Corvette Elders Please Advise
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: MA
Corvette Elders Please Advise
Gentlemen, I need your input. What is the largest outer diameter REAR tire that I can fit on my 1980 C3 ? I'd like to go with a retro drag car look with an 18" wheel in back but am not a fan of the tiny sidewall look currently popular. I have 255 50R17 tires with Coy's old school mags up front with aprox 5 or 5 1/2" sidewalls which works for the car that I want build. Coy's has an 18" x9 1/2 " that would match the fronts.
To keep that much side wall on an 18" rim out back I'm coming up with An M/T street tire with an aprox O.D. of 29.9" ! M/T say's an 18x9 1/2 " rim will go with that tire.
Anyone that races or pro-streets it ever try that large of an o.d. tire outback ? If so , am I looking at frame modes and tubs ?
I value your experienced opinions which have kept this wrecked "donor car" rescue on track to be a reliable driver with a modified rod styling.
Best.
Robert
To keep that much side wall on an 18" rim out back I'm coming up with An M/T street tire with an aprox O.D. of 29.9" ! M/T say's an 18x9 1/2 " rim will go with that tire.
Anyone that races or pro-streets it ever try that large of an o.d. tire outback ? If so , am I looking at frame modes and tubs ?
I value your experienced opinions which have kept this wrecked "donor car" rescue on track to be a reliable driver with a modified rod styling.
Best.
Robert
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 451
From: Central NJ
IMO a 30" tire is too big only because it will most likely be too wide.
I mounted a 30 MT drag radial out back and it does "fit" my car circumference-wise.
What rear do you have? is it a solid axle?
I have a 29" tall drag radial out back of my '78 on 18" rims.
I have a solid axle and I clearanced my frame so they tucked it correctly.
You need to have this though....
I mounted a 30 MT drag radial out back and it does "fit" my car circumference-wise.
What rear do you have? is it a solid axle?
I have a 29" tall drag radial out back of my '78 on 18" rims.
I have a solid axle and I clearanced my frame so they tucked it correctly.
You need to have this though....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: MA
Thank you, TEKTRANS
TEKTRANS appreciate your input. Your car is an absolute KILLER ! I have the stock 1980 rear supension -posi-with 4:10's. Budget constraints and lack of experience at this point will keep me from doing frame /axel mods. If you don't mind me asking, What did all of you mods. cost to acheive your Drag tire fitment ?
I'm not bad at body work and could do flares myself to fit a bigger tire but as you know , when the flares are too large, they do change the lines of the C3. I have more thinking to do for sure.
Thank you again.
Robert
I'm not bad at body work and could do flares myself to fit a bigger tire but as you know , when the flares are too large, they do change the lines of the C3. I have more thinking to do for sure.
Thank you again.
Robert
IMO a 30" tire is too big only because it will most likely be too wide.
I mounted a 30 MT drag radial out back and it does "fit" my car circumference-wise.
What rear do you have? is it a solid axle?
I have a 29" tall drag radial out back of my '78 on 18" rims.
I have a solid axle and I clearanced my frame so they tucked it correctly.
You need to have this though....
I mounted a 30 MT drag radial out back and it does "fit" my car circumference-wise.
What rear do you have? is it a solid axle?
I have a 29" tall drag radial out back of my '78 on 18" rims.
I have a solid axle and I clearanced my frame so they tucked it correctly.
You need to have this though....
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 451
From: Central NJ
Thank you.
The rear and 4 link kit from Autofab Racecars cost just about 5K-that includes shocks brakes and brackets welded on the rear and assembled. The install I did myself with my buddy doing the final welding (I can weld but I'm not ready to weld anything majorly structural just yet).
Good luck with your build-keep us posted.
The rear and 4 link kit from Autofab Racecars cost just about 5K-that includes shocks brakes and brackets welded on the rear and assembled. The install I did myself with my buddy doing the final welding (I can weld but I'm not ready to weld anything majorly structural just yet).
Good luck with your build-keep us posted.
