? ? ? Tires
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 202
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From: Brandon Ms
? ? ? Tires
I want to keep 15X8 rims on my 81. I would like to know the largest tire you can run and not rub on the rear? What size tire came on the front from the factory?
THANKS!!!
THANKS!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 16
From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
Originally Posted by TonySinclair
Not sure of the factory size (G70's on '74), but I had 255/60-15's (front/rear) before I switched to 17's...
I run 255/60-15's front & rear on my 80. No rubs.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I saw this vette last weekend at the C3 Extravaganza in Bowling Green and he was running 295/50/15 on the rear. I did not check to see if the parking brake bracket had been moved. I should have, the 295 tires really look mean.
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Chagrin Falls OH
I have had 245-60-15's on my 81 for years with no problems except there is not that much clearance for the rear exhaust pipes. Mine came new with 225-70-15's, which was one option. The other tire option offered was 255-60-15's so that size should not be a problem
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
You'll have to lower the rear slightly if you use a 295-50-15 tire, look at the photo above - there's a huge gap between tire and fender.
255-60-15 will fit without problems, at least on the rear axle. The front may require fender trimming.
I run 275-60-15 on the rear, the overall diameter is 1" bigger than 255-60 (28" vs 27") ... these tires are flexing a lot with the huge sidewall, 295-50 may be the better choice but you'll have to relocate the parking brake cable bracket, no way that tire fits with the bracket in the stock location.
255-60-15 will fit without problems, at least on the rear axle. The front may require fender trimming.
I run 275-60-15 on the rear, the overall diameter is 1" bigger than 255-60 (28" vs 27") ... these tires are flexing a lot with the huge sidewall, 295-50 may be the better choice but you'll have to relocate the parking brake cable bracket, no way that tire fits with the bracket in the stock location.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 76
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From: Springfield VA
how are you guys fitting these tires on your cars (other than the parking brake bracket thing)??? I have the stock 225-70r15s with factory wheels on my 77 and I got under the front and with the wheels at full turn, they're like half inch from the fender. just doesn't seem like wider tires would fit.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I think my '77 has 255/60/15 tires...but I'll have to check. If they are, that size has been there for more than 15 years now. No problems, whatever size they are, which is quite a bit wider than stock.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Springfield VA
oh, another question on this subject; you guys talking about 255s have these rims too (pic is mid-polish):
i assume those only ever came in one size/backspacing, so if those run 255s without any problems, i'll definitely go with them instead
i assume those only ever came in one size/backspacing, so if those run 255s without any problems, i'll definitely go with them instead
