295 tire help
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
295 tire help
Hey, I am pretty new to the forum, I joined initially to find a car, but ended up buying a 71 corvette from a dealer a couple hours away. The car is in pieces getting new engine, tranny, suspension, rack n pinion steering and such, so I figured I would get new tires while I am at it. According to Mickey Thompson's website, I can fit a p295/65R15 tire or p295/55R15 tire on my stock 15x8 wheels. What would need to be modified on the car to fit this tire? I love the look of the stock rims, and would love to be able to mount 295 width street drag radials on em. Thank you all very much in advance for your help! It is very appreciated!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Hey, I am pretty new to the forum, I joined initially to find a car, but ended up buying a 71 corvette from a dealer a couple hours away. The car is in pieces getting new engine, tranny, suspension, rack n pinion steering and such, so I figured I would get new tires while I am at it. According to Mickey Thompson's website, I can fit a p295/65R15 tire or p295/55R15 tire on my stock 15x8 wheels. What would need to be modified on the car to fit this tire? I love the look of the stock rims, and would love to be able to mount 295 width street drag radials on em. Thank you all very much in advance for your help! It is very appreciated!
Post some pictures of your car when you get a chance!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Thanks so much! I tried using the search function for hours, but couldn't come up with anything, but some people mentioned using offset trailing arms? Is this necessary you think? I am gonna try to post a pic of her, and thanks again!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Here's a couple threads on tire sizes.
Gary
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ire-sizes.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ub-or-not.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ack-of-c3.html
Gary
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ire-sizes.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ub-or-not.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ack-of-c3.html
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I had BFG 295/50/15's on the back of my '80, with stock 8" wide rims and stock trailing arms, you need to re-locate the parking brake bracket to the top of the trailing arm. Every Vette is a little different so no guarantees also the tires you mentioned are taller than original size better check the diameters 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I have 295 50 15's on my 79's stock 8" rims and they fit with no modifications at all. They are extremely tight, however - less than 1/8" clearance on the inside edge. Works for me, but if you do high speed cornering it probably wouldn't be enough clearance.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Thanks so much for all the replies! The car is getting a 725hp patriot performance crate engine, b&m th400, b&m nitrous 3600 torque converter, and currently has a 4.56 posi. Would a 295 tire give adequate traction? I do like the look of the torque thrusts also, but dont know what a proven combination of diameter, backspacing, and tire will work with the car and maximize rear tread width? I need to get my tires (and possibly wheels) within the next week, but want a proven combo and won't rub and will fit with my stock fenders. Thanks again everyone! Youall are tons of help!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Madison NJ
I run 295/50/15 on rear and 265/50/15 up front, love the old school look.
In the 70's every one was running 60 series tires but if you were running 50 series your car really got noticed.
It's a shame that BF Goodrich is dropping the 50/15 series.
In the 70's every one was running 60 series tires but if you were running 50 series your car really got noticed.
It's a shame that BF Goodrich is dropping the 50/15 series.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
hah well it was worth a shot Priya! Sweet, I saw your pics in your profile of your car, do you know if these tires fit my stock rear wheels/setup without rubbing? I don't think I will run 265 width in front though
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
You must have clicked on someone else's profile, I don't have any pictures up of my car. My 295-50R-15's don't rub at all on my 79 but I'm a bit surprised they don't given how tight the fit is. I expect they would fit the same on your car, but I can't say for sure.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
oh I'm sorry Priya, I meant that I looked at member "sweet"'s profile and saw their car's setup. And thanks for the info, I think I will be going the 295-50r15 route. Thanks so much and thanks everybody!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Madison NJ
..http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...60325/cat/1075
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I know you can not tell but it was common back in the day to raidus the fenders to match the tires. That is what you see when you are looking at my car. I can not say if they will or will not rub. Check out this one, he is also running 295/50 but it looks to also be modified.
..http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...60325/cat/1075
..http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...60325/cat/1075
That looks like the forum member that was quizzing me on the Convo Pros and 295 - 265 tire combination. Gotta admit it turned out pretty damn nice, his Vette I'm talking about above
Last edited by MotorHead; Feb 15, 2010 at 06:17 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Madison NJ
