C3 Max Tire Size
Thread Starter
Nut Job
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 363
Likes: 12
From: Monticello Florida
C3 Max Tire Size
What is the widest practical tire that will fit in the rear wheel wells of a C3? I have a '69 and plan on using the stock 15x8 rallye wheel rims. I want to get as much rubber on the road as I can to handle that 460 ft/lbs of torque. ;-)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
275/60/15" on the rear of my '69 with F41 suspension, which lowers ~1" from stock, and the OEM trailing arms. I did have to pull the e-brake cables away from rubbing the inside of the sidewalls with springs...no big deal.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 590
Likes: 2
From: Fairfield CT
Pix?
Could you post side and rear view pics of the 275/60/15s, please? I'm not worried about the e-brake cables since I have the VB&P offset trailing arms.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
No pics with these tires and OEM fenders. I installed flares in the meantime. Not because of clearance problems but to try and alleviate the road rash from highway debris, mostly the front. And it wouldn't look right with flares only on the front.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
If you're stuck on using 15x8 wheels, the limiting factor isn't the fender wells. For those, the 255/50R15 is pretty much the optimal tire. Bigger ones can be fitted, but anything very much wider on an 8" rim is only going to bring increasing sidewall instability into play (read, "adversely affect handling"), not to mention tend to look like balloons. If you need to put more rubber on the ground IMHO you really need to think in terms of a larger wheel/tire package, then you can properly fill those fenders with something that will actually gain you something. My $.02
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield CA
I have 255/60/15 on my 69 car (stock rally rims); in the rear they work well! BUT in the front I have a problem with them just coming in contact with the frame when I turn the car to the max limit of the steering wheel! Also I have a slight nose up standance, so I'm looking at what tire (60 series) will bring the nose down abit and small enough to elimination the rubbing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
OK, I'll admit (if only this once 
) that my opinion of 275's looking like balloons on 8" rims is just that, an opinion. So please allow me to offer a more responsible post, without the jab clouding the point...
However debatable might be individual tastes regarding appearances, it remains that the optimum wheel width for a 275/60R15 is more in the 9-9.5" range. Yes, for the sake of argument, the TRA sizing standard for this size tire may be only 7.5", but that's only a reference point for establishing advertised section widths, rather than a recommendation for performance oriented* wheel/tire fitments.
* As from the perspective of carving up the curves.
) that my opinion of 275's looking like balloons on 8" rims is just that, an opinion. So please allow me to offer a more responsible post, without the jab clouding the point...However debatable might be individual tastes regarding appearances, it remains that the optimum wheel width for a 275/60R15 is more in the 9-9.5" range. Yes, for the sake of argument, the TRA sizing standard for this size tire may be only 7.5", but that's only a reference point for establishing advertised section widths, rather than a recommendation for performance oriented* wheel/tire fitments.
* As from the perspective of carving up the curves.
Instructor
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From: Carolina raised but in Loveland CO for tha duration
Race Director
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From: No Where USA
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Suggest you relocate the pb bracket to the top of the trailing arm. It wouldn't be wise to go with a tire too wide on a 7" rim.
Last edited by resdoggie; Jan 19, 2017 at 04:48 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
if you want fat back tire, swap out the 68- 7" rims in the back, for 69 - 8" wheels
if you stick with stock wheel offset you can go 255 without moving the emergency bracket.
you will be closer to your leaf spring, (limiting factor)
if you stick with stock wheel offset you can go 255 without moving the emergency bracket.
you will be closer to your leaf spring, (limiting factor)
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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Dead Thread
He replied to the wrong thread, the correct one is below
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ze-for-c3.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ze-for-c3.html