Tires and wheels
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 45
From: nassau co. new york
i did 4 things to take my car from,scary to drive,to a fun to drive vehicle.first i changed the rear strut bushings with poly.second i replaced the 10 year old t/a's with 225 70 15 michelin ltx tires.third i replaced the front sway bar bushings with rubber.last and very important was the home done 4 wheel alignment.good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
I run 245/60-15 T/A's and a FE-7 (GM original) 1-1/8" sway bar, originally an option on the '75. For the fiberglass rear spring, be careful of shock choice, you'll need more damping especially in rebound.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
What? No rear sway bar?
I'm learning more everyday.
I just *** U ME D
Corvette = Sway Bars
I do have a front one. I havent measured it yet.
And the wheels on the bus go round and round.
Ralph
I'm learning more everyday.
I just *** U ME D
Corvette = Sway Bars
I do have a front one. I havent measured it yet.
And the wheels on the bus go round and round.
Ralph
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 394
Likes: 1
From: Everywhere US
BFG TAs are probably your best bet for tires ... have run them on my older vettes for years ... and loved em ... good wear ... good ride, etc ... and you should be able to stay within your budget ... ((i've always used Discount Tire))
Getting your C3 to ride like your C5 .... forget about it ... totally two very different animals ... suspension wise and every other wise ... We currently have both .. C3 and C5 ... our C3 is our hotrod ... we've got good shocks and springs, great tires and wheels and just did all the suspension work. It's still a C3 ,,, different time and place ....
The C5 tho still very sporty, a whole more comfortable ride ... wider stance .. so much more stable ... love the improvements is ride and handling ...... don't think we'll ever get there with the C3, unless of course we set our C3 body on a C5/C6 chasic ....
\
hope this helps a bit .... and good luck with your improvements ...
Getting your C3 to ride like your C5 .... forget about it ... totally two very different animals ... suspension wise and every other wise ... We currently have both .. C3 and C5 ... our C3 is our hotrod ... we've got good shocks and springs, great tires and wheels and just did all the suspension work. It's still a C3 ,,, different time and place ....
The C5 tho still very sporty, a whole more comfortable ride ... wider stance .. so much more stable ... love the improvements is ride and handling ...... don't think we'll ever get there with the C3, unless of course we set our C3 body on a C5/C6 chasic ....
\
hope this helps a bit .... and good luck with your improvements ...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Vastly oversimplified, it depends on overall chassis setup (springs, weights, geometry...) as to whether rear bar is actually needed. No rear bar on many a well sorted C3, mine included. Only add as much (if any) rear bar as required to finish tuning understeer/oversteer balance; keeping in mind things aren't always the same at the true limits as they appear from a few 10ths away. Just some additional food for thought...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
After much research and prayer I went with 255/45/17's.
Had to re-route the E-brake cables and turn the clips that holds the wheel end of the brake hoses.
That's a tight fit. Maybe 18" wheels would of been a better fit but these work out pretty well.
I'm going to cut the front springs 1 3/4" and install a new rear leaf spring.
This should give me a nose down appearance and eliminate the space around the front wheel. The new tires are only one inch shorter.
The back tires look pretty good for spacing, but like I said the nose needs to come down to look right. (To me anyway)
Thanks for all the support.
Next stop the paint shop
Ralph
Had to re-route the E-brake cables and turn the clips that holds the wheel end of the brake hoses.
That's a tight fit. Maybe 18" wheels would of been a better fit but these work out pretty well.
I'm going to cut the front springs 1 3/4" and install a new rear leaf spring.
This should give me a nose down appearance and eliminate the space around the front wheel. The new tires are only one inch shorter.
The back tires look pretty good for spacing, but like I said the nose needs to come down to look right. (To me anyway)
Thanks for all the support.
Next stop the paint shop
Ralph
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
I just put 235/60R15's (Firestone Indy 500) on my '74. I am very happy with them.
.So if you run 235/60s, realize the gap around the tire in the wheel will be bigger and the car will set lower to the ground.
If thats OK with you then its cut a dry.
But 235/60s belong on a Vega.
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