C3 Tire Size Help
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
C3 Tire Size Help
Hi all,
First post here for my 1982 C3. Having the toughest time finding some decent tires with rims on OfferUp/Craigslist.
I think I found some, but they’re 225/55/16.
Will these fit? Do I need spacers? Or should I only stick to the 225/70/15 and 255/60/15?
Any help would be much appreciated.
First post here for my 1982 C3. Having the toughest time finding some decent tires with rims on OfferUp/Craigslist.
I think I found some, but they’re 225/55/16.
Will these fit? Do I need spacers? Or should I only stick to the 225/70/15 and 255/60/15?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 420
Likes: 134
From: Upstate South Carolina
Hi all,
First post here for my 1982 C3. Having the toughest time finding some decent tires with rims on OfferUp/Craigslist.
I think I found some, but they’re 225/55/16.
Will these fit? Do I need spacers? Or should I only stick to the 225/70/15 and 255/60/15?
Any help would be much appreciated.
First post here for my 1982 C3. Having the toughest time finding some decent tires with rims on OfferUp/Craigslist.
I think I found some, but they’re 225/55/16.
Will these fit? Do I need spacers? Or should I only stick to the 225/70/15 and 255/60/15?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 145
Likes: 98
From: Central Kentucky
Oh man, there are a million threads on this subject.
Put this in your Googler:
corvette tire sizes c3 site:www.corvetteforum.com
Put this in your Googler:
corvette tire sizes c3 site:www.corvetteforum.com
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 279
From: New York
Hi all,
First post here for my 1982 C3. Having the toughest time finding some decent tires with rims on OfferUp/Craigslist.
I think I found some, but they’re 225/55/16.
Will these fit? Do I need spacers? Or should I only stick to the 225/70/15 and 255/60/15?
Any help would be much appreciated.
First post here for my 1982 C3. Having the toughest time finding some decent tires with rims on OfferUp/Craigslist.
I think I found some, but they’re 225/55/16.
Will these fit? Do I need spacers? Or should I only stick to the 225/70/15 and 255/60/15?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
As you pointed out, there are two tire sizes that came stock with 82s:
225/70R15
255/60R15
You might find YJ8 or N90 wheels (stock aluminum wheels, just not for an 82 CE), on Facebook Marketplace, or wherever, but you will almost certainly need to replace the tires. Anything more than 7 years old should be replaced.
Do you not have wheels on the car now? Post some photos!
225/70R15
255/60R15
You might find YJ8 or N90 wheels (stock aluminum wheels, just not for an 82 CE), on Facebook Marketplace, or wherever, but you will almost certainly need to replace the tires. Anything more than 7 years old should be replaced.
Do you not have wheels on the car now? Post some photos!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
I’m not looking for any aesthetic in particular, however, I wouldn’t mind a positive offset. The point of the post was just to see if these tires would fit or if I’d be running into some trouble having to figure out how much backspacing would be needed, spacers, etc.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
As you pointed out, there are two tire sizes that came stock with 82s:
225/70R15
255/60R15
You might find YJ8 or N90 wheels (stock aluminum wheels, just not for an 82 CE), on Facebook Marketplace, or wherever, but you will almost certainly need to replace the tires. Anything more than 7 years old should be replaced.
Do you not have wheels on the car now? Post some photos!
225/70R15
255/60R15
You might find YJ8 or N90 wheels (stock aluminum wheels, just not for an 82 CE), on Facebook Marketplace, or wherever, but you will almost certainly need to replace the tires. Anything more than 7 years old should be replaced.
Do you not have wheels on the car now? Post some photos!
I’m getting the interior completely redone and then getting some vinyl designs put on it. Should be ready by next week. I’ll make sure to post some pics when it’s done!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
Tires are said to be new on the rims. Appreciate the heads up though. I’ll make sure to ask and verify and then always do that moving forward.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
Oh man, there are a million threads on this subject.
Put this in your Googler:
corvette tire sizes c3 site:www.corvetteforum.com
Put this in your Googler:
corvette tire sizes c3 site:www.corvetteforum.com
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
I'm totally perplexed. What do you have, and what do you want?
C3s came with 4 different types of aluminum wheels during their run. Like the steel wheels (except 68), all were 15"x8", with 4" backspace.
YJ8 was the option code for the first released version (black center, up to 79), N90 was the option code for 80+ (polished center), and 78 Pace Cars got their own version of YJ8s with red paint on the rim.
These three are still reproduced:
https://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c...heels-set.html
If you have the 82 CE wheels, those may not be reproduced. There are also lots of cool period-correct aluminum wheels that folks put on, like western wheels turbines. If you have any of those, just buy new tires, if you want 15" wheels.
And if you are looking for completely different wheels and tires, there are threads on that, but most good modern tire choices start at 18" and up. So the 16" tires you mentioned in your first post? Don't bother.
So post a photo so we can stop speculating! There's a lot more to wheel/tire fit than tire size, just try to keep the stock OD of 27".
C3s came with 4 different types of aluminum wheels during their run. Like the steel wheels (except 68), all were 15"x8", with 4" backspace.
YJ8 was the option code for the first released version (black center, up to 79), N90 was the option code for 80+ (polished center), and 78 Pace Cars got their own version of YJ8s with red paint on the rim.
These three are still reproduced:
https://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c...heels-set.html
If you have the 82 CE wheels, those may not be reproduced. There are also lots of cool period-correct aluminum wheels that folks put on, like western wheels turbines. If you have any of those, just buy new tires, if you want 15" wheels.
And if you are looking for completely different wheels and tires, there are threads on that, but most good modern tire choices start at 18" and up. So the 16" tires you mentioned in your first post? Don't bother.
So post a photo so we can stop speculating! There's a lot more to wheel/tire fit than tire size, just try to keep the stock OD of 27".
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
I'm totally perplexed. What do you have, and what do you want?
C3s came with 4 different types of aluminum wheels during their run. Like the steel wheels (except 68), all were 15"x8", with 4" backspace.
YJ8 was the option code for the first released version (black center, up to 79), N90 was the option code for 80+ (polished center), and 78 Pace Cars got their own version of YJ8s with red paint on the rim.
These three are still reproduced:
https://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c...heels-set.html
If you have the 82 CE wheels, those may not be reproduced. There are also lots of cool period-correct aluminum wheels that folks put on, like western wheels turbines. If you have any of those, just buy new tires, if you want 15" wheels.
And if you are looking for completely different wheels and tires, there are threads on that, but most good modern tire choices start at 18" and up. So the 16" tires you mentioned in your first post? Don't bother.
So post a photo so we can stop speculating! There's a lot more to wheel/tire fit than tire size, just try to keep the stock OD of 27".
C3s came with 4 different types of aluminum wheels during their run. Like the steel wheels (except 68), all were 15"x8", with 4" backspace.
YJ8 was the option code for the first released version (black center, up to 79), N90 was the option code for 80+ (polished center), and 78 Pace Cars got their own version of YJ8s with red paint on the rim.
These three are still reproduced:
https://www.zip-corvette.com/68-82-c...heels-set.html
If you have the 82 CE wheels, those may not be reproduced. There are also lots of cool period-correct aluminum wheels that folks put on, like western wheels turbines. If you have any of those, just buy new tires, if you want 15" wheels.
And if you are looking for completely different wheels and tires, there are threads on that, but most good modern tire choices start at 18" and up. So the 16" tires you mentioned in your first post? Don't bother.
So post a photo so we can stop speculating! There's a lot more to wheel/tire fit than tire size, just try to keep the stock OD of 27".
Thanks so much for all the help everybody!
I went with the black Pacer wheels with blue and red pin stripes. Adding chrome center caps and lug nuts with a black logo. Car is Pearl white with a black Baldwin Motion wrap on it. Looks sweet.
As for the size, I just made it easy. Wheels are 15”x7” and Cooper Cobra tires are 225/70/15.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,025
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
On a serious note.. If I was really needing the performance from that extra bit of traction from fresher rubber I don't think I'd be looking for used tire bargins on offer up with those expectations.. just saying. But then again I'm pretty reckless with my six-year-old tires
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,734
Likes: 2,582
Thanks so much for all the help everybody!
I went with the black Pacer wheels with blue and red pin stripes. Adding chrome center caps and lug nuts with a black logo. Car is Pearl white with a black Baldwin Motion wrap on it. Looks sweet.
As for the size, I just made it easy. Wheels are 15”x7” and Cooper Cobra tires are 225/70/15.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
🤦♂️
You’re totally right. I don’t know what I was thinking. I don’t know how I messed the measurement up since I feel like I read it over 20 times, but I need wider rims and wheels. It still looks sweet and drives well, but not going to race it until I do.
Maybe the website/blog was wrong I was originally referencing…? Trying to blame anything/anyone but myself
Maybe the website/blog was wrong I was originally referencing…? Trying to blame anything/anyone but myself
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
If only I had so much money that I could discard and replace my tires every 3-4000 miles (4 years) on my recreational vehicles.. 1st world problems I guess.
On a serious note.. If I was really needing the performance from that extra bit of traction from fresher rubber I don't think I'd be looking for used tire bargins on offer up with those expectations.. just saying. But then again I'm pretty reckless with my six-year-old tires
On a serious note.. If I was really needing the performance from that extra bit of traction from fresher rubber I don't think I'd be looking for used tire bargins on offer up with those expectations.. just saying. But then again I'm pretty reckless with my six-year-old tires