max wheel width and tire width for C5?

**MachWon** · 03-21-2010, 07:47 AM

I'm looking to get a new set of shoes for my vette. I got some aftermarket C6 Z06 wheels on it now. They were on the car when I bought it. I think the front wheels measure 17x8.5 and the rears 18x9.5. I was wondering how wide can I go without the tires/wheels protruding outside the body. Germany is very strict about this I cannot have tires exiting the fenders plus I think it looks like crap. I'm running 275's in the rear now and they look like bicycle tires. I don't want to change tire size up front I am only concerned about the rear. It would be great to hear some of the tire/wheel combos some of you guys are running so I can get an idea of what works well. thanks

**1986camarojoe** · 03-21-2010, 10:55 PM

I have 19/20 right now.. the rear tire is a 305, 10.5 inch rim I believe. Id like to go wider.

**MachWon** · 03-22-2010, 03:25 AM

Originally Posted by 1986camarojoe

I have 19/20 right now.. the rear tire is a 305, 10.5 inch rim I believe. Id like to go wider.

How much wider do you think you can go? Does the 305 tuck in the fenderwells nicely? I had 315s on a lowered mach 1, the stance was sick. I would like to go even wider on my vette but don't know how wide I can go and still stay within the fenderwells. I was hoping for a 335 or 345.

**1986camarojoe** · 03-24-2010, 09:56 PM

The 305s on my vette dont look big to me and they seem to fit just fine I havent owned the car long so I havent had them off yet. I can try and get a picture

**Mr. Hyde** · 03-25-2010, 08:51 AM

I've seen stock C6 Z06 wheels on a C5, so you can get away with 325's.
I'm personally going to go with 345's when I have to replace the OEM tires. Probably going to go with a 19/20 combo.

**1986camarojoe** · 03-25-2010, 10:16 PM

I stuck my arm under there today doesnt feel like theres room for much bigger than 305s. quick picture but doesnt show much

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=11gmu80&s=5

Also with this car having the 19/20 combo the ride absolutely sucks.

**MachWon** · 03-26-2010, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Hyde

I've seen stock C6 Z06 wheels on a C5, so you can get away with 325's.
I'm personally going to go with 345's when I have to replace the OEM tires. Probably going to go with a 19/20 combo.

Theres a guy rolling around in my area that has a C6 Z06, he claims it is bone stock. It has 345's on it and they fit perfectly, it looks absolutley disgusting. I would like to stuff some 345's under my C5 but since I am in Germany I can't afford to do trial and error. I have to get it right the first time.

**10spokess** · 03-30-2010, 07:31 PM

why does it cost more over there???

**RJWZ28** · 04-05-2010, 09:22 PM

I knew a guy with a 2004 Vette and factory C6 Z06 wheels all around As you know the rears are 19x12 with 325-30/19s and will fit 345-30/19s just fine. To cover the extra tire width he bought fender flares from a website and installed them himself. Looked great, not cheap and rice. Just throwing that out there as an option, Lingenfelter minitubbed their C5s for 345s and GM flared the C6 Z06s fenders more to fit 325s so there must be a reason why. It would be worth the extra money to buy the flares and run 345s, IMHO.

**RJWZ28** · 04-05-2010, 09:30 PM

http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...-c5-97-04.aspx

This site has them, they're pretty expensive but if you did some research you might find a better deal somewhere. Do it!

**10spokess** · 04-06-2010, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by RJWZ28

http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...-c5-97-04.aspx

This site has them, they're pretty expensive but if you did some research you might find a better deal somewhere. Do it!

that is the most bad ass looking car ever i want to put that on the vette i get in the future lol

**Spaz** · 04-09-2010, 06:24 AM

my dad has 345's on his lingenfelter but he had to have it tubed... i'll post some pictures but they don't really show how friggin wide they are...

**RJWZ28** · 04-09-2010, 03:28 PM

That is a more expensive but more stealthy means to the same end. Either way, 345s are the tire size to have

**Spaz** · 04-10-2010, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Spaz

my dad has 345's on his lingenfelter but he had to have it tubed... i'll post some pictures but they don't really show how friggin wide they are...

that little mark is from where my brothers impala was... 275's mark on the floor... that should give an idea of how wide 345's are..

**RJWZ28** · 04-12-2010, 07:36 PM

Sweet

**eyekno1** · 04-15-2010, 10:19 AM

On my '02 vert, I took the stock 18X9.5's from the rear & ran 255's on them on the front & got a pair of matching 18X10.5's for the rear & mounted 335's on them with no problems & All tucked neatly inside the fenders due to the 58mm offset of the new wheels. I don't currently have pictures, but, they look great & actually very balanced look with the 18's all around, even with the car lowered all the way. Keeps a Nice (deceiving) stock look but, allows Big rubber on the ground.
These 18X10.5X58mm's are avaliable at this webpage;

http://www.corvettemike.com/shop/ind...heels&pf=10010
or for guys in the states they are also available through Discount Tires by order through their nationwide stores or online orders.

**David Q** · 04-15-2010, 05:25 PM

My 18 x 10.5's with a 275(I know its narrow) tuck fine, but my 17 x 11's with a 315 35 Mickey Thompson DR stick out about 3/4". I'm sure on my 18's I could run a 315 or 335 with no problem.

**eyekno1** · 04-16-2010, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by David Q

My 18 x 10.5's with a 275(I know its narrow) tuck fine, but my 17 x 11's with a 315 35 Mickey Thompson DR stick out about 3/4". I'm sure on my 18's I could run a 315 or 335 with no problem.

David, do you think your 17X11's stick out due to the offset on those wheels? The 18X10.5's from Corvette Mikes have a 58mm offset (keeping them tucked in the fender well) as opposed to the 63mm offset of the factory stock 18X9.5's or most aftermarket wheels designed for the C5.