C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

81 Stock Wheels Size?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 15, 2007 | 11:35 PM
  #1  
Carl914's Avatar
Carl914
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
From: Davenport FL
Default 81 Stock Wheels Size?

I really like the look of the stock wheels on my 81 and want to stay with them. What is the size of the stock wheels? What is the widest tire you can put on the back without mods? I am sure I would be happy enough with 60s, but I would rather have 50s on the rears. (I have four almost new 70s I will want to wear out on the fronts.) Thanks.





www.mycarframes.com
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 01:59 AM
  #2  
TheSkunkWorks's Avatar
TheSkunkWorks
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

I believe your '81 would have originally come with 15 x 8 wheels and P225/70R15 tires.

You can certainly put bigger tires, but 265/60's are really about as big as you can go before they start significantly sacrificing handling and looking somewhat like balloons on an ATV. Even then, the 265's could rub up front on occaision. 245's and 255's work very nicely, and lots of guys on here have those.

Wide tires (295/50's) on 15" rims out back will require wider wheels and other mods. Offset TA's and/or flairs.

Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Aug 16, 2007 at 02:01 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 07:54 AM
  #3  
Bangkok Dean's Avatar
Bangkok Dean
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Default

I run 255/60/15 on all four without a rub or problem. Plus I can rotate them if needed.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 12:02 PM
  #4  
IrishJoker's Avatar
IrishJoker
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
Default

Originally Posted by Bangkok Dean
I run 255/60/15 on all four without a rub or problem. Plus I can rotate them if needed.


Running the sports wheels and Cooper Cobra's P255/60R/15's.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 12:58 PM
  #5  
Jims79's Avatar
Jims79
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Default

[QUOTE=TheSkunkWorks;1561519219]I believe your '81 would have originally come with 15 x 8 wheels and P225/70R15 tires.


I don't think in 81 they were using the older 225/70/15 of the early C3's. I believe in 81 & 82 the stock tire size was 255/60/15 which are big tires. I wouldn't go any bigger unless your changing wheel size to 17 or 18 inch wheels.
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 04:26 PM
  #6  
Carl914's Avatar
Carl914
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 95
Likes: 1
From: Davenport FL
Default

Thank you all for your input. I had the 70s on both my old 75 and now on my current 81. I had understood that the 60s were optional tires for my car and they would work fine. I was just wondering about getting to the point of 60s on the front and 50s on the back. The only thing I seem to feel is the lack of stopping power of the 70s. The brakes and wheels always stop, but sometimes the car doesn't. That ain't too cool.

(I know, slow down, but where is the fun in that?)







www.mycarframes.com
Reply
Old Aug 16, 2007 | 04:50 PM
  #7  
guitarcrazy02's Avatar
guitarcrazy02
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
Default

[QUOTE=Jims79;1561524565]
Originally Posted by TheSkunkWorks
I believe your '81 would have originally come with 15 x 8 wheels and P225/70R15 tires.


I don't think in 81 they were using the older 225/70/15 of the early C3's. I believe in 81 & 82 the stock tire size was 255/60/15 which are big tires. I wouldn't go any bigger unless your changing wheel size to 17 or 18 inch wheels.
My 81 rolled off the line with 225's all the way around, soon to be replaced by 255's.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 81 Stock Wheels Size?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:57 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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