How much improvement from switching to non runflats?

jcharm · 08-01-2022, 05:48 PM

I've got about 10K miles on my LT1. It's probably a good time to switch tires and store my run flats in the garage if I decide to return the car at the end of my lease.

I switched from run flats to regular tires on my Z4 and was really impressed with the improvement, ride quality, road feel and handling. Those were 18" tires so I would think the weight difference in non run flats would be quite significant for 20" to boot as well. Lowering the un-sprung weight is always nice.

So that's my question. It was well worth it 7 or 8 years ago, but how much has the run flat tech improved? Will there be a huge improvement if I switch or are run flats better now?

GXP08jrf · 08-02-2022, 07:27 AM

Well worth it IMHO.

I just swapped out my 6 year old, 25,000 mile GY all-seasons on my 1LT V6, which should be the same tire on your LT1. I got a set of Conti DWS06+ in the same 245/40/20 size. The GYs were original tires with a 2016 build date on a vehicle I purchased used last year, so I don't know the full history of the tires. I doubt that GY made any significant change to the construction or compound since initial development, so it's probably still a good comparison for your situation.

The difference is night/day. Noise is greatly reduced (road noise an pinging when you hit bumps), ride quality in improved (still firm, but not as harsh or jittery). Traction & handling seem to be marginally improved although I don't really push my car all that much, hard to judge. And, maybe most importantly, I think they look better.

I have a Modern Spare, for long trips and a repair kit & inflator that I keep in the trunk for local trips.

Cell phones, OnStar & AAA should all get me out of a jam that RoFs purport to save me from, Realistically, in 35 years of driving, I've only needed swap a tire on "the side of the road" 3 times. This frequency does not balance with the poor driving dynamics of RoFs 100% of the time I'm in the vehicle.

arpad_m · 08-02-2022, 07:38 AM

^^^ this comment from GXP08jrf should be a sticky, it's 100% truth with no nonsense

ctrlz · 08-09-2022, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcharm

how much has the run flat tech improved?

I agree with above statements. I would argue improved noise and handling outweigh the improvement in looks.

The problem with run-flats is sidewall construction. Any upgrade in tire rubber compound cannot offset the inherent problems of a rock-like sidewall.

Crushin_LT1 · 08-11-2022, 07:36 AM

I would never go back to run-flats, bumps no longer knock a tooth loose, better compound, better tread pattern.

cariboocreek · 08-11-2022, 08:38 AM

Non run flats! Get a tow hook, a credit card, and triple A on your cell phone contact list.

Gen6cyl · 08-11-2022, 04:58 PM

I think I had the same AS run flats as op.I used them up at 28k miles. I got general g max summers. The tires changed it into the sports car I wanted. Nite and day difference. 26 vs 30 lbs.

CamaroJim56 · 09-16-2022, 08:00 PM

Got the same thing, love these tires. Had them on my 13 as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gen6cyl

I think I had the same AS run flats as op.I used them up at 28k miles. I got general g max summers. The tires changed it into the sports car I wanted. Nite and day difference. 26 vs 30 lbs.

nancygrl · 09-17-2022, 07:56 AM

Having just got my 'vert, I'll be changing out the rof to regular as tires in the next couple of years.

Jus Cruisin · 09-17-2022, 08:41 AM

Always changed out the run flats on Corvettes. I suspect I will on this Camaro long before the OEM tires are worn out. That is if it really gets here.

urirx98 · 09-17-2022, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroJim56

Got the same thing, love these tires. Had them on my 13 as well.

I SWapped out my Run flats on my 2016SS with general Gmax , they deff were a better ride then the ROF i had for abut 8k ( bought car with @4k miles) but i deff still feel the road and looking for a better rear tire. i have about 45k miles now so they deff got me a good 3 years which is impressive ( Florida) but thinkin something diff, maybe Continentals? what you think

08-01-2022, 05:48 PM	#1
jcharm Drives: 2021 LT1 Camaro Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 67	How much improvement from switching to non runflats? I've got about 10K miles on my LT1. It's probably a good time to switch tires and store my run flats in the garage if I decide to return the car at the end of my lease. I switched from run flats to regular tires on my Z4 and was really impressed with the improvement, ride quality, road feel and handling. Those were 18" tires so I would think the weight difference in non run flats would be quite significant for 20" to boot as well. Lowering the un-sprung weight is always nice. So that's my question. It was well worth it 7 or 8 years ago, but how much has the run flat tech improved? Will there be a huge improvement if I switch or are run flats better now?

08-02-2022, 07:38 AM	#3
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,576 View My Garage	^^^ this comment from GXP08jrf should be a sticky, it's 100% truth with no nonsense __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

08-11-2022, 07:36 AM	#5
Crushin_LT1 Drives: 2021 LT1 6spd Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 767	I would never go back to run-flats, bumps no longer knock a tooth loose, better compound, better tread pattern. __________________ Current: 2021 LT1 Camaro, 6spd, Crush, Corsa NPP, GMPP CAI, Soler Performance Throttle controller Previous: 1997 V6 Camaro, 5spd, Black

08-11-2022, 08:38 AM	#6
cariboocreek Drives: 2023 Corvette C8 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Alberta Posts: 140	Non run flats! Get a tow hook, a credit card, and triple A on your cell phone contact list. __________________ 2023 Corvette C8 70th Anniversary Edition ———Gone But Not Forgotten——— 2022 Camaro ZL1 Convertible (Never Delivered and won’t forget) 2019 Camaro SS Convertible 2019 Corvette Grand Sport Convertible 2013 Corvette Grand Sport 2013 Challenger SRT 392 1995 Camaro Z28

09-17-2022, 08:41 AM	#10
Jus Cruisin Old Gearhead Drives: 2023 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: MI Posts: 546	Always changed out the run flats on Corvettes. I suspect I will on this Camaro long before the OEM tires are worn out. That is if it really gets here. __________________ 2023 Camaro ZL1 convertible - black - SOLD 2023 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate - black

08-02-2022, 07:27 AM	#2
GXP08jrf Drives: 2016 1LT 'Vert Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Midwest Posts: 171	Well worth it IMHO. I just swapped out my 6 year old, 25,000 mile GY all-seasons on my 1LT V6, which should be the same tire on your LT1. I got a set of Conti DWS06+ in the same 245/40/20 size. The GYs were original tires with a 2016 build date on a vehicle I purchased used last year, so I don't know the full history of the tires. I doubt that GY made any significant change to the construction or compound since initial development, so it's probably still a good comparison for your situation. The difference is night/day. Noise is greatly reduced (road noise an pinging when you hit bumps), ride quality in improved (still firm, but not as harsh or jittery). Traction & handling seem to be marginally improved although I don't really push my car all that much, hard to judge. And, maybe most importantly, I think they look better. I have a Modern Spare, for long trips and a repair kit & inflator that I keep in the trunk for local trips. Cell phones, OnStar & AAA should all get me out of a jam that RoFs purport to save me from, Realistically, in 35 years of driving, I've only needed swap a tire on "the side of the road" 3 times. This frequency does not balance with the poor driving dynamics of RoFs 100% of the time I'm in the vehicle.

08-11-2022, 04:58 PM	#7
Gen6cyl Drives: Chevy Camaro 2021 ,rs, v6, manual Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Georgia Posts: 868	I think I had the same AS run flats as op.I used them up at 28k miles. I got general g max summers. The tires changed it into the sports car I wanted. Nite and day difference. 26 vs 30 lbs.

09-17-2022, 07:56 AM	#9
nancygrl 雪の玉 Drives: '22 Z71 RST Silverado Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Posts: 3,415	Having just got my 'vert, I'll be changing out the rof to regular as tires in the next couple of years.

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