C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Anyone Using Torque Thrust Ds

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 25, 2007 | 12:57 AM
  #1  
flstfi's Avatar
flstfi
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Default Anyone Using Torque Thrust Ds

I have a 77 and want American Racing Torque Thrust Ds in 16". The recommended tire size is 245/50/16. Anybody been there and done that?
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2007 | 11:05 AM
  #2  
zwede's Avatar
zwede
Race Director
25 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Default

A 245/50-16 is about an inch smaller in overall diameter than stck and will look weird unless the car has been lowered. To maintain stock diameter you'd need a 245/55-16 but I don't know if anyone makes one?

Actually 16" performance tires are going away in favor of 17 and up. Any particular reason you don't want 17" rims? With 255/50-17 tires you get exactly stock diameter.

BTW, be sure to get the right backspace on the rims. If you go with 8" wide rims you want 4" backspace.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2007 | 02:35 PM
  #3  
flstfi's Avatar
flstfi
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Default About tire size

I thought it was the right thing to do after I saw a 17" C3 on McJacks Corvette.com. Not quite sure of the address (google it). C3s look funny with large wheels and less tire to me. As opposed to a C4,5 or 6.

I went to "TireRack.com" where they have a simulator. You simply select your vehicle,wheel and tire and it shows you the car. You can even select the cars color. By the way C3s are notorious for emrgency brake "Cable Rub" with improper tire or wheel size. Please Advise........

Last edited by flstfi; Nov 25, 2007 at 02:37 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2007 | 04:33 PM
  #4  
vette blue's Avatar
vette blue
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: MONTREAL QUEBEC
Default

Originally Posted by flstfi
I thought it was the right thing to do after I saw a 17" C3 on McJacks Corvette.com. Not quite sure of the address (google it). C3s look funny with large wheels and less tire to me. As opposed to a C4,5 or 6.

I went to "TireRack.com" where they have a simulator. You simply select your vehicle,wheel and tire and it shows you the car. You can even select the cars color. By the way C3s are notorious for emrgency brake "Cable Rub" with improper tire or wheel size. Please Advise........

I went with the 16" TT II's and Kumo's from tire rack. I just ordered whatever they suggested they fit perfect ride smooth and they dlvd the tires and wheels balanced as one piece. Can't find my paperwork or I'd give you the wheel size. In any case they guaranteed that it would fit and it did. Esthetically i found the 17"was too much wheel and the 16" were cheaper too. However you will have better performance with the 17".
Your choice!
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2007 | 04:47 PM
  #5  
zwede's Avatar
zwede
Race Director
25 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Default

Originally Posted by flstfi
I thought it was the right thing to do after I saw a 17" C3 on McJacks Corvette.com. Not quite sure of the address (google it). C3s look funny with large wheels and less tire to me. As opposed to a C4,5 or 6.


17" rims with 255/50-17... Looks good to me. But of course I'm biased... it's my car.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2007 | 09:52 PM
  #6  
vette blue's Avatar
vette blue
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: MONTREAL QUEBEC
Default

The tires tire rack sent me are 235/60/16.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2007 | 02:41 AM
  #7  
RunningMan373's Avatar
RunningMan373
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Default

Originally Posted by vette blue
The tires tire rack sent me are 235/60/16.
Torque thrust "D's" only go up to 16"s, the TTII's go up to 20, i think.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2007 | 02:48 AM
  #8  
rpoL98's Avatar
rpoL98
Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 60
From: USA
Default

235's? they're hedging their bets, more concerned with no-fit liability.

sheez, C3's came from the factory with 255 width tires.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Nov 26, 2007 | 09:12 AM
  #9  
zwede's Avatar
zwede
Race Director
25 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 382
From: Plano TX
Default

Originally Posted by RunningMan373
Torque thrust "D's" only go up to 16"s, the TTII's go up to 20, i think.
One-piece Thrust D's only go to 16". The 2 piece CL205's that look just like Thrust D's go larger.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2007 | 10:09 AM
  #10  
427Hotrod's Avatar
427Hotrod
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,015
Likes: 2,259
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

IMHO, Marcus has nailed the big wheel/tire combo on his C-3 just about perfect. Usually C-3's look like they are on rubber band tires which just looks goofy. Plus most folks leave car up in the air and the fenders look empty like a Hot Wheels car.

The trick was to use relatively *tall* sidewall 17's that fill the fender nicely.

In person..his car just flat *makes it look right*!!


JIM
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2007 | 10:20 AM
  #11  
vette blue's Avatar
vette blue
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: MONTREAL QUEBEC
Default







These are the 16" TT II's. I'm biased as well and think they look good. Mind you the 17" look good as well. I guess it's a matter of personal preference
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2007 | 12:05 PM
  #12  
Aggitated Monkey's Avatar
Aggitated Monkey
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
Default

Originally Posted by zwede


17" rims with 255/50-17... Looks good to me. But of course I'm biased... it's my car.
You should be biased as the car looks GREAT

17" are perfect on the C-3's
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2007 | 02:58 PM
  #13  
427Hotrod's Avatar
427Hotrod
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,015
Likes: 2,259
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Default

Those are great looking too Vette Blue. It carries on with the idea of NOT using short sidewall tires. Yours look nice..

But you could drop it down an inch or two and really make it fill those fenderwells up!

JIM
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2007 | 11:09 PM
  #14  
Fastguy's Avatar
Fastguy
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Default

Originally Posted by zwede


17" rims with 255/50-17... Looks good to me. But of course I'm biased... it's my car.
That looks badass.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2007 | 11:49 PM
  #15  
retroLS1's Avatar
retroLS1
Instructor
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
From: Norton MA
Default

Great looking cars guys. I am torn between the 16" or 17" look. Either way, the beefier sidewall really helps out a lot. I'm not a fan of the rubber band look, especially with a higher suspension.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2007 | 07:09 PM
  #16  
danthony's Avatar
danthony
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 86
From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by vette blue






These are the 16" TT II's. I'm biased as well and think they look good. Mind you the 17" look good as well. I guess it's a matter of personal preference
I have the same exact setup.
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2007 | 02:33 AM
  #17  
RIJVETTES's Avatar
RIJVETTES
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
Default

Originally Posted by vette blue






These are the 16" TT II's. I'm biased as well and think they look good. Mind you the 17" look good as well. I guess it's a matter of personal preference
Man those look great! Now I'm torn between the 16's and 17's. Could you post a couple more shots from the side- and do the 235's fill out the width of the wheel well? Thanks.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Anyone Using Torque Thrust Ds

Old Nov 28, 2007 | 11:32 AM
  #18  
vette blue's Avatar
vette blue
Instructor
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: MONTREAL QUEBEC
Default

Hopefully these pics will give you a better angle on the width.





Reply
Old Nov 29, 2007 | 12:03 AM
  #19  
Curby's Avatar
Curby
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Default

I have the 17 x 8 with a 4.5" back spacing and 255/45/17 tires. There is about 1/2" betweent the tire and the e-brake cable, and 1" between the tire and the rear tail pipes when the suspension is fully extended. I like the "tucked in" look, and when I lower it, it will really look great.

The sidewall is not too short, and the wheels are not to big. i may go to an 18 x 10 on the rear with a 275/45/18, just like the C5, if I can get a 5.5" back spacing on it. I will have to relocate the e-brake cable, though.

Reply
Old Nov 29, 2007 | 03:01 AM
  #20  
RIJVETTES's Avatar
RIJVETTES
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
Default

Originally Posted by vette blue
Hopefully these pics will give you a better angle on the width.





THANKS. Looks great. Your TT 2's are polished, not chrome? Who makes the tires and how do they grip n wear? Thanks again.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:02 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE