Tire Size!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 6
From: Mishref Kuwait
Tire Size!!
Hi Guys,
Years ago I bought a set of billet wheels for my 71 Vette, 17x8 (front) and 17x10 (rear). I've seen most of the threads, but no one talks about 17x10 on the rear. Well, I have already fitted the the rear wheels on the car. The rear tires are 275/40-ZR17 and the fronts are 245/40-ZR17. The problem is that the car looks like a lifted SUV!!!
it is that ugly....
I'm looking to lower the car of course, but any suggestion on the tire size to fill out the wheel wells all around?
Thanks
Fahad
Years ago I bought a set of billet wheels for my 71 Vette, 17x8 (front) and 17x10 (rear). I've seen most of the threads, but no one talks about 17x10 on the rear. Well, I have already fitted the the rear wheels on the car. The rear tires are 275/40-ZR17 and the fronts are 245/40-ZR17. The problem is that the car looks like a lifted SUV!!!
it is that ugly....I'm looking to lower the car of course, but any suggestion on the tire size to fill out the wheel wells all around?
Thanks
Fahad
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Stock sized factory 15" tire's are about 27" O.D, and yours are a bit smaller, hence the described look. Pretty easy checking specs on the Tire Rack site, and will actually picture your car with different wheel/tire packages. If you haven't already, good thing to check out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Well, strictly from the math point of view, a 275/45ZR17 should come in at a nice ~26.74" diameter, but you'd have to step the 245 up to a /50ZR17 to get that width tire up to ~26.65".
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,893
Likes: 3,326
From: NYC NY
What's the backspace on the wheels? As stated above you're trying to get to a 27" tall tire front and rear. A 245/50-17 in the front would get you there and a 245/45-17 wouldn't be too bad. The problem is there isn't a rear tire size that is available that will work with the front and fit the 10" wheel in the rear. A 255/50-17 is the perfect height but the largest recommended wheel with is 9". A 275/50-17 will be taller than 27" but I doubt you have room for anything that big back there. I think you're best bet is a 245/45 in the front with the 275/40 in the rear and lower away till you get the look you're after.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 6
From: Mishref Kuwait
I have chacked all stores, 275/45-17 are nowhere available! Even the 285/45-17 are niether available. Now I realize that going with 17" wheels on a C3 was a mistake. It should've been 18"+ wheel size.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 32
From: Damascus MD
I have been looking in to this myself. I am leaning towards 235 55 17 on my 70 corvette. They are 27.2" tall.
I am trying to make sure they will fit since they are slightly taller.
They should fill the wheel wells nicely if they fit.
225 55 17 tires wil fit and they are a bit wider than original and 26.8" tall.
Originals were 26.97" tall or about 27" as has been stated.
Make sure the vette at stock height too. I have seen many with other than stock suspension components and they sit too high.
Hope somebody chimes in on tire sizes fitment.
Bill
I am trying to make sure they will fit since they are slightly taller.
They should fill the wheel wells nicely if they fit.
225 55 17 tires wil fit and they are a bit wider than original and 26.8" tall.
Originals were 26.97" tall or about 27" as has been stated.
Make sure the vette at stock height too. I have seen many with other than stock suspension components and they sit too high.
Hope somebody chimes in on tire sizes fitment.
Bill
Last edited by 1974ta; Aug 24, 2011 at 11:28 PM. Reason: clarification
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,672
Likes: 199
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
This is where a tire size calculator comes in handy. To get the correct combination these days many are going with different wheel sizes front and back. They even change the sidewall dimension.
For example I have 285/18/40's on the back. The tire height is 27 in and also something that is important and often overlooked and what I mentioned above is the tire sidewall or profile if you like. My sidewall is 4.5" that means 4.5" from the rim to the edge of the tire.
On the front I went with 255/45/17's which are 26in high. I am old school and like the rake look. Now these tire being completely different size still maintain a 4.5" side wall so from the side it is almost impossible to realize they are different from the back
For example I have 285/18/40's on the back. The tire height is 27 in and also something that is important and often overlooked and what I mentioned above is the tire sidewall or profile if you like. My sidewall is 4.5" that means 4.5" from the rim to the edge of the tire.
On the front I went with 255/45/17's which are 26in high. I am old school and like the rake look. Now these tire being completely different size still maintain a 4.5" side wall so from the side it is almost impossible to realize they are different from the back
Last edited by MotorHead; Aug 25, 2011 at 08:31 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 6
From: Mishref Kuwait
So I took out the monoleaf spring on the back, removed the rubber piece that was stuck on top of it with epoxy, reinforced it with the center nut. this gave me a 1" margin of the mono leaf.
Then I went and bought the 8" bolts that hold the monoleaf on the sides. I droped the car on the ground, but I don't see much difference!! I might have lowered the car by 1" after all that!!
but it looks a bit better though......
I'll take pictures when I finish cutting the front springs and put everything together.
Thanks guys
Then I went and bought the 8" bolts that hold the monoleaf on the sides. I droped the car on the ground, but I don't see much difference!! I might have lowered the car by 1" after all that!!
but it looks a bit better though......
I'll take pictures when I finish cutting the front springs and put everything together.
Thanks guys
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
I got 18's on all 4's with the stock 27" diameter similar to Motorhead's. I lowered my rear and front to get the level where I wanted in order to close the wheel well gap. I would like to go a little lower on the back, but my stock composite spring is out of flex, so a new stiffer spring is in my future.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
So I took out the monoleaf spring on the back, removed the rubber piece that was stuck on top of it with epoxy, reinforced it with the center nut. this gave me a 1" margin of the mono leaf.
Then I went and bought the 8" bolts that hold the monoleaf on the sides. I droped the car on the ground, but I don't see much difference!! I might have lowered the car by 1" after all that!!...
Thanks guys
Then I went and bought the 8" bolts that hold the monoleaf on the sides. I droped the car on the ground, but I don't see much difference!! I might have lowered the car by 1" after all that!!...
Thanks guys
You might want to check with the spring manufacturer on that. While removing it will have the desired effect of lowering the rear, it's my understanding that the spacer is really there to insulate the spring from differential heat. Theoretically exposing it to the heat from the differential over time can cause premature deterioration of the spring.
Having said that, I did as you did and removed the spacer/insulator from my spring but I replaced it with a 1/4" piece of phenolic material that has extremely high insulating properties, to insulate the spring from differential heat. In the end, I only gained about 3/4", but with 15" wheels, the spring gets too close to the tire sidewall with anything close to 8" bolts.
http://www.sdplastics.com/phenolic.html
Small pieces of this material are very inexpensive and have a myriad of uses. Handy stuff to have around.
Good luck... GUSTO
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
I went 265/40/18 front and 285/40/18 rear. I just put all new suspension and steering up front and I am starting on the rear now. I like Motorhead's lower than stock but still can drive it up the driveway stance. I am shooting for something close to that, maybe just a hair lower.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
I went 265/40/18 front and 285/40/18 rear. I just put all new suspension and steering up front and I am starting on the rear now. I like Motorhead's lower than stock but still can drive it up the driveway stance. I am shooting for something close to that, maybe just a hair lower.
I thought 255's on the front were marginal
How did you get 285's on the back.
I've been researching for a month and this is the biggest so far.
Ralph
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
PS: Not all cars are the same. I got lucky.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
Believe it or not, the 265's fit on the front of the 75 without any clearance problems. I am installing new VB&P offset trailing arms on the rear, but I installed the same size tires and wheels on my 80 with only moving the parking brake cable brackets.
PS: Not all cars are the same. I got lucky.
PS: Not all cars are the same. I got lucky.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 115
Likes: 6
From: Mishref Kuwait
Update!
Gusto,
Thanks for the advice, I'll work on that.
So, I cut the front springs..... The car looks perfect....... on the right side that is!! The left side is low
. I checked both springs, before and after cutting them. Now I remember!!! The guy from whom I bought the car actually told me that he replace the front right spring, but I forgot about it .
I'm not going to order those from the U.S., I'm gona use whatever is available here in Kuwait, but I need to know spring OD. If anyone know, please share the info.
Pictures coming soon.
Thanks
Thanks for the advice, I'll work on that.
So, I cut the front springs..... The car looks perfect....... on the right side that is!! The left side is low
. I checked both springs, before and after cutting them. Now I remember!!! The guy from whom I bought the car actually told me that he replace the front right spring, but I forgot about it .I'm not going to order those from the U.S., I'm gona use whatever is available here in Kuwait, but I need to know spring OD. If anyone know, please share the info.
Pictures coming soon.
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
" So, I cut the front springs..... The car looks perfect....... on the right side that is!! The left side is low . I checked both springs, before and after cutting them. Now I remember!!! The guy from whom I bought the car actually told me that he replace the front right spring, but I forgot about it"
Sorry but I had to laugh, Something like this happened to someone else?
How could that be?
So what does the other side look like?
How much did you cut? They do make spacers for coil springs.
Ralph
Sorry but I had to laugh, Something like this happened to someone else?
How could that be?
So what does the other side look like?
How much did you cut? They do make spacers for coil springs.
Ralph