Tire Size
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,551
Likes: 0
From: No link, No dupe
Re: Tire Size (Kenwood_71)
First, I would make sure your front suspension is not worn out. I had the stock size tires, P225 70R15, that never rubbed. I recently upgraded to a set of Firestone Firehawks SS20, size P255 60R15. On the driver side, the front tire rubbed with a hard left turn. I know that some C3 vettes came with this size from the factory, so I figured the wider tires were not the problem. Turns out that my front suspension was worn, and had enough play in it to cause it to rub. P255 60R15 is as wide as you can go in the front, and even then it is very tight. So, any play can cause rubbing.
So, if you have a smaller size, P245 60R15, that is rubbing, check the suspension first. I think you should keep as wide a tire as possible, especially if you plan to add more power later.
So, if you have a smaller size, P245 60R15, that is rubbing, check the suspension first. I think you should keep as wide a tire as possible, especially if you plan to add more power later.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Dyersburg TN
Re: Tire Size (shotgun_000)
kenwood71 , just read an old mag article about what size tires will fit on c3 , they were using a 71 in the story. I'll relook at the article and send you the info - by tuesday. Todd
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
Re: Tire Size (Kenwood_71)
I'm using 235s up front and 255s in the rear and have been for years. No rubs, no scrapes and the what you see in the picture is the look you get with that size. The tires are BFG Radial T/As in a 15" wheel size 60 series mounted on Western Wheels.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Rapids Iowa
Re: Tire Size (shotgun_000)
Like Shotgun said some vettes like my 79 came from the factory with 255/60/15 on all fours. I never had any problems with rubbing with them even at autocross events. I am now running 255/50/17 and they also have no rubbing issues. My 2 cents.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Dyersburg TN
Re: Tire Size (LT1driver)
kenwood 71, it was vette july 2000, pg 74. "A 255/60 -15 tire mounted on a stock wheel , will fit on the front of a 68 -82 Corvette w/o hitting" on the rear "255 cross section tires will usually fit with no problems. The extra width of the 275 cross section is just enough to put the welfare and structural integrity of th tire's inside sidewall at risk". The article goes on to show how to move the parking brake mounting bracket. October of this year vette mag is promising part two of this experiment using non stock wheel sizes (17" , 18")
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Tire Size (Kenwood_71)
My suspension is basically stock and much of it is original (I've only replaced the shocks and the rear spring & strut rods).
I've had 245/60-15s for about 7 years now with no problems at all.
I've had 245/60-15s for about 7 years now with no problems at all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 3
From: far, far away
Re: Tire Size (Kenwood_71)
Exactly what Shotgun said. I was getting a minor rub on the d.side at full-lock left turn, where the sidewall was polishing up a bolt head that protrudes slightly from the frame behind the suspension. It wasn't hurting the tire, and I never worried about it. Was running 255/60-15 BFG T/A's. Also had old, tired springs. Now that I've replaced the springs and shocks, no more rubbing; so that bolt head is starting to rust... :rolleyes: Just recently changed tires, to Pirelli Scorpion Zero, same 255/60-15 size. No rubbing. :seeya
