Largest Wheels On A C3
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8
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Largest Wheels On A C3
Hey Im looking to find the largest wheel I could fit on my c3 without major modifications other than relocating the emergency bracket. I want to put on a set of 17. I saw an add that someone put 265/50/15 on the front and 295/50/15 on the rear with a 9.5" rim, is 295 the largest diameter I could go on the rear without rubbing? I want the widest tire I could get and the tallest without any problems. The same goes with the front but I'm not as picky in the front I just don't want any problems when I'm turning. Also what kind of backspace would I need if I went larger than a 9.5" wheel?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Sorry, but you're not likely to successfully fit 295's out back without either modding the frame above the TA pocket or adding flares. Max rear tire w/o any such mods appears to be 285/40x18s on 9.5 or 10" wheels with 5 to 5.5" BS. Not sure if 17s with that much BS will work with non-offset TAs. In any event, 295's really need to be on at least 10" rims, whatever acceptable fitment info you've seen.
Up front, AFAIK you should be able to increase BS to 4.5" with 17s, but you may have to limit steering at full lock depending on tire section and diameter. I'm uncertain as to whether you could get away with 5" front BS by stepping up to 18s, but other than steering lock limitations you'd need to verify they clear the upper CAs and outer tie-rod ends. IIRC, largest fronts I've seen without flares have been 285/35x18s, but can't recall the exact width and BS info just now.
Plenty of CF'ers have fitted non-stock wheel/tire combos, so I'm sure you'll get plenty more info. In the mean time, HTH.
Up front, AFAIK you should be able to increase BS to 4.5" with 17s, but you may have to limit steering at full lock depending on tire section and diameter. I'm uncertain as to whether you could get away with 5" front BS by stepping up to 18s, but other than steering lock limitations you'd need to verify they clear the upper CAs and outer tie-rod ends. IIRC, largest fronts I've seen without flares have been 285/35x18s, but can't recall the exact width and BS info just now.
Plenty of CF'ers have fitted non-stock wheel/tire combos, so I'm sure you'll get plenty more info. In the mean time, HTH.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,842
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From: Orrtanna Pa.
These are 295 55 15 MT drag radials. In the past I also ran 295 50 15 street tires, but I felt they looked a little too short. I do have offset T-arms, so that may be something you will have to do.
The wheels are Weld Draglites, 15x9, with a 5 1/2 inch bs. I used VB&P 1 1/4 inch wheel adaptors to get clearance past the brake calipers, and to center the rim close to stock. (4 1/4 inch, where stock is 4 inch) I had to have the adaptors machined a little to allow the mounting bolts to recess below the wheel mounting surface, but other than that,...it's a bolt on deal.
One other note. I am running 550 lb front coils, and the VB&P 360 glass rear spring with 8 inch spring bolts. Been like this for 15 years or more, never have had any clearance issues, even though the car sits lower than stock by an inch.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 955
Likes: 50
From: Jersey Shore
If you are going to use 17's up front an 8 or 8.5" wide wheel is going to be your max width before the rim hits the steering arm. Most 18" wheels will clear the arm and then you can get a 9.5 or 10" wide rim up front.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2014
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I came across a website that looks like it was made back in the 80s. www.corvettefaq.com/c3/MoreBite.pdf. ......... at the end it says that they fit 295s on a 9.5" rim with moving the ebrake bracket and original trailing arms, do you think this could work or would the tire be sticking past the fender or rubbing problems?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,910
Likes: 450
From: Central NJ
These are 295 55 15 MT drag radials. In the past I also ran 295 50 15 street tires, but I felt they looked a little too short. I do have offset T-arms, so that may be something you will have to do.
The wheels are Weld Draglites, 15x9, with a 5 1/2 inch bs. I used VB&P 1 1/4 inch wheel adaptors to get clearance past the brake calipers, and to center the rim close to stock. (4 1/4 inch, where stock is 4 inch) I had to have the adaptors machined a little to allow the mounting bolts to recess below the wheel mounting surface, but other than that,...it's a bolt on deal.
One other note. I am running 550 lb front coils, and the VB&P 360 glass rear spring with 8 inch spring bolts. Been like this for 15 years or more, never have had any clearance issues, even though the car sits lower than stock by an inch.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
295's are about .8 inches wider than 275's, do what u want but I would not put those on a 9.5" rim, 10" sure. With 3/8" clearing the trailing arm on mine now, 295's would rub. 285's would leave me with 1/8" clearance using this same brand of tire (Nitto). Unless you can find a wheel with less backspace than 5"...have mr wheel deal give u a quote when u get ready.
