Tire Size Recomendation
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: Indianapolis IN
Tire Size Recomendation
I know I could probably spend time googling this....but since all of the Corvette knowledge in the universe is here...I'm just going to ask.
I have a 77 and I'm putting on 15x8.5 wheels. What is the best size tire to use to make it work and look best? Ultimately, I'm going to go with BF Goodrich tires and I don't want to mess up this purchase.
Thanks all!
Gregg
I have a 77 and I'm putting on 15x8.5 wheels. What is the best size tire to use to make it work and look best? Ultimately, I'm going to go with BF Goodrich tires and I don't want to mess up this purchase.
Thanks all!
Gregg
Melting Slicks
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From: Chapel Hill NC
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I believe the stock tire was about 27 inches in diameter. The PO of my 71 put on 235/60/15 which are about 26 inches. I personally would like to see the wheel well filled more and yes I can tell the difference.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: eastern NC
I ran 255/60 15's on my '77 back in the late 70's. Later I installed the same size on my '73 Convertible. Both fit fine and looked excellent on the car.
Good luck... GUSTO
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Go to 18" when you upgrade.
On my two cars (79 and 80) with stock aluminum 15x8" wheels (YJ8 and N90), I have 255/60R15 tires. They fit great, and were available options for those years.
What wheels are you putting on? If they are YJ8s, no problem! If they are not quite the same as stock, there is a very slight chance that the backspacing is incorrect. FWIW, I had a pair of Enkei phone dial 15x8" wheels. The backspacing was deeper, so the tires were pulled in a bit, and the left front wheel would rub on sharp turns.
On my two cars (79 and 80) with stock aluminum 15x8" wheels (YJ8 and N90), I have 255/60R15 tires. They fit great, and were available options for those years.
What wheels are you putting on? If they are YJ8s, no problem! If they are not quite the same as stock, there is a very slight chance that the backspacing is incorrect. FWIW, I had a pair of Enkei phone dial 15x8" wheels. The backspacing was deeper, so the tires were pulled in a bit, and the left front wheel would rub on sharp turns.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: eastern NC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
If you buy tires mail order ... walmart let's you bring your tires and they'll mount, balance, install for about $60/4 ...
... Lifetime Free rotate & re-balance ... at any walmart ... anywhere ...
... majority of those WM grease-monkeys / tire-jockeys are NOT real car guys ... so ... watch 'em.
I've used this strategy for about 15 years now ... no issues
... Lifetime Free rotate & re-balance ... at any walmart ... anywhere ...
... majority of those WM grease-monkeys / tire-jockeys are NOT real car guys ... so ... watch 'em.
I've used this strategy for about 15 years now ... no issues
Last edited by jackson; Nov 20, 2019 at 01:50 PM.
Team Owner
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
235/60 front
255/60 rear works great looks "right" & should never rub period.
Some try a 275/50 or 60 in rear thats getting wide/tall though.
255/60 rear works great looks "right" & should never rub period.
Some try a 275/50 or 60 in rear thats getting wide/tall though.
Last edited by cv67; Nov 22, 2019 at 02:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Indianapolis IN
Alright....after tallying up the votes....255/60/15 it is.
I talked to my trusted mechanic down the street and he's going to install the set for $60....so I'm super happy with that. Now to get them ordered and figure out exactly how I want to prep the wheels ( paint or powdercoat). Hopefully I can have all of this done in the next few weeks.
Thanks for the input all.
Gregg
I talked to my trusted mechanic down the street and he's going to install the set for $60....so I'm super happy with that. Now to get them ordered and figure out exactly how I want to prep the wheels ( paint or powdercoat). Hopefully I can have all of this done in the next few weeks.
Thanks for the input all.
Gregg
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,335
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From: Western NY
Alright....after tallying up the votes....255/60/15 it is.
I talked to my trusted mechanic down the street and he's going to install the set for $60....so I'm super happy with that. Now to get them ordered and figure out exactly how I want to prep the wheels ( paint or powdercoat). Hopefully I can have all of this done in the next few weeks.
Thanks for the input all.
Gregg
I talked to my trusted mechanic down the street and he's going to install the set for $60....so I'm super happy with that. Now to get them ordered and figure out exactly how I want to prep the wheels ( paint or powdercoat). Hopefully I can have all of this done in the next few weeks.
Thanks for the input all.
Gregg
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 179
Likes: 67
From: Indianapolis IN
Just an "FYI"....you MIGHT have to trim the leading edge, of the front wheel openings. Go carefully, the first time you drive the car with the new tires on. (since the '78 pace cars had these as standard equipment, from then forward, through '82, all the cars came with the wells trimmed)
Gregg