I'm thinkin about getting a set of c5 wheels 17x9.5 up front and 18x10.5 in the back. Can this screw anything up on my car, I'm not sure if the vette is set up to run different sized wheels or not. I'm thinking that it will be ok but just wanted to see what you guys think.

 

IT should be fine if you get the right size tires or if you use a Predator or HPP3 or whatever to correct your Speedo/Odometer.

 

staggering is fine... no drive train issues as long as the two tires at the back at the same size..

just know that tire rotation will not be possible with a staggered tire configuration...

Ohh sure you can swap sides, but you are probably going to use decent tires that are directional so there goes that....
hehe

 

Just make sure the tires are the correct size. If your tires are too big in the back, it'll fool the ABS sensor which takes a reading from the front wheels and the back wheels. If the difference in speed is too great, it'll automatically assume that you "losing control" when you try to brake and the ABS will come on, you will only have about half of your regular braking power. Just something to keep in mind, but its really a non issue as long as you get the right size tires.

 

yeah man i was planning on doing the same thing to my car.. gotta get a tuner >_<

/tek.

 

Thanks for the replys, I already own a hypertech so that wouldn't be a big deal. I guess now i'm more concerned if the back will sit up higher then the front but with only a inch difference it shouldn't be that bad.

 

18s in the front make the brake rotors look small. I would say go with your 17/18 config. Also, with 18s the ride gets alot rougher and in the rears, when you corner/slide hard it will rubb. 17" C5s will still look great, thats what I wish I had goten.

 

The vette's ABS is calibrated for the different diameter tires. You won't damage anything, but several people have reported false triggering of the ABS at high speed and/or the idiot light coming on (I assume the ABS shuts off with the light on).

Go for 18s all around.

 

I'm pretty sure the overall diameter between the two tires + rim combo is almost the same.. as in they are the same height.. Just one has a taller side wall.

 

you will have to go with a 35 or 30 size tire to keep an almost exact ratio as the 16 or 17 in wheels. I have 40s on my 18in wheels and its not a prob. (although I haven't nailed the brakes at high speed yet) Unless you have 45 or 50s on the 18s, I don't think its that big of a deal

 

I have 18x9.5" on all corners. No rubbing problems....and you get used to the brakes "looking small" after a day or so. The rear rotors are actually smaller than the front, so the whole arguement for the caliper stance is really a moot point.

You shouldn't need to buy a Predator or HPP just for a wheel change. The 18's I have now only sit 1" taller than the stock tires/wheels did. This actually "reduces" the gear ratio for the final drive. This can be good. The car will register less miles than you're actually driving, although this is probably negligable. The recalibration is most important for a gear change, which will radically change the final drive ratio. It might be necessary to recalibrate the computer with an automatic trans to ensure the car changes gears at the proper RPM. (I have a manual, so it wasn't necessary.) However, I really doubt you would experience any problems.

What wheels are you looking at? Stock Vette C5 wheels or replicas? I got the AFS replica ZO6 rims from E-bay. They are indistinguishable from real ZO6 rims and were cheap (as in under $1300 with Kumho tires....shipped).

As a total personal opinion, I'd get the same size both front and rear. Makes tire rotation possible and life easier when purchasing new tires. I'd also go for the 18" rims. The increased cost is not much over 17's and they look very nice on the car. It VASTLY improved my handling as well. You'll lose a bit of acceleration ( about .1 or .2 in the 1/4 mile) due to larger diameter/ weight of the wheel and less sidewall to help absorb forces on a hard launch. But, the daily driving experience will be much better. They will not give an overly harsh ride either.

Good luck whatever you decide on.

Schantin
2002 Camaro Z28 M6