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

Tire Size

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 22, 2011 | 04:57 PM
  #1  
hadams's Avatar
hadams
Thread Starter
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: CT
Default Tire Size

I’m currently running old Dunlop Qualifier 225/70/15s on post 76 aluminum wheels. I need to replace the tires and have seen many C-3s with 235/60/15 BF Goodrich ties on the front and 245/60/15s on the rear with OEM 15X8 wheels.

Anyone know if there are any significant tire rub issues before I go and spend the money?
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2011 | 06:06 PM
  #2  
KevinK's Avatar
KevinK
Drifting
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 1
From: Ansonia/NYC CT
Default

245 might be a bit fat on that wheel...but the radius is smaller, thus creating more room. I'd stick with 235 front and back, though.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2011 | 06:11 PM
  #3  
scottyp99's Avatar
scottyp99
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Default

A very popular optional tire size from the factory on the later C3's was 255/60/15. I wouldn't worry about a shorter tire with less tread width.


Scott
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2011 | 06:20 PM
  #4  
msandym's Avatar
msandym
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 865
Likes: 53
Default tire si

on my 71 , I have 235 60 15 T/A's all around, front rubs on extreme turns, otherwise no problem . I'de like to replace rears with 245 or 255 eventually
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2011 | 07:27 PM
  #5  
scottyp99's Avatar
scottyp99
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Default

What year is your 'vette? The later cars had more room in the fenderwells, I think. I run 255/60/15 on all four corners on my '80, no problems.


Scott
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2011 | 08:03 PM
  #6  
hadams's Avatar
hadams
Thread Starter
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 1
From: CT
Default

Well I'm a 75

I eventually want to go with American Racing Torque Thrusts 15x8.5 Boltpattern 5x4.75 (5x120.65) Offset -25 Hub Bore 83.06 Partnumber VN1055861. Corvette Central sells these as a C-3 direct fit.

I still need to replace the old Dunlops from 1993. They are hard and beginning to split in the centers.

I have seen many many Corvettes with the 235 in front and 245 in back. they are typically 71-71 and even earlier though.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2011 | 08:10 PM
  #7  
68sbcoupe's Avatar
68sbcoupe
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
From: Litchfield CT
Default

Originally Posted by hadams
Well I'm a 75

I eventually want to go with American Racing Torque Thrusts 15x8.5 Boltpattern 5x4.75 (5x120.65) Offset -25 Hub Bore 83.06 Partnumber VN1055861. Corvette Central sells these as a C-3 direct fit.

I still need to replace the old Dunlops from 1993. They are hard and beginning to split in the centers.

I have seen many many Corvettes with the 235 in front and 245 in back. they are typically 71-71 and even earlier though.
My current 68 has 235 front, 245 rear. Last one had had 245 front, 275 (60) rears.

Wheel backspacing is critical for clearance. if you keel it 4" or less, you can go as large as my old car.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2011 | 06:24 AM
  #8  
dgood's Avatar
dgood
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 807
Likes: 2
From: VIRGINIA BEACH VIRGINIA
Default

I have 255 60r 15s in the rear and 2345 60r 15s in the front of my 79. No rubbing and I do have a fiberglass spring in the rear.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 23, 2011 | 10:57 AM
  #9  
crazyeight's Avatar
crazyeight
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Default

I have a '75 with 255/60-15's on all 4 wheels. The fronts rub when I cut the steering wheel all the way, say when I'm backing out of my garage. I pulled a rear tire recently and there were slight rub marks higher up on the fender well, so I'm guessing the rear rubs when the car bottoms out.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2011 | 11:14 AM
  #10  
7t9l82's Avatar
7t9l82
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,918
Likes: 837
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

my 79 with factory aluminum wheels run 255-60-15 on the front and 275-60-15 on the rear. no issues at all
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2011 | 02:22 PM
  #11  
dntoearthman's Avatar
dntoearthman
Racer
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 362
Likes: 10
From: nashville tn
Default

Originally Posted by 7t9l82
my 79 with factory aluminum wheels run 255-60-15 on the front and 275-60-15 on the rear. no issues at all
I'd like to see a pic of the rears, bet it fills up the rear nicely
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2011 | 02:35 PM
  #12  
Peeps9823's Avatar
Peeps9823
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Brighton Michigan
Default

I have a 74. Just put 225/70/15 BF Goodrich T/A's on stock rims...proper clearance....they look sweet! Not the best picture, but I'll try to get a couple others posted.

Last edited by Peeps9823; Jun 23, 2011 at 02:40 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2011 | 03:59 PM
  #13  
scottyp99's Avatar
scottyp99
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Default

The nice thing about the 255/60/15 tires is that they are about the same diameter (about 1/3rd of an inch shorter) as the 225/70/15 tires, so they fill up the fender opening properly, and there is very little speedometer inaccuracy. A 235/60/15 will have a smaller diameter than a 255/60/15. I'm not sure if it would be noticeable to the naked eye, but here are some numbers I got from a pretty cool calculator online.


http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...?action=submit


225/70/15 diameter:27.40 in

255/60/15 diameter:27.04 in % difference:1.32%

235/60/15 diameter:26.10 in % difference:4.75%


Scott
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2011 | 04:18 PM
  #14  
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

IMCO 245/60's (26.57") and 255/60's are about the two best sizes from which to choose for a 15x8 rim.
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2011 | 09:55 PM
  #15  
MotorHead's Avatar
MotorHead
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,667
Likes: 195
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Default

295's on stock '80 rims are a good fit too





Reply
Old Jun 24, 2011 | 05:38 AM
  #16  
PowdercoatBill's Avatar
PowdercoatBill
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Shelby Twp. Michigan
Default

I run a 255-60-15 in the front, 275-60-15 in the rear on stock 8in. rims on my 77. No issues!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Tire Size





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:23 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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
story-4
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE