C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

17" tire size

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 05:15 PM
  #1  
DMONSVETTE's Avatar
DMONSVETTE
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 3
From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
Default 17" tire size

Who has 17" tires?
Some said that 17x50x255 fit with no problems.
Anybody running 17x50x265? Is it possible or will that rub.
This is for my stock 82 will be putting on 17s instead of the 15s.
TIA
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 05:52 PM
  #2  
PatsLs1vette's Avatar
PatsLs1vette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Default

I run 255/50/17 in the fronts and a 275/50/17 on the rears,the 255's only rub on one side and i just need to trim it a bit and itll be fine.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 05:57 PM
  #3  
DropTopBigBlock's Avatar
DropTopBigBlock
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Default

what BS are you running to get 275's in the back w/o rubbing? running flares or no?
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 05:58 PM
  #4  
DMONSVETTE's Avatar
DMONSVETTE
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 3
From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
Default

Originally Posted by patsnitrovette
I run 255/50/17 in the fronts and a 275/50/17 on the rears,the 255's only rub on one side and i just need to trim it a bit and itll be fine.

What rubs on the front? fender? tie rod end?
275s on the back, do you have offset T/A?
With 17x50s is the ride harsh?
TIA
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 06:10 PM
  #5  
PatsLs1vette's Avatar
PatsLs1vette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Default

Sorry 275's are with 2 inch flare 17x9.5 rim and 4 1/8 bs...the rubbing is the corner of the fender near my sidepipes.Just needs to be cut a hair.Only at full turn.
No it rides so much better then my 275/60/15s i had before.

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/patsvette/dsc01365.jpg

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/patsvette/dsc01361.jpg

Last edited by patsnitrovette; Dec 19, 2004 at 06:13 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 06:16 PM
  #6  
DMONSVETTE's Avatar
DMONSVETTE
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 3
From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
Default

Pat,

Thanks for the info and the pics.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 06:20 PM
  #7  
flynhi's Avatar
flynhi
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Default

255/50/17s all around. Closest to OE tire diameter.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 06:44 PM
  #8  
Gordonm's Avatar
Gordonm
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Default

The 255 50 17s rubbed on the fender on mine. I am running 255 45 17s now. Shorter sidewall and it handles great. With the 550 coils and 45 series tires, Yes it is a little harsh but it is a Corvette and it sticks like glue now.

Last edited by Gordonm; Dec 19, 2004 at 06:46 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 09:08 PM
  #9  
cmashark's Avatar
cmashark
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 199
From: Atoka, TN
Default

Originally Posted by Gordonm
The 255 50 17s rubbed on the fender on mine. I am running 255 45 17s now. Shorter sidewall and it handles great. With the 550 coils and 45 series tires, Yes it is a little harsh but it is a Corvette and it sticks like glue now.

what back spacing are you using? what about spacers?

chris
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 09:57 PM
  #10  
Daytona69's Avatar
Daytona69
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,020
Likes: 6
From: Long Beach CA
Default

I've got 17X8 American Racing Hopsters with 255/50/17's all the way around...4" backspacing and no spacers are required

Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 10:18 PM
  #11  
cmashark's Avatar
cmashark
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 199
From: Atoka, TN
Default

Originally Posted by Laguna70
I've got 17X8 American Racing Hopsters with 255/50/17's all the way around...4" backspacing and no spacers are required


thanks, this is what i have planned for my '81.
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...terline+dagger
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2004 | 02:23 AM
  #12  
timbo79's Avatar
timbo79
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: SF East Bay CA
Default

17" TTII all around.. 235/45/17 in front... 245/45/17 in rear. I like the stance.. car also lowered No rub... No mod
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2004 | 03:24 AM
  #13  
Pauld's Avatar
Pauld
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Rochester Kent
Default

Originally Posted by flynhi
255/50/17s all around. Closest to OE tire diameter.

That is what I am running on my '81
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2004 | 06:52 AM
  #14  
Gordonm's Avatar
Gordonm
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Default

I am running the TTIIs with 4 inch back spacing and no spacers. Seems like the early sharks have a little less clearance. The later ones can run the 255 50 17s with no rub.
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2004 | 07:59 AM
  #15  
pferrall's Avatar
pferrall
Heel & Toe
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
From: Delray Beach, Florida
Default

TT-II's with 255/50/17's all around on my '72. No rub, ridews a little harsher, I'm going to re-do the suspension in the spring , hoping it will help, these cars never run plush as we know.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2004 | 03:45 AM
  #16  
DMONSVETTE's Avatar
DMONSVETTE
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 3
From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
Default

Thanks for everyone's input. I will be going with 17x50x255.
I will pick up the tires tomorrow. I am still waiting for my lugs nuts and hidden valve stems to arrive in the mail. Hopefully, my new tires and rims will be mounted by Christmas. Don't worry I'll post pics as soon
as I can.
Reply
Old Dec 22, 2004 | 07:14 AM
  #17  
PatsLs1vette's Avatar
PatsLs1vette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 16
From: absecon nj
Default

You better take pics.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 17" tire size

Old Dec 22, 2004 | 09:09 AM
  #18  
CGGorman's Avatar
CGGorman
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Default

Hidden valve stems???

(and to keep it on topic, I have 255/50-17 on 4"bs. They rub the front fender at lock. Gonna trim.)
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2004 | 07:52 AM
  #19  
Jason Staley's Avatar
Jason Staley
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Default

255/50/17 Nitto tires on all four corners
Rubs slightly on back edge of fender while at full turn, but not real bad. I'll live with it for the correct look and they handle great.

Reply
Old Dec 24, 2004 | 08:51 AM
  #20  
foundvettelifeisgood's Avatar
foundvettelifeisgood
Melting Slicks
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 213
From: Pittsburgh PA
Default

Originally Posted by DMONSVETTE
Thanks for everyone's input. I will be going with 17x50x255.
I will pick up the tires tomorrow. I am still waiting for my lugs nuts and hidden valve stems to arrive in the mail. Hopefully, my new tires and rims will be mounted by Christmas. Don't worry I'll post pics as soon
as I can.
Good luck, but I think you are taking the unnecessary risk of rubbing, which a few guys have mentioned above. 255/45/17 are a perfect fit as the picture shows.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:35 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE