Dear all

Just got back to Toronto for the next couple of months (Jan-Feb not so warm in these parts come winter) and as there is yet no snow on the ground I had to take my 89 for a spin (which has been sitting in a quasi heated garage for the past 2 months). While driving I found the left side of the car had a bit of a wabble at low speed and one hell of a car wide vibration at higher speed (felt like a slightly flat tire) which all 4 tires are full of air (so not down to air pressure).

Towards the end of my last stay in Toronto a couple of moths back I did notice a leak in the left rear wheel - parts were missing for the cars Jack (and the 89 (like my 92 in the UK) did not come with a security lug nut to remove the security bolt anyway) so I did fill the tire with a can of that air-gew - filled it enough to get me to a gas station where I topped up the tire and ran it for a good 20 miles so the gew would set as well as could be hoped). I can't complain as it did what it said it would on the tin.

I suspect now that winter has set in and that the car sat for the past 2 months that the gew may have come unstuck with the cold and has seriously altered the balance of the rear left tire - I took my 89 to my local mechanic when I was here last whom did not want to wreck the lug-nut to get the tire off but he did think the radial in the tire was also damaged as a result of being run on when very low/flat.

OK - so be it - As I know that no harm has come to the car over the past 2 months I feel pretty sure this is all tire related. I am considering an early Christmas present for me-self and replacing all 4 tires on the 89. I learned that when replacing the rears on my 92 (which had 275x40x17's) that I could also replace them with a slightly wider 285x40x17 - which I did (thanks for that info)

So when considering replacing all 4 tires on the 89 - what would you guys recommend?

Things like

Max Size
Make
Other considerations etc

Many many thanks once again - your insights and ideas are always greatly appreciated

If you are thinking about changing the wheels as well you can go up to an 11" wide wheel and 315/35/17s with no problem. If you are staying with stock wheels then look at the Goodyear GS-D3 tires.

I can't really help you with maximum size.

Stock sizes on the 89 are 275 40 ZR 17

That's the size I have on mine currently with a set of Riken Raptors.

My previous set of Kuhmo Ecstas had that size up front with 285 40 ZR 17s in the back.

Don't know if that helps at all.

Matthew

The tire manufacturers tell you what rim sizes will fit their tires. Tirerack's website is an easy place to find it. 9.5" wheels could probably fit 285s without a problem.

My car came with 285's out back stock.

You can squeese a 315 on the stock rim, but it's not really recommeded.

Though a local autoxer runs 295's and really likes them.

FYI
My 335's are mounted on non-stock 12in wide rims.

Get some little 14's and get some air deals on it and make it jump like one of those mexican cars.

I've got 4 used Goodyears you can have for postage plus a few bucks to get 'em packed and to a shipper. 2 fronts are matched, and 2 rears are matched. I pulled 'em when I bought new rims and rubber last year.

I can get pics to ya' if interested...

Thanks so much guys - I really appreciate all your time

Quick Question - I would think (and please correct me if I am wrong) that if I were to go with bigger than the factory size (ie 275/40/17) tires that there could be some sacrifice in performance handling (won't lie to you .... I look for and luv winding roads and sharp corners - that feeling of being on rails is awesome and the main reason I have wanted a Vette since being a kid ..... when I was 17 we used to ride in my buddies dad's C4 Vette - have not felt that feeling again until buying one myself earlier this year - huge step up from the Firebird I used to have)

So I guess what I am saying is that I do not mind having thinner tires (all around) if that is the only way to ensure optimum handling performance.

Would 285's, 295's (versus the 275) have a significant impact?

Would the brand I choose have a bigger impact in overall performance than the size chosen?

As always - many thanks

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Yes please - could you send me some pics

Many thanks for thinking of this option for me (after dropping $2500 on an Opti-Spark on my 92 .... which was not the problem!) now my Vette-BANK is now asking for a government bail-out too - cheers mate

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No.

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Sort of. A stickier compound will do more for you than a wider tire. Of course, that means less tread life. Goodyear GSD3 and Bridgestone S03 Pole Position (or even Bridgestone RE01) are some options, but they aren't cheap. If you want some bang for the buck, consider the Kumho Ecsta MX. I haven't used them, but the guys that do are happy with them.

The 2 rears are definitely good. One rear has curb grind. The fronts look like they did a few miles with low air. Centerline tread depth of all 4 is good.

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Many thanks - great pics

I assume they are 275x40x17?

Any guesstimate on shipping them to Toronto?

Many thanks

The rears are 275's the fronts are 245's.

I don't have a clue on shipping. Use to be my business, but now, with fuel increase, fuel shipping surcharges, fuel decrease, no tellin'...

If you're interested, I can pull the plastic, and snap more pics, or maybe a vid, if I can figure out how to uplink it...

Thanks so very much for the kind offer - figure I want ot go 275-285 on all 4 corners - thanks again - very very generous of you to offer

thanks