LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

Notices
Wheels & Tires Forged | Billet | Cast | Radials | Slicks

Best wheel size for handling?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 13, 2013 | 10:01 PM
Share
  #1  
ta-brian's Avatar
ta-brian
Thread Starter
Teching In
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Default Best wheel size for handling?
I've searched and searched and I keep finding conflicting info. Some say staggered, some say not staggered. Some say 17's, some say 18's. I just figured I'd come right out and ask it directly
TIA
Reply
0
Old Sep 14, 2013 | 08:35 AM
Share
  #2  
JD_AMG's Avatar
JD_AMG
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,798
Likes: 16
From: St.Charles MO
Default
17x11 all around. (315/35/17 tires)
Sounds crazy, but they fit.
I remember reading a thread in the road race section about this topic, and someone was saying they were running their best times on 17s, but on 18s the car felt a little more responsive.
Reply
0
Old Sep 14, 2013 | 11:35 AM
Share
  #3  
cmac06's Avatar
cmac06
TECH Apprentice
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 313
Likes: 1
From: Alabaster, AL
Default
Looks like 335 - 355 is the preferred compromise for a track car. 17s are good if you can fit enough brake to slow the monster, but 18s usually provide the needed clearance for bigger brakes. No point in hauling *** if you can't haul it down.
Reply
0
Old Sep 14, 2013 | 11:49 AM
Share
  #4  
jbridwelltransam's Avatar
jbridwelltransam
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 559
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
Default
JD - What are your wheels and specs? I was wondering what kinda measurements were needed to get 315's up front too.
Reply
0
Old Sep 14, 2013 | 11:37 PM
Share
  #5  
ta-brian's Avatar
ta-brian
Thread Starter
Teching In
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Default
I thought I read somewhere you need spacers to fit an 11" rim on the front? At least for the zr1's
Reply
0
Old Sep 15, 2013 | 06:04 PM
Share
  #6  
JD_AMG's Avatar
JD_AMG
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,798
Likes: 16
From: St.Charles MO
Default
Originally Posted by jbridwelltransam
JD - What are your wheels and specs? I was wondering what kinda measurements were needed to get 315's up front too.
Im running OE wheels 17x9.5s in the front with 275s, and 17x11 rear with 315s, this is not ideal for handling, the car will push. I plan on buying 17x11s for the front sometime for auto-x.
Here are some threads about fitting wider wheels on the front:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/wheels-ti...nyone-plz.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/wheels-ti...s-94-bird.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/wheels-ti...-gen-bird.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/wheels-ti...17s-front.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/wheels-ti...dy-camaro.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/wheels-ti...ll-around.html
Reply
0
Old Sep 16, 2013 | 09:49 AM
Share
  #7  
Pfadt Racing's Avatar
Pfadt Racing
FormerVendor
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Default
Just depends on your setup and your goals. We just built a C5 that ran 345's all around: Check it out:


http://c5rcorvette.blogspot.com/


Let me know what your goals are, and I can help,
Reply
0

Trending Topics

Old Sep 16, 2013 | 10:20 AM
Share
  #8  
badformulaLS1's Avatar
badformulaLS1
TECH Resident
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 965
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
Default
Any pros or cons to staggered set up? 17/18 or 18/19?
Reply
0
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 16, 2013 | 01:03 PM
Share
  #9  
camarokid91's Avatar
camarokid91
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Bridgewater, Ma
Default
I run 315's on all 4 corners car is a blast. It all about setup to determine how the car is gong to feel.
Reply
0
Old Sep 16, 2013 | 02:22 PM
Share
  #10  
SSCamaro99_3's Avatar
SSCamaro99_3
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 1
From: Ballwin, MO
Default
Keep in mind a stock F-body suspension is set up for the same size tires at all foru corners. If you het away from the (most notably wider rears) then the rear suspension (mostly sway bars) are no longer setup properly.
Reply
0
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 09:04 PM
Share
  #11  
ta-brian's Avatar
ta-brian
Thread Starter
Teching In
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Default
Lots of interesting info.. And with regards to what I'm looking for, the car is really mostly street driven, I just want a car that sits nice and handles well. JD I love the way your car sits, and I appreciate the info. Also, Pfadt Racing that Corvette is gorgeous, well done.
Any other info is good too, thanks guys
Reply
0
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 09:05 PM
Share
  #12  
ta-brian's Avatar
ta-brian
Thread Starter
Teching In
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Default
Do you need a spacer to run 11" wide on the front?
Reply
0
Old Sep 20, 2013 | 08:40 AM
Share
  #13  
rudytirerack's Avatar
rudytirerack
LS1Tech Platinum Sponsor
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: rudy@tirerack.com
Default
For Handling I recommend 17's with the same tire size front and rear.
Reply
0
Tags
Back to Subforum
Wheels & Tires
View Next Unread
19x10's On All 4 Corners Firebird Formula *PICS NEEDED*




Advanced Search

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:20 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE