C4-C6 Corvette Tire Fitment Guide

For your convenience, below are the published OEM front and rear tire sizes and speed ratings for every Corvette produced between 1984 and 2013.

Use this example to decipher the letter and number designations in any tire:

P265/35ZR18 (93Y)

P = Passenger tire

265 = cross section width of tire in millimeters

35 = sidewall height (measured as a percentage of tire’s section width, in this case 35%)

Z = maximum speed rating (V = 149 mph, Z = over 149 mph, W = 168 mph, Y = 186+ mph)

R = Radial construction

18 = diameter of wheel, in inches

93Y = service description.  This is the load index and speed rating required on all speed rated tires (except Z) since 1991.

Note that the EMT designation stands for Extended Mobility Technology, more commonly known as “run-flat” tires that can safely travel at low speed without air pressure.

Vehicle Model Corvette Tire Sizes
Generation Model Year Option O.E. Front Tire Size O.E. Rear Tire Size
C4 1984-1987 Std. P255/50VR16 P255/50VR16
1988 17″ P275/40ZR17 P275/40ZR17
Std. P255/50VR16 P255/50VR16
1989-1992 Coupe/Conv. P275/40ZR17 P275/40ZR17
ZR-1 P275/40ZR17 P315/35ZR17
1993-1996 Coupe/Conv. P255/45ZR17 P285/40ZR17
ZR-1 P275/40ZR17 P315/35ZR17
C5 1997 Std. P245/45ZR17/LL 89Y P245/45ZR17/LL 89Y
1998-2000 Std. EMT P245/45ZR17/LL 89Y P275/40ZR18/LL 94Y
1999 Hard Top EMT P225/50R17/LL 93H P245/50R17 98H
2001-2004 Std. EMT P245/45ZR17/LL 89Y P275/40ZR18/LL 94Y
2003 50th Anniv. EMT P245/45ZR17/LL 89Y P275/40ZR18/LL 94Y
Z06 P265/40ZR17/LL 91Y P295/35ZR18/LL 91Y
C6 2005 Std./Z51 EMT P245/45ZR18/LL 88Y P285/35ZR19/LL 90Y
2006-2008 Coupe/Conv. EMT P245/45ZR18/LL 88Y P285/35ZR19/LL 90Y
Z06 P265/35ZR18 (93Y) P325/30ZR19 (101Y)
Z06 EMT P275/35ZR18/LL 87Y P325/30ZR19/LL 94Y
2009 ZR1 ZP P285/30ZR19/LL 87Y P335/25R20/LL 94Y
2010+ Grand Sport 275/35ZR18 325/30ZR19
2011+ Z06 275/35ZR18 325/30ZR19
2011+ Z06 w/Z07 285/30ZR19 335/25ZR20
2013 427 285/30ZR19 335/25ZR20

96 thoughts to “C4-C6 Corvette Tire Fitment Guide”

  1. Hello.
    I want to put four (4) Speedline 19×10 +79 wheels from a 2011-2013 C6 on my 1991 C4… It will have the same wheels all around.
    1991 C4 = 17×9.5 +50 with 275/40r17
    2011 C6 = 19×10 +79 with 295/30r19
    Will the 19×10 C6 wheels fit both front and rear on my 1991 C4?
    Please help!
    Thank you!

  2. Hi,

    I’m trying to find the load index for the tyres on my ’93 C4 Coupe. I mean the load index of the tyres as originally fitted by the OEM (these were Goodyear GS-C). The door jamb sticker doesn’t have any info on load index.

    Thanks,

    Mark G.

  3. I want to use 18″ tires instead of the stock 17″ what are the best sure fit tires can I use? Plan to buy 18 ” wheels also

  4. I have a 1994 with the factory P255/45ZR-17 (fronts)
    and P285/40ZR-17 (rears) currently on it. I would like to add some new rims with the sizes 17 x 9.5 (fronts) and
    18 x 10.5 (rears). Will these C6 wheel sizes work and will they cause any problems?

    Thanks

    1. The bolt pattern is the same on all Corvettes – 5 x 4 3/4″
      Whether a C7 wheel will fit depends mainly on the offset.
      1989 wheels have a 56/57mm positive offset – this is the important dimension when comparing to another wheel.

      Gus Gustafson
      Product Assistance
      Corvette Central
      P: 800 345-4122
      F: 269 426-4108

      1. Not sure what you mean by a “low profile rim”.

        A general answer is that the tire size – 16″, 18″, etc. must match the wheel diameter.

        Gus Gustafson
        Product Assistance
        Corvette Central
        P: 800 345-4122
        F: 269 426-4108

  5. I have a 2006 base model convertible. I bought a set of 2012 Gran Sport rims and tires for use on the 2006. I know the 2012 rims have different offsets and will stick out on the 2006. What offsets do I need to use on the front and rear rims as I want to use the tires from the Gran Sport rims. I know I have to buy new rims and do you know of any manufacturers that make such rims?

    1. Yes. All models (Base and Z-51) used the 16×8.5 wheels front and back for both 1985 and 1986. (Just now show this, so replied for future reference).

  6. Any tips on running C6Z06 wheels on a 1989 C4? From my measurements looks like a 1/2″ spacer on arp hardened extended studs will work but I want to know about driving on them. Also, any way to run a tire larger than 11″ on the front? This car is for road race only with a 650hp 8k rpm LS engine.

  7. I have a 1989 z51 package. Now it has factory 17 inch wheels all around. Want to know if 325/30/19 rear and 275/35/18 front will fit and clear? Thanks in advance.

    1. The 275 should fit and clear fine, but I would be concerned with the 325 rear tire. I don’t find anyone referencing this size for use on the 1989. The largest tire most people run on a C4 is the 315, with the proper offset wheel and it is still a possibility to run into clearance problems, especially under hard acceleration and cornering.

      1. Front 245/40-18
        Rear 285/35-19

        Regards,
        Gus
        Corvette Central Product Assistance

      1. I have the 18″ front and 19″ rear on my 1990 C4 with 345 series on the rears. I use a 1″ spacer but, they might squeeze without a spacer if the mufflers are removed. Otherwise, you’ll need the GS fender flares to have total coverage over the tires.

    1. I don’t see why this wouldn’t fit, but this would normally not be recommended as it will affect the handling of the car. The 275’s help get the proper grip on acceleration, and going to a 255 will definitely change this.

  8. What spacer thickness to put 89 wheels with 56mm offset on an 85 (Z51) that is 38mm offset. Right now the Z51 has C5 wheels on it 17 f, 18 r with 1.5 spacers. I have another 85 base with 89 salad shooters and though it was difficult to measure I came up with 1.25 on it. I’ve driven the base and no interference and great handling. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks for reading.

    Joe K

    1. Our part number 644068 is a spacer set intended for using the 88-96 17″ wheels on the earlier 84-87 cars. These are a 3/4″ (19mm) spacer. We haven’t had any negative feedback or clearance issues with these.

      1. What’s the tallest tire I can go with. I want more sidewall. One inch taller and one inch wider would be great. Tia ‘07 z51

      2. As far as biggest you can go with, there isn’t any concrete information that we have available. Depends on the health of suspension components and ride height at the very least. I would get with a local tire/alignment shop that does custom alignment work.

  9. My 1998 corvette has 17″ rims on the front and 18″ on the back. I have a set of 4 17″ rims off of a 1995 corvette, can I put these on my 1998 vette?

    1. From what I can find, this setup should work. The 17×9.5 should clear in the front and rear with stock brakes. Definitely test fit the wheels before moving forward, but as far as sizes and offsets go, I don’t see why the Sawblades or A-Molds wouldn’t work on the 1998.

  10. Hey CC TECH — I have an ’01 Convertible with P265/40Z/R17 (front) and P295/35Z/R18 (rear) and looking to switch to 275/35/18 (front) and 295/30/19 (rear). Do you see any issues with that fit?

      1. I have a 1986 base with 16″ wheels. Would the 2005 c5 18″ front and 19″ rears fit on the 86?

      2. That depends on the exact wheel you are considering.
        Factory 1986 wheels have a +32 mm offset.

        Replacement wheels need the same offset or if you are looking at a wheel with the later+56mm offset, you need spacers 644068 which are 3/4 inch thick.

        Gus Gustafson

    1. I don’t find those aspect ratios listed as a direct fit option for the 2007 Corvette on the major tire sites, nor do we offer anything in those sizes in our wheel and tire kits for the C6. It would be best to talk to a tire professional/shop regarding this, as it could be an issue.

  11. I have a 2009 corvette base. I want to run a tire with the same outer diameter as my factory 285 35 19s on the rear, but I want to run a 17 inch wheel. Will the 17 inch wheel fit? My car doesn’t have the Z51 brakes on it.

    1. We don’t offer anything smaller than an 18″ wheel for the C6 cars. If the 17″ wheel you choose is offset properly, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.

      1. Can 245 50 18 for on base C6 vette for the front
        And 275 40 19 for the rear if I can find these tire
        Or maybe 275 45 19 in the rear of c6 vette

  12. My 86 Vet has the original 255/50 R16 tires – would 225/60 R16 be OK? Will they fit rims & have much difference in handling? Thanks..

    1. I would recommend sticking with the factory size tires. Going with a smaller tire like so will take away from how they handle in the corners.

  13. I have a 90 Corvette with Z51 Suspension. What is the largest wheel diameter I can run without adapters? What would be the best wheel and tire size? I see a lot of Vettes run a larger wheel on the rear but then there’s no tire rotating especially with directional tires. Right now my car has ZR1 wheels I believe are 17 x 9.5 … will I be running the same (for example, 18 x 10) all the way around or what?

  14. Have 2012 grand sport convertible Chrome rims would like to know if 2009 zr1 rims front and back would fit my car?

  15. I have a 2004 Corvette. Will 18 inch rims with low profile tires fit, and will there be any rubbing issues?

  16. I have a 2004 Corvette base. If I put 18″ wheels on the front, versus stock 17″, how much will it change the speedometer and will I have clearance problems? Can the speed sensors be re-programed to accommodate the 18″ wheels?

  17. I’m looking to buy some wider rear tires for a 2010 ZR1. What would you suggest? I’m most likely putting on drag radials.

  18. Can I put a 245 50R16 on a 255 50 R 16 corvette rim? I just need to move it around because I’m dropping a motor in.

  19. I have a 95 Corvette convertible and bought some rims years ago. Those rims are 9.5 X 17 and 11 X 17. Are those for the ZR 1? Will they fit on my convertible? I know that stock rim would have been 8.5 X 17 and 9.5 X 17. I don’t want to buy tires for those rims if the wheels won’t fit!

  20. I have a 2007 C6 Z51 base coupe. I’m interested in what options I may have for wheel/tire upgrades as I want to fit wider tires.
    What are the widest tires I can run with stock wheels? 18×8 1/2 and 19×10
    If I upgrade to 18×9 1/2 and 19×11’s what is the widest tire you recommend?
    If I upgrade to 19×9 1/2 and 20×11’s what is the widest tire You recommend?
    What offsets do I need for these wheel upgrades?

  21. I have a 2009 251 vette that I need to buy a set of rims for. Love the stock rims but need a set of rims and tires for the track. I was told that if 17″ rims will fit all the way around the tires are between $70 to $100 cheaper (track tires). Will 17″ rims fit and are the tires any cheaper?

  22. Found out that micheline pilot tires are not available . What tires are others using for their c5 corvette and are you running run flats?

  23. I have an 85 corvette that someone put a body kit on so that the extra brake light is above the corvette tag and square tail lights. They also slapped some 17 x 9.5 saw blades on. I have found some black five spoke gs rims with nito nr555 something like that. They are nt555r 305/45/r18.Corvette Grand Sport 18×9.5 40 offset. Do ya think there’s some room left under there for these bad boys.

    1. So i looked up cctechs answer to the fella wanting to know about 92 rims on his 84. I found two rims at 18×9.5 40 offset that fit according to corvette centrals c-4 wheel section 84 – 2013

    1. I have 17 inch saw blades with 275/45/r17s on an 85. Std. For 84-87 is 255/55/r16. I think the saw blades are from that era

  24. I have a ’99 C5 convertible, 6 speed w/3.42 ratio. Want to upgrade to newer factory rims, say from the C6 series, as an example, 18 and 19 size. What factory 18/19 rims will fit my car w/o any modifications, spacers, etc? With the larger wheel diameters, are the overall tire/rim diameters close? If not is there a way to easily adjust the speedo calibration? (Are there any 19/20 factory rims that fit per above?) Will the C6 TPMS units work with my electronics?

  25. My 96 C4 convertible originally came with Goodyear 40ZR, which I was planning on replacing with the same tire, but is there another tire you might recommend that still gives me the same performance but is a quieter tire. We are only summer drivers.

    1. I replaced my 4 hard as a rock low miles NITTOS with Continental Extreme Contact tires. Huge difference in ride and noise.

      1. I am really surprised at that explanation of a hard as rock Nitto. I only hear good things about them. And funny that the same tire I was also looking at was the Continental Extremes. I need more information. Thank you

  26. Can you place smaller tires on a C6 grand sport? Or would that require new wheels? Looking to purchase a 2010 GS, but I need to find a reasonable tire size solution, as I can’t afford $1800.00/yr on tires. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    1. Is it a Coupe or ZR1? The Coupes came with 275s and the ZR1s came with 315s. If it’s a coupe, you may have some issues getting them to fit, depending on your wheel offset.

      1. We sell many different wheels for the ZR1 ranging different prices. What exactly are you looking for?

  27. The stock 87 Vette is 255/50 R16. How would 245/55/16’s affect the car? Or, would moving to 17’s be better?

    1. C6 (coupe/vert):
      Front 18×8.5″, 56mm offset = 7.45″ backspace
      Rear 19×10″, 79mm offset = 8.61″ backspace

      C6 Z06 and C6 GrandSport:
      Front 18×9.5″, 40mm offset = 7.22″ backspace
      Rear 19×12″, 59mm offset = 8.82″ backspace

      C6 wheel circle:
      5 on 4.75″ (120.65MM)

      2014 C7 Stingray Corvette – OEM Stock Wheel Sizes & Offsets
      Base Model:
      Front Wheels: 18″ x 8.5″ +56mm offset = 7.45″ backspace
      Rear Wheels: 19″ x 10″ +79mm offset = 8.61″ backspace

      With Z51 Package:
      Front Wheels: 19″ x 8.5″ +56mm offset = 7.45″ backspace
      Rear Wheels: 20″ x 10″ +79mm offset = 8.61″ backspace

  28. I have a 1994 convertible with 17 x 9.5 five spoke wheels ,will a grand sport 17×11 with a 50mm off set and 315 rear tires be OK for the rear ? And do you sell the wheels ? In silver

    1. Sorry those would not fit. You’re out of luck with that size wheel on that model. Chevrolet changed the lug bolt and spindle size for that year model only. Not sure why they would do that for one year. Only other wheel I’ve seen fit that Vette is the 99 Cavalier R, a European model that was imported for two years only. Best of luck.

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