Pros and cons of switching to 18" wheels

[DaveK]

Been thinking about it but I don't really know enough to decide what is best. Any input appreciated.

Thanks!

[Paul Workman]

FWIW, most of the contemporary performance cars, including the Corvette, have moved to the bigger rims. By that I mean to say the number of choices in several of the performance categories I checked (Tirerack) are significantly more plentiful than those choices (still) made for the wide 17" rims.

One example, the 2006 C6 Vettes are using a staggered 18" in front and 19" rear. With that combination there are quite a few more choices for performance tires than we have for the 17s our stock ZR-1s run. Course, one of the very good ones, the Goodyear F1 GS D3s seem to only be in production for the narrower (285/40?) front tire we use, whereas the 315/35 is listed as a backorder item. (It was rumored that GY may in fact be planning another run of our beloved 315/35s next spring. Hope so!)

P.

[rkreigh]

I moved up to 18's and then later 19's

the thoughts were this

stiffer tire sidewalls for better handling (at the expense of some ride quality)

better tire availability
clearance for bigger brakes
the look of the bigger rims
CCWs!!!

what I found is that the 18 and 19 tires are a bit hard to come by too, and that you have to watch the diameters of the back to front to keep them within the same differential as factory

I initially went with 345 pilot sport cup tires and 285 fronts

really sticky tire that handled well but it would trip the ABS code when going over 50 mph because the back were too big in diameter in realation to the fronts. 335s worked just fine (but weren't availabe in the cups)

now I run the ccw 505 in 19X10.5 front and 19X12 in back

goodyear supercar F1 tires (c6 z06 325/30/19 rears) which are expensive and really ride rough due to the stiff coil overs, EMT sidewalls, and 19 tire diameter. they hook ok and handle good, but I'm not really a fan.

the 19's are still a bit hard to find the right sizes unless you step up to the high end michelin or run GY super car tires

my advice, go with the 18's they look the best, and you can find some good tires (PS2s aren't bad, but pricey!)