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Topic: Tire Size

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Tire Size (1/28)
11/19/14 9:07am

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Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).

Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 200

Jeff asked about tires for his 80. I've asked about tire sizes before, and, I haven't seen anybody that is running 255/60/15 on older cars. I think that somebody said the were the stock tire in 82. In 73 the stock tire was a GR70/15. The replacement for this is a 225/70/15. I want to run a 255/60/15. The tire is a little over an inch wider, a little less than an inch shorter. I think the slightly wider tire looks good. I have also seen at least once on this sight, and in the BF Goodrich reviews about the letters yellowing. The Cooper tires have a T speed rating, and the BF Goodrich have a S speed rating. This makes a big difference to me, because my car is so hot in the summer, my milkshake melts before I get home, unless I get home real fast.................I actually think both tires are good looking tires. Is anybody running the 255 on an older car? Have you had any rubbing issues?

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Re: Tire Size (2/28)
11/19/14 10:50am

manchestershark

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Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2446

I believe one of our members is running that size on an 82'. No difficulties that I am aware of.

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Re: Tire Size (3/28)
11/19/14 11:11am

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Your not considering going to a 16 or 17" ?

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Re: Tire Size (4/28)
11/19/14 1:32pm

Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior

Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

P225/70R15 is the stock tire size for 1978-1982 Corvettes. The only GM authorized alternate tire is P255/60R15. You'll have no problem with them on your car since many came equipped that way from the factory.

Re: Tire Size (5/28)
11/19/14 4:04pm

johnu
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Corvette Two-Tone Claret color, 4 spd, C7 Vert

Joined: 5/23/2007
Posts: 616

255-60-15's were OEM on my "81 with the aluminum wheels.

FYI. Back in '78 to '79? The Pace Car & Silver Anniversary models had the front fender lip trimmed on the front edge to allow for clearance of the 255-60's. I believe that was fixed with the 1980 body.

If you surf around I believe you will find a 245-60-15 on the front, will clear on an earlier Shark. The 255-60 is good on the back.

|UPDATED|11/19/2014 5:04:43 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: Tire Size (6/28)
11/19/14 8:46pm

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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.

Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1453

ratray said: Jeff asked about tires for his 80. I've asked about tire sizes before, and, I haven't seen anybody that is running 255/60/15 on older cars. I think that somebody said the were the stock tire in 82. In 73 the stock tire was a GR70/15. The replacement for this is a 225/70/15. I want to run a 255/60/15. The tire is a little over an inch wider, a little less than an inch shorter. I think the slightly wider tire looks good. I have also seen at least once on this sight, and in the BF Goodrich reviews about the letters yellowing. The Cooper tires have a T speed rating, and the BF Goodrich have a S speed rating. This makes a big difference to me, because my car is so hot in the summer, my milkshake melts before I get home, unless I get home real fast.................I actually think both tires are good looking tires. Is anybody running the 255 on an older car? Have you had any rubbing issues?

In '78, to get the 255's to fit the front, they trimmed a little off the fiberglass wheelwells down at the bottom. That's why I went with 235's on my '72. See if a tire store will let you pre-fit a 255 on your front to see if it will clear.

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Re: Tire Size (7/28)
11/20/14 8:34am

CCasey
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New Albany, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Coupe / Snowcrest White / L48, 350 / Comp Cam / Edelbrock Heads / Cyclone Intake / Holley Carb / Holley Fuel Pump / Patriot Headers / Dual Exhaust / Magnaflow Mufflers / 1964 Coupe / Riverside Red / L76, 327, 365hp

Joined: 8/17/2010
Posts: 173

I ordered the optional 255/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GT's on my '80 and have the 255/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GT II's on it now. No problem with the fit.

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Chuck

Re: Tire Size (8/28)
11/20/14 9:32am

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

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Fender edges were trimmed slightly starting in '73, with the change to radial tires. It's not much, but it is enough to keep the original tires(GR70-15) from grinding on the fender lip. The '78-'79 cars with the optional tires had even more trimming done.
The '80-up cars had different fender lips(or lack of lips, actually) to start with, since the use of wider tires was the plan from the beginning. You would still need to do some mods to fit larger than factory spec tires on them, either with a different wheel, or a grinder on the fender lips.

as a side note....this is all assuming the suspension is still at the "normal" height. If the car sits a lil higher than "normal", you might not have any problems at all with a wider/taller tire. If it is sagging, then even the factory sized tire will usually grind a bit....

|UPDATED|11/20/2014 10:32:41 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: Tire Size (9/28)
11/20/14 9:56am

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Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).

Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 200

I don't want to trim the wheel wells. I don't want a taller tire either. The 235 is 27.91 tall where the 225 is 27.36 tall. I'm thinking that a good fit can be had with 245/60 which is 26.54 tall 9.5 wide 7.99 tread width. A little wider, but, I don't think it will be a rubbing problem. What do you guys think? And, as far as a larger rim, I do want a totally stock appearance. It is after all the best looking car ever made. I like the stock rims and rings and center caps better than the aluminum rims. Just my preference.

Re: Tire Size (10/28)
11/21/14 11:49am

persico
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Long Valley, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1972 454 Coupe, 4 speed, Targa Blue with blue interior, luggage rack 2019 Grand Sport Coupe, M7, Ceramic Matrix Gray with gray interior

Joined: 3/21/2007
Posts: 293

When I purchased my 72 the PO had BF Goodrich Radial TA 255/60R15s all around. When doing front suspension work I noticed some rub marks from the tires on the front frame so when I replaced them I went with 235/60R15s in front and the 255/60R15s in rear.

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Mario

Re: Tire Size (11/28)
11/22/14 11:35am

LastBigBlock
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Lenexa, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1974 Corvette Convertible 454-4 speed Red / Tan leather / Tan top Frame-on restored driver. SOLD ON DECEMBER 20, 2014 to KCMotorCo.

Joined: 11/9/2014
Posts: 9

My car has run the Goodyear 255-60R15 on factory rally wheels for several years with no problems......but then again, I never take it off-road....:).

Re: Tire Size (12/28)
11/28/14 9:03am

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Las Cruces, NM - USA

Vette(s):
1975 Stingray Coupe - Yellow/White Upgraded Engine 96 Yukon FI with 700R4

Joined: 3/11/2006
Posts: 27

I tried 255/60/15 on my 75 had clearance issues on the front so switched to 235/60/15 on front and keep the 255/60/15 on the back. It seems like the best fit. good luck

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Re: Tire Size (13/28)
11/30/14 3:12pm

73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.

Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 893

I have run both BF Goodrich TA and Goodyear Eagle GT, size: 255/60-15. While I had no rubbing with the factory stock wheels, I did have to trim a little bit down by the forward end of the rocker panel when I switched to the American Racing Vector 8 1/2" wheels.

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Re: Tire Size (14/28)
12/2/14 2:29pm

Hunter
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Vette(s):
1968 Conv. L-79, 4 speed. corvette bronze

Joined: 1/6/2004
Posts: 8

I'm running BF Goodrich 255/60's on my 68 vet without any problems.

Hunter

Re: Tire Size (15/28)
12/5/14 8:58am

JMB
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Cohasset, MA - USA

Vette(s):
1968 coupe bought in 1999, 2nd owner, 427 custom built, 4 speed (M20), 3:36 posi rear end, Recaro seats, Intro wheels, Nitto tires, Flowmasters, etc. Painted nite race metallic blue.

Joined: 1/5/2004
Posts: 36

I had 255/60 R-15 in my '68 a while back. In the rear they were perfect. In the front I had problems on sharp turns. Therefore, I would recommend either 235 or 245 for the front. I currently run 18 inch rims with 245/40 in front and 275/40 in the rear and they work great. Good luck with your decision.

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Re: Tire Size (16/28)
12/5/14 6:20pm

73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.

Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 893

JMB said: I had 255/60 R-15 in my '68 a while back. In the rear they were perfect. In the front I had problems on sharp turns. Therefore, I would recommend either 235 or 245 for the front. I currently run 18 inch rims with 245/40 in front and 275/40 in the rear and they work great. Good luck with your decision.

Did you have to relocate the parking brake cable mounts on the trailing arms in order to clear the 275s?

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Re: Tire Size (17/28)
12/5/14 8:44pm

bcousins
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Jacksonville, FL - USA

Vette(s):
79 L-82 4-speed. Original block now a 383 with aluminum heads, roller cam and rockers, Edelbrock intake, MSD distributor and ignition module, Speed Demon 650 carb. Rebuilt and upgraded all steering and suspension.

Joined: 12/15/2009
Posts: 36

I believe the clearance may have more to do with wheel type than wheel wells. I am running 255/60s on my 79 with rally wheels and they are fine on the back but rub the front sway bar when I turn too much. I am using longer lugs and 3/8 spacers on the front. Without those I think 235/60 is max. I am going to leave the 255/60s on the back and go to 235/60s on the front and remove the spacers.

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Re: Tire Size (18/28)
12/6/14 9:18am

JMB
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Cohasset, MA - USA

Vette(s):
1968 coupe bought in 1999, 2nd owner, 427 custom built, 4 speed (M20), 3:36 posi rear end, Recaro seats, Intro wheels, Nitto tires, Flowmasters, etc. Painted nite race metallic blue.

Joined: 1/5/2004
Posts: 36

73shark said:

JMB said: I had 255/60 R-15 in my '68 a while back. In the rear they were perfect. In the front I had problems on sharp turns. Therefore, I would recommend either 235 or 245 for the front. I currently run 18 inch rims with 245/40 in front and 275/40 in the rear and they work great. Good luck with your decision.

Did you have to relocate the parking brake cable mounts on the trailing arms in order to clear the 275s?

No, I did not have to change anything.

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Re: Tire Size (19/28)
12/6/14 11:04am

73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.

Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 893

I forgot that you didn't have stock wheels. Your wheels must have had a little bit more negative offset so that they could clear the parking brake cable bracket on the trailing arm.

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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Tire Size (20/28)
12/13/14 9:30pm

alohajohn
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Vette(s):
1972 T Top, Mille Miglia Red, auto, ac, power windows, power steering, tilt/tele, power brakes, black leather..

Joined: 3/10/2013
Posts: 24

I'm running 235/60x15 Goodrich TA's on my '72 on standard rims. I like the lower wider profile and have had no clearance problems other than being careful I don't bottom out..

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Re: Tire Size (21/28)
12/15/14 3:57am

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Titusville, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Coupe (White), 2006 Convertible (Victory Red). NCM Life Member #2221.

Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 154

I run 255/60's on my '82 and NEVER had issues with the yellowing of letters (currently running the GY Eagle GTII). Now, I have seen cars that run either the BFG's or GY's with raised white and found some to be "browning" or a darker shade of "yellowing" and discovered that the tires/lettering are simply dirty. I have never had any raised whites' yellow on me...and I've had both brands on my '82. I use regular car soap when washing the car and when I get to the tires to clean up the letters I use a bit of Comet cleanser (powder) on a stiff brisk brush...and this washing of the lettering will render those letters bright white for months. The only time the tire lettering 'darkens' is when I use the car a bit too long and the letters start seeing road grime.

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Re: Tire Size (22/28)
12/15/14 7:42am

Koosh79Vette
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Elgin, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1979 L-48 Chevy Corvette

Joined: 11/14/2014
Posts: 1

I have a 79 corvette with 255 60 15 and I haven't had any trouble with rubbing. When I first purchased the car it had 255 80 15, it didn't rub with the added height, but I changed to the 60-series, my speed-o was showing 10 mph slower than actual speed

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Re: Tire Size (23/28)
12/15/14 6:56pm

73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.

Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 893

I've had good luck w/ Bleche White or SOS pads cleaning white letters. And white walls back in the day for that matter.

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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Tire Size (24/28)
12/16/14 9:28am

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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.

Joined: 8/26/2006
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vettejack said: I run 255/60's on my '82 and NEVER had issues with the yellowing of letters (currently running the GY Eagle GTII). Now, I have seen cars that run either the BFG's or GY's with raised white and found some to be "browning" or a darker shade of "yellowing" and discovered that the tires/lettering are simply dirty. I have never had any raised whites' yellow on me...and I've had both brands on my '82. I use regular car soap when washing the car and when I get to the tires to clean up the letters I use a bit of Comet cleanser (powder) on a stiff brisk brush...and this washing of the lettering will render those letters bright white for months. The only time the tire lettering 'darkens' is when I use the car a bit too long and the letters start seeing road grime.

How old are your Goodyear's?

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Re: Tire Size (25/28)
12/19/14 8:52am

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Titusville, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Coupe (White), 2006 Convertible (Victory Red). NCM Life Member #2221.

Joined: 12/19/2007
Posts: 154

My GY tires date back to '09...less than 5K miles on them. No rot or loss of plyability.

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Re: Tire Size (26/28)
2/12/15 12:54pm

73 MRVETTE
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Posts: 10

255-60x15 here as well.

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Re: Tire Size (27/28)
2/12/15 4:51pm

daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 869

I'm running the Cooper 245's on my '76, no problems at all and they look proportionally correct, to me at least.

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1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.

Re: Tire Size (28/28)
2/13/15 1:15pm

danascar
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Germansville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 Coupe 358ci 4 speed Black w/Medium Saddle interior w/79 custom leather seats. . 1999 C5 Convertible, 6 speed, Atomic orange, Oak interior.

Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 859

Many brands of tire shine discolor white letters too unless you wipe off while wet.

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DanT

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