C3 Corvette Tire Sizes
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 23
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From: Killingworth CT
C3 Corvette Tire Sizes
So I recently purchased a 1974 Corvette that had a mismatch of tires and sizes and Im finally getting around to putting a new set on. I was thinking 225-70-15 for the front and 275-60-15 for the rear. Im not sure if these sizes would be too large, but any advice as to what sizes would give a good wide look in the back and a thinner tire for the front would be great. Thanks again
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
So I recently purchased a 1974 Corvette that had a mismatch of tires and sizes and Im finally getting around to putting a new set on. I was thinking 225-70-15 for the front and 275-60-15 for the rear. Im not sure if these sizes would be too large, but any advice as to what sizes would give a good wide look in the back and a thinner tire for the front would be great. Thanks again
I just put 225-70-15 tires on the front of my 1968 convertible project...I get a very small amount of rubbing on the inner sidewalls when turning into a curbed driveway...there is plenty of clearance other than that......and the front wheel wells are "full of tires"!
I think 275's might fit the rear/I don't know if the outside sidewall will rub on the fender inner-lip though.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,853
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From: Hamilton Virginia
The size and offset of the wheels will matter in your choice of the front. I have a set of 235/70/15 on the front of my 76, and with stock rallies I didnt have any rubbing. But when I put a set of vectors on, the front tires rub when turning. The offset is about 1/2" differance between the two types of wheels.
The back will be the same, it will all depend on the offset of your wheels.
The back will be the same, it will all depend on the offset of your wheels.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Rookie thinking out-loud: I also think that '74 and later fenders allow for wider tires. It seems that members go with 60-series tires because the diameter is smaller so that "fatter tires" can be installed (I would rather "fill the wheel-wells" and keep the engine rpm lower with 70-series tires though).
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 23
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From: Killingworth CT
My rims are 15" diameter by 8" wide (I think that 1968 rims are 15" by 7" wide).
Rookie thinking out-loud: I also think that '74 and later fenders allow for wider tires. It seems that members go with 60-series tires because the diameter is smaller so that "fatter tires" can be installed (I would rather "fill the wheel-wells" and keep the engine rpm lower with 70-series tires though).
Rookie thinking out-loud: I also think that '74 and later fenders allow for wider tires. It seems that members go with 60-series tires because the diameter is smaller so that "fatter tires" can be installed (I would rather "fill the wheel-wells" and keep the engine rpm lower with 70-series tires though).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 96
From: Bowmanville Ontario
I just got new shoes for my baby and went thru an exhaustive selection process.
I ended up with Cooper Cobra's
Front 255/60R15 (stock)
Rears 275/60R15
If you want to see them, check out my Photo album...the last picture is the new tires, the others are the old Cragars that came with the car.
Ken
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,325
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From: Western NY
My rims are 15" diameter by 8" wide (I think that 1968 rims are 15" by 7" wide).
Rookie thinking out-loud: I also think that '74 and later fenders allow for wider tires. It seems that members go with 60-series tires because the diameter is smaller so that "fatter tires" can be installed (I would rather "fill the wheel-wells" and keep the engine rpm lower with 70-series tires though).
Rookie thinking out-loud: I also think that '74 and later fenders allow for wider tires. It seems that members go with 60-series tires because the diameter is smaller so that "fatter tires" can be installed (I would rather "fill the wheel-wells" and keep the engine rpm lower with 70-series tires though).
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
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Tires
245/45-18 or 245/40-19, 26.7" diameter, 245/45-18 goes on an 8" wide wheel, 245/40-19 goes on a 8.5" wide wheel
255/40-18 or 255/35-19, 26.0" diameter, goes on a 9" wide wheel
265/40-18 or 265/35-19, 26.3" diameter, goes on a 9.5" wide wheel
275/40-18 or 275/35-19, 26.7" diameter, goes on a 9.5" wide wheel
Look for the RE-11A tires
Wheels
Forgestar F14F wheels price on the Howey website at about $650 each.
The only 19 x 9.5 -13 that I see is an SSR 3-piece wheel that is ordered from a chart. $920 each and that's too expensive.
Otherwise, see what CCW is willing to make.
And American Racing Vintage can be ordered in custom offsets. Those are about $450 each for cast wheels or about $750 each for forged wheels.
Setup
Run -12mm to -14mm wheel offset because that makes the correct roll center heights. The wider tire sizes might need bolt-on fender flares if the car is lowered. Offset trailing arms are often used and also there's re-location of the emergency brake cable.
Might as well do a suspension:
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ategoryid=x935
In some cases, lowering the car tucks the tops of the tires
.
245/45-18 or 245/40-19, 26.7" diameter, 245/45-18 goes on an 8" wide wheel, 245/40-19 goes on a 8.5" wide wheel
255/40-18 or 255/35-19, 26.0" diameter, goes on a 9" wide wheel
265/40-18 or 265/35-19, 26.3" diameter, goes on a 9.5" wide wheel
275/40-18 or 275/35-19, 26.7" diameter, goes on a 9.5" wide wheel
Look for the RE-11A tires
Wheels
Forgestar F14F wheels price on the Howey website at about $650 each.
The only 19 x 9.5 -13 that I see is an SSR 3-piece wheel that is ordered from a chart. $920 each and that's too expensive.
Otherwise, see what CCW is willing to make.
And American Racing Vintage can be ordered in custom offsets. Those are about $450 each for cast wheels or about $750 each for forged wheels.
Setup
Run -12mm to -14mm wheel offset because that makes the correct roll center heights. The wider tire sizes might need bolt-on fender flares if the car is lowered. Offset trailing arms are often used and also there's re-location of the emergency brake cable.
Might as well do a suspension:
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ategoryid=x935
In some cases, lowering the car tucks the tops of the tires
.
Last edited by B Stead; Jan 23, 2015 at 09:19 PM.