Topic: Tire Size
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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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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Lifetime MemberEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2465
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
I believe one of our members is running that size on an 82'. No difficulties that I am aware of.
Your not considering going to a 16 or 17" ?
ebo
ebo
ebo
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
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.
255-60-15's were OEM on my "81 with the aluminum wheels.
|UPDATED|11/19/2014 5:04:43 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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|
Only 34 years together
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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New Albany, OH - USA
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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.
Chuck
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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|
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|
Joel Adams
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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.
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.
Mario
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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