Tires
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
We need a sticky link on this forum to document all of the LARGER wheel/tire combo's and the changes needed (or not) to accommodate.
You may want to do a search on wheel compatibility. I've seen a number of 17"-18" wheel combo's mentioned. But, they have not exceeded 295 (in my recollection) without a change to offset trailing arms or fender flares.
You may want to do a search on wheel compatibility. I've seen a number of 17"-18" wheel combo's mentioned. But, they have not exceeded 295 (in my recollection) without a change to offset trailing arms or fender flares.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 254
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Bay Florida
IMHO - 335 is really pushing the limits for a C3 particularly w/stock trailing arms and fenders. Definitely exceeds limit for 8" wheel width. I personally wouldn't try w/o some radical body surgery. If you manage to pull this off, I'd like to see the finished product.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 650
Likes: 1
dragnasty,
The only way that's happening under a stock configured rear of a C3 is with flares. You should search for forum member Bee Jay. He has an amazing and fearless pursuit for the lightest street driven C3 in history as well as the widest tires that I know of under a stock rear C3 configuration. He's cut and re-welded the rear area of his frame to fit these tires under there. They look great. I *think* they are 295's. He'll chime in hopefully, but he has numerous interesting posts here on the forum. Search his user id.
The only way that's happening under a stock configured rear of a C3 is with flares. You should search for forum member Bee Jay. He has an amazing and fearless pursuit for the lightest street driven C3 in history as well as the widest tires that I know of under a stock rear C3 configuration. He's cut and re-welded the rear area of his frame to fit these tires under there. They look great. I *think* they are 295's. He'll chime in hopefully, but he has numerous interesting posts here on the forum. Search his user id.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
335's just ain't going to happen without flares or extensive frame and wheel well mods. Stuffing 295's in stock wheel wells will requre modding the frame above the TA pockets to gain adequate sidewall clearance, as has been done by Bee Jay and others. 285's don't often seem to pose a problem as long as wheel fitment is worked out.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
For a 1980 Corvette the best tires on a Stock rim are either 225 70 R 15 or 255 60 R 15
If you choose to go with 16 inch rims then 255/50-16
For 17 inch rims 245/55-17 or
if you want your car to look like pimp mobile with 18 inch rims 235/50-18 and 19 inch rims 245/45-19
All these tires keep the aspect ratio of the original 15 inch rally and aluminum wheels and you do not have to change the speedometer ratio and it will reflect the actual speed of the car.
I used to install and sell tires for a living oh about 23 years ago and you should not go beyond the 8 inch rim wide size or you will need to install an offset wheel
Personally I would not go beyond a 16 inch rim on a Corvette because I think everything beyond this size rim will need me to wear a Fur Coat and a Pimp Hat
LMAO just kidding dudes if you think it looks cool than each to their own taste 
If you choose to go with 16 inch rims then 255/50-16
For 17 inch rims 245/55-17 or
if you want your car to look like pimp mobile with 18 inch rims 235/50-18 and 19 inch rims 245/45-19
All these tires keep the aspect ratio of the original 15 inch rally and aluminum wheels and you do not have to change the speedometer ratio and it will reflect the actual speed of the car.
I used to install and sell tires for a living oh about 23 years ago and you should not go beyond the 8 inch rim wide size or you will need to install an offset wheel
Personally I would not go beyond a 16 inch rim on a Corvette because I think everything beyond this size rim will need me to wear a Fur Coat and a Pimp Hat
LMAO just kidding dudes if you think it looks cool than each to their own taste
Last edited by MakoJoe; Jan 4, 2014 at 11:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
For a 1980 Corvette the best tires on a Stock rim are either 225 70 R 15 or 255 60 R 15
If you choose to go with 16 inch rims then 255/50-16
For 17 inch rims 245/55-17 or
if you want your car to look like pimp mobile with 18 inch rims 235/50-18 and 19 inch rims 245/45-19
All these tires keep the aspect ratio of the original 15 inch rally and aluminum wheels and you do not have to change the speedometer ratio and it will reflect the actual speed of the car.
I used to install and sell tires for a living oh about 23 years ago and you should not go beyond the 8 inch rim wide size or you will need to install an offset wheel
Personally I would not go beyond a 16 inch rim on a Corvette because I think everything beyond this size rim will need me to wear a Fur Coat and a Pimp Hat LMAO just kidding dudes if you think it looks cool than each to their own taste
If you choose to go with 16 inch rims then 255/50-16
For 17 inch rims 245/55-17 or
if you want your car to look like pimp mobile with 18 inch rims 235/50-18 and 19 inch rims 245/45-19
All these tires keep the aspect ratio of the original 15 inch rally and aluminum wheels and you do not have to change the speedometer ratio and it will reflect the actual speed of the car.
I used to install and sell tires for a living oh about 23 years ago and you should not go beyond the 8 inch rim wide size or you will need to install an offset wheel
Personally I would not go beyond a 16 inch rim on a Corvette because I think everything beyond this size rim will need me to wear a Fur Coat and a Pimp Hat
LMAO just kidding dudes if you think it looks cool than each to their own taste [IMG]
[/IMG] Unless your are interested in looks only, I would stay away from super wide 15 inch tires (Generally there are NO 15 inch performance tires sold for C3's) that are just standard passenger car tires with raised white letters like the BFG T/A's, Firestones, etc with S/T speed ratings. A super wide 295/50/15 S/T rated tire, for example, might offer better straight line traction than a narrower 17/18 Ultra High performance tire (although I highly doubt it!) due to its larger road contact patch BUT the rubber used on these types of tires is MUCH harder than a Z rated tire. The other problem with a super wide zero performance tire is that the tire actually has MORE sidewall than say a 255/60/15 which will flex like mad under steady state driving and deflect drastically under hard corner adversely effecting the ride, steering, and handling. Most of the time a less wide, lower profile ultra high performance tire will smoke a wider, higher side profile zero performance tire.
Hope that helps!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
285s seems to be the limit to the wheel wells, and that's pushing it. I wouldn't do anything else without flares. Have seen some pictures with the tires way outside the well and just doesn't look right.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
Ehh... rear shot looks nice, but side is sticking out a fair amount. ..and not sure if it is ride height, or profile of the tire, or both, but wheel gap is too much for my liking.
For others, this is not recommended - 275/60/15s are pushing it on an 8" wheel as far as side wall flex is concerned. You are going to highly diminish the cars handling. I think a 255 is the preferred for an 8". Now we don't all abide by "manufacturer recommendations" I understand, but again I wouldn't push it more then the 275.
For others, this is not recommended - 275/60/15s are pushing it on an 8" wheel as far as side wall flex is concerned. You are going to highly diminish the cars handling. I think a 255 is the preferred for an 8". Now we don't all abide by "manufacturer recommendations" I understand, but again I wouldn't push it more then the 275.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Yes, and I'll go further to submit that those with 295's within stock wheel wells (w/unaltered frame) most likely do NOT have adequate sidewall clearnace to the frame, as just because the tires may not touch anything when sitting static doesn't mean they won't when distorted by high lateral loads.
This observation comes after having knocked a temporary data sensor off more than once before figuring out that the sidewalls were indeed flexing considerably more than had been allowed for. Of course, the taller the sidewall the more of a problem this can present.
In any event, I'd keep a very close eye on this, and definitely smooth off anything near the entire circumference of the tire that might possibly come into contact under heavy cornering (whether you race or not).
As for 295's on 8" rims...
Despite what the TRA charts may indicate as possible, just because you can mount them doesn't mean you should do so. Those "specs" are for establishing industry standards from which to determine universally accepted advertised section widths, NOT to recommend optimal fitments. I strongly suggest that 295/50/15's ought best be mounted on 9.5" to 10.5" wide rims to avoid excessive sidewall instability.
This observation comes after having knocked a temporary data sensor off more than once before figuring out that the sidewalls were indeed flexing considerably more than had been allowed for. Of course, the taller the sidewall the more of a problem this can present.
In any event, I'd keep a very close eye on this, and definitely smooth off anything near the entire circumference of the tire that might possibly come into contact under heavy cornering (whether you race or not).
As for 295's on 8" rims...
Despite what the TRA charts may indicate as possible, just because you can mount them doesn't mean you should do so. Those "specs" are for establishing industry standards from which to determine universally accepted advertised section widths, NOT to recommend optimal fitments. I strongly suggest that 295/50/15's ought best be mounted on 9.5" to 10.5" wide rims to avoid excessive sidewall instability.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Jan 5, 2014 at 02:38 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
I have RWL P255-60R15's all around. Just replaced the rear tires last summer with Mastercraft Avenger G/T tires (a Cooper brand). S or T rated if I recall correctly.
When it is time to replace the front tires (last pair of Goodyear Eagle GT II's I could find at a Goodyear store back in 2005... yes, I know, they are too old even now), I will probably replace with a set of 17" TT II's with the gray spokes and a good domestic tire.
When it is time to replace the front tires (last pair of Goodyear Eagle GT II's I could find at a Goodyear store back in 2005... yes, I know, they are too old even now), I will probably replace with a set of 17" TT II's with the gray spokes and a good domestic tire.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
Yes, and I'll go further to submit that those with 295's within stock wheel wells (w/unaltered frame) most likely do NOT have adequate sidewall clearnace to the frame, as just because the tires may not touch anything when sitting static doesn't mean they won't when distorted by high lateral loads.
This observation comes after having knocked a temporary data sensor off more than once before figuring out that the sidewalls were indeed flexing considerably more than had been allowed for. Of course, the taller the sidewall the more of a problem this can present.
In any event, I'd keep a very close eye on this, and definitely smooth off anything near the entire circumference of the tire that might possibly come into contact under heavy cornering (whether you race or not).
As for 295's on 8" rims...
Despite what the TRA charts may indicate as possible, just because you can mount them doesn't mean you should do so. Those "specs" are for establishing industry standards from which to determine universally accepted advertised section widths, NOT to recommend optimal fitments. I strongly suggest that 295/50/15's ought best be mounted on 9.5" to 10.5" wide rims to avoid excessive sidewall instability.
This observation comes after having knocked a temporary data sensor off more than once before figuring out that the sidewalls were indeed flexing considerably more than had been allowed for. Of course, the taller the sidewall the more of a problem this can present.
In any event, I'd keep a very close eye on this, and definitely smooth off anything near the entire circumference of the tire that might possibly come into contact under heavy cornering (whether you race or not).
As for 295's on 8" rims...
Despite what the TRA charts may indicate as possible, just because you can mount them doesn't mean you should do so. Those "specs" are for establishing industry standards from which to determine universally accepted advertised section widths, NOT to recommend optimal fitments. I strongly suggest that 295/50/15's ought best be mounted on 9.5" to 10.5" wide rims to avoid excessive sidewall instability.
If your done showing off what your claiming as knowledge you might want to ask how the tires and rims have worked for me or several others who run this combination.
And based on your reply if a bet could be made as to why you had re-occurring issues , my money would lead the pack with you not inflating the tires correctly
