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As you read throughout this C3 section, I'm learning on my first Corvette. As I now get ready for new upholstery and (red) paint, I'm also thinking about wheels. I have a good set of OEM rims and trim rings in good shape. Yet, I'm a chrome kind of guy and see all kinds of beautiful wheels out there that come off various models of Vettes. Do they all interchange? I think I have 17" rims on it now. If not, which ones work on the C3/70 the best? How about non-factory wheels? I don't want fender rubs and a car that is difficult to turn. I want a good, smooth, fun ride. Give me your experiences and thoughts and recommendations, please.
Hi rr,
"I want a good, smooth, fun ride."
70 Corvettes have what many describe as a 'firm' ride because of it's suspension components. It rides like, well, an early 70s sports car.
Using a larger diameter wheel requires a lower profile tire which decreases the tire's sidewall height and thus decreases the 'cushioning' effect that the tire sidewall contribute to the ride.
Perhaps you might want to take that into consideration while you're thinking about new wheels.
Regards,
Alan
These are 255-60-15 by goodrich...Popular set up over the stock 225-70-15......There beefier and a little less in height than the stock size...The rims are 15x8 all around....Don't think you want to go low profile with a stock suspension ...It looks retro which is kool but, the ride I would imagine is pretty harsh....
Contact patch on these Bf Goodrich are good...Lot of tire between rim and road...
You can go with a smaller rim in front 15x7 and a size smaller in tire diameter to get that bigger tire look in the back if you want..I just went 15x8 all around and same tire size all around....I been running this look for a long time now....
Hi rr,
"I want a good, smooth, fun ride."
70 Corvettes have what many describe as a 'firm' ride because of it's suspension components. It rides like, well, an early 70s sports car.
Using a larger diameter wheel requires a lower profile tire which decreases the tire's sidewall height and thus decreases the 'cushioning' effect that the tire sidewall contribute to the ride.
Perhaps you might want to take that into consideration while you're thinking about new wheels.
Regards,
Alan
Hi Alan,
Seems like a good time to give my experience with '70/17" wheels.
I've been using 17" rally wheels for 3 years now and did not find the ride to be much, if any harsher than with the 15" rally wheels.
I do have F41 suspension, (without F41 shocks) and still have the aluminum body mounts.
With the F41 shocks, the ride was MUCH harsher than it is now with the 17" wheels. (My wife can verify that)
I believe the variable rate shocks (Delco RoadResponse) and the Michelin tires contribute to a very comfortable ride using 17" wheel.
I would never go back to 15" tires, as the 17" wheel/tires were an incredible improvement in general driving and handling.
Nice LT-1.....What's the exact size 17 inch tires are you running? They come in raised white letters?
The tires are P245/50R17, which is about the same diameter as the original tires. Newer C3's would likely take a size larger.
I don't think those particular tires come in RWL.
These are "V" speed rated at 149 MPH. (Not likely to see that)
This info is exactly what I am looking for. The stock rims on my Vette are 15". I'm not sure of the width. They are at least 8", looks more like 9", depending on how you measure them. Who else can weigh in on this?
This info is exactly what I am looking for. The stock rims on my Vette are 15". I'm not sure of the width. They are at least 8", looks more like 9", depending on how you measure them. Who else can weigh in on this?
Stock C3 rally wheels are 15 x 8", except '68 which are 15 x 7".
This info is exactly what I am looking for. The stock rims on my Vette are 15". I'm not sure of the width. They are at least 8", looks more like 9", depending on how you measure them. Who else can weigh in on this?
Be CAREFUL with this. The outer diameter measurement of the rim is NOT the rim size, it will always measure larger. The easiest way to determine rim size is look at the description on the tire. If not present you can measure the INNER diameter of the TIRE, which will be 15", 16" etc.
By the way, besides the stock rims, torque thrusts are always a sure bet on these C3's, or any older car really....this is not my C3 but here is what I'm talking about:
Barry, please tell me what F41 suspension is. What makes it different from the normal suspension that I reckon that I have on my car. Will the 17's work on a normal suspension?
I've answered my my own question on Google. It looks like the F41 suspension is a HD performance suspension that was available on mostly high powered cars then and can now be purchased to put on any Vette. Yes, it will make the car handle better at high speeds. No, I speculate it will not give it smoother ride. I suspect (the new) suspension will cause the car to sit a little higher, thus the 17" tires might be ok... but not for stock suspension. My gut says to stick to the 15" rims and tires... but you tell me your experience!
I've answered my my own question on Google. It looks like the F41 suspension is a HD performance suspension that was available on mostly high powered cars then and can now be purchased to put on any Vette. Yes, it will make the car handle better at high speeds. No, I speculate it will not give it smoother ride. I suspect (the new) suspension will cause the car to sit a little higher, thus the 17" tires might be ok... but not for stock suspension. My gut says to stick to the 15" rims and tires... but you tell me your experience!
Hi RR, you will find as many others have before you that the tire options available for 15" rims is quite limited and is often the deciding factor in owners changing to larger sizes. You need to consider what use you are going to put your vette to and this will help decide what to fit. I went with 17" TT2 rims fitted with 235 x 55 Series tires. To me the 55 tire fills out the wheel well a little better that the more common 45 Series, keeps the rolling diameter close to the stock dimension, gives a reasonably compliant ride and also means the speedo keeps reading the same. The tires I fitted were intended for 1980 to 90's BMW sedans and offer good all round performance.
I've answered my my own question on Google. It looks like the F41 suspension is a HD performance suspension that was available on mostly high powered cars then and can now be purchased to put on any Vette. Yes, it will make the car handle better at high speeds. No, I speculate it will not give it smoother ride. I suspect (the new) suspension will cause the car to sit a little higher, thus the 17" tires might be ok... but not for stock suspension. My gut says to stick to the 15" rims and tires... but you tell me your experience!
I see I need to clarify my comment about F41 suspension in my response to Alan's post.
Alan was making a point about 17" tires giving a little harsher ride than 15" due to a shorter sidewall.
Alan also commented that on a c3 with aluminum body mounts, the ride could be a bit harsher again with 17" tires.
My point was, I have 17" tires, with aluminum body mounts and F41 suspension, where F41 also adds a bit of harshness to the ride.
My point is, with all this going on, I still do not have a harsh ride with the 17" tires.
I'm not sure what you mean by (the new) suspension. If you mean the F41 suspension I have, it's been on there for over 40 years, and it does not cause the car to sit any higher (or lower) than the stock suspension did.
17" tires with the same diameter as your 15" tires will look and operate the same as 15" tires.
Stock suspension vs HD suspension has nothing to do with the look or operation of 17" tires.
As Haggisbash said, in going with 17" wheels/tires, you get a much greater selection of tires. You also get better handling as the 17" tire has a shorter sidewall and has much less sidewall flex over 15" tires.
Another consideration, example, a Radial T/A in 15" is a common tire used. It has a speed rating of 112 mph. I'm not sure if you can get a 15" tire with a higher rating. In a 17" size there is a great choice of speed rated tires. 112 mph rating is not an issue for most people, just thought I would add that piece of information.
05-22-2017, 08:23 PM
What wheels will work on a 70
