Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
#1
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Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
Over the last 15+ Years, New Vehicles have been transitioning towards Taller Side-Wall Tires.
An 2004 Corvette with 18" Rear Wheels, would originally had roughly a 275/ 35ZR18 Size set or Rear Tires.
Crossover SUVs and Sedans now have Taller Side-Wall Tires compared to 15+ Years ago.
Yes the Wheel sizes have increased, and Tire sizes have increased...
But what I am referring to is the Aspect-Ratio of the Tire Side-Wall.
A comparable Rear Tire for an 18" Wheel on a Newer Corvette, would be 275/ 40ZR18 or 275/ 45ZR18.
A decent amount taller than the 18" Tire from 2004 (275/ 35ZR18).
I even find Websites for New Tire Sales to incorrectly report Tire Sizes for Older Vehicles.
(Not that Auto Parts Websites have never incorrectly shown Parts for Vehicles before).
Tire Rack for example, shows a 275/ 40ZR18 Rear Tire for a 2004 Corvette... which is incorrect (at least on my Invoice).
I am wondering how many of you have moved towards the Modern Tire Sizes/ use a Taller Side-Wall Tire.
Let me know what all of you are using on your Third-Gen, and your thoughts on the Look and Performance (Ride Quality, Cornering, Traction, Etc) of Modern Taller Tires.
Please Post any Images of your Third-Gen that uses the Modern Tire Sizes.
An 2004 Corvette with 18" Rear Wheels, would originally had roughly a 275/ 35ZR18 Size set or Rear Tires.
Crossover SUVs and Sedans now have Taller Side-Wall Tires compared to 15+ Years ago.
Yes the Wheel sizes have increased, and Tire sizes have increased...
But what I am referring to is the Aspect-Ratio of the Tire Side-Wall.
A comparable Rear Tire for an 18" Wheel on a Newer Corvette, would be 275/ 40ZR18 or 275/ 45ZR18.
A decent amount taller than the 18" Tire from 2004 (275/ 35ZR18).
I even find Websites for New Tire Sales to incorrectly report Tire Sizes for Older Vehicles.
(Not that Auto Parts Websites have never incorrectly shown Parts for Vehicles before).
Tire Rack for example, shows a 275/ 40ZR18 Rear Tire for a 2004 Corvette... which is incorrect (at least on my Invoice).
I am wondering how many of you have moved towards the Modern Tire Sizes/ use a Taller Side-Wall Tire.
Let me know what all of you are using on your Third-Gen, and your thoughts on the Look and Performance (Ride Quality, Cornering, Traction, Etc) of Modern Taller Tires.
Please Post any Images of your Third-Gen that uses the Modern Tire Sizes.
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
I have contemplated the same thing and concluded that I either go wide or go tall but can't do both. Just can't tuck a generously wide tire inside the wheel well. So people end up with teeth rattling spring rates to keep the tire off the fenders with their flush mount look.
One thing I've noticed is the stock bump stops are set up for a 26-in tire. Go 28 and you'll rub the fender unless fully tucked.
One thing I've noticed is the stock bump stops are set up for a 26-in tire. Go 28 and you'll rub the fender unless fully tucked.
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T.L. (12-08-2021)
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
@Zach/90\irocZ has been running taller 19 inch tires for many years of many sizes including 45 series. I'd search for posts by him.
#4
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
Thank you @QwkTrip .
I will search for some of the Images related to Zach/90\irocZ.
Does anyone else here have any Images of Third-Gens with Modern sized Tires?
Does not matter if the Images are of someone else Car.
Thanks all!
I will search for some of the Images related to Zach/90\irocZ.
Does anyone else here have any Images of Third-Gens with Modern sized Tires?
Does not matter if the Images are of someone else Car.
Thanks all!
#5
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
I personally PREFER a taller tire. I think the aspect ratio of a stock 245/50/16 is like the golden ratio. Now, finding tires wide enough for modern power levels, as well as fitting brakes under a 16" wheel is another discussion entirely. Even when myself and others here started posting our first pictures of Hawk's 17" replica IROCs, I still felt that 16's LOOKED the best. Ride also suffers with a real low profile, although the difference between a 35 and 40 series may be tough to really feel.
Regarding your specific question though, what is it your after exactly? A modern 17" 18" or even larger wheel, with a taller aspect ratio? Pushing the combined diameter over the stock 25.5/26 "ish" size?
Regarding your specific question though, what is it your after exactly? A modern 17" 18" or even larger wheel, with a taller aspect ratio? Pushing the combined diameter over the stock 25.5/26 "ish" size?
#6
Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
Here’s some pics of my sons 91. The wheels are 17x8’s all around with BFG G Force Comp 2’s in 255/40ZR-18 on all four corners. Nothing exotic but since it’s his daily driver, we wanted something that didn’t rub, had decent ride quality and filled the wheel wells better then the stock wheels. He’s got some UMI lowering springs for the front and rear that we’ll be installing after the holidays to drop it down about 1.5”s but in these pics it’s sitting on stock suspension.
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bluegrassz (12-09-2021)
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
Thank you guys!
I think I am going to try a set of the taller/ Modern Tires on the Rear Wheels of my Car.
I am going to leave the Front Wheels with the lower-profile Tires.
I guess I have to probably adjust the height on the Weight-Jacks again...
I think I am going to try a set of the taller/ Modern Tires on the Rear Wheels of my Car.
I am going to leave the Front Wheels with the lower-profile Tires.
I guess I have to probably adjust the height on the Weight-Jacks again...
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
I guess that is another good reason to leave the Front Tires on my Car, with the Low-Profile Tires.
#10
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
The reason I went from a 235/35/19 to a 235/40/18 was to gain a bit of sidewall to better deal with regular roads, and pot-holes. A slightly softer ride was also a benefit. I also stepped down for slightly cheaper tires. An additional benefit that I got, was dropping 8lbs per rim when going from the OEM Forged to the FC04 flow forged. Saving 32lbs of rotating weight definitely also helped ride quality, and provided a net benefit for acceleration and braking too.
But, I immediately noticed how much more delayed the turn in response was from the car. If I purchase a track set for the car, it will be something like a 275/35/19.
My RS has 235/40/18's on it now, vs the 235/35/19's stock.
My GTA has 275/40/17's on it now. And for that car I'd probably step up to a 275/35/18 to get a better tire selection.
But, I immediately noticed how much more delayed the turn in response was from the car. If I purchase a track set for the car, it will be something like a 275/35/19.
My RS has 235/40/18's on it now, vs the 235/35/19's stock.
My GTA has 275/40/17's on it now. And for that car I'd probably step up to a 275/35/18 to get a better tire selection.
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
I also stepped down for slightly cheaper tires. An additional benefit that I got, was dropping 8lbs per rim when going from the OEM Forged to the FC04 flow forged.
#12
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
I had 305/35/19 drag radials on the car before. Loved how the tire looked being 28” tall. Had 295/30/19 on it and looked paper thin especially compared to the 255/40/18 fronts
years ago i thought tall tires looked bad. Now i see any car with 25.7-26” regular tire they just look small. Modern cars are big body now so rims look better being bigger and tires have to match
but now all i roll on are 275/60/15 radials lol aint nothing else hooks power
years ago i thought tall tires looked bad. Now i see any car with 25.7-26” regular tire they just look small. Modern cars are big body now so rims look better being bigger and tires have to match
but now all i roll on are 275/60/15 radials lol aint nothing else hooks power
#14
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
Thank you @QwkTrip .
I will search for some of the Images related to Zach/90\irocZ.
Does anyone else here have any Images of Third-Gens with Modern sized Tires?
Does not matter if the Images are of someone else Car.
Thanks all!
I will search for some of the Images related to Zach/90\irocZ.
Does anyone else here have any Images of Third-Gens with Modern sized Tires?
Does not matter if the Images are of someone else Car.
Thanks all!
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
@Zach/90\irocZ has been running taller 19 inch tires for many years of many sizes including 45 series. I'd search for posts by him.
Thank you @QwkTrip .
I will search for some of the Images related to Zach/90\irocZ.
Does anyone else here have any Images of Third-Gens with Modern sized Tires?
Does not matter if the Images are of someone else Car.
Thanks all!
I will search for some of the Images related to Zach/90\irocZ.
Does anyone else here have any Images of Third-Gens with Modern sized Tires?
Does not matter if the Images are of someone else Car.
Thanks all!
not here much anymore but I peep in from time to time now I may start to be active again on here when I can if you guys have any questions let me know
i played around with a lot of wheels and from lowered to not lowered square not square etc
I prefer taller tires as I feel it has better proportions and fill in the wheel wells better with out having to lower car significantly to pull off look
Last edited by Zach/90\irocZ; 05-02-2022 at 04:11 AM.
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Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
When I saw the stunning car in the brand new thread I've linked below, I thought of this thread immediately. So I'm reviving this one because I believe the appearance of this car most closely illustrates, more than any we've seen, the point vorteciroc was trying to make when he created this thread a year and a half ago.
Took some glamour pics of the T/A - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards
Took some glamour pics of the T/A - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards
#18
Re: Third-Gens with Modern Tire Sizes?
Here’s some pics of my sons 91. The wheels are 17x8’s all around with BFG G Force Comp 2’s in 255/40ZR-18 on all four corners. Nothing exotic but since it’s his daily driver, we wanted something that didn’t rub, had decent ride quality and filled the wheel wells better then the stock wheels. He’s got some UMI lowering springs for the front and rear that we’ll be installing after the holidays to drop it down about 1.5”s but in these pics it’s sitting on stock suspension.
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