i notice vettes have 18's in front and 19's in back? Whats the reason for this? Just looks?


thanks

 

i think its 17 in front 18 in back, and yes it looks nicer thats it

 

So they can put the Power to the pavement. Its not just for looks,

 

so whats the science to it?

 

Larger contact patch on the pavement. Not rocket science.
I guess you never driven a Corvette???

 

This is largely for looks. Larger wheels were originally required so that larger brakes could be installed and/or better brake cooling could be achieved. It also has to do with aspect ratio's and side wall stiffness. The difference in the contact patch between an 285/40-18 and a 285/35-19 is pratically nill.
The C6 has 18's front and 19's rear.

 

Yes it is mostly for looks. As far as putting the power down, the same width tire with a bigger sidewall would put power down better than one with a smaller sidewall. This is why drag racing guys use smaller wheels, larger tires in the rear, a more flexible sidewall will allow more traction than a stiff sidewall. As far as handling goes, it would probably be better to run 18's in front and 17's in back, as to take advantage of better traction in the rear with a slightly larger sidewall to reduce oversteer, and the larger wheels in front to allow for larger brakes and better turning response, but that would look just plain goofy.

So the 17f/18r or 18f/19r is mostly for looks. Especially given the larger rear end and slightly "raked" look of the Vette, the larger rear wheels just look better.

 

Its so you cant rotate your tires...makes goodyear happy

 

Not really, because they know you can buy tires from anyone.

 

Not rocket science, but you're still wrong.

Changing the diameter of the wheel will not increase contact patch.

 

Who mentioned the wheel diameter, I said a larger contact patch. The only part on the pavement.

 

Uhh, the thread starter, the one that posted this thread in hopes of improving his knowledge, mentioned wheel diameter, but not contact patch. So, why reply stating things about contact patch?

 

Agreed

 

C6, yes 18 & 19" wheels IIRC.

C5s, like the ones on my car, are 17x8.5 up front and 18x9.5 out back. Somewhat for handling, somewhat for looks. But either way cool

 

Increasing the diameter of the rim without changing the od of the tire will decrease the contact patch. The sidewall has less flex in it with a smaller sidewall.