Tires and wheels
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
Tires and wheels
I'm looking for more performance out of my tire and wheels.
I have 225/70/15 all a round.
The handling is less than not real good.
I know the tires I have now are old and that has a lot to do with it, but what is an optimal tire size for my 75?
I know it will never handle like my 98 did, but I think I'd be happy with what works best for a 75.
By the way I have a set of nice looking Winston Tires on the Vette.
I believe they were a west coast tire.
http://s1027.photobucket.com/albums/...0311182359.jpg
Ralph
I have 225/70/15 all a round.
The handling is less than not real good.
I know the tires I have now are old and that has a lot to do with it, but what is an optimal tire size for my 75?
I know it will never handle like my 98 did, but I think I'd be happy with what works best for a 75.
By the way I have a set of nice looking Winston Tires on the Vette.
I believe they were a west coast tire.
http://s1027.photobucket.com/albums/...0311182359.jpg
Ralph
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
I was thinking 17" my self.
I was hoping someone would say "I did this and it works well".
So TRW would that be, 255/60 /17 ? or just 17's in general?
MELWFF any particular brand of tire?
American Tire has the 255x60x15 for $123.00/tire
I was hoping someone would say "I did this and it works well".
So TRW would that be, 255/60 /17 ? or just 17's in general?
MELWFF any particular brand of tire?
American Tire has the 255x60x15 for $123.00/tire
Last edited by Ralphbf; Jul 4, 2011 at 09:38 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 3
From: d.d.o quebec
To get the same diameter as the original size you will need 245/45/17
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
I just put 235/60R15's (Firestone Indy 500) on my '74. I am very happy with them.
The origional tires were a GR70-15. In my opinion, the 235/60's are a closer match to that size than the 225/70's that the tire dealers give you.
I had the 255/60R15's a while back, and the car constantly "tramlined". Also the front tires rubbed the inner fenderwells in the front at full lock. (Only a problem, really, when you were parking it.)
The origional tires were a GR70-15. In my opinion, the 235/60's are a closer match to that size than the 225/70's that the tire dealers give you.
I had the 255/60R15's a while back, and the car constantly "tramlined". Also the front tires rubbed the inner fenderwells in the front at full lock. (Only a problem, really, when you were parking it.)
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
You will get more improvement for the buck in handing if you install some moderately sized sway bars on it, front and rear. On my small block '74, I am running a 1" bar (up from the stock 13/16") in front, and a 9/16" bar (from a '72 big block) in the rear, and the car is really nice to drive. You can put huge fat bars on it (what Carrol Smith calls the "solid axle conversion kit") and the car will corner like a gocart. But you will lose suspension compliance (very important on the #$%^ lousy streets here in NJ) and the car will feel very "busy" and nervous. Believe me. I learned the expensive way. I have 4 complete sets of sway bars in my shed.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
after reviewing all 5 pics
http://s1027.photobucket.com/albums/...0311182359.jpg
folkart murals + wire wheels = wide whitewalls
http://www.widewhitetires.com/Firestone670153InWW.jpg
http://s1027.photobucket.com/albums/...0311182359.jpg
folkart murals + wire wheels = wide whitewalls
http://www.widewhitetires.com/Firestone670153InWW.jpg
Last edited by jackson; Jul 5, 2011 at 12:42 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
The 1" front bars are available from a variety of vendors. In the past, I have used Addco or Vette Brakes & Products for the front bars. Also Zip and Mid America sell them. I prefer the Chevrolet brackets and rubber bushings for the frame mounts, and use poly only for the end links. IMO, that is a good compromise between handling and ride harshness, for a street car. If you are racing, go all polyurethane.
The 9/16" rear bar I found used, many years ago. I preferred finding and using the Chevrolet bar because the aftermarket bars generally use a different end link arrangement, one that seems to bind at the top and bottom of the suspension travel. If the engineers at GM thought it was important to make a special end link for the Corvette, I trust their judgement.
The 9/16" rear bar I found used, many years ago. I preferred finding and using the Chevrolet bar because the aftermarket bars generally use a different end link arrangement, one that seems to bind at the top and bottom of the suspension travel. If the engineers at GM thought it was important to make a special end link for the Corvette, I trust their judgement.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
Jackson I agree with you 100%.
The wide white walls would be perfect for the car in the pictures.
But I just couldn't keep it that way. Not my cup of tea.
I'm looking at some stock mags for the Vette or maybe some American Mags, the all chrome ones for it.
As far as paint goes I found a dark blue on a new Hyundai that I really like.
That and a set of chrome headers/side pipes and I should be set.
The wide white walls would be perfect for the car in the pictures.
But I just couldn't keep it that way. Not my cup of tea.
I'm looking at some stock mags for the Vette or maybe some American Mags, the all chrome ones for it.
As far as paint goes I found a dark blue on a new Hyundai that I really like.
That and a set of chrome headers/side pipes and I should be set.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
I was thinking about running bigger on the back too. I just like the look.
But then there is the tire rotation thing.
The BFG's are only rated to 112mph.
I should have a 140mph car. This could be an issue.
Anyone have 1st hand knowledge about the Avon tires?
But then there is the tire rotation thing.
The BFG's are only rated to 112mph.
I should have a 140mph car. This could be an issue.
Anyone have 1st hand knowledge about the Avon tires?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
How about the handling with these tires?
Looks are important but how about the handling?
Do most install larger sway bars to control body roll?
I finally put my 75 into some tight corners and I was disappointed.
I know I have old tires on it, it sat for 10 years.
I expected more, even from a tired Vette.
What will it take to make it handle like my 1990 Vette?
A set of sway bars $300.00
Tires $500.00
Rear spring $200.00
Is this what it's going to take to set things right?
I just need to know what I'm in for.
Thanks Guys
Ralph
Looks are important but how about the handling?
Do most install larger sway bars to control body roll?
I finally put my 75 into some tight corners and I was disappointed.
I know I have old tires on it, it sat for 10 years.
I expected more, even from a tired Vette.
What will it take to make it handle like my 1990 Vette?
A set of sway bars $300.00
Tires $500.00
Rear spring $200.00
Is this what it's going to take to set things right?
I just need to know what I'm in for.
Thanks Guys
Ralph
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
Im running 255-60-15.. im also 2.5 inches lower in the front and on 8 in bolts in teh reat with stock sways....
tires are a big diffference from my 235's.....im wanting to go with more sway bar nxt and a new rear spring...
here is a pic.. no rubbing i the front, looks close but nothing...
tires are a big diffference from my 235's.....im wanting to go with more sway bar nxt and a new rear spring...
here is a pic.. no rubbing i the front, looks close but nothing...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
If your tires are 10 years old, they are probably too old and hard and dry at this point. On my '74, I just changed my tires over to 235-60R15's, using Firestone Indy 500's (blackwalls out).
For general street use, I would try to find a 1" or 1 1/8" front bar and a 9/16 or 5/8 rear bar for that car. Try that for a while before you change out the spring. If you want to put in a fiberglass rear spring, try to get the softest - probably a 300 or 315 lb rate. Anything stiffer than that will require a very stiff shock to control it, and might severely change the handling balance of the car. You want a bit of controllable understeer, which you can balance with the throttle. Oversteer will put you into the woods, generally.
For general street use, I would try to find a 1" or 1 1/8" front bar and a 9/16 or 5/8 rear bar for that car. Try that for a while before you change out the spring. If you want to put in a fiberglass rear spring, try to get the softest - probably a 300 or 315 lb rate. Anything stiffer than that will require a very stiff shock to control it, and might severely change the handling balance of the car. You want a bit of controllable understeer, which you can balance with the throttle. Oversteer will put you into the woods, generally.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
Thanks for the input e
All I really know is the 75 doesn't handle worth beans now. Maybe part of the problem is I also drive a 1990 with new BFG's and it does handle very well, I just expect a lot more.
Have you looked at this thread?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...nse-check.html
Having owned a C5 and loved the way it handled this is apealing to me but $400.00 for wheel adapters is a little over the top, plus wheels plus tires, wow.
I don't want a race car ride but I want to hang corners from time to time. Well once a day any way.
I need to spend my money wisely and that means to have an idea of exactly what I'm getting and where I'm going.
I feel the wider the tire the better.
I'd like to get out of the 15" tire but the cost of rims is big. I've been looking around for used but not much so far.
Is a 15/16 front sway bar big enough? At +$150.00 a shot I just want to buy one.
How will the extra weight of bigger tires affect handleing?
I want to do something in the next 3 weeks.
Hopefully things will come to the surface between now and then.
Thanks everyone for your input, please keep it coming.
Ralph
All I really know is the 75 doesn't handle worth beans now. Maybe part of the problem is I also drive a 1990 with new BFG's and it does handle very well, I just expect a lot more.
Have you looked at this thread?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...nse-check.html
Having owned a C5 and loved the way it handled this is apealing to me but $400.00 for wheel adapters is a little over the top, plus wheels plus tires, wow.
I don't want a race car ride but I want to hang corners from time to time. Well once a day any way.
I need to spend my money wisely and that means to have an idea of exactly what I'm getting and where I'm going.
I feel the wider the tire the better.
I'd like to get out of the 15" tire but the cost of rims is big. I've been looking around for used but not much so far.
Is a 15/16 front sway bar big enough? At +$150.00 a shot I just want to buy one.
How will the extra weight of bigger tires affect handleing?
I want to do something in the next 3 weeks.
Hopefully things will come to the surface between now and then.
Thanks everyone for your input, please keep it coming.
Ralph