Share Your C3 Upgraded Wheel/Tire Combo's
 

I've read a number of threads where members have shared their tire/wheel upgrades. Moderator advises that if we have enough interest, we may be able to create a 'sticky' thread.

Here's what I would like to see (I will use my stock config as a baseline format for order/capture of components/parameters). Perhaps we could omit stock parts to keep the details to ONLY the changes from stock. I'll include here just as an example. If there are other fitment/parts details that are essential please share. I would like to make it easy for those of us considering upgrade to make informed purchase decisions and minimize frustration:

Car: 1980 L48 with Gymkana suspension
Front:

• Stock style VB&P rubber bushing kit
• Stock stamped steel upper/lower control arms
• Stock style spindles
• Stock 4-piston calipers & rotors
• Stock swaybar
• Stock 15x8 aluminum wheels with stock backspacing (what is stock backspacing?)
• Stock style acorn lug nuts
• Goodyear Eagle GT II P255/60R15 RWL tires
• KYB shocks
• No wheel spacers
• Stock wheel well opening (no flares)
• Stock springs/ride height

Rear:

• Stock Van Steel rebuilt standard t-arm assemblies (not offset)
• VB&P Poly Adjustable Strut Rods
• Stock Van Steel rebuilt half-shafts with Spicer greasable u-joints
• Stock calipers, rotors and stainless parking brake hardware from Van Steel
• Stock diameter swaybar
• Stock 15x8 aluminum wheels (same as front)
• Stock style lug nuts (same as front)
• Mastercraft Avenger G/T P255/60R15 RWL tires
• KYB GR-2 Shocks
• No wheel spacers, no relocation of stock parts (ie. parking brake, etc.)
• Stock wheel well opening (no flares)
• Stock steel 7-leaf spring/stock ride height
• SLIGHT change to location of rear exhaust pipes as they are custom bent from local Rainbow Muffler shop. 2.5" pipe and Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers.

Include representative pictures:

Funny, I was just searching for biggest front wheel/tire for the fronts this morning...

nice car ted

beautiful car

Thanks. The garnet red/pearl base paint was applied in '94 under PO's watch. I've had it repainted/paint matched by Corvette Shop in Tampa (front then rear) after a couple hits by other drivers. Save for a few nicks from my working on the car, it looks really good. The orig color was dark claret.

Currently I'm running Toyo R1R's, but I will probably eventually switch back to the Michelin Sports shown in these photos because they have a better appearance. The R1R's are a bit too small of a diameter (26") where the Pilots are almost the factory diameter (26.6").

Original Configuration: 1976 L48 with standard suspension

Front:
Aluminum SPC upper control arms
VB&P lower control arms w/ transverse spring
Stock spindles w/ anti-bump steer blocks attached
Stock size SSBC 4-piston calipers & rotors
1" swaybar
PS Engineering 17 x 8" aluminum rims
235/50ZR17 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires
Edelbrock shocks
No wheel spacers
Stock wheel well opening (no flares)

Rear:
Stock standard t-arm assemblies (not offset)
VB&P Poly Adjustable Strut Rods
Stock half-shafts
Wilwood calipers with stock rotors and stainless parking brake
9/16" factory swaybar
PS Engineering 17 x 8" aluminum rims (same as front)
235/50ZR17 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires
Edelbrock shocks
No wheel spacers, no relocation of stock parts (ie. parking brake, etc.)
Stock wheel well opening (no flares)
VB&P fiberglass spring
No changes to location of rear exhaust pipes or mufflers (Borla mufflers)

http://indycarscene.com/photopost/da.../DSCN0086c.jpg

http://indycarscene.com/photopost/da.../DSCN0081c.jpg

http://indycarscene.com/photopost/da...dium/Tire1.JPG

NICE! Thanks for sharing! :thumbs:

Mine looked like this a few months ago.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/833/u49c.jpg

Presently it looks like this or did a few weeks ago..

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/853/wbms.jpg

New bearing front and rear, complete set of Prothane bushings, Gymakana springs front and rear, Upgraded shocks (I forget) Larger sway bars front and rear, new mounting hardware everywhere. Wheels will stay the same and maybe upgrade the tires down the road but they are new.

Karsten

Y'all got palm trees in Utah? That rear area looks like a blank canvas waiting for you to pull the trigger. Looking good! :thumbs:

Ted, the pic was when it was in Florida...I drove it our to get inspected, to the muffler shop for 2.5 inch pipes and off road mufflers, Nit picked the interior apart and said to hell with it....Do it right or don't do it at all.

I figured there aren't many 1973's out there left and even less as years go by...So it might be late next year before I get to drive it after paint and interior.

Talked the my friend that is doing the work and he thinks next week he will uncrate the new 375 hp 350 and start putting that together.

Karsten

I would like to go with 17" Torque thruster rims on my 73. I added the Wilwood 6 piston front, and 4 piston rear calipers. A suspension upgrade kit from Ecklers, with rear sway bar. Steeroids rack and pinion. I think I would like to be able to rotate the wheels. Not sure what back space to specify, and tire size. Thanks for any experience you guys can share.

My '77 had the same Western style wheels I never cared for on my '74, so after buying some used Cragar wheels that were in not so good shape and with some rattle can hammer black paint got the "Old School" look I was after.
Attachment 48140646
Never liked these wheels

Attachment 48140647
May not last for long but good for now

Attachment 48140648
Friend said "Why would you put those old wheels on that car".. Because I like the look.

Attachment 48140649
Now I'm happy

If the paint comes off invest in some Duplicolor Wheel Paint, Primer and Sealer.

Karsten

This "Tires" thread has some really good info:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...106-tires.html

This one too:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-17-x-8-a.html

This thread was started regarding comparison of ride quality of 15 vs 17" wheels/tires. I posed a question about the 17's given I can't find more than five (5) tires in my target size of 255-50-17:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...s-vs-17-a.html

This thread has lots of good info about 17 and 18" wheels/tires combos. I'm leaning toward 18x8's:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-thread-4.html

Easy tire height calculator gives tire measurements when you plug in your tire spec's (ex. 255-45-18 yields 27" total height... near perfect match to my 255-60-15's):

http://tire-size-conversion.com/tire-size-calculator/

Before and After
 

These are the before and after pictures of our 69. The first picture was the day I got her home and the others are after a treatment of Zanio and upgrading the wheels and tires. The new wheels are from American Racing and the tires are 225/70R15 BFG Radial TA. I can't tell you how much the tires improved the ride and drive of the car, was is unbelievable and I love the look.

Attachment 47758048

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Coy's polished C-5 18x8 with 4.00" back space
and Nitto 245/45/18 NT 555 front and 255/55/18 rear.
No mods to get these wheels and tires to fit.
The wheel width and back spacing is the same as stock.
Vette Brakes & Products powder coated calipers.
Vinylternative Decals for the front calipers.
Steel Braided Brake Hoses.

This thread helped me a lot.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ly-thread.html

Real nice look vetteman1981:thumbs::thumbs:

TX-Techman What size American Racing rims did you end up with ?

Thanks, I just got the wheels and tires two weeks ago.

I'm just getting ready to go thru my 81 (I've had 18 years), I'm driving my 89 right now.A lot decisions to make.

255/60/15 T/A's on your ol' favorite 15x8 rallys....

Attachment 48140570

Jebby

American Racing 15x7
 

The 15x7 fit with no back spacing. I didn't want to go to over sized wheels and tires and was looking for an old schol look. The 15x8s would have required backspacing and I really did not want spacers.

Great look Bro:thumbs: I'm going to oder a set of 15 x 8” at 4” backspace is the normal. That way I can run me standards 225 x 70 x 15 red walls can;t wait . :D:D

If you are looking for 17"s, I picked up a set from SLP that look like the ZR1 rims from 93-95 and the car looks really good. Tire size I'm running is a 245/45/17 BFG, they are a direct bolt-on but you need to make sure your e-brake clears. On my 68 that was just a matter of flipping the clip. It handles like a dream, but it is a touch rougher on the road. The rims were $900 bucks, triple chrome And the tires a steal at tire rack for $120 a piece

Photos or it didn't happen.:rock:

SLP 17 inch Rims-Hyperblack (silver) with 255/45/17 ZR tires-Stole them for $600 on sale for 4.

[IMG]http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/IMG_0273.jpg[/IMG]

Nice!:thumbs:

There you go blue dog you ball buster! Sorry new at this uploading thing. Direct bolt on SLP rims :rock:

That's a good looking vette. Sorry about your nuts.

Funny I wasn't wearing them, but I did find them in my old ladies purse the other day
Thanks, its been a labor of love and $$$$. But the smiles priceless!

Its a work in progress......
 

I cant wait to have it painted!

I recently bought a 1968 Base Model convertible basket case (formerly a 327-manual 4-speed/now a 350-TH400)....stock suspension/stock calipers/no spacers.

According to the forum threads, the front and rear caps are late 70's and the 4 rims have been changed from 15" x 7" width to 15" x 8" width.

Front tires...........BF Goodrich P235-60R15
Rear tires............Hancook P295-50R15 (1.750" "overhang" on each side of the rim---not ideal)

I do not care for the looks of the rear tires, but it was the "style" during that time period.....(and I had my high school '69 convertible Camaro set up the same way...LOL)...So, they will remain until I wear them out/daily driver)

Attachment 48140500

Upgraded 80'
 

The suspension I have is VBP Performance Plus full kit with VBP offset trailing arms, and VBP spreader bar. The wheels are aftermarket ( http://www.oewheelsllc.com/Wheels_3?...Q#.UtaryfY6JZk) C6 Z06 17"x9.5" black powdercoated with red outer banding, tires are Nitto NT555 Extreme Performance 25.55" tall 275/40 ZR17, and wheel adapters (http://www.ezaccessory.com/Billet_Wh...FTJp7AodqHIA-g) are 2.5". All sizes are the same front and rear. The ground to center wheel well lip height for the front is 26.5" and the rear is 27.5".

Attachment 48140488


Here's video of my Vette.

New wheels for my ride
 

Here's a pic of my new wheels I purchased last fall. American Racing Wheels 15x8 with BF Goodrich P235-60R15 on both front and back. Thinking I would like to go to a wider tire. Stock suspension and brakes all has been gone thru. Bring on Spring:cheers:

My 77, with Boss 338 18x8 with 4.5 back spacing 255 45 18 nitto 555 tiresAttachment 47759835

Really nice machine there!!
 

Very impressive machine you put together there!

That is one awesome job you did there,I wish we could do that in Ca. idiots!

Thanks for the compliments! :cheers:

I like this look. Could see it on my '80 L48. Thanks for sharing :thumbs:

Looks and sounds SWEET! :thumbs:

Thanks! :cheers:

Here's my wheel/tire combo.

Replica C6 wheels in C5 size, black chrome finish.
Front: 17x8.5
Rear: 18x9.5
Tires: General G Max AS-O3
Front: 245/45R17
Rear: 275/40R18
Van Steel offset trailing arms
2.5" wheel adapters rear
2.75" wheel adapters front

Attachment 48140392
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Needs to be lowered. Some forum members may not like the look, but I get many compliments on the wheel/tire combo.

Attachment 48140309Attachment 48140310Attachment 48140311

My '81 with some 15 x 8 Weld Pro Stars and 245-60R15 Cooper Cobras.

Attachment 48140308[/URL]



Nothing says classic C3 like big sidewalls. Even without RWL or OWL. :thumbs:

I had the white letters on the outside with my factory aluminum wheels. I thought I'd keep the black theme going. It makes the wheels stand out on this particular car.

nice look

Performance or not..... :iagree: Very nice look!

Thanks for the kind words guys. :thumbs:

I have the 255-60-15's with approx 27.05" tire/wheel height.

From what I have found, my stock 15x8 wheels have:
5x4.75" bolt pattern
4" backspacing

Is this correct for bolt pattern and backspacing?

I've run the 17" tire sizes through a tire height calculator and the 255-50-17's align to my 255-60-15 tire height of 27". All of the three other sizes are close but are off:

245-45-17 has 25.7"
255-45-17 has 26" height
255-50-17 has 27" <========
245-55-17 has 27.6"
255-55-17 has 28"

Now, I want to know if American Racing 17x8 wheels require adapters or if they will fit without.

Would I just need to get 17x8 wheels with 5x4.75" pattern and 4" backspacing to fit with same dim's as my 15x8 wheels/tires? Adapters required?

I note the following wheels have the 5x4.75" pattern but 4.5" backspacing and are supposed to fit the C3 without modifications. They appear to be same SLP wheels others have installed:

SLP Performance ZR1 Series Chrome Wheels 81003


I am partial to the AR 105M's in Anthracite

I may go ahead and upgrade the wheels/tires this Summer...

ONLY IF I can find a decent domestic tire that fits. Right now, I've seen Hancook, Nitto, Kumho and BFGoodrich. What's with the poor selection of tires in this size? Gets me wondering if the 255-50-17's are going the way of my 255-60-15's... :(

I see 255-45-18's have greater availability and have the same 27" tire height.

Question: Is there an 18x8 wheel (like the 17x8) that works with the C3 without adapters?

Would I just get 18x8 wheels with 4.75" bolt pattern and 4.5" backspacing?

Yes there is plenty of 18x8 wheels that will work without spacers/adapters. Like my Coys C5 18x8 with 4.00 back spacing, see pics in this thread.
There are other brands of wheels that offer 4.00 back spacing, Foose is the only one that I can think of off hand. You just have to shop around.

Now with 4.50 backspacing the wheels will have a tucked in look, some people like it some don't. I have seen 1980 - 1982 Corvettes on the forum with the same wheels with 4.50 back spacing and the wheels looked more tucked in on one car than on the other. That's why why I went with 4.00 back spacing. I just didn't want the gamble. The good news is there is no rubbing from what I have read here on the forum with 4.50 BS.

Yes you can get 18x8 with 5x4.75 bolt pattern and 4.00 or 4.5 BS. You should not have a problem.

I need to take a look at some of the C3's on the forum with the 18x8 wheels with 4 & 4.5" backspacing. I'm leaning in that direction (255-45-18 tires and 18x8 wheels with 4-4.5" backspacing, 0 offset) as I could keep trans calibration/ride height of my C3.

Switching tires and wheels does seem to involve many more decisions than what brand of wheel/tire. True learning experience :D

Do you have 1-2 pics from back and front corners to see how the tires fit in the wheelwells (ie. sidewall in comparison to fender lip as well as maybe a pic showing clearance from t-arm/shock/brakeline bracket)?

I'm leaning toward that wheel and tire size (18x8 with zero offset and 4" backspacing with 255-45-18 tires) to get combo close to the outer dimensions of my 255-60-15's.

If I can find this fitment in a Torq Thrust M (anthracite) wheel, I may be moving up to 18's in 2014-2015.

I like the greater number of tire options in this size over the 255-50-17 tires. (both... 255-45-18 and 255-50-17 are 27" tall).

No I dont have any pics but I can get some for you either tonight or sometime this weekend.

Thanks. How does your C3 handle around town and on country roads?

Did you have to get an alignment when you upgraded to the new wheels/tires?

From what I can find a 4inch back space is the same as -12mm offset for an 8 inch wide wheel.
Here is a chart that I found.

https://www.google.com/search?q=whee...iw=983&bih=548

I have only driven the car about 6 or 8 miles sence I put on the wheels on Jan 1 of this year and that was on a four lane Hwy. It did seam to have better stearing responce and firmer ride, not harsh at all.

I have not had it aligned yet will do so soon. I have heard that you should when you make the switch.

I like this tire. All-season, good treadwear and a US tire company:

255/45/ZR18 XL103W 400AAA COOPER ZEON SPORT A/S TIRES

http://www.rims4less.com/proddetail....5fbd3471752bbb

I ran a set of Cooper "Discoverer H/T Plus" (20") on my 2003 Silverado for close to 45K miles. No issues and very good quality. Was nice that my my lady friend (at the time) got about 35% discount. I'll definitely buy Cooper products again. I have pair of their Mastercraft Avenger G/T's on back of my C3 currently. Zeon Looks like a quality tire.

17x8 -12mm offest Rev Classic 100. bolt on, no spacers.
255/45ZR17 (26'') Continental ExtremeContact DW
(I don't recommend this tire size on a stock height C3 the wheel gap will look ridiculous)
stock front springs with one tight coil cut off
8'' bolts in the rear
1 1/8'' front sway bar (stock)
7/16'' rear sway bar (FE7)
stock fiberglass leaf spring
Bilstien Sports

Attachment 48140163

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Looking good :thumbs: I like the shot next to the C7 :cool:

thanks. that shot was to show ride height compared to the C7. Same with the pic next to the Blue C3.

The C7 overall height is 48.80 in. Stock 1980-82 height is 48.0 in. I have my overall height at just under 47 in. Have you measured yours?

no, where are you measuring to, the top of the roof?

I would think mine would be a little taller than yours, maybe a 1/4'' or so because of our tire diameter differences.

Here you go. The parking brake bracket fits inside the wheel. See pic.

Yes, top of the roof. I had mine down about a half inch lower front and rear, but felt it was a little too low, so brought it up to where it's at now.

This is a great idea... I can see which direction my car should go...Thanks...

Gorgeous Car
 

Love the tire and rim combination, this car is gorgeous, nice job!:cheers:

Rears are weld prostars 15x8 with a 4 in backspacing with hoosier quicktime (P275/60D-15") drag tires. The front wheels are also weld prostars however they are 15x3.5 and have hoosier 4.5" trend width on them. All of the wheels required a small spacer in order to clear the front rotors and the rear leaf spring but it gives the car a bit of a mean look without sticking out too far.

http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8fa9ca7f.jpg
http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/...psb4f32e3d.jpg
http://i1317.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5e52a0d6.jpg

The rear tires are 275/50-15 at 28" in diameter and the front tires are 235/65-15 at approx. 26" in diameter on Cragar wheels. Had to use spacers to clear brake calipers. Considering going with similar look but in a 17"x8" instead.

Lots of suspension upgrades including spreader bar, sway bars etc...

Do they fit with 4.5" backspacing without spacers?

245 60 r15 front 275 60 r15 on rear. The goodyears are 28x9 15 all are on 8 inch wheels with 4 inch backspace.
Attachment 48139843
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Attachment 48139845
Attachment 48139846

That really looks good! :thumbs: You might try lowering the rear just a bit to nail it.

Boyd JYD 18 x 8 with 255/45/18 and 18 x 9 with 285/40/18 Toyo's (5" b/s on rear)
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...fc383bec40.jpg

Spacers required? If so, what thickness? any other mods to fit?

No spacers - however some slight 'interference' on passenger side front fender opening which would have probably still happened with a wide 15" combo. Retained parking brake brackets in stock position at rear (although I used tie-wraps to pull away from tyre. Removed rear roll bar (ends rubbed on tyre) with the wider rear rubber its not needed anyhow. Front and rear tyres are approx. 27" tall and same diameter as stock rubber for that period. With 5" backspace and 285 section rear track is same as stock and tyre clears inner fender lip. Suspension is stock F40 option. Car is sitting a little high on two of the photos as it had just come off jacks for exhaust work and hadn't settled down.

Chrome rally wheels
 

Not the best picture (cheap phone). Have a great day, Bill

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http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/DSC05256.jpg

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http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/t...1/IMG_0376.jpg

Painted these up today.. Attachment 47776854

Attachment 47776855

Attachment 47776856

heres the set up I choose
 

Nitto tires

I love the look of your car, just a plain white muscle car. It looks like a sleeper. I really like it!

Looking good, That looks like the same setup I have. Boss 338's?

What are your wheel & tire spec's and did you have to alter springs and/or suspension to fit?

I really like the early spoke wheels on a C3. Leaning heavily toward 18" TT M's (anthracite) or Coy's.

I do have big block front springs even though I have a 383 SBC in it, I was unaware of that when I rebuilt the car. I plan on putting sb springs in some day to lower the front, I'm not planning on any tire rub issues. (Hence the smaller front tire)
Tires - All 4 Nitto NT555 (FYI its a soft tire, I like them and would buy again)
Fronts - 255/45/17
Rears - 255/50/17

Wheels
I purchased them through a company I found on eBay, however I didn't want there tire combo, so I called and they were happy to ship just wheels and lug nuts great price to, if I remember right about $550 for all 4. Here's there eBay link, but as a reminder I would be worried about tire rub with their combo.

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?n...d=301127973720

Pardon me for jumping in on your thread. I was hoping to see if any of you all had a composite spring added to the rear end that was causing you issues with back spacing. I'm was hoping to get some foose legends 17x8 with 4.5" BS but in measuring out the space from the rotor mount to the spring I only have 4 1/4" of space. Has anyone had this problem and can you recommend any options?

Yes, the TRW spring is way to close to the rims with 10" bolts, get the VBP spring

Attachment 48139508




heres my wheels

looks great, what is color of your paint, great color!

My new wheels came today! 17x7 mb old school. They seem like nice wheels, for not a lot of money.

it is an early 2000's corvette color Magnetic Red. it seems ti lighten and darken a lot in different light . i mixed in a bit extra metallic and pearl but not much.

Thanks for sharing! That's one clean bow-tie!

Nice and look like Coy 55's? source?

Here's the foose rims my vette came with...

Tried loading a little 25 sec vid... Wouldn't let me... Just my baby sitting at an idle with a quick walk around... ;-P

Wow - what a huge upgrade!!! Nice work. Do you mind if I ask the price of those wheels?

i never thought i would say this, but i love the louvers:cheers: