Neil B

Hey guys. How much backspacing can you run on the front of an early C3 with 17" wheels? I know guys are running 5.5" backspacing with 18" wheels, but how far can you go with 17's before tie rods and upper A-arms start to get in the way?

Kid Vette

I had 17x8s with 4" backspacing and the tires rubbed slightly on the frame on hard turns. I think the tires were 255/50-17.

Neil B

Your 255-50-17 is a pretty tall tire. If I go 17x8, I'll probably run a 245-45-17 tire. If a 17x9 or 9.5 will fit, I might look at running a 275-40-17 which is about the same height as the 245-45-17.

mrvette

I have 255/50/17 on front, and 275/50/17 in rear, mounted on '89 vette rims....I limited the front steering a bit so the tires did not rub the frame/etc.....the wheel ADAPTERS are 2.5" thick so to keep same wheel centerline as was stock.....moved the rear ebrake cable mounts


this all was done some 20 years ago.....

Neil B

17x8 or 17x9.5 fronts?

mrvette

17x9.5 front and rear....stock '89 C4 rims WAS at one time '92 rims....same tire sizes, but changed due to I like the '89 wheels better....

now the front radius was limited a tad, due to tire rubbing, just add some steel to the lower control arm where the spindle rubs....
still tighter steering than my '87 vette....

275/50/17 rear 255/50/17 front...... I got hyper some time ago when it looked like a tire company quit making the rear size....single source supplier....

NOW, keep in mind, the rear brake cable was moved to behind the caliper....for tire rub reasons....the body on my '72 has flares/style of a later shark....NOT STOCK....so the tires do not stick out or rub....