decision time 18's or 19's for the rear

[MuscleRodz]

I finally got rid of my TTII's and trying to make up my mind on rear wheels. What would the performance difference be between 335/30/18 and 345/30/19? Since I can't get 345/35/18's anymore I am considering going to 19's. I like the 19 better as it will completely fill the rear wheel opening. I wouldn't think there would be much loss between the two. Since it is wretched excess on the rear wheel, and I know I will lose some performance over the 17's, my hope is it would balance out with the fronts which will be 275's either 18's or 19's. Opinions? I know you got one.

Mike

[colt zantop]

I plan on running 18x7.5 front, 19x12 rear on my 68 camaro. I get it home this week and then I start the mini tub. I dont know of anyone else running 18 front, 19 rear on this board??? anyone??

[MuscleRodz]

That is what I am looking at doing except 18x9.5 or 19x9.5 up front with a 275 tire. I have already measured for the rear tire and it will be close. Depending on how much roll there is to the tire, it may hit the fender in the 10 and 2 o'clock position without sucking the tire way in.

Mike

[OLDFLM]

For what it's worth the new C6 Vette has 245/40ZR-18s front and 285/35ZR-19s rear...

[MuscleRodz]

I am going with 19x13 on the rear with 345/30/19's, same as new Z06.

Mike

[Steve1968LS2]

19's would look great but I can't imagine they would handle very well. What is the weight difference?

[MuscleRodz]

Weight difference between was size tire? I think I can suffer some handling with a ridiculusly wide rear tire. The 19's will completely fill the rear wheel well also.

Mike

[dennis68]

Yeah 19's are going to be for asthetic value only, it will handle better with 18's.

This is ASSuming that you would run a taller 18 to make up the OD difference.

[Salt Racer]

I honestly think the fact that C6 Z06 will have 19s is more of marketing thing, just like drilled rotors. This is just my thinking and unfortunately I have no proof on this.

However, I know many T1 Corvette racers actually use 18s front and 17x11 from '96 GS to improve out-of-corner traction.

[EDIT] I'm not saying you shouldn't go with 19s. It's your car, and ultimately you need to decide what's more important for YOU (aesthetics or overall performance).

[MuscleRodz]

I don't expect to go compete with this setup. It should be overkill for the street and be good for showing. If I go to the track I will put a wheel and tire combo on more suited for track use.

The 19's and drilled rotors I agree are marketing. Anymore new cars seem to have a certain amount of "BLING" to them no matter how subtile.

The main reason for going with the 345/19's is they are a 27.5 inch tire. I can bolt on 28" drag slicks or 28" road racing tires with smaller diameter wheels and minimize setup time between use. I had planned on 345/35/18 but Michelin quit making them.

Mike

[Steve Chryssos]

Given your inttended use, I say you may as well go with 19's. You mention some drag racing. That may require smaller diameter rear rotors to clear your drag race wheels (11" or 12" max depending on the wheel) Consider that small rotors may look funny behind 19's.

[nvawgn]

bingo, right on the head!

I am going with 19x13 on the rear with 345/30/19's, same as new Z06.

Mike

[yody]

Funny, when i was going 19's everyone thought they were way too big, and were too "dub" looking. I guess they are "cool" now. I think they look just right. I have a 27.1 tire on the back which gives me a really decent size sidewall height. Also my 19's weigh less than some Billet 17's. I believe the rears are right over 20 ilbs, maybe 23.

[F70t/a]

Cody with the rear tires how low were you able to get the car? how many inches of ground clearance will you have?

[jeffandre]

Cody with the rear tires how low were you able to get the car? how many inches of ground clearance will you have?

With my 345/30/19's on 19x13 CCW's I was able to get the fender edge lowered below the top of the tire tread by about 1/2". Once I roll/modify the fender lip I will be able to frop it another 1/4-1/2" if necessary for overall stance/balance.

[F70t/a]

hey jeff how much suspension travel will you have?

[MuscleRodz]

Jeff. what kind of car do you have? How about a pic or two or three?

Mike

[yody]

Hey jeff, with the car that low, i think you are going to have a lot of issues, I have about 3/4" gap between top of tire and the fender lip, and the leaf springs are already flat, thats with a 1" blcok. I don't think your suspension will have enough travel, and your mufflers will be practically scraping the ground. Although you do have a little different flare, maybe yours is lower than mine? BTW Jeff has a nice early second gen camaro.

[jeffandre]

My suspension travel is about 3" from static to fully compressed, but I can increase it by moving the bumpstops up and flaring the fenders if needed. This is not a high speed car, so I am not worried about hitting the bumpstops at 160+ mph or anything. I will rarely break 100, especially at Sears Point, Thunder Hill, and obviously autocross events.

I placed 500# in the trunk and the car settled about 1", which is not exactly indicative of what I can expect when driving but my previous experience was that I didn't exactly use much suspension travel even on the relatively bumpy Bay Area freeways at 80+ mph. My leafs are nowhere near flat, even when I loaded the 500# in the back and had both of my sons jounce the car when I was checking suspension travel and fitments.

I will be running side pipes that bolt onto the header outlet like the old Vette's and Motion Camaro's. I do not have room for any exhaust stuff under the floor due to the relocation of the leaf springs and the type of leafs (epoxymatrix from Vette Brakes). Plus the side pipes will prevent me from trying to force ground effects onto the side of my car. I will utilize some type of belly pan, especially in the rear wiht a diffuser.

I just started a Humanities class so time is short. As soon as I get a break I will take more pics as my Yahoo page hasn't been updated in over a year. The photos in the link below are before the suspension was completed, so they do not reflect the current ride height, but they are close to it.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jaandr....net/my_photos

[F70t/a]

Hey jeff

You could widen the trans tunnel and fit the pipes and just do turn downs. unless you really wanted tips., even then you could notch some of the floor and run side pipes right before the rear tire. It would look really good on your car!!

I plan to make my car low too, so i was thinking i could raise the wheel wells some. this way the body lines stay the same and would give me more tire clearance. Then again I don't know how it would look