Tire sizes

[cscarlson]

I have a 2003 Corvette.... i have 17's on front and 18's on back.. what size tires can i put on front and rear?

 

[Huskerman]

Well they came with P245/45ZR17's in front on 17X8.5 inch rims and P275/40ZR18's in back on 18X9.5 inch rims.

...........are you asking how much more tire can you get on the stock rims? Or what other sized rims and tire combo's will fit on your C5?

The C5 Z06's had P265/40ZR17's on 17X9.5 inch front wheels. P295/35ZR18's on 18x10.5 inch rear wheels. I'm thinking that was the same for the 2003's...

 

[cscarlson]

yes the same size as the Z06,,

how much more tire can you get on the stock rims? Or what other sized rims and tire combo's will fit on your C5

 

[Huskerman]

A lot of things can start to change when you begin to mess with the wheel and tire sizes other than what came on the car. Taller or shorter wheels will have an affect on the speedometer and can render the vehicle traction control (ASR acceleration slip regulation) non-operational. Wider tires will not have an effect as long as they don't rub and still fit the stock wheel size. That said are you after looks or performance or both?

On stock C5 wheels on the fronts 255/40/17's should not rub. On the rears 295/35/18 would be the max and 285's would probably be better......

Going to Z06 wheels and tire sizes on your car would be the next step and I do not know what all would have to change for that to happen.......someone has to have done that succesfully here on the forum. The guys at Tire Rack would be a source also....

I am sure that Run Flats will only come in stock sizes.......

That's all I know and sometimes I know just enough to be dangerous....so getting some other input would be a good idea....just saying.

 

[Toms007]

You could go to the Z06 sizes (both wheels and tires) without adverse affects. Limited factor on stock C5 wheels (coupe or vert), would be the 9.5" width in the back......probably 285's.

Jump to the Z06 sized wheels and 295/35 x 18 will work fine.

As Huskerman stated, going larger diameter can fuss with the Active Handling system and ABS, as well as screwing the speedometer.

Tire sizes can be figured by the width/AR (aspect ratio) and wheel diameter. Example 245/45 x 17.

245 = tire width (in millimeters) 45 = AR 17 = wheel diameter

245 x .45 = 110.25 (tire sidewall height) x 2 (top and bottom) = 220.5

17" x 25.4 (convert mm/inch) = 431.8

431.8 + 220.5 = 652.3

652.3/25.4 = 25.6" diameter


Rear tires
275/40 x 18

275 x .40 = 110 x 2 = 220

18 x 25.4 = 457.2

457.2 + 220 = 677.2/25.4 = 26.66" diameter

As long as these differences are maintained there should be no problem.