Ordering New Wheels & Tires and need some guidance

[Rusty]

I bought my 1994 ZR-1 last May, and it came with some Grand Sport wheels on it. When getting the wheels balanced I found out that two of the rims were bent, and the Sumimoto tires on it were starting to crack around the edges by last fall. So this spring I'm going to order new wheels and tires and want to go back to a more original look. The car is far from pristine (it's a fairly high miler) and I drive it most days when the weather allows, so I don't necessarily feel it's worth the expense to find an original set of wheels. Reproductions are fine. I have a few questions, though:
- Ecklers seems to be the only source I've found for the original wheel reproductions. Does anyone have any recommendations for any other suppliers?
- For the rears, I'm looking at this item:http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1994-1995.html For the fronts, I'm looking at this item: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1988-1996.html
- For the fronts, I believe I'm supposed to have a 56 mm offset wheel, correct? The ones on Ecklers have a 54 mm offset. Is the 2mm difference a cause for concern, or will those work?
- Does anyone know if the finish on the different sizes matches? It looks like it does on the listings, but I'd hate to order them in and find that they're slightly different. Would appreciate hearing from anyone who's ordered the same wheels or is able to provide insight.
- Forgive the "newbie" question, but what other items to I need to order with the wheels to get them mounted on the car? Lug nuts, valve stems, other?
- For the tires, I'm looking at either Nittos or Goodyears. I kind of like the look of the Goodyears, but the guy I spoke with at the tire shop recommended Nittos. Is there any general consensus on what's the better choice? I don't do any racing with the car.

Thanks in advance!

[Vetman]

I took off my almost new sumo's and put on a set of Michelin pilots. Huge handling improvement. More sidewall flex for better ride and they are second to none in term of directional stability. They don't follow ruts in our lousy roads.
Just a thought. They are spendy.

[tomtom72]

Hi Rusty!

I think the 54mm offset will make the front tires stick out past the fender lip by about 1/2" or a bit less. I don't get why they sell correct offset rears and not correct offset fronts. It used to be the other way round, you could never get 36mm offset wheels, or they were scarce!

I can't answer about the finish, sorry, but I would figure they should be the same as the rears that they sell.

Tires: that's a loaded Q. PS2's and GS-D3's are the most expensive. The 555 Nitto's have great reviews by the brothers that have taken the chance on them. I suspect that the G/Yr's don't have the same profit that the Nitto's have??? If you do a lot of wet work, get the D3's or the PS2's; if not then get the Nitto's or maybe even the Khumos. JMHO. I'm a D3 user & wouldn't give up their wet grip for all the tea in China. I will confess that I have been eyeing up the 555's.....1/2 the $ of the D3's, but somehow I just never pull the trigger. The D3's keep their wet grip till the bitter end.


Tom

[White Bullet]

Rusty,
You could look at these listed at Corvette Centeral (http://http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000050f~Z5Z5Z510875~ P1099.00~~~~S3RD0FWC7Q75112111450W~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z500 00050F as they may be what you are looking for. I will add that when I last needed tires I bought what I thought was the best value at the time which was the NITTO NTO5. They have worked well for me as I drive mine most everyday to work in rain or shine without any problems. I will need some new tires soon and I will be buying NIITO's again this time I think I will go with the NT555. As you may have seen there are not alot of choices for the stock tire sizes to get a match set; however even if there were alot more choices I would still be going NITTO. Good luck.

[ZZZZZR1]

Originally Posted by White Bullet

Corvette Centeral (http://http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb.dll?parta~dyndetail~Z5Z5Z50000050f~Z5Z5Z510875~ P1099.00~~~~S3RD0FWC7Q75112111450W~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z500 00050F .

Rusty

Both the ones listed above (and the set you picked) and these are aftermarket. (Heavy and not look correct)

- For the rears, I'm looking at this item:http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1994-1995.html For the fronts, I'm looking at this item: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1988-1996.html
- For the fronts, I believe I'm supposed to have a 56 mm offset wheel, correct? The ones on Ecklers have a 54 mm offset. Is the 2mm difference a cause for concern, or will those work?


Purchase a set of OEM's from a forum member. More expensive but the originals are light weight, more rigid and look "correct". (Be patient, there are nice sets out there)

I also agree with purchasing Michelin PS2 tires! Love them!

Cheers

David

[XfireZ51]

Switching to 18" or 19" wheels opens up the possibilities for tires. The 17" selection is diminishing rapidly. Just a thought if you're not too concerned with "originality".

[tomtom72]

Dave ( aka White Bullet ), The NT05's work in the wet? Jez, could have fooled me as eyeing up the pattern I had my doubts about how much water they could move. Thanks for the info on the wet grip. Now I may go back and look at them again. The dry grip was never a doubt in my mind, btw. I know a few guys that use them for track sessions that say they are just sublime in the dry if you don't want to have the expense of a set of competition DOT rubber. No, none of them will run on a wet track.


I know this may be a bit too personal a question to ask, so let me put it this way: when I fill out my "Tire Review" they don't get many people admitting to "aggressive" driving styles...but I'm in that group. I know where the D3's end their grip in the wet. They are good at 'telegraphing' their status if you pay attention.

Rusty, sorry about the Hi-Jack.


Tom

[White Bullet]

Tom,
I think I can best answer you question by first saying I am not a very aggressive driver to begin with. So my experience with the NT05 is driving around town and at highway speeds (no greater than 80 mph dry and 70 mph wet). The wet traction has been very good for me and I have not had any hydroplaning while using them. I live in Florida so we do get heavy rains creating very wet roads and I drive based on the conditions at hand. I can tell when the tires are at the end of their ability to move water and slow down. The flip side of this is most of the time here it is dry so wet performance is not high on my list. The NT05's have excellent grip and make the car feel like it can turn on a dime and still hold the road. As an example of their wet performance I have more than once found myselft on Interstate 95 & 10 when an afternoon storm will blow through and the wet performance was fine enough that I could maitain the posted speed limits. However at the peek of the rain I would have to slow down due to reduced visiblity not tire performance.

[Rusty]

Thanks all for the replies so far!

I like the Michelin Pilot Sports, too, but didn't think they come in the right rear size? What size do you use in these tires?

[ZZZZZR1]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Thanks all for the replies so far!

I like the Michelin Pilot Sports, too, but didn't think they come in the right rear size? What size do you use in these tires?

Yes they sure do

275 / 40 17. 335 /35 17. (Fit perfect!!!)