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Maximum Tire diameter for 1979 corvette?

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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 11:41 AM
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Default Maximum Tire diameter for 1979 corvette?

Im looking at putting street slicks on my 79 corvette. I have weld prostar 15" wheels with a 3.5" back spacing. I currently have 26.1" diameter tires and they seem to have room on each side but I dont know how close they get when I take off. I was wondering if anyone new how large of a diameter you could put on this body style without cutting or rubbing anything.
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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 12:34 PM
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The rear spring stiffness and whether you have smart struts has allot to do with it.

When I first started drag racing I was using 15X9 and then 15X10 rear wheels with 4.5 BS. I used 26X9 and 10 inch Goodyear and hoosier slicks. I later went to 28X10 goodyears

The problem is after a line lock burn out and higher stall converters like 4000 rpm is the rear really squats. I tried a 420# mono spring and VB&P Smart Struts. It was marginal so I went to a custom steel rear spring probably more than 500# You also need Aluminum disk differential cross member locators................... and a ton of money in the rear rotating parts. I only had a 11.70 Vette when I gave up on the whole Craftsman ET bracket series.
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