305/25/20 on a C4?

[Joe Deb Vette]

Anyone running 305/25/20's on their C4 for rear tires? I'm purchasing a set of Ruff Racing 281's, was thinking of doing the rears in that size, and fronts in a 275/30/19. At least one shop said they think that would work, but wanted to seek the experts out here for their opinions!

Thanks!

 

[Rogue]

I hope it comes out looking good.

I personally would not put anything more than 17" on a C4. The later C4's already have 40 series tires and that's not a whole lot of sidewall. I think going with a 30 series tire would significantly reduce the rubber to wheel distance, making the already firm riding C4 into a complete bird cage to drive in anything but the smoothest pavement! You would not gain any performance advantage with it and instead end up with a rough riding car! In addition, I've seen so many cars here in SoCal, including Hummer H2's, wearing massive 24" chrome wheels with almost no rubber showing and it looks.....well, it looks like a$$! I'm sorry but, I believe that going to 30 series tires on your 'Vette would make it look like a jacked up inner city pimp mobil. I would say 18" with 35 series tires PLUS lowering the car so that it doesn't get jacked up with the +1 conversion. Going with 20" is a +3 conversion and that just doesn't go with this car. But that's just my personal opinion which is totally unsolicited.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Examples:

How horrid!

 

[vetteoz]

At least one shop said they think that would work,

Notice the word THINK as in they can not confirm and you are paying.
Have you compared new tire height against stock and what room is available under the guard ?
Is there enough room for a 19" tire that wide to turn without hitting something at the front
Have you checked height differences between your selected front and rear tires.
Prob work if you flat bed car somewhere to pose and just sit in it looking cool
A guy on another C4 forum yesterday did similar to you and made a expensive mistake.
Selected bling rims 1st , then selected tires to suit rims without checking dimensions so ended up with a 2" difference in tire height which gives a rake he does not like.

 

[vetteoz]

would make it look like a jacked up inner city pimp mobil.

Hell , go all out

 

[Rogue]

If you want bling, I think your selections grow a good bit.

But if you want added traction/performance, look at what the track/autocross guys are using.

I think most C4 guys who want more traction go with ZR-1 size rear wheels and tires using a 36mm offset (or 50mm, whichever works). I spoke to a fellow Vette owner who used to autcross his C4 told me he uses the ZR-1 size rear 17" wheels & tires (335/17) it has the most traction without contact.

 

[Tuna]

I did a quick check of the tire diameters and found the 305/25/20 tire to be about 26.0" diameter. The 275/30/19 is about 25.6". The stock tires on a late C4 have diameters of about 26.0 inches also.

So, the tire sizes you're looking at should fit in the wheel well just fine - assuming that the wheel offset is appropriate for the car.

If you were to go with the GS or ZR1 size tire (315/35/17) on the rear, they will stick out a little with a GS offset and a lot more with the ZR1 offset wheel. The 305 should be okay.