VerdeZ28

Ive been shopping for new set of tires for me 2002 Z06. I have C6 Z06 rims on it and currently run C6Z06 stock sizes. 275/35 18 front , 325/30 19 rear. While looking for tires I realized there isn't much of a selection in the 325/30 19 size range. The tire of choice so far seems to be the RE11 in this size.

I've been considering downsizing to a 305/30 19 to the rear for the sake of greater selection. The RS3 and AD08 are available in this size along with others like the RE11.

Would there be any advantage in performance to downsizing or should I stick with the 325 size and the RE11? I mainly do autox with the car and want to start getting into road racing. I dont want to run a race compound tire right now since I dont have a second set of wheels.

79_T/A

iTrader: (1)

Since the Vette has good weight distribution, the car might have better balance with the smaller rear tires since they are closer in size to the front 275's. Just a thought, although you might get better opinions from a Vette owner.

brigade24

+1 on the weight distribution.

RS3 is tough to beat but is there a penalty for the reduction in the contact patch? I would not think so because as mentioned by 79, the weight distribution and IRS helps balance out power application during weight transfer...

i'm sure vette guys would know better than me.

.boB

iTrader: (1)

In road racing you can "over tire" a car. If there's too much contact patch, then it won't heat up the tires enough to really work at their optimum. If you give up a little bit of width, the tires will heat up into their optimum range, and stick better. With less weight on the rear than a 'vette, you might actually do better with a narrower tire.

A narrower tire also has less rolling resistance, and rotating mass. That gives you more top speed, and less time to get there.

If it's a street car, the cornering difference will be so slight that you'll never notice. But you might get a quieter and smoother ride, with better gas mileage. Slightly.