New Tires

[Rob]

Yes, I am almost 100% positive that the only difference is color. Let me double check and I will get back to you. Find out what price you can get the ZR-1 wheels for and let me know. I may be able to get them for you at a better price.

 

[Collector1996]

just called GM

just got off the phone with GM. it "appears" that the tires are exactly the same but for color. i can get them for $375 per in 4 days.

what is this business of using the Grand Sport "offset" vs. the ZR-1 "offset" so the tires don't stick out past the fender that I saw in a forum?

they will be calling me back this afternoon regarding availability.

 

[Collector1996]

own question answered

ok just off the phone again. looks like the offset on the zr-1 pushes the tires out about an inch or so past the fender. the grand sport lug nuts are deeper in the wheel and bring the tires flush to the fender. so it looks like i'll need to stick with the GS wheel and get them repainted silver. if you can beat $375 per including shipping let me know.

thanks for your help.

 

[Rob]

In this picture, you can see the fender flares that I'm talking about on the rear quarter panels:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/cgi...996/Grand_Sport&image=grandsport.jpg&img=&tt=

 

[Rob]

Re: own question answered

ok just off the phone again. looks like the offset on the zr-1 pushes the tires out about an inch or so past the fender. the grand sport lug nuts are deeper in the wheel and bring the tires flush to the fender. so it looks like i'll need to stick with the GS wheel and get them repainted silver. if you can beat $375 per including shipping let me know.

thanks for your help.

Let me double check on this. I'm still not convinced because if that was the case, then I don't see why Chevy would have spent the extra money to include the rear fender flares. I'll report back here.

 

[Rob]

Ok, I stand corrected. The wheel offset is different:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c4/susp_chart.html

 

[twiget]

The offset on the GS wheels is diffrent than the wheels on the ZR-1. I dont remember the exact numbers, but let me dig and I'll get back to you.

Jason

 

[twiget]

Ok, I stand corrected. The wheel offset is different:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech/c4/susp_chart.html

Well, guess I dont need to check on that after all.

Jason

 

[Collector1996]

thanks

looks like grand sport wheels will be painted silver confirmed the GS offset is the correct one to use. should look sweet.

now the age old debate of which tires. unfortunately the 315 size really limits the field.

thanks for the help

 

[Rob]

Re: thanks

looks like grand sport wheels will be painted silver confirmed the GS offset is the correct one to use. should look sweet.

now the age old debate of which tires. unfortunately the 315 size really limits the field.

thanks for the help

I confirmed that I can't do better on the price than what you can get them for at the dealer.

As for the tires, I'm kind of in the same boat you are. I need to pickup tires for my ZR and I'm not sure what to get. Since I don't normally drive the car in the rain unless I get caught in it, wet weather traction isn't high up on my priority list. You may want to consider the new Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. Check here for more information:

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16606

 

[Collector1996]

closed the deal

looks like we are on the same page. i narrowed it down to the F1 or the Pilot Sports. After looking at ratings on tirerack and reading test results and surveys I decided to go with the Pilot Sports primarily because the wear rating was higher and the all around performace difference was negligible. Just got off the phone with tirerack and the tires are a done deal.

So don't try and change my mind!!!!

 

[Rob]

:L LOL Cool. When you get them on the car, let me know how you like them. I was actually looking at the Pilots as well. Right now, my Vette is making a meal out of the left front tire so I have to try and get it into the dealer soon to have them look at it. Once I get whatever is wrong, fixed, I'll be doing a tire purchase.

I'm not looking forward to it. 4 brand new tires is not a cheap investment.

 

[lt4 gs]

Rob: I had the Pilots on my 93'....................They are in fact, much much, quieter and softer...............than the Good for a Good Days......They also seem to provide more traction.......in wet wx. You'll notice when you see them on the car .....that they have more of a balloon look to the side walls........as opposed to the squared off look of the Eagles......

 

[No Go]

I got 18,000 hard miles on a set of Michelin Pilot Sports. Excellent tire.

I started to get into more roadracing so next set of tires was a set of Nitto Extreme 555R II roadracing tires. They are mainly for the track, but I run them all the time and they stick like gumballs. Example-gained 5 mph on a constant radius (270 degree) on ramp. I don't expect more than 8000 miles out of these...

GS offset is much narrower than the ZR1 offset-look at it this way, ZR1 had the rear body widened for its 315 ZR1 tires/wheels. The GS on had some minor fender flares added. I believe 36 mm and 50 mm were the two offsets.

Good Luck!

 

[Interceptor430]

Rob,
The $'s CAN be a killer, for sure.
Check out the Kumho Brand...and the temp/traction ratings.
Hard to beat for the price!

oh....and btw...KUMHO is pronounced as 'cue mo' - I learned how to say it correctly after the tire dealer stopped laughing so hard.

:L :L

 

[wx briefer]

Of course, when talking about Pilot tires from Micheling, one needs to be sure the subject is Pilot SPORT tires as they make different variation of Pilot tires. I have the Pilot Sports and will NEVER buy them again. Michelin may make the only hand laid up tire in the USA but I had two new ones on the rear replaced when they could not be balanced and were deemed unacceptable after testing on the hunter road force balancer. I then had trouble with the two new front ones. I played with the air pressure to get them acceptable under 85 MPH. Still vibrate above 85. At close to $400 apiece, I would expect better performance. I, personally, am going to try the new Goodyear F1 Super next. The only good thing I can say about the Sports is they grip very, very well. YMMV.

 

[Interceptor430]

$400 each?....Wow! Yea, they should definately not vibrate at any speed at that kinda price.
Guess that's another reason I like the Kumho's - $500 will buy all 4 tires - and like I mentioned, the temp and traction ratings are
Excellent!

 

[vee93]

I'm running on [4] BF Goodrich g-Force T/A 285/40ZR/17s.
Not a bad looking tire. Stick like glue rain or shine. And can't beat the price IF you order 'em from WAL-MART!!! No lie, $160 ea. The tire shops'll charge you $75-150 more!!!

 

[resto75]

Kumho's don't come in 315/35/17

 

[Kelled]

I bought a wheel/tire package from AFS which comes with Dunlops. I will be a happy man when those tires are toast. They replaced the Firestones I had on the car and there is no comparison regarding traction.

Has anyone ever heard of there being any problems with Firestone's performance tires, a la tread separation? I never have.