Wheels and Tires - Forums - Official C3 Vette Registry

SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors! | Advertise Here

Topic: Wheels and Tires

in Forum: C3 Handling Components

Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Wheels and Tires (1/22)
4/25/07 1:32pm

miket
Former Member
Send Private Message

Vette(s):
1971 Corvette, 454 cid, Coupe, Silver w/ Black leather interior, 4 speed, AC, PS

Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 22

I am rebuilding a 1971 Corvette and need to put new tires on front and rear. If I use 8" x 15" rims, I am considering P245/60R15 for the front and P255/60R15 for the rear. I think it is posible to get P275/60R15 on the rear, but I am not sure if they will fit. Does anyone have any experience they can share about what size tires will fit the front and rear of a stock C3 body with 15" rims? Another option I am considering is using 10" x 15" rims on the rear. Will these work? What is the proper backspacing I need to make them work. What tire size will work with a 10" x 15" rim? Thanks in advance for the help.

Our Sponsors help support C3VR

Wheels and Tires (2/22)
4/25/07 7:37pm

smscorvette
Former Member
Send Private Message

The Woodlands, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1969 Coupe, Red, L88 Tribute

Joined: 1/27/2006
Posts: 67

Anything larger than a P255/60R15 on the rear will rub on the emergency brake cable bracket on the trailing arm. You can relocate that bracket to the top of the trailing arm and the P275/60R15 will fit. I recently did this on my '69, but have not mounted the tires yet.

Steve

______________
SMSCORVETTE

Wheels and Tires (3/22)
4/26/07 11:59am

miket
Former Member
Send Private Message

Vette(s):
1971 Corvette, 454 cid, Coupe, Silver w/ Black leather interior, 4 speed, AC, PS

Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 22

Thanks, I have heard something about the emergency brake cable being in the way. I appreciate the help. Do you have any input on the front tire size?

Anybody else out there have any experience in tires and whees they can share?

Wheels and Tires (4/22)
4/26/07 6:38pm

smscorvette
Former Member
Send Private Message

The Woodlands, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1969 Coupe, Red, L88 Tribute

Joined: 1/27/2006
Posts: 67

I have seen P255/60R15 on the front of many vettes, but I have been told they rub on the inner fender well on the older C3s. I am planning on going with P255/60R15 on the front and P275/60R15 on the back, but may end up with P245/60R15 on the front. I am waiting to get it painted before I buy new tires.

I ran P235/60R15 on the front and P255/60R15 on the back of the '76 I had with no rubbing problems.

Steve

______________
SMSCORVETTE

Wheels and Tires (5/22)
4/26/07 7:50pm

jayare
Former Member
Send Private Message

Joined: 1/4/2007
Posts: 475

My 78 has P255/60R15's all around....no rubbing.

Wheels and Tires (6/22)
4/28/07 1:30pm

aceinthehole

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed

Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

Michael, There may be slight differences in dimensions between early & late C3s, mine are all late,78-81. If you're looking at 10' rims in the rear you'll have to install offset trailing arms. 245 X 60 front and 255 x 60 rear on 8 inch rims works well on later models with a 4" backset on the rims. Sorry, I can't confidently quote specs on the early models.

______________

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

Click to see larger views!

Wheels and Tires (7/22)
5/4/07 7:05am

VETTERBOB

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

DUNEDIN, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1969 COUPE CORTEZ SILVER, BRIGHT BLUE INTERIOR 383 cu. in. 512 HP. Hooker headers w/ side pipes PS PS AC AM FM STEREO. 68,000.MILES C5 5oth Anniversary Coupe , auto.350hp

Joined: 10/22/2004
Posts: 833

I`m using 9 inch centerline rims front and rear on my 69. didn`t have any set back issues or emergency brake issues. running BFG 255/60`s on the rear .But had to changed from 255 up front after i took a chunck of fiberglass from the rear of the front fender. running 235`s up front

Wheels and Tires (8/22)
5/4/07 7:18am

miket
Former Member
Send Private Message

Vette(s):
1971 Corvette, 454 cid, Coupe, Silver w/ Black leather interior, 4 speed, AC, PS

Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 22

Bob,

I think I'll use stock 8" rims with P245/60R15 on the front and P255/60 R 15 on the rear. Anybody see any issues with that, or have any experience with this combination on 8" stock rims?

Wheels and Tires (9/22)
5/4/07 8:38am

aceinthehole

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Manteca, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed

Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623

I have that very combo on one of the '78s recently, couldn't ask for a better fit. Both of my others have 255 x 60 all around. Think I'll start going with 245s on the front, too. aceinthehole2007-05-04 11:39:51

______________

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

Click to see larger views!

Wheels and Tires (10/22)
5/4/07 9:35am

frstvette
Former Member
Send Private Message

Fresno, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1980 corvette

Joined: 1/15/2007
Posts: 240

been there done that. I have a 80 with stock back spacing. 15x8 in front and 15x9 in the rear. front 265-50 rear 265-50 . only problem with the rear they stick out 1 inch pass fender,and a little shiner up front . I am putting 10 on rear and can you believe I am using a 5and a half inch back spacing? going to use 1 inch spacers and fender flares

______________

Wheels and Tires (11/22)
5/5/07 11:44pm

custom76
Former Member
Send Private Message

Naples, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1976 coupe with a custom body and a 396 big block with nitrous installed. Runs great!!

Joined: 2/26/2005
Posts: 133

I had 10x15 rims with Mickey Thompson N-50's (11.9"tread width)on the rear with no problem. Since then I have put on Cragar SS 10x15 rims with 275-60x15 on the rear. One note about the Cragars. You must use a 1/2 " spacer because the wheel will hit the brake calipers. Also I had to go to 1" lug nuts to make up the difference.The stock ones are too short. If you use the ones Cragar gives you for the C-3 they are way too long and bottom out before securing the wheel to the outer axle. custom762007-05-06 00:03:18

Wheels and Tires (12/22)
5/8/07 7:22pm

frstvette
Former Member
Send Private Message

Fresno, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1980 corvette

Joined: 1/15/2007
Posts: 240

Why does it seem like nobody knows about using spacers with studs? The spacer goes over the exsisting studs and bolted down the spacer has its own studs. You just bold your rim right on.

______________

Wheels and Tires (13/22)
5/9/07 11:33am

Red Vette-76
Former Member
Send Private Message

MARYSVILLE, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 stingray, L48 COUPE, TH350 Automatic WITH A ZZ4 355 HP 350 C.I. MOTOR, 750 cfm HOLLY, EXTERIOR RED, INTERIOR BUCKSKIN, SMOKE BLACK GLASS TEE TOPS.

Joined: 10/22/2006
Posts: 129

I have been shopping for new rims and tires on my 76. Would I have any issues if switching to 16 or 17 inch American Racing Torque II 505s with proformance (low profile) tires? I'm Stuck on the nice look of the tread and stance of the high proformance look vs the standard Radial sidewall. Would the 235/60R 16 x 7 on the front with 255/60 16 x 8 on the back work?

______________

carl

(click to see a larger picture)

Wheels and Tires (14/22)
5/9/07 12:16pm

suncountry

Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Moses Lake, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II

Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134

I am running TT2's that are 16" x 8" with 255/50-16 for rubber. Have had no rubbing so far.

Wheels and Tires (15/22)
5/9/07 2:49pm

hank51

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

MENTOR, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1979 L-82, dark blue

Joined: 9/15/2003
Posts: 577

P245/60R15 front and back. no issues.

Wheels and Tires (16/22)
5/13/07 6:43am

Are you running the BF Goodrich GForce Sport Z tires on it? I can't tell from the picture but if you are; how do you like them? I think that I'm pretty much convinced that I will be putting the exact tires and wheels on my 76 that you have in the picture of yours. They really look nice on your vette!

______________

carl

(click to see a larger picture)

Wheels and Tires (17/22)
5/13/07 9:42am

carl

(click to see a larger picture)

Wheels and Tires (18/22)
5/13/07 9:55pm

suncountry

Hi Carl,

Yes they are BF Goodrich G-Force Sport Z rated. I don't have many miles on them yet. I just put them on a couple of months ago. But the driving I have done I think the tires are great. Far better than the old Grand AM tires that were on the vette when I bought it. I bought the tires and wheels from Tire Rack mounted and balanced.

Wheels and Tires (19/22)
5/14/07 12:30pm

Thanks Glen! I'm sooooooo excited! I have a car show coming up June 16th and I will be showing my red-vette for the first time. I will post a new picture with the wheels and tires on it later.

______________

carl

(click to see a larger picture)

Wheels and Tires (20/22)
5/14/07 2:16pm

suncountry

We would like to see the pic's. I was going to attend my local one at the end of the month. Been going to it for the last 5 years but will have to miss. Need to help out the in-laws. We usually have around 200 cars at the show. Oh well next year. But I will still be going to Carson City though Big%20smile

Wheels and Tires (21/22)
6/4/07 3:55pm

Well I installed the new wheels and tires on my 76 last night and they really look great! It now looks just like your ride but in red with a luggage rack on the back. I did notice that with the wider tires it takes a little more muscle to steer it now but it feels solid and no rubbing either. Thanks for the information.

______________

carl

(click to see a larger picture)

Wheels and Tires (22/22)
6/4/07 10:17pm

suncountry

Way to go. I like the way they handle too Thumbs%20Up

Our Sponsors help support C3VR