1996 Z07 and Tire Size Question

[Songtek]

I just purchased a 1996 LT4 Coupe. According to the original owner the tires are what came on it from the factory. Car has 22,234 miles. Both front and rear tires are GSC P275/40ZR17. At the TireRack they list one 1996 Vette with these tire sizes - a Z07. The car is coming due for tires and I want to get the proper size - questions are:

I can find no reference to a Z07 anywhere except Tire Rack.
Does such an option exist, if so what is it and how do I tell if my 1996 had the option? Then I can order my tires.

Thanks

[vettepilot]

The Z07 option was dropped prior to 1996, it was replaced by Z51, and I think the tire sizes were 275/40-17 all around just like the Z07 had. If I recall correctly, the Z51 package was the same as the Z07 minus the adjustable shocks.
vettepilot

[Rob]

Mike,

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center.

1995 was the last year for the Z07 option. It was replaced in 1996 with the Z51 option. It included P275/40ZR17 tires. If you had RPO Z16 (Grand Sport Package) the rear tires size was P315/35ZR17.

Z51 included Bilstein shocks, unique front and rear springs, bushings and stabilizer bars.

[Vettelt193]

when you go to tire rack, just pick Z07, same tire sizes a Z51... BTW, Z51 didn't necessarily replace Z07... Z07 was basically Z51 and FX3 combined, only available on 6-speed cars... 1996 they changed FX3 to F45, and they brought back the stand alone Z51 (which was available on automatics for (what i believe) was the first time)

[vettepilot]

Z07 was NOT unique to six speed only cars, the automatic was available if one was so inclined. However, if the automatic was selected then the G92 performance ratio axle was also required, along with several other options, depending on the year. I had the 1993 version of the Z07 and it was a very good handling Vette, I ordered the six speed, because I like to shift. Many, especially serious Gymkhana racers ordered the automatic, because they wanted to concentrate more on the driving than shifting. Z07s were produced from 1991 thru 1995 model years.
The Z07 package included:
Stiffer front and rear springs
Larger front and rear anti-roll bars
Electronically adjustable Bilstein shocks and a different computer program to control the dampening
Neoprene bushings replaced the normal rubber bushings
13 inch front rotors
275/40-17 tires on 17x9.5 rims all around

That's about all I can remember without pulling out my 1993 book.
vettepilot


vettepilot

[Vettelt193]

i have to check it out as well, i know the earlier Z07 package was really Z51 and FX3... Z51 was only available with 6 speeds, so Z07 was 6 speed only... i am not sure when they changed it to automatics though

[Vettelt193]

ok, i seem to be mis-informed (wrong) according to CAC spec pages... I will check my black book when i get a chance though, i think that is where i got the information to start with

[lt4 gs]

the last corvette.....that i owned .........was a 93' 40th automatic w/z07..........it had GSC P275/40ZR17's all the way around.......also included the perf. axle 3:07...............it was considered an autocross car........."so they said".........best thing about the package was the ability to rotate the darn rubber every 8 or 9K .................:Roll :Roll :Roll :Roll :Roll :Roll

[Vettelt193]

whatever fool decided to change to a smaller front wheel and tire should be shot... what a PITA it is to have wheels and tires that can't be moved front to rear or side to side.

[Songtek]

Thanks for all the responses. All greatly appreciated. Sorry for delayed reply, took the vette into the Colorado Rockies for a few days of fun and relaxation.

Now I at least know about the Z07, and since it was unavailable in '96, that is removed from the equation.

Now to figure if I have the Z51 option. One thing that was easy to check were the shocks. I have Bilsteins all the way around. While it is difficult to measure the rim width, all for appear to be flush with the tires, so they are all probably the same size.

But without a Sticker or Build sheet, I am still not sure. Would the "Yellow" Bilsteins with a "ZY" sticker prove a Z51?? Shocks appear to be original.

A little more info: I have the LT4 engine/6spd. The shocks are NOT adjustable.



Thanks

[6 Shooter]

Look on the door of your storage compartment for the car's option codes.

[Songtek]

6 Shooter - Thanks

Option codes include the Z51 so will order the correct 4 tires.

Thanks again to all