315/35/17 tires on stock 9.5" Rims

[92ghost]

I just read an add on ebay of someone selling 1991 stock vette wheels (17/9.5) with 315/35/17 tires. Looks good and wide but is this safe? I know tire manufacturers can vary in width or hight of the tire to obtain a certain contact patch, but this seams a bit extream. Any comments would be appreciated....

 

[vader86]

That seems too big to me as well, 315s are better for 11" rims.

 

[Ken]

315s on a 9.5" wheel will work, but it is definitely not recommended. That was the setup on mine when I first got it and they worked but I didn't consider it safe. :nono

That's almost as bad as the low-rider thing with the skinny tires on wide rims - definitely unsafe! :L

 

[JT ZR-Won]

315s on a 9.5" wheel will work, but it is definitely not recommended. That was the setup on mine when I first got it and they worked but I didn't consider it safe. :nono

:L

I agree with Ken..........looks decent, but definately not recommended.

JAY

 

[92ghost]

I figured as much! I think 285 series is about the largest and safest size that will fit on the 9.5/17 rim. I am assuming that an oversized tire will eventually rip itself from the bead of the rim under severe cornering conditions or hard acceleration and breaking. I wonder if these kids realize this? I've seen a lot of modified cars (Like Ken said) that appear "exotic" looking but could be a death trap waiting to spring.

 

[turbocat]

drove 5000 miles across country with 315 nitto drag radials on 9.5 inch rims- second fastest time at auto-cross at a corvette meet during the trip-car handled great.

 

[92ghost]

Turbocat. I'm assuming these tires are on your C4 with stock rims, and obvously you feel safe since you autoX. Are these tires (nitto's) not as wide but higher than other tires? or the same. They are drag radials but I believe it is only the compound and tread design that differ from regular tires. Please edjucate me on this, I'm getting conflicting responces and want to know if this is a safe combination... Thanks...

 

[turbocat]

As you stated only the compound and the tread design are different-rims were 9.5 repro zr-1. I could not tell the difference between 275 and 315 , but I did change the swaybars to 30-26 and added coilovers. Yes ,the nittos are the same with and height as regular radials.

 

[Corvette Streetracer]

I have been running Goodyear GSC 315 35 17's on 9.5" rims for 3 years. Done lots of drag racing and 6 SCCA auto crosses. Haven't popped a bead yet.... BUT I was a little worried at first. So far so good..... I have purchased replacement tires for next summer though, and they are 285's..... That worry never goes away when the speedo reads triple digits..... Afterall you are pushing the design limits. 315's on 11" rims do stick out the fender wells and it looks a little strange for me. Good Luck