to flare the read fenders about an inch? I don't see how I can fit anything larger than 8" under the fenders. I' like the room to go to 8 1/2-9"

 

Can't tell you what it would cost, but probably the easiest way to do this is to buy "flared" rear quarter panels from one of the many aftermarket fiberglass suppliers. Then, you've got the cost of removal of the old panels, the placement of the new panels, and painting. Chuck

 

You can fit a 9.5in wheel under the stock fender with the correct backspacing and without offset trailing arms.

My memory is a little fuzzy on this, but if you go with a 5" backspacing you might have to use a 3/4in spacer to clear the trailing arm. No matter what larger wheel you put on there, you will have to mod the ebrake bracket on the passenger side. This can be done by either filing it down or relocating it to the top (I think the top). You will also have to install longer wheel studs for any wheel over 8". On a 9.5in wheel people typically put a 275 tire.

If you're going for extra meat underneath then I would not buy fender flares just for that purpose. Without any extra engine work, a 275 tire is overkill on a stock C3. It would have done the job for my ~325rwhp '81 as well. If you're doing the fender flares for looks, then you can go as wide as you want to by buying a different backspacing and/or offset trailing arms.

Also if you just want extra meat under there, another option is to buy some wider tires and mount them on your stock rims. I think MotorHead has 305s on the rear, but he had to adjust his ebrake bracket to get them to clear everything. Just note that the wider you go from stock sizes on stock rims, the more your handling will get worse!!!

I researched this for several months when I had my C3 and finally decided on 17in wheels under stock fenders with custom backspacing. I ordered 17x8 on the front with a 3.5" backspacing and 17x9 on the front with a 5" backspacing. I never put them on since American Racing and Sears screwed up the order and I ended up getting my money back. But here is a thread with another member with the wheels I was going to put on my C3: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=297198

There is also tons of information in the archives about fender flares, larger tires on stock wheels, and custom rims. You are a brave man for considering cutting up your C3 for fender flares!!! :reddevil

 

Ive got 17x9.5 inchers on my vette with the stock fenders. I managed to fit 275 width tires on it too. Check out my website for pics.

 

I don't think anything wider than 8 will fit. MAYBE 8.5.. no way will 9 work

 

FroDaddy is correct. your talking tire right? whats his name is running 295s on stock rims with an adjust e-brake something or other, and offset trailing arms.

i know, not much help, but at least there is a forum member thats running 295s (300 would be 12") who is glad to help you. its a red 80-82. when i think of his name, ill post it. its gonna bug the hell out of me because ive talked to him alot...

OT is getting to me :crazy:

 

MotorHead!!! Duh! how could i forget that? i am one :crazy: his Profile: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zero...rofile&id=7451
the has the tire size and you can see they are stock wheels. :cheers:

 

I spent 30 min to type that up for you and spent weeks researching the archives and e-mailing forum members to learn that information on my own when purchasing my 17" wheels. Check the archives for yourself; there's plenty of information about this topic in there. :rolleyes:

 

Fro.. I'm not doubting your research.. I appreciate it.. I just was feeling inside my wheel wells and it seems REAL close in there.. like maybe 1/2inch from the sidewall to the wheel well

 

I think a lot depends on the year... I couln't even put 245/60s on mine. They hit the e brake bracket mentioned above AND the muffler's.

 

It sorta struck a nerve with me... but it's all good. You do have to take it c3 by c3 because each has different clearance tolerances. Yours might require more work to get larger wheels/tires on there than another C3 built a day after yours. The guidelines are still the same though. Cya round :seeya