I recently ditched the stock rims and tires in favor of the 18" Z06 rims and some 285/40/18 ZR Falken tires. My question is this:
Did any of you feel as if you lost any performance when you upgraded rims/tires? I was very easily able to break the tires loose in the 1--2 shift and give a good chirp into 3rd and now nothing. It also feel like my car is slower through the entire rpm range. I love the new looks, but the new feeling sucks. Cornering however, is a vast inprovement, a sloping curve near my house was a usual 45-50 mph at the most, well today I sliced the same curve at 65 mph without a squeek. Thanks for any help.

 

No, my car didn't feel any slower after changing the rims and tires. Technically, the larger diameter tires will "decrease" the overall effective rear differential gearing because the 18's with tires end out being an inch or so taller than the stock 16" rims and tires. I guess this could "technically" make the car accelerate a little slower. Since it's a small increase in overall height, the effect on total rear drive gearing is negligable. I doubt your butt-o-meter is that calibrated. It's probably more mental than anything.

I have the same rims 18x9.5 ZO6's, but I have the Kumho Z rated tires.

Schantin
2002 Camaro Z28 M6

 

dont forget, the bigger rims/tires are much heavier

 

I took my salad shooters off my '96 Z28and put on 17x9.5 ZR1s. My 1/4 mile times went from 13.9 to 14.2.

 

I felt like I had a loss of power when i first got mine man. I also noticed that I got less gas mileage, but they are heavier, so I guess I should have expected it. I never squeel the tires anymore, its allll grip. I've gotten used to it, and I like it better. Is it just me, or do the 18's make a funky sound at 38-43 miles an hour?