Poppa got a new pair of shoes.

[JMusic]

Finally wore out the Goodyears on my Z06. Not knocking Goodyear but there are better tires out there. My car has three tires recommended for it. The Goodyear F1, Michelin Pilots, and Firestone Firehawk Wide ovals. All are NON runflat. They are all ultra high performance summer tires. I've had two C5's now and have used all tires above. I would rank from last to first, Goodyear, Michelin, and Firestone. The Firestones are also the cheaper of the three. Tire Rack happens to rate these tires in the same order. If you haven't visited their site you should. They have a very good rating system that includes wet and dry traction, noise, wear, steering feel, etc.

Al, if you see something here you disagree with feel free to chip in. I don't want to mislead anyone and as you know setup is an individual thing.

So I started my search for some Firestones. Tire Rack wanted $1050. plus shipping, local wanted about $100 more. Searching on Ebay I found some wheel and tire combo's and lo and behold there was a combo that had polished Z06 wheels with the Firestones already mounted for about $1250. Now the wheels are not OEM's but are built to OEM specs. I haven't weighed them yet but my guess they are a pound or two heavy. They come mounted and balanced and the balancing is done on Hunter balances which I have seen used in the racing circuits. Though I haven't put them on yet I thought would show a few pics.

The company is located in Florida and they are very acomindating. All tires/wheels have manufacture warranties, these are not seconds or blemished. Their selection is vast and you can purchase wheels seperately if so desired. I'm installing Ceramic brakes at the same time. Here's the pics.

[Brownie]

Thats some toy you have there Jim.:D

[JMusic]

Yeah that toy was a compromise to get me to give up motorcycles, can you believe it?:D This seems to be a quality house if someone needs tires or wheels. No exchange is used so I have my originals to do whatever with.

Jim

[Beagles747]

Nice Shoes! My Uncle had an LS1 he let me drive a few times. I wish I could have one!:( A C5 is in a whole nother class! Puts my 2001 Monte Carlo SS to shame....:p

-John

[JMusic]

Got em on yesterday. The garage was full of Mustangs when I pulled it in. Probably have to dig a few out of my intake before I go very far.:D

Jim

[DocH]

My own inclination to give up"motors" was going over the hoods of two cars and under another one at the intersection of Ponce De Leon and Highland
on a CH Sportster. It was a message from GOD! I ain't Awful Knawful no more.
NICE WHEELS>:)

[JMusic]

Well, for the first time in 25yrs I'm with out a corvette! I Traded the Z06 off today. Big Al questioned me all the way to Nashville. "You sure you wana do this?" Gonna miss it Babe? "Some, how about you?" Never liked that car for some reason. Fastest car I ever drove! Must of been the red color, I'm ready for a truck.

I grew up with English sports cars and motorcycles. Graduated to Datsuns and finaly graduated to corvette's The first vet I had was a maroon 1980. Almost killed myself several times. I bought a new 99 hardtop. Pewter, six speed, one of the first ones made! Loved that car. A buddy of mine got a 03 Z06 I drove it and had the bug. My brother told me about a 2004 on sale in Ohio close to him. A red 2004 Z06 " I'm babling ain't I ?!" Anyway I bought a GMC 2008 4wd Red Sierra 1500 from hell! Nav, Bose, Leather, bored, stroked, and built to the gills.:eek:


Did I tell ya I saw a new ZR1 at he corvette museum a few weeks ago. :cool::D


Jim

[G22-40]

As a fellow Corvette owner, I'm sorry to hear you sold yours. But all is not lost. You probably know that the engine in your Sierra has the same architecture as the one in Corvettes. I have a 2002 Silverado with a few mild mods (heads, cam, throttle body, tuning) and it really hauls. What engine mods does your Sierra have?

[JMusic]

Sorry I'm late on this. After 25 years you always feel like a Corvette owner.:) I decided to let it go after seeing some of the C6 Z06's and the "ZR1" in Bowling Green. Jesus! What a car. If you drove a C5 you can't imagine what you are getting ahold of on the Zr1 C6! You can't use the C5 Z06's potential unless you take it to a track. You wreck a car at Interstate speeds, on the Interstate, you are in a devise that won't stay together! :eek: Anyway what I'm trying to say is I want the new C6 vehicle but I need the prices to drop.:D


Jim

[G22-40]

Well, I guess the plan is to not have a wreck. :) Actually, the C5/C6 chassis is surprisingly strong. The fiberglass parts may make and early exit in the event of an impact, but the chassis will provide a good deal of occupant protection. As for the Z06 and ZR1, they're great cars, but if you find a C6 at a right price, a few engine mods will give you all the power you want- or more.

[JMusic]

Yeah your right G22. I like them all. My brother has a C6 with paddle shifters that he drag races. I drove a couple with 6 speeds I think my 2004 Z was faster but the C6's were more peppy than my 99 Hardtop. Don't know what I'll look at yet.

Jim