what size tires are you using. My information says that stock tires are 205-75-15. I would prefer wider tires but dont want to run into fender rubbing problems.what tire sizes are people running?

 

22570R15 BF Goodrich TA radials work great - cost about $80-$90
each depending on where you get them.
It's about 8" wide and after 10 years of use no problems whatsoever.
Search other threads to get more info.

 

i run 235 60 r15 firestone firehawk 500's on the original 7" rims, and i love them great all around road tires. I have room to go up one more size all around (245 60), two in back
255 60 is the largest i think and still go lock to lock without trouble on later sharks

 

255 60 r15 yokohamas on my 79, this was the wider factory option size, no rubbing issues at all. www.tireack.com
ESU

 

Thats what tires i use.

 

Grand Am Radial T/A's

Raised white letters.

255 15in. 60's

No rubbing what so ever...I'm going to bump it to a 55 or 50 when it's tire change time. The fatter the better in my book!

 

225/70R15 was the factory tire for the late 70's. You could get an optional 255/60R15, and this was more common for the 80, 81, 82. You just have to make sure that you have enough clearance on the front for the 255. I have seen it rub on more than one occasion.

 

255/60R15 on my 77 with no problems

 

Same here
It's a great all around tire and very popular, but when I replace them I will go with the 60's...simply for the look

 

I have a 72 Vette and i use Cooper radials. 245/60's in the rear and 225/60's in front, no problems and they hug the road great.

 

So whats the widest rear tyre you can go on a stock 1981 rim and suspension ??

Don't mind front and rear being different widths.

 

What year is yours?

 

1981

 

Maybe a 50 but safely a 55.
Even with my 60's on the stock wheels (CAUSE i THINK THEY LOOK GOOD) I've measured that a 50 would fit. But, safely 55.

 

If you wire tie the hand-brake cables to the trailing arms (or move them to the top of the TA etc), you can run 275/50/15's all around, though they're an inch or more shorter than the stock sizes, plus they're really too wide for the 8" rim to give max performance (but they'll fit and work well under normal driving). I ran 265/50/15's for years with no problems (though I wire tied the hand-brake cables etc).

Some have stuffed 295/50/15's out back on stock 8" rims, but they're really way too big for the rim, and not really safe if you drive hard etc.

Best size that fits all C3's and maintains a near stock diameter is likely the 245/60/15, while the 255/60/15's will fit early C3's with possibly a minor trim of the front inner wheel-well lip (I currently have 255/60ZR/15 BFG R1's on my 71 Coupe, and they work fine).

Each C3 is a little different with regards to body and frame alignment.

The 255's were optional in 79, and I believe standard 80 - 82. C3's with 255's had the minor trim of the front inner wheel-well lip from the factory.

The Firestones and Yokohama's seem to be the best performing 245 - 255/60/15's, though by current standards you should consider going to larger diameter rims if you want the latest hi perf tires...

Doug

 

255/60/R15 on my 77 with no issues.

 

supprised how many guys didn't know this. I put the 255's on the rear & 245's on the front because of tire rub w/the bigger tires. Don't put the 235/60's on the car its a small tire & looks small. Go w/the original option 225/70's if you have a clearance issue. Looks right on the car. G/L post pic's

 

255/60/15s all the way around and no rubbing issues

 

255/60-15'S with no issues.

 

275/40/17's on the front and 295/35/17's on the rear all on 9 1/2 inch rims. The car is lowered 2 inchs all around. Fronts rub on the sway bar the rears don't rub but the emergency brake cable was rerouted to the inside of the trailing arm, no rear sway bar and the mufflers, tail pipe entrance had to be moved. Probably wouldn't suggest this for a street car without flairs