Mixing Tires on a 96 C4

[Hardlight]

Now, now....there were some that flew them that would've just been better off in something else, not to dimminish their guts. Combat helo pilots are just a much "fighter pilots" as the fast mover guys.

 

[Willis76]

so ...... back to Rain's tires .....

..... got any pictures to post of that new look you got going on that 96?

 

[surferdave]

Ok
Long story, short.
I bought some early C5 rims yesterday that had Eagle F1 runflats on them already.
The rears are in bad shape and need replacing.
The fronts are mint.

#1: Do I replace the rears with Eagle F1 runflats and be done with it?
(Currently they are 275/40 ZR18) Any benefit from going 285/40 or 285/35 for a bit wider tire?

#2 Is it a general rule that you do not mix Runflats with non-runflats (front to rear)?
Can understand the sidewalls reacting differently in turns and such. Or as long as they are a runflat tire, the maker does not matter?

Just curious how did putting 17"front/18"rear C5 wheels on the '96 go? I was wanting to do somthing similar, but the guys at my local corvette speed shop said it couldn't (or shouldn't) be done. Comments would be appreciated.

 

[Rain]

Well it was done and I've had no noticable problems.

Granted, I went from 285 rear tires to 275 but did go up from 17 to 18 inchers.
no real difference in speedometer that I've been able to guage.

pics in just a sec

 

[Rain]

Pics from this afternoon -

Full set
http://www.rainontheinternet.com/temp/CAC LOGOS/

(ignore the CAC logos.. those are elsewhere on this site)

 

[Willis76]

Very Nice! Love the look!

 

[Rain]

Appreciate that - its a work in progress for sure.

Once I wear out the fronts, they will get a lower profile like the F1s that are in the rear..
will probably lower the rear a half inch or a full 1.

Trying to get my hands on a new exhaust, possibly headers and new Cats.
And need to replace the front spoiler. not sure if I want to go with the Ecklers black replacement or something like the Prowler fiberglass spoiler/ground effect.

 

[surferdave]

Thanks for reply

I wanted to thank you for the reply. They don't seem to make very many wheels that I like for a C4 but a ton for a C5. I like the 5 star one in MidAmerica Corvette that looks like a 3 piece. On the exhaust note I have replaced the stock exhaust with the B&B 3inch polished and it sounds BAD! I have a set of 1 3/4 headers and Hi Flow cats in the garage but will wait until I put on the Vortec Supercharge kit, BBK throttlebody, Grannetelli Air Flow Sensor, and Accel 32lb injectors and do it all in one shot. Right now I am waiting for a four post lift (a must) to arrive so I can safely work on the car. I did the exhaust system while it was on jack stands and never want to go through that again..

Thanks again......dave

\

Well it was done and I've had no noticable problems.

Granted, I went from 285 rear tires to 275 but did go up from 17 to 18 inchers.
no real difference in speedometer that I've been able to guage.

pics in just a sec

 

[Rain]

oh lord- bolted in an Exhaust while on your back.. think you are Leonardo Di Vinci???

Yea, I have a few buds here in town with lifts I can borrow so Im not as pressed to put one in here at the home garage. Although, I did have the garage door installed as a hi-lift style so that a lift could be installed in the future.

Sounds likeyou are going to see some nice performance hits from the parts you have there. I am jealous! (if ya don't mind me asking, whats the ballpark figure $$wise after its all said and done?)
Im trying to put a new budget together.

There are some nice aftermarket wheels on ebay. A couple of vendors selling everything from Z06, ZR1, C5 wagon wheels, C5 Y2K wheels, and even C6 wheels. From what I've read, they all will fit the C4.
I nearly went with the Z06 wheels but this deal for the chrome wagon wheels was just too good to pass. I will sell them further down the road when I find something else I like. Almost anything was better than my scuffed up sawblades!

Keep me posted, Dave.
Rain

 

[surferdave]

I got the sawblades on backwards now to cool the brakes and I guess the wheels will come next year. I got lucky on the 96, black on black w/ 50k original miles one owner, bone stock, but it was mint inside&out for 18k. I paid $3400 for the supercharger kit, $1000 for the catback, $500 for cats and $580 for headers(get them quick because the 1 3/4 are being discontinued, all that will be available is 1 5/8) both out of tbyrnemotorsports.com . Mass airflow and Throttle bottle from mid america catalogue and the injectors from summit racing. I want to do ground effects next year late. I am thinking going back with my corvette black with a pearl clearcoat or maybe a purple pearl. Lots of plans, but you can only make money so fast right? So I guess this will be a project in work.
dave

 

[Rain]

Thanks Dave - speedy reply -

Gives me some idea of what $$$ is involved for some HP and response improvements.
Where did ya learn about turning the sawblades around? (thats a new one one me, but I like it!)

I was looking at body kits today after I started checking out front end spoilers. (front end spoiler for 350 vs full body kit for 800-1200) plus paint of course.

Will know more as I clean mine up. Alas, Mine was not owned by an enthusiast, but by a driver.
60k miles now. and years of filth under her.
THanks again, keep me up to date
Rain

 

[surferdave]

I am going to put that stalker front end on mine. I am thinking about the acr or motorsport sides and tunnel and I found a rear spoiler that I like separate. Like I said, a work in progress. I have this annoying habit of redesigning every car that I own. If you think the vette is bad you should hear about my jeep sometime, haha.

dave