Share Your C3 Upgraded Wheel/Tire Combo's
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
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:
Rear:
Include representative pictures:
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:
Last edited by TedH; Feb 22, 2021 at 02:10 PM.
Popular Reply
Jan 10, 2014, 08:15 AM
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 22
From: Justin TX
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.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 14
From: antelope ca
nice car ted
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:
Rear:
Include representative pictures:
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
- No changes to location of rear exhaust pipes or mufflers (2.5" pipe and Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers)
Include representative pictures:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
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)
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)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
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)
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)
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 417
Likes: 11
From: Brigham City Utah
Mine looked like this a few months ago.
Presently it looks like this or did a few weeks ago..
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
Presently it looks like this or did a few weeks ago..
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
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 417
Likes: 11
From: Brigham City Utah
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
Racer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 366
Likes: 19
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.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 233
Likes: 33
From: San Diego, CA
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.
Never liked these wheels
May not last for long but good for now
Friend said "Why would you put those old wheels on that car".. Because I like the look.
Now I'm happy
Never liked these wheels
May not last for long but good for now
Friend said "Why would you put those old wheels on that car".. Because I like the look.
Now I'm happy
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 417
Likes: 11
From: Brigham City Utah
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.
Never liked these wheels
May not last for long but good for now
Friend said "Why would you put those old wheels on that car".. Because I like the look.
Now I'm happy
Never liked these wheels
May not last for long but good for now
Friend said "Why would you put those old wheels on that car".. Because I like the look.
Now I'm happy
Karsten
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
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/
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/
Last edited by TedH; Feb 4, 2014 at 08:04 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 22
From: Justin TX
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.
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Attachment 47758048
Attachment 47758049
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 213
Likes: 13
From: Jefferson City Missouri
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
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
Last edited by vetteman1981; Jan 30, 2015 at 10:59 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 82
Likes: 11
Coy's polished C-5 18x8 with 4.00" back space
and Nitto 255/45/18 NT 555.
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
and Nitto 255/45/18 NT 555.
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
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 82
Likes: 11
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.
TX-Techman What size American Racing rims did you end up with ?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 14
From: antelope ca