Maximum tire size C2
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Springs New York
Maximum tire size C2
I want/need more tire on my 65. Does anyone know what size tire/rim and offset without the tire sticking out beyond the top of the fender? Thanks, Mike D
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 37,671
Likes: 1,116
From: CA
There is info there that you can use.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...aq-thread.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,660
Likes: 7
From: DFW
Go here and scroll down to Post #5
There is info there that you can use.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...aq-thread.html
There is info there that you can use.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...aq-thread.html
look at post #7 too
Harry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
We've all been there.
Largest tire on stock 15 inch rims would be a 215/70-15 Not sure about the offset.
On 17 inch units. I am running 4' backspace on 17x7 Torque Thruster IIs with 225/55 Goodyears with no rubbing. Maybe the inner frame a bit on hard lock turns.
You could maybe go one more tire size or another inch on the rim on 17s with a 4.5 backspace. Otherwise anything larger than the above two options will rub.
Don't break your fenders!
Largest tire on stock 15 inch rims would be a 215/70-15 Not sure about the offset.
On 17 inch units. I am running 4' backspace on 17x7 Torque Thruster IIs with 225/55 Goodyears with no rubbing. Maybe the inner frame a bit on hard lock turns.
You could maybe go one more tire size or another inch on the rim on 17s with a 4.5 backspace. Otherwise anything larger than the above two options will rub.
Don't break your fenders!
Last edited by MiguelsC2; Jan 17, 2011 at 06:44 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
i did trim my inner wells just a tad and my ride height is slightly taller than stock....
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
From: Union County NJ
17" wheels for C2
I will be upgrading my '66 427/425 (no P/S) to 17" Rev 107 Rally wheels (search eBay) with zero offset and 4" backspace . I want tighter tires for general purpose driving to improve handling and safety. Sloppy 15" high profile tires are unsettling and, at times, almost scary to me. Plus, I love the Rally style wheels. I am not looking for strong acceleration or performance handling......just a much more confident and connected feel for tour driving.
The issue is tire size and the need to avoid potential interference issues. Based on what I have read, I believe that a 225/55 would not be a problem. I'd rather go to a lower profile. Based on tire specs, I believe that a 215/50 has about the same section width and a slightly smaller tread width than the 225/55's, though it is about 1.3" smaller in diameter (that's a plus for me). Increasing to a 225/50 results with a 0.2" larger section width and 0.9" larger tread width as compared to the 225/55's....and 0.9" smaller diameter.
I would like to go with 225/50's but am concerned that about potential interference issues. Any assistance will be appreciated.
PS. No wise cracks please about get a newer car if I want better handling. I also have a C7 Z06 to satisfy my craves for performance driving.
The issue is tire size and the need to avoid potential interference issues. Based on what I have read, I believe that a 225/55 would not be a problem. I'd rather go to a lower profile. Based on tire specs, I believe that a 215/50 has about the same section width and a slightly smaller tread width than the 225/55's, though it is about 1.3" smaller in diameter (that's a plus for me). Increasing to a 225/50 results with a 0.2" larger section width and 0.9" larger tread width as compared to the 225/55's....and 0.9" smaller diameter.
I would like to go with 225/50's but am concerned that about potential interference issues. Any assistance will be appreciated.
PS. No wise cracks please about get a newer car if I want better handling. I also have a C7 Z06 to satisfy my craves for performance driving.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,155
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
and don't bring up old threads. start a new one. this one will be locked
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 62
From: Redondo Beach CA
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Depends on lots of variables. Stock wheels? 16, 17, 18 or whatever inch diameter? Modified e-brake bracket on trailing arm? Modifed (offset) trailing arm? Do you want to fill the wheelwell? Are you OK with lowering the car with a shorter tire?
I have relocated the e-brake bracket from the side to the top of the trailing arm.
I have personally run 235/60-15 tires on stock (repro) knock offs. They are shorter than stock and you will get frame rub at full lock.
I have also had 245/45-16 tires on 16x8 wheels with zero offset. These are even shorter than stock, but fit with no problem other than similar frame rub at full lock.
The 245/45 tires were no longer reasonable, so I moved to 245/50-16 on the same wheels. These barely fit. I get a tiny rub on the outside of the left rear wheel and the same frame rub at full lock.
I have relocated the e-brake bracket from the side to the top of the trailing arm.
I have personally run 235/60-15 tires on stock (repro) knock offs. They are shorter than stock and you will get frame rub at full lock.
I have also had 245/45-16 tires on 16x8 wheels with zero offset. These are even shorter than stock, but fit with no problem other than similar frame rub at full lock.
The 245/45 tires were no longer reasonable, so I moved to 245/50-16 on the same wheels. These barely fit. I get a tiny rub on the outside of the left rear wheel and the same frame rub at full lock.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 288
From: Granbury Texas
The SIZE of your tire is secondary to the STICK of your tire, and there are many VERY STICKY tires which will fit under your stock fender wells, and which will FAR outperform any larger pure street tire.
I don't need to know your answers, but YOU need to answer them for yourself, then look in the autocross and roadrace sections of the Forum as well as drag race posts and consider whether:
1) you mind grinding out the small "lip" inside your fender well.
2) you need only straight line traction or also lateral traction (autocross, track days, HPDE etc)
How many Miles you need to get out of your tires (Many with C2 Corvettes drive them less than 5000 miles per year, so some VERY soft tires will last at least 5000 street miles)
Drag Tires: Nitto NT-05 R, Mickey Thompson Street ET, Hoosier radial slicks
Track Tires (R Comp): Hoosier Street TD (S), Hoosier R7 and A7 radials, and ALL of the major tire brands make a trackable tire with a UTOG rating of less than 100. Only you can pick the correct choice for your situation, but unless you are a "numbers matching" NCRS type, you have LOTS of tire options. Enjoy
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
From: Union County NJ
Thanks. Helpful info for me. Where does the frame rub at full lock occur? Near the section width or closer to the outside wall near the tread? I am not looking to "fill the wheel well", just want to use as large a 50 or 55 profile 17" tire as possible without making any modifications and avoid any interference issues other than frame rub at full lock. With your info I can guesstimate 17" candidates.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
From: Union County NJ
then your too spoiled. the 66 was on top of its game in 66. now your comparing to a 50 year newer car. what ever wagon wheel and tire selection you choose make sure the over all tire diameter is 27" . this topic has been beaten to death.
and don't bring up old threads. start a new one. this one will be locked
and don't bring up old threads. start a new one. this one will be locked
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,155
Likes: 9,464
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Forum rules are you can't bring a old thread up. This thread is four years old. Just start a new thread already with your question
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13,646
Likes: 3,596
From: NorCal
OP here's a very recent thread in which I give a lot of info about 245/45/17 wheels/tires:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...es-for-c2.html
Lou
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...es-for-c2.html
Lou
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Woodstock Georgia
Max wheel/tire on stock C2
I realize this is an older thread but hoping for a little more advice. The 17 inch wheels on your C2, did you make any mods at all to the suspension to accommodate the wheel/tire or is it stock? Thanks!
We've all been there.
Largest tire on stock 15 inch rims would be a 215/70-15 Not sure about the offset.
On 17 inch units. I am running 4' backspace on 17x7 Torque Thruster IIs with 225/55 Goodyears with no rubbing. Maybe the inner frame a bit on hard lock turns.
You could maybe go one more tire size or another inch on the rim on 17s with a 4.5 backspace. Otherwise anything larger than the above two options will rub.
Don't break your fenders!
Largest tire on stock 15 inch rims would be a 215/70-15 Not sure about the offset.
On 17 inch units. I am running 4' backspace on 17x7 Torque Thruster IIs with 225/55 Goodyears with no rubbing. Maybe the inner frame a bit on hard lock turns.
You could maybe go one more tire size or another inch on the rim on 17s with a 4.5 backspace. Otherwise anything larger than the above two options will rub.
Don't break your fenders!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 985
Likes: 106
From: doral florida
Have 235/50/17 in the rear with 4 inch back spacing but have offset trailing arms. No rubbing or fender lip trimming.
Last edited by RJ1; Apr 15, 2016 at 09:41 AM.
