. It looked stupid (mostly because of the fat ones on the front).

Much of this depends on what year model you have. The most trick thing I have ever seen is putting the GS or ZR1 rear rims on a 84-87 model, then putting the 9.5" front rims on the 84-87 with the wheel adapters. That makes one heck of a beefy look from behind, and puts the front tires nice and flush looking with the wheel lip.

 

[DWC]

My car is a 1996 Collector Edition. I am trying to decide if I want to stay with the same set up on some new wheels I am thinking about or change to same size on front and back. The difference seems to me to be rather minimal, about one inch difference in wheel width between front (17 X 8.5) and rear (17 X 9.5). I assume the rear tires are both wider and perhaps a little taller, but other than a beefy appearance on the rear, are there alignment issues or other issues that prompted GM to place these variances of wheel size and tire size from the factory?

 

[69MyWay]

The more narrow front design tends to help the cars track better, especially on poor roads with a pronounced crown.

You can easily set up the nose with the 9.5" and 275 40 ZR 17.

HOWEVER, (don't know for sure about the 96), you could run into computer problems with the anti lock brakes/traction control. The computer is programmed with the current wheel height to determine the number of revolution front/vs. rear. If you alter that, the car may thing the front is sliding (going slower around on taller wheels). I have seen this happen on OBDII Camaros.

So, maybe somebody else can pipe in regarding the OBDII and 96 CE computer issues.

That may very well dictate what you can do. Of course, if you pop the same size front tire on the wider rim, it may look kind of silly since it will baloon out at the bead.

 

[Vettelt193]

Let's not forget, Z51 cars came with 17x9.5 and 275/40's on all four corners (collector or not)... I would go with this setup... the front looks like it should, and you can rotate if you want to. the 17.8.5's would look really stupid in the rear.

 

[lt4 gs]

I saw a CE the other day that a fellow must have rotated the tires without paying any attention to what he was doing. It had the small narrow ones on the rear and the beefy ones on the front. It looked stupid (mostly because of the fat ones on the front).



It is sort of funny.....but sad..........a strong bank account or decent credit.............puts anybody into our machines.......happened w/boats.......too!

 

[JohnnyC]

Do the wider tires in the back help with handling? As a possed to have all the same width tires on all 4's.