99Silverbullet

What size tires is everyone using for 17” wheels on their c2 Corvette?

I’ve been told that 17x9 rims won’t fit on the rear so I’m going 17x8 on all 4 corners.

Thanks

ChattanoogaJSB

Lou has the setup you want.



He is usually quick to state his tire size. It's also in the archives.

daz_au

I run a 225/55/17. It is very close to the height of the stock 205/70/15 tire on my 64.

The main issue with a 55 series is they dont make great tires in this size. For ultra sticky tires you need to run 45 series but I like at least a bit of sidewall on the older cars....

vmaxpwc

I am about to put 17x8 wheels on my 66. I dont want to modify the wheel lips or trailing arms. What back spacing works best? I am considering the mini light 17 by 8 look alike wheels from summit racing with 4.5 inch backspacing and 225 55 17 tires. Anyone running that combination on a stock c2?

daz_au

All my wheels are 17x7 (4" BS) and 225/55/17. I have no doubt I could have run 17x8 on the rear, not sure about the front.

OHSIXX

Front 225/50/17 (55 was too big)
Rear 225/55/17 (Had to shave a little bit on inter fender lip)
17x7 wheels 4 inch BS.
Car has disc brakes.
Improved the look and ride.
Attachment 48335872

1965fuelie

17x8 is a very tight fit without mods. I would use 17x7 with 4 inch backspace.
Here is my 67 with 17x7 and 225/55R17 redlines from Diamondback tires.

Lotsacubes

Sounds like 235s on rears is a no go.

OHSIXX, ours is manual steering so never approach lock. Did the 225/55/17s rub as you approached lock or also straight ahead? I'm not concerned about same tire front and back.

65fuelie... thx for your input from Norway! I'll bet you get lots of looks over there!

1965fuelie

Lots of Corvettes and other American classics over here, so no more looks than you get in your country...

No rubbing on mine at all, but I’m carefull when turning in bumps...

vettsplit 63

I have 215/65-17s on my 62 and one my 63s. To the casual observer they look stock. plenty of sidewall and a nice selection from major tire manufacturers.

215/75-15 215/65-17 diff.
sidewall ht 6.35 5.5 -.85
Section width 8.46 8.46
o/a diameter 27.7 28 .3
Circumference 87.01 87.98 0.97
revs per mile 728.17 720.19 -7.98
if your speedometer reads 65 you are going 65.72 mph

99Silverbullet

I'm looking at these wheels and I confirmed with the manufacturer that these specs will fit on a 65 Corvette:

1965 CHEVROLET CORVETTE BASE
RAL 780-5000-00 SML: 17x8 5x120.65 ET: 0
RAL 780-5012-00 SML: 17x8 5x120.65 ET: 0






I haven't seen anyone post an ET: 0, any thoughts?

Thanks,

1965fuelie

ET0 on an 8 inch wheel is the same as 4.5 inch backspace.

I guess they will not fit your car without modifications on fender lips and/or park brake cabels on the rear. The front is even worse.....

Patrick03

I have 235/50/R17 front and rear on mine. Can't remember the offset on the wheels, but can look it up if you need it.

Patrick


EDIT: Decided to look up the wheel specs while I was thinking about it. I have 17X7 ARH AR105 TORQ-THRUST M wheels, 0" offset and 4" backspacing. When I ordered from a popular tire website, I think I had to say it was for a '67 Camaro, as this particular wheel didn't show up for a '64 Corvette. The wheels and tires fit fine on my car.

99Silverbullet

Thanks, was just about to shoot you a message.

I'm ordering these wheels online and want to make sure everything is correct before I make a mistake.

Body is off the frame and at the paint shop, about to start assembling everything on the frame.

99Silverbullet

Is anyone running the offset trailing arms and any issues finding the right wheel/tire combo for the rear?

It shows 2” more clearance but not sure who rebuilds these units.

LouieM

As Benton said, I've figured out 17" wheels for my particular car and use. I went to a 17X7X4.75 BS wheel on which I've run 245-45 and 235-45 tires. To fit these, I moved the parking brake brackets from the sides to the tops of the trailing arms ($100 at an alignment shop). I autocross my 67 a lot, and sticky rubber is unavailable in 15", and 16" isn't any better.

I've seen C2s with 17X8 wheels but I was too nervous about the clearance all around. If you are going to drive vigorously, as in autoxing, forget an 8" wide wheel. My main mantra is, "don't let the tires hit the stock fenders." The fenders are safe with either 235 or 245 tires in my setup; the inner front tires rub on the frame rail when maneuvering while parking etc., but it causes no harm.

My wheels are from PS Vintage Wheels, their TA-1 model. Another forum member recently said he was having trouble getting them to make this wheel with a 4.75 backspacing.

I'm posting a few pics to show how the 245 Nitto NT-01 tires I ran previously clear everything, including during violent cornering. Those tires are the absolute best ones I've ever run on the track or street, they really made the 67 feel planted. I'm running some 235 Kumho max summer tires at the moment because I got them for $79 each from a Tire Rack clearance, compared to $1,200 for the Nittos.

Lou

itsonlyairandfuel

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66BlueRdster

I have 17X7, 4.5 BS wheels on all corners with 225/55/17 tires. I found 4 inch BS too tight for my liking in the rear with 225/55/17 tires. 225/50/17 would have worked in the rear with 4 BS, but I prefered the 55 series with more sidewall.

In summary, 17x7, 4.5 BS with 225/55/17 tires worked front and rear.

17x7, 4 BS required 225/50/17 tires in the rear for me.

Ed

kolsen911

I went to 225 X 55 X 17 with these wheels. I like the 8 spoke obviously as that's what I have on my Classic Mini and 72 Porsche 911.

I do however not like that the car seems to sit to high. As I remember in my old school days you had to pull out the coil spring and cut some off. Is that still the same today. If so how much cut gives how much drop? I do have the heavy 392 Hemi engine so my guess is the car has the big block springs.

kolsen911

Closer look at the front.