tire and rim question

[tabahr]

I know Firestone Firehawk 275 40 r17 tires are supposed to go on a rim at least 9" wide. If I put them on a 8.5 inch rim would I be making a cardinal sin? The reason I ask is this.....

17" C5 vette rims look sweet, but are only 8.5" wide. I want a nice wide tire on all 4 corners, but a 255 width is not enough for my taste. I'd prefer the 275 width. Can I do it?

I do not race the car, or corner really hard on a regular basis. Most of my driving is mild street driving, with bursts of strait line acceleration.

[briantech]

17" x 8.5" Corvette C5 Rims in Kumho Ecsta 275/45/WR17's. They are fine, got them mounted with no problems and they dont look scrunched or anything. Can tell no detrimental effects while driving. And they look sweet as hell


One thing though... anyone know of a good way to get those corvette center caps changed to pontiac ones? I'm open to ordering them direct from a manufacturer who makes them, or doing it myself. they are just plastic caps that pop off and are painted silver, the corvette flags are just recessed into the plastic. Could I take a dremmel to them? Or is there any kind of good plastic-based filler I could fill in the corvette with and put some kind of firebird / pontiac emblem on? ideas?

[tabahr]

I wanted really wide rubber, preferable 285/40R17 so I just ordered a set of ZR1 replica wheels that are 9.5" wide. $550.00 shipped to my door.

I will be installing 285/40R17 Firestone Firehawks on them this spring in preparation for a vacation to Key West. This is going to be fun!

[Injuneer]

Can tell no detrimental effects while driving.

Have you evaluated the potential for degradation of the tire structure, due to bending and stress that the tire designers did not anticipate? Not sure you could accurately assess that "while driving".

Most tire manufacturers recommend a specific range of rim widths, because that is the width their analysis indicates will allow the tire will perform within their specifications. Using a rim outside the recommended range might increase flexing and wear on the carcass, increase running temperatures, accelerate component breakdown, reduce tread life or reduce traction and stability. Most of these would not be visible or easilly evaluated by the average person.

One way to avoid the issue with the 275/40-17 in particular, is to use a tire whose manufacturer says its OK to use an 8.5" wheel width. Dunlop, for example, seems to allow a slightly narrower rim width than other manufacturers, including the 8.5" width.

When people ask if its OK to put a 315/35 on a 9 or 9.5" wide wheel, I always like to post this picture, showing a 315/35 on the correct minimum 11" width, compared to a 275/40 on a 9.5" rim. Just think what happens when you scrunch the 315 on a 9.5" rim.... .

[wolfdogs]

what fred said.

the Tire and Rim Assoc. of America, the tire manuf.'s bible for rim design and fitment criteria, has set the design rim width for that size tire at 9.5". TandR allows for a tolerance of .5" either direction on rim with. you are exceeding that tolerance. its not recommended. over the long run..your tire will begin to show premature undesirable handling characteristics way before a normal wear pattern of breakdown on a properly mounted tire of that size.

[Mirroredshades]

Tracy-

I found a couple of vendors that make c5's in 9.5. I plan on ordering these myself. It seems like they were around $690 a set for Chrome. $590 polished. I have the link for these on my pc at work. Would you like me to find it on Monday?

[tabahr]

Originally posted by Mirroredshades
Tracy-

I found a couple of vendors that make c5's in 9.5. I plan on ordering these myself. It seems like they were around $690 a set for Chrome. $590 polished. I have the link for these on my pc at work. Would you like me to find it on Monday?

Dangit!! I looked high and low for 9.5 inch C5's, and had no luck I have already committed to a set of ZR1 wheels. The price you quoted was within my budget, too.

I need to learn to be more patient before I jump on things. I was just so excited to order someting to replace these stupid salad shooters. I'm ok, though. I do like the ZR1 look, and I'm sure I will be happy with it. I'd like to see the link, anyway though just for future reference. I can always resell these and get a set of those.

[Mirroredshades]

The links are down but I have the 800 number and the email

http://store.yahoo.com/factorywheels...50sey2kco.html

y2k c5 from google or froogle search

$714silver/774polished/994chrome

800)910-9925

factorywheelsdirectca@yahoo.com

has c5 's for $860 17x9.5 and also Firestones

info@factorywheelsdirect.com