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Topic: Wheels and Tires

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Wheels and Tires

Posted: 4/25/07 1:32pm Message 1 of 22
miket
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Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 22
Vette(s): 1971 Corvette, 454 cid, Coupe, Silver w/ Black leather interior, 4 speed, AC, PS

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.




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Wheels and Tires

Posted: 4/25/07 7:37pm Message 2 of 22
smscorvette
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The Woodlands, TX - USA
Joined: 1/27/2006
Posts: 67
Vette(s): 1969 Coupe, Red, L88 Tribute
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



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Wheels and Tires

Posted: 4/26/07 11:59am Message 3 of 22
miket
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Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 22
Vette(s): 1971 Corvette, 454 cid, Coupe, Silver w/ Black leather interior, 4 speed, AC, PS
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

Posted: 4/26/07 6:38pm Message 4 of 22
smscorvette
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The Woodlands, TX - USA
Joined: 1/27/2006
Posts: 67
Vette(s): 1969 Coupe, Red, L88 Tribute
     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



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Wheels and Tires

Posted: 4/26/07 7:50pm Message 5 of 22
jayare
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Joined: 1/4/2007
Posts: 475
My 78 has P255/60R15's all around....no rubbing.


Wheels and Tires

Posted: 4/28/07 1:30pm Message 6 of 22
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aceinthehole
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Manteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed
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.

 
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Wheels and Tires

Posted: 5/4/07 7:05am Message 7 of 22
VETTERBOB
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DUNEDIN, FL - USA
Joined: 10/22/2004
Posts: 833
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
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

Posted: 5/4/07 7:18am Message 8 of 22
miket
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Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 22
Vette(s): 1971 Corvette, 454 cid, Coupe, Silver w/ Black leather interior, 4 speed, AC, PS

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

Posted: 5/4/07 8:38am Message 9 of 22
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aceinthehole
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Manteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed
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.

 
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Wheels and Tires

Posted: 5/4/07 9:35am Message 10 of 22
frstvette
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Fresno, TX - USA
Joined: 1/15/2007
Posts: 240
Vette(s): 1980 corvette
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


  

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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