Front fender lip trim for 255/60-15 tyres?
03-15-2009, 07:43 AM
#2
Drifting
thegazman
Finn......What year is your car? I have 255/60 X 15 on my 79. It came from the factory with that tire and doesn't need that cut out in the front fenderr. . From the picture it almost looks like maybe there was some type of front spoiler installed at one time. Something like a pace car spoiler.
03-15-2009, 08:01 AM
#3
Mine's a -78. I have no idea if there's been a spoiler installed but IIRC -79 had more room for 255s. I'm asking as I need a new set of tyres and wouldn't want fronts to rub.
03-15-2009, 08:49 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
Definitely try the tires for fit before you do any trimming on the fender opening. I installed a set of 255/60-15's on a '77 I purchased new years ago and had no clearance issues. I now have a set on my '73 and have no clearance issues. On the '73, at full left lock the inside of the tire just touches the head of one of the bolts on the frame and keeps it nice and shiny, but no real issues otherwise. Both of these were with factory 8" wheels.
Others have had issues, more so with the early Sharks, but it does seem random and depends a lot on how the body sits on the frame.
Good luck, I think you'll like the look... GUSTO
Others have had issues, more so with the early Sharks, but it does seem random and depends a lot on how the body sits on the frame.
Good luck, I think you'll like the look... GUSTO
03-15-2009, 12:56 PM
#5
Team Owner
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Hi Finn,
I may be mistaken, but I don't think that 'trim' had anything to do with the size of the tire. I don't see how the tire could ever move far enough to get close to that area of the fender lip.
Regards,
Alan
I may be mistaken, but I don't think that 'trim' had anything to do with the size of the tire. I don't see how the tire could ever move far enough to get close to that area of the fender lip.
Regards,
Alan
03-15-2009, 05:01 PM
#9
Race Director
Definitely try the tires for fit before you do any trimming on the fender opening. I installed a set of 255/60-15's on a '77 I purchased new years ago and had no clearance issues. I now have a set on my '73 and have no clearance issues. On the '73, at full left lock the inside of the tire just touches the head of one of the bolts on the frame and keeps it nice and shiny, but no real issues otherwise. Both of these were with factory 8" wheels.
Others have had issues, more so with the early Sharks, but it does seem random and depends a lot on how the body sits on the frame.
Good luck, I think you'll like the look... GUSTO
Others have had issues, more so with the early Sharks, but it does seem random and depends a lot on how the body sits on the frame.
Good luck, I think you'll like the look... GUSTO
Very good advice! I would not cut anything before trying the tires.
Please take a good look at another Silver Anniversary car before trimming the fender. That is NOT how it's done. The modification is alot less noticable than the example that you have.
Last edited by 3JsVette; 03-15-2009 at 05:03 PM.
03-15-2009, 11:12 PM
#10
Safety Car
Starting in 1980, the front fenders were made with more clearance for the larger tires. Before that, you got the fender trim mod from the factory if you ordered the car with 255s.
Ive never seen it done to that extreme degree of the pic above. It was usually more of a gradual trim out so it was not noticable from the side.
I have a pic or two somewhere, but its not hosted. I think Paul74 ( Paul 79 back in the day) had a pic posted of how this was done to his car IIRC.
Brent.
Ive never seen it done to that extreme degree of the pic above. It was usually more of a gradual trim out so it was not noticable from the side.
I have a pic or two somewhere, but its not hosted. I think Paul74 ( Paul 79 back in the day) had a pic posted of how this was done to his car IIRC.
Brent.
03-16-2009, 01:44 AM
#11
Racer
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Trimming of front wheelwells
From 78 thru 82 the factory trimmed the forward inside of the wheel well for fitting/clerance of the optional 255/60R15's.The photo you show is not how the trimming was accomplished at the factory,spoilers or not.
03-16-2009, 01:20 PM
#12
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This is how the factory trimmed the openings, only in 78-79 and only if ordered with the 255/60-15 tires. They also ground the rear of the opening behind the rocker panels a little. No trimming was done on the 80-82s with the new front ends as GM figured it out by then!
It isn't always necessary to trim, either. Test fit the tires as many owners have no fit problems.
It isn't always necessary to trim, either. Test fit the tires as many owners have no fit problems.
Last edited by KapsSA; 04-15-2012 at 02:28 PM.
09-03-2010, 12:23 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
I have a 78 L-82 4 speed with the gymkhana suspension and the OEM aluminum 15 inch rims with 255/60/15's. I bought the car in 1983 with 255/60/15 Goodyear Eagle GT's on the rims so I cannot verify that the car had these tires on when it was made in Oct 77 BUT my fenders are NOT tirmmed and I had run these size tires and rims for 25 years with zero issues, no rubbing ever! What I am trying to say is that on the 78-82's, as far as I know from other owners of these years as well, no trimming is required. I currently have SLP 17 inch rims with 255/45/17 ZR's in front and 255/50/17 ZR's in the rear with zero issues either front or rear. I would not trim anything unless necessary since on these years it does not appear necessary. Hope this helps!
09-04-2010, 10:46 PM
#16
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St. Jude Donor '10
I have a 78 L-82 4 speed with the gymkhana suspension and the OEM aluminum 15 inch rims with 255/60/15's. I bought the car in 1983 with 255/60/15 Goodyear Eagle GT's on the rims so I cannot verify that the car had these tires on when it was made in Oct 77 BUT my fenders are NOT tirmmed and I had run these size tires and rims for 25 years with zero issues, no rubbing ever! What I am trying to say is that on the 78-82's, as far as I know from other owners of these years as well, no trimming is required. I currently have SLP 17 inch rims with 255/45/17 ZR's in front and 255/50/17 ZR's in the rear with zero issues either front or rear. I would not trim anything unless necessary since on these years it does not appear necessary. Hope this helps!
09-05-2010, 06:11 AM
#17
Instructor
i run 245's on the front and 255's on the back of my '76 so i don't have to worry about it. i should see if 255 will fit on the front though. then i could rotate them.
04-15-2012, 03:13 PM
#19
Instructor
I needed new tires on my 75 and a good friend loaned me a set of wheels with 255-60's mounted on them. No problem except left front at left lock there was heavy interference with the front fender lip. I really wanted to buy 255-60's but have ended up with 225-70's.
Bummer.
Larry
Bummer.
Larry
