tire selection
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Sparland IL
tire selection
Which tires should I put on my 71 vette. The car is a mildly built 454. I think I will stay with the stock 15 inch rims. I would like to switch them, but my $ are needed elsewhere. Thanks for your opinions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: tire selection (1971454ILvette)
Your choices are quite limited with 15" rims. "Big" sizes in 15 and even 16"tires are quickly becoming a thing of the past. I put Firestone SS20"s on mine. The problem is getting a performance tire tall enough to fill the wheel opening and give you a correct speedometer reading. :banghead:
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 25,778
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From: Zionsville, PA NRA Life Member
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: tire selection (1971454ILvette)
I put Pirelli Scorpion Zero's 255/60VR15 on my '77. I'm running 15 X 8 Rallys . No problem with rubbing and they handle great.
The VR speed rating is good for 149mph. I got them from http://www.tirerack.com for about $85 each plus shipping.( just checked, price is correct)
They are listed as a sport truck tire. This gives you a slightly stiffer sidewall which will help in handling.
:seeya JRD77VET
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 28
From: Spring, Texas
Re: tire selection (1971454ILvette)
I have had BFG Radial TA and Euro Radial TA tires and preferred the latter. However, they are softer compound tires that will naturally wear down faster.
BTW - 235/60/15 size fits and looks great on the stock steel rallye wheels.
[Modified by SharkAttack, 9:13 PM 3/16/2003]
BTW - 235/60/15 size fits and looks great on the stock steel rallye wheels.
[Modified by SharkAttack, 9:13 PM 3/16/2003]
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Sparland IL
Re: tire selection (JRD77VET)
Thanks for the input. I moved my car in Dec. from a machine shed into my garage in the basement of my house. About 2 days later the back tire had gone flat. It was trying to retread. Thank god it didn't do that going 80 down the road.
Thanks again :seeya
Thanks again :seeya
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SPARTAN
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Re: tire selection (1971454ILvette)
This has come up in the past and the 255s seem to be the widest that most people can go without interference problems of some sort. I seem to recall more rubbing problems in the front on older C3s than on later ones ('76+?). Not sure if there was a change in there or not. (Wheel lips maybe?)
As for WHICH tire to pick, I can't help too much from the data side of things for tires like that, but I know that one of the internet tire places has a comparison/rating area, so you can pick out a tire based on the qualities that you feel are most important.
As for WHICH tire to pick, I can't help too much from the data side of things for tires like that, but I know that one of the internet tire places has a comparison/rating area, so you can pick out a tire based on the qualities that you feel are most important.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 39
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From: media pa
Re: tire selection (rafox77)
I am going to buy the Dunlops. After hours of meaningless wondering on the internet, I found the Dunlops to be the biggest bang for the buck. Hands down. I've had the Goodyears (GARBAGE) and Firehawks (OK, but only fair to middling) Of course my son wants to see Goodyear on the sidewall. I wonder if he can paint....or hold a decent job.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 238
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From: Tee Tops off all year FL
Re: tire selection (flynhi)
I have Dunlop GT Qualifiers on mine 255/60/15. They have 45,000 miles on them and they have wore down perfectly even all the way around. I have not quite reached the wear mark yet but they are over 8 years old and the rubber is feeling hard.
I am replacing these this week with BFG radial T/A 255/60/15. :auto:
I am replacing these this week with BFG radial T/A 255/60/15. :auto: